The moment Alex McCarron of McCarron Events & Design and Alexandra Euler of A.C.E. Styling laid eyes on the sculptural “Ryda” gown by Leah Da Gloria, their vision for a styled shoot snapped into focus. From there, they set out to create a scene as luxurious and high-glam as the bride herself — one that complemented the gown’s dramatic lines without competing with them. Gold Chiavari chairs framed a clean tablescape where white anthuriums sprouted like modern art and fresh pears and green grapes added an unexpected Renaissance touch. From the ethereal, light-catching veil to the gown’s train spilling across the carpet, every detail offered a feast of modern luxury with a whisper of vintage decadence.

The editorial grew from a desire to let fashion and design not merely coexist, but seamlessly elevate one another.

– Alex McCarron Events & Design, owner, McCarron Events & Design

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHY Yazzen Photography
VIDEOGRAPHY Enki Motions
VENUE The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago Loop
SHOOT HOSTS McCarron Events & Design, A.C.E Styling
PLANNER McCarron Events & Design
FLORAL Sweet Pea Design Studio
GOWN Dimitra’s Bridal Couture
STYLIST A.C.E Styling
HAIR Rannia Maria Hair
MAKEUP Nia Dynasty
CAKE Brulée Cake Boutique
CONTENT CREATOR Social Brides Collective
MODELS Zandra Olczyk, Erick Zelaya

Against the neoclassical grandeur of the Chicago History Museum, Blue Llama Events reimagined South Asian wedding artistry with a design that honored heritage while embracing a fashion-forward edge. Jewel tones, luminous gold accents and petal-soft florals imbued the historic space with vibrant cultural fusion.

Details were intentionally layered to showcase the vibrancy of South Asian traditions through a contemporary lens: a ceremonial mandap washed in soft metallics, tablescapes rich in texture and ornate attire, all styled against the museum’s stately architecture. The photographs capture how ancestral rituals and modern glamor interact, each enhancing the other to create a narrative that is both timeless and current.

[This shoot] is a love letter to multicultural celebration, artistry and the beauty of unity within contrast, all set in one of Chicago’s most storied venues.

– Jean Rivers, owner and lead event planner, Blue Llama Events

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHY Amna Belal Photography
VENUE Chicago History Museum
PLANNER Blue Llama Events
FLORAL & DECOR Siblana Events
BRIDE’S ATTIRE Āve India Design Collective
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR SuitShop
HAIR & MAKEUP Nicki Rouge Bridal Team
HENNA Henna by Areeba
STATIONERY VS Invitations
CAKE The Purple Tulip Cakery
LINENS BBJ La Tavola
MODELS Pinki Bagchi, Faizan Seedat

– Sponsored content brought to you by CD One Price Cleaners –

Fashion trends change as fast as news headlines, so it’s no surprise that yesterday’s it-girl gown can feel outdated after just a few seasons. What feels fresh today can quickly become obsolete. But there is one powerful way to overcome the inevitable fashion cycle, and that is preservation.

Whether it’s your wedding dress, a milestone gown, or a vintage piece handed down from your grandmother to your mother and now to you, preserving the dress properly is essential. It helps protect the fabric and the memories associated with it, allowing you to pass it down through generations. What better way to keep something timeless? (more…)

(more…)

FEATURE PHOTO real Volle’s Brides Across America Bride, Mariana, by Love & Light Photography

Susanne Dershaw, owner of Volle’s Bridal & Boutique and Mr. Tux’s Formal Wear, doesn’t just believe in beautiful weddings — she believes in giving back. So when the opportunity arose to partner with Brides Across America again for their “Operation Wedding Gown” initiative, it was a natural fit.

“I have many active military personnel and veterans among my family and close friends,” Susanne shares. “I’ve seen firsthand the incredible sacrifices they make for our country and for the freedoms we all cherish. My gratitude for them and their service is something I feel every single day.” (more…)

Feature Photo by Madi Ellis Photography

(more…)

Feature Photos by Dominika Photographer, Meghan Lee Harris Photography, Derrick Parsons Weddings

Welcome back to our Venue Viewpoint series, where we spotlight exceptional wedding venues across the greater Chicagoland area. Each feature offers an insider’s look at a different location, highlighting what sets it apart and why it just might be the right fit for your wedding. Through Q&As with venue managers and a closer look at each space, our goal is to give you the insight you need to choose the perfect setting for your celebration.

This time, we spoke with Amber Showers, the Director of Events at The Carriage House at the Club at Lac La Belle — a beautifully restored event venue located on the grounds of a historic country club in Lac La Belle, Wisconsin. Just outside of Milwaukee, it offers Chicago couples the charm of a countryside escape without straying too far from the city. With its sweeping golf course views, modern-meets-classic architecture, and versatile event spaces, The Carriage House makes for an inviting backdrop on your special day.

(more…)

Feature Photos by Cynthia Silaghi and courtesy of Delamar Traverse City

Welcome to our series, Venue Viewpoint, where we bring you an insider’s look at some of the most stunning and unique wedding venues for Chicagoland couples. Each installment spotlights a different location, highlighting its distinctive character, standout features and why it could be the perfect backdrop for your “I do.” Through exclusive Q&As with venue managers and breathtaking imagery, we are excited to share all the inspiration and information you need to find the right setting for your wedding day.

