Written by Audrey Jonas | Photography by Louie Abellera Weddings 

Weddings are about public declarations of love, and not just between the newlyweds. Guests giving toasts and speeches at the wedding reception are important traditions. It’s a chance to include some close family or friends on your big day and hear their reflections and well wishes upon the marriage.

When it comes to toasts, couples should choose a few people important to them to make a few remarks, give them plenty of notice and make sure to express their gratitude for their time and effort.

But sometimes — a few weeks before the wedding — the couple gets a panicked text. Their friend is freaking out. They procrastinated and they don’t know where to start! Wedding speech writing can be nerve-wracking, but here is a basic guide to the structure of a wedding speech, and a few other tips to keep in mind on the big day.

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Celebrity wardrobe stylist Kate Loscalzo believes bridal shopping should be fun and easy, so she created Something White Styling, a platform specializing in exclusive rentals for brides. With this platform, she offers both rental options and styling services for carefully curated, gently-worn bridal attire and accessories. With this service, you can achieve both sustainability and style for all your wedding-related occasions.

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WRITTEN BY Sam Haywood, Paramount’s Meyer Ballroom | Feature Photo by Lauren Ashley Studios

When you begin your venue search, you don’t always know what you’re looking for. To get you started, here are some tips and important elements to consider.

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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.

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WRITTEN BY James Cox, Chicago Sugar Daddy Patisserie | Feature Photo by Rachael Schirano Photography

Determining the ideal size for your wedding cake can be a challenge. From guest count to budget to personal preferences, there’s a lot to consider! Let’s break it down.

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Written by DuPage County Convention & Visitors Bureau | Feature Photo by King & Opal

There are a lot of factors to consider when planning a wedding in a city you don’t live in. But with the guidance of a local Convention and Visitors Bureau (commonly known as a CVB), your wedding away from home can come to life.

Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a unique and unforgettable vacation and wedding wrapped in one. However, planning a destination wedding can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area and its local vendors. This is where working with a local CVB can be incredibly helpful.

At DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau (also referred to as DuPage CVB or Discover DuPage), we offer complimentary planning services for those looking to get married in DuPage County. While we cannot help you book hotel accommodations in Malibu or arrange site visits in Miami Beach, we can shed some light on what a CVB can do for you when planning your wedding. Each CVB operates differently; we cannot guarantee what services other cities will provide, but we can let you know that the resources are out there. Let’s get started!

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Adored and adorned – a symphony of elegance sings through fine jewelry selections styled by CD Peacock.

LOCATION Wildman BT
PHOTOGRAPHY Zach Caddy
JEWELRY CD Peacock
HAIR & MAKEUP Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists
VIDEOGRAPHY CTRL+shot Wedding Films
GOWN PROVIDER Grace + Ivory
MODEL Carly Jane Dagen, 10 MGMT

What

A “wedding shower” is the more inclusive iteration of a conventional bridal shower. While a bridal shower is customarily reserved for the bride and only her female friends and family, a wedding shower is a co-ed version customized to fit any style or preference.

Although we will refer to this event as a “wedding shower,” it is entirely up to the hosts and guests to choose a name that suits them best. Whether it is a “bridal shower” for ladies only, a “groom’s shower” for the gentlemen, a “nearlywed shower” for a nonbinary celebrant or a “Jack and Jill party” for the couple hosting together, the spirit of the celebration remains the same.

The shower usually takes place during the day, with options like a luncheon, tea party or light hors d’oeuvres social. As the name implies, the event is a time to shower you with love and gifts. It’s an excellent opportunity to incorporate a unique theme or light-hearted games, such as the shoe game, couples trivia matches or yard games like bocce and ladder toss.

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Feature Photo by Nicole Donnelly Photography

What

Your wedding is undoubtedly a celebration of your relationship with your future spouse, but the bachelor/ bachelorette party provides an opportunity to celebrate you as an individual. Although you’ll be spending the rest of your life with your partner, this is a party just for you and your closest friends. It’s a chance to revel in your single life (legally speaking) one last time before tying the knot. The lively celebration can range from a singular fun night out on the town to a multi- day destination adventure.

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What

A wedding welcome party is a casual pre-wedding event that kicks off the wedding festivities. It’s a perfect way to welcome out-of-town guests and bring everyone together before the big day. The welcome party can be a replacement for a traditional rehearsal dinner or an additional, separate event held before or after the rehearsal dinner.

This event typically involves light bites, cocktails and some ice-breaking activities. Get ready for corn hole, jumbo Jenga, bocce or maybe even a scavenger hunt. Use your welcome party as a time to have some lighthearted fun and set the tone for the weekend.

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What

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What

The Mehendi (also known as Mehndi or henna) ceremony is a pre-wedding ritual common in South Asian cultures, particularly in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. During this event, the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with intricate henna designs, often including traditional motifs and symbols. The application of henna is accompanied by music, choreographed dancing and lots of food, making for a lively and festive event.

Henna serves both aesthetic and symbolic purposes. Its designs are renowned for their intricate beauty and often incorporate symbols of luck, joy and love. Additionally, Mehendi incorporates ancient herbal remedies. The henna paste has natural cooling properties that help the body regulate temperature and soothe nerves. As a result, the bride’s henna application not only produces beautiful skin enhancements but also has a calming effect on the tension and anxiety often associated with weddings.

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Featured Photo by Nicole Donnelly Photography

What

Depending on your reception venue’s hours or noise restrictions, your party might have to close down before you’re done celebrating. This is when the after- party comes in! Whether you want to wind down with a drink or dance the night away, many couples choose to extend the festivities beyond the reception itself.

While it’s a good idea to have some after-party plans in mind, it’s often an event that arises spontaneously.

As the night progresses and last call approaches, you and your guests may realize you’re not quite ready to call it a night. Don’t feel pressured to plan an elaborate after-party that you may be too exhausted to enjoy. Keep some ideas in mind, but remember that most wedding after-parties occur organically.

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Featured Photo by Kate Scott Photography

What

You’re recovering from a long weekend with a packed timeline; consider the farewell brunch as a relaxed closing to it all. Depending on how the night ended, this gathering allows guests to say their goodbyes and not feel rushed. An informal buffet- style brunch works great, as guests can come and go as they please. Let attendees know that they can stop by anytime within a two- or three-hour period to offer any final congratulations and grab a bite.

A buffet or an à la carte menu are easy ways to feed your guests without much stress; offer light breakfast options that do not require a sit- down meal, like muffins, quiche or donuts. While a mimosa or Bloody Mary bar is always festive, be sure to have plenty of coffee and water as well!

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Drawing inspiration from the playful love stories in romantic comedies, a vision of pink, sage and ivory unfolded in the Emerald Room at Chicago Gaelic Park. As is often seen in romcoms, this styled shoot showcased the unlikely couple: a mix of traditional and modern. The venue itself, Chicago Gaelic Park, is a cultural center dedicated to preserving Irish heritage and traditions. However, this styled shoot proved that opposites attract and modern weddings can thrive in this kind of setting. From ribbon-bound vow books, a private vow reading in the venue’s Claddagh Falls unfolded like a scene out of “When Harry Met Sally.” While on the other end of tradition, flash photography captured the couple playfully raising their glasses of Guinness at The Carraig Pub. These romantic scenes would make Nora Ephron herself swoon.

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