Featured Photo by Nicodem Creative
Finding “the dress” is on the top to-do list of many nearlyweds. But it can certainly be one of the more daunting (and sometimes stressful) tasks to check off! However, with proper planning, it can be one of the most enjoyable, memory-making moments unto itself. Let’s dive into a few ways to make the most of your dress-shopping day.
Feature Photos by Nicole Ryann Photography
Welcome to our new series, Venue Viewpoint, where we bring you an insider’s look at some of the most stunning and unique wedding venues in the greater Chicagoland area. In these articles, we’ll feature a different venue, showcasing their distinct charm, what makes them special, and why they might be the perfect backdrop for your special day. Through exclusive Q&As with venue managers and breathtaking photos, we are excited to share all the inspiration and information you need to choose the ideal setting for your wedding.
Up first, we spoke with Johanna Morawski, Director of Marketing and Events at Ravisloe Country Club aka Ravisloe Weddings, to learn more about the historic country club in Homewood, IL.
On July 10, 2024, the Chicago wedding scene was abuzz with excitement at our Chicago Style Weddings magazine release party. Hosted at Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago, we welcomed over 450 industry professionals and wedding enthusiasts to celebrate love and the art of matrimony.
Feature Photo by Lynn Yati
Your wedding day is a culmination of beautiful details, with every element carefully considered. Among these, don’t forget to consider the harmony between your wedding dress and beauty look. Once you have chosen your dream wedding attire, your hair and makeup work in tandem to create a cohesive and captivating bridal vibe.
Glam Atelier, a prominent on-site glam provider in Chicago, is known for its signature glamorous style and fashion-forward core. There are many elements to consider when determining your wedding glam and Glam Atelier has perfected the art of understanding each bride’s vision for the perfect vibe.
To start your wedding glam journey, check out these expert tips and trends from Glam Atelier to help you match your wedding hair and makeup with your dress style. (more…)
Headed by Exquisite Events & Floral Design, this Designers’ Challenge team painted a portrait of galactic love. Inspired by celestial splendors, they showcased innovative and playful ways to celebrate an out-of-this-world love story. Shane Lawrence Photography captured the captivating work of Blooming Events Chicago, Exquisite Events & Floral Design, Delish Cakes and Vividesign by Alero in the brand-new Naperville venue, The Matrix Club.
Taking cues from galaxies near and far, the team was inspired by a cosmic palette of deep indigo, shades of purple and glistening gold. The design focused on tonal variations and textures reminiscent of The Milky Way, infusing organic spirals, billowing clouds and speckles of stardust.
The Matrix Club is Naperville’s newest premier event facility, complete with a luxurious theatre and art gallery, state-of-the-art technologies and global culinary offerings. The vast ballrooms and overall newness of the space proved the perfect environment for this Designers’ Challenge team to build on. As a result, they transported us to a world defined by swirling nebulas, warm starlight and infinite possibilities.
We worked together to bring out the vibrant colors of the galaxy, from the little details on the invitation to the texture of the tablecloth, the beauty of flowers and the cake. Every detail was thought of and chosen carefully to highlight the beauty of the galaxy.
– Bukky Garcia, Exquisite Events & Floral Design
PLANNER Exquisite Events & Floral Design
PHOTOGRAPHY Shane Lawrence Photography
VENUE The Matrix Club
FLORAL & RENTALS Blooming Events Chicago
CAKES & SWEETS Delish Cakes
STATIONERY Vividesign by Alero
Seated (Left to Right): Alicia Eisenmann (DELISH CAKES), Bukky Garcia (EXQUISITE EVENTS & FLORAL DESIGN)
Standing (Left to Right): Ana Vicol (BLOOMING EVENTS CHICAGO), Shane Cleminson (SHANE LAWRENCE PHOTOGRAPHY), Cherryl Marcey (THE MATRIX CLUB)
Feature Photo by Emily Williams Photography
Planning your wedding should be as exciting as saying “yes!” — not stressful. Luckily, there are different levels of wedding planning services to fit any need and budget. Let’s break down the main options: full-service planner, partial-service planner, month-of coordinator, day-of coordinator and venue coordinator. Each tier offers a perfect fit for your big day. (more…)
Embracing the joy and excitement of a wedding isn’t reserved for the young; love and commitment know no age. For brides tying the knot later in life, the journey to the altar can be filled with a unique blend of wisdom, grace and style. Whether it’s a first marriage, a second chance at love or a renewal of vows, brides over 50 have the opportunity to redefine bridal fashion and celebrate their personal style with elegance and confidence.
PHOTOGRAPHY Berlez (formerly Aspen Avenue)
VENUE The Guesthouse Hotel
FLORAL Ashland Addison Florist
HAIR & MAKEUP Glam Atelier
GOWNS Dimitra’s Bridal, Grace + Ivory
MODEL Denise Bruscher
Feature Photo of The Atria, by Tuan B & Co
This summer’s New To The Scene highlights our favorite additions to the Chicagoland scene, from the recently opened businesses to sparkling new renovations. Stay in the loop and check out these fresh picks!
By Barbara Vanni, BWeddings | Feature Photo by Lauren Sims Photography
From the initial high of saying “yes” to a life of love with your person to concerns about sticking to your budget, finding a great venue and coping with the stress of a big life event, wedding planning can feel like your emotions are taking you on a roller coaster. During all of our years in the wedding industry, we here at BWeddings have seen it all!
To help support couples during their planning process and prepare for one of their best days, we’ve created this guide to understanding common wedding concerns. Everyone is unique and may work through this exciting process in their own way, but we hope these tips will keep you feel more confident as you move forward. (more…)
At The Haight, Kristina Jones Events transformed the industrial Elgin venue into a lively Mexican market. To showcase this vision, John Foley Photography captured the works of Amore Creative, Elements Preserved, Kristina Jones Events, Larkin Foral and Toni Patisserie against the venue’s textured brick backdrop.
The team drew inspiration from Kristina Jones’ family heritage, especially paying homage to her late grandparents. From there, they created a color palette of marigold, terra cotta, achiote, dragon fruit and teal, inspired by painted clay pottery and Mexican folk art. The Haight, a preserved and restored industrial warehouse from 1980, was the perfect environment for the team to infuse such colors and textures.
With Mexico’s traditional flavors in mind, this design transports guests to “el país del sol.” The team utilized Talavera pottery centerpieces, marigold garlands and the custom margarita bar to evoke the sounds of Spanish guitar and the smells of fresh carne asada and elote. Who knew the essence of Latin America and the energy of bustling tianguis could be experienced along the Fox River?
It truly meant so much to be able to honor my family and where we come from through the design of this shoot.
– Kristina Jones, Kristina Jones Events
PLANNER Kristina Jones Events
PHOTOGRAPHY John Foley Photography
VENUE The Haight
FLORAL Larkin Floral
CAKE & SWEETS Toni Patisserie
STATIONERY Amore Creative
RENTALS Elements Preserved, Marquee Event Rentals
Seated (Left to Right): Toni Cox (TONI PATISSERIE), Kristina Jones (KRISTINA JONES EVENTS), Parisa Morris (LARKIN FLORAL), Sandy Territo (LARKIN FLORAL)
Standing (Left to Right): Jessica D’Amore (AMORE CREATIVE), John Foley (JOHN FOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY), Beth Boelter (ELEMENTS PRESERVED), Adriana Amarei Soleim (LARKIN FLORAL), Nicole Patterson (THE HAIGHT), Lauren Schroeder (THE HAIGHT), Jeremy Morris (LARKIN FLORAL), Joe Territo (LARKIN FLORAL)
These are not your grandmother’s wedding desserts. Featuring unique textures and surprising sizes, we invite you to raise your forks and indulge in these creations.
PHOTOGRAPHER Allie Idrac
VENUE Wildman BT
PLANNER Designed and Detailed Event Management
FLORAL Ashland Addison Florist
RENTALS Dish & Décor Vintage Rental
LINEN BBJ La Tavola
CAKES & SWEETS Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café, Creative Cakes, Delish Cakes, ECBG Cake Studio, EK Cakery, PoundCake Bakery, Toni Patisserie & Café, Vanille Chicago
By Sandy Thinnes, Sandy Thinnes Beauty Flow | Feature Photo by Madi Ellis Photography
You’ve been imagining your wedding day for months, years, maybe even decades. As you prepare to walk down the aisle, it’s natural to want to look and feel your absolute best. That’s where mindful pre-wedding beauty routines come into play. By prioritizing foundational beauty leading up to your big day, you can unlock your bridal beauty potential and radiate confidence from the inside out.
Here are some tips on how to elevate your pre-wedding beauty routine and ensure a world-class glow on your special day: (more…)
WarPaint International Beauty Agency, Eliana Melmed Photography, Olive Fine Weddings and Mertle & Dot set out to create a vision truly representative of the beautiful diversity within the Jewish community. Driven by the desire to showcase the rich tapestry of Jewish identities, customs and love stories, this shoot embodies the beauty of inclusivity and tradition. From being adorned with traditional Sephardic henna to wearing a tallit under the chuppah, real couple Natalia and Nissim showcase several modern iterations of Orthodox and Sephardic traditions.
From the planners…
We want to celebrate the profound beauty and diversity of Jewish wedding traditions, celebrating the unique customs, identities and love stories that exist within our community.
-Anna Giuliano, Operations Manager and Educator at Warpaint International Beauty Agency
Eliana Melmed, Owner of Eliana Melmed Photography
Kirsten Westerlund, Planner at Olive Fine Weddings
Alex Onion, Owner & Floristat Mertle & Dot
PHOTOGRAPHY Eliana Melmed Photography
VENUE Salvage One
PLANNER Olive Fine Weddings
FLORAL & DECOR Mertle & Dot
RENTALS The Festive Frog
STATIONERY RH Design House
KETUBAH Foreverie Paper
HAIR & MAKEUP WarPaint International Beauty Agency
HENNA Tamariel Paints
GOWN Love Theory Bridal and Ateres Chaya Bridal Gemach
FORMALWEAR SuitShop
STYLING ASSISTANCE Uncommon Closet
CHUPPAH Amitai Loew with Omni Handyman Services
MODELS Natalia Malaver-Said and Nissim Said; Jordi Goodman & Leo Spornstarr; Naomi Rosen & Rachel Brustein; Hudi Licht
The Gilded Aisle Weddings led their team in creating a romantic setting evocative of a stroll through Paris in the springtime. Achieving an elegant display in pastel shades, Winterlyn Photography captured the creations of ECBG Cake Studio, From Ashley Calligraphy, The Gilded Aisle Weddings, Hedonia Flowers and Nuage Designs in The Study at University of Chicago.