(more…)

FEATURE PHOTO BY Elizabeth Greve Photography

Besides your vendor team, who knows Chicago weddings better than couples who’ve experienced their own Chicagoland wedding? We asked real newlyweds featured in Chicago Style Weddings for their best wedding advice. 

(more…)

FEATURE PHOTO: The Study at University of Chicago by Lauren Angela Photography

With a wealth of new and newly renovated venues, Hyde Park’s most storied stretch of greenspace is a prime destination for a trip down the aisle. With insights from the team at The Study at University of Chicago, we explored what makes Hyde Park, and its venues along the Midway, a uniquely charming destination for Chicago weddings.

Once the vibrant heart of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, Hyde Park’s Midway Plaisance has long been a place of wonder, celebration and awe. Stretching a mile from Jackson Park to Washington Park, the Midway was the World’s Fair’s grand esplanade — lined with sideshow attractions, replica villages from far away lands and futuristic pleasure rides like the world’s first Ferris wheel. Today, that same strip of green space is a stunning backdrop for weddings that blend history, beauty and urban serenity. (more…)

To celebrate the release of our 2025 issue, we teamed up with Wedicity for a night to remember: a vibrant, Tulum-meets-Chicago Sunset Soirée aboard City Cruises’ Spirit of Chicago. With over 550 guests, iconic skyline views, and a sunset sail capped by fireworks, this was our biggest (and most unforgettable!) release party yet.

Held on July 9 and docked at Navy Pier, the four-level dining yacht became a floating celebration of Chicago’s incredible wedding community. Guests explored each deck while enjoying signature bites and cocktails from City Cruises, flipping through our new issue, and dancing the night away.

The evening’s success was due in large part to the powerhouse planning team at Wedicity: Tionna M. Van Gundy, Kristina Flens, and Giovanna Danno. Known for their guest-centric approach and eye for detail, they crafted an experience that celebrated not just the magazine, but the people who bring Chicago’s wedding industry to life. (more…)

In the heart of Chicago, the Seven Star Venue transformed into a kaleidoscope of color, culture and contemporary style.

Planned by The Event Agency and FRWD Style Weddings and Events, the styled shoot reimagines modern wedding aesthetics through the lively lens of Caribbean Carnival. Bold hues, intricate patterns and a spirit of joyful maximalism set the scene, inviting couples to envision a celebration as dynamic and vibrant as their love story. With its fusion of rich cultural traditions and fashion-forward details, every moment felt like an invitation to celebrate love in full color.

From the co-planner …

This immersive experience, inspired by the exuberance of Caribbean Carnival and the boldness of fashion art, showcased how maximalism can harmoniously blend with romance to create unforgettable wedding moments.

– Moinyett Pruett, Venue Manager, Seven Star Venue 

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ann Burton Photography
VIDEOGRAPHER: S.A.F. Films
VENUE: Seven Star Venue
PLANNERS: FRWD Style, The Event Agency
FLORAL & DECOR: Belle Époque Floristry
STYLIST: Heike Jones for FRWD Style
GOWN: LVLY Bride
RECEPTION DRESS: AKIRA
STATIONERY: FRWD Style
CATERING: Cocina Fusion
CAKE: Tee Tee’s Sweets
TABLETOP RENTALS: Tablescapes Event Rentals
LINENS: Windy City Linens
ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Blk Soldier
MODELS: Chaundia Jones, Darnell Starks Jr

WRITTEN BY Blair Woerfel, BW Studio + Events | COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Gretchen Wittry Photography

If you’re wedding planning, you’ve probably considered getting a block of rooms at a local hotel for all of your guests to take advantage of, right? But how do they work? And what are some good rules of thumb when you’re weighing one block against the other?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. The full-service planners at BW Studio are here to unpack hotel blocks with you! (more…)

Feature Photo of CMB Catering

Chicago’s culinary scene is unmatched and attracts some of the world’s top chefs. By pairing a sincere passion for food with pure talent, these Chicago culinary artists are sure to elevate your wedding day meal. Not only will you be served a work of art, but your guests will also talk about the delectable meal for years to come.

(more…)

Forkfuls of fettuccine, freshly powdered cannolis and flickering candlelight set the scene for this indulgent and intimate celebration.

Orchestrated by Alex McCarron Events and Kearney Rae Photo, this wedding vision brings old-world charm to the cozy corners of Orso’s Restaurant in Chicago’s Old Town. Inspired by reimagined drapery and Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, the shoot team embraced rich, earthy hues and flowing textiles as their focal points. From the frothy espresso martinis to the warm glow of vintage chandeliers, every detail signals that indulgence can be savored, especially when pasta is on the menu.

From the Photographer & Planner …

We were inspired to capture a wedding in a setting that has become increasingly popular — restaurants. Today’s couples are looking to think outside of the box and opt for a celebration that is both unique and stylish, offering more character and intimacy.

– Kearney Pluth, owner, Kearney Rae Photo & Alex McCarron, owner, McCarron Events & Design

Vendor List

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kearney Rae Photo
VENUE: Orso’s Restaurant
PLANNER: McCarron Events & Design
FLORAL & DECOR: Ashland Addison Florist
STATIONERY: XO Art and Design
DRAPING: Elevated Events Chicago
HAIR & MAKEUP: Feeling Pretty Inc.
GOWN: Dimitra’s Bridal Couture
FORMALWEAR: Generation Tux
CATERING & CAKE: Orso’s Restaurant
CONTENT CREATOR: Social Brides Collective
MODELS: Mia Gindlesperge, Stone Sirpilla