How Long Does Wedding Gown Preservation Last?

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Feature photo by Karlie Dru Photography

Your wedding gown is one of the most cherished items from your big day. To keep it in pristine condition for many years to come, many brides choose to preserve it. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the factors that impact the longevity of your gown’s preservation. Let’s dive into some strategies to ensure that your gown lasts through all seasons and special occasions!

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Incorporating Pantone’s Color of the Year “Peach Fuzz” into Your Wedding

The year of the Pantone Peach Fuzz wedding is here! Each year, color experts at the Pantone Color Institute™ select a much-awaited Color of the Year. Through trend analysis and consideration of the cultural zeitgeist, these trend forecasters study fashion, film, travel, new technologies, home design, socio-economic conditions, and more to coin a color that sets the pace of the next year’s visuals.

 

For 2024, Pantone’s team named Peach Fuzz (PANTONE 13-1023) as the Color of the Year. The color is a velvety and gentle creamsicle tone, evoking a desire to nurture ourselves and others. Still on the heels of tumultuous world happenings, it only makes sense that 2024 gets bestowed such a kind and cozy hue.

 

In Pantone’s own words, “Subtly sensual, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz is a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration. A warm and cozy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others or for enjoying a moment of stillness and the feeling of sanctuary this creates, PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz presents a fresh approach to a new softness.”

 

What better way to celebrate your nuptials than with a color that evokes the desire for togetherness? Here are some inspirations on how to incorporate PANTONE Peach Fuzz into your wedding.

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Embracing Sweetness: The Trend of Wedding Sweets Tables

Sweets table feature photo c/o Vanille Patisserie

When it comes to weddings, tradition and innovation often dance together to create memorable celebrations. One such trend that has been gaining momentum in recent years is the concept of a wedding sweets table, which offers a fun alternative to the traditional wedding cake. This delightful trend not only showcases a diverse array of delectable treats but also adds a unique touch of personalization and style to the wedding festivities.

“Mini pastries and small bites are common at every other kind of social gathering you can think of, so I thought – why not weddings!” says Sophie Evanoff, owner and operator of Vanille Patisserie. Vanille Patisserie has long been a community staple for French pastries and wedding cakes alike. Evanoff noticed more couples showing interest in small cutting cakes for their reception, but with supplementary sweets tables to feed the whole guest list. “You get the ritual of the cake cutting while also offering much more variety to guests,” she says. “Sometimes cake can feel like a really formal moment […] but the sweets table allows guests to try more things at their leisure while they enjoy the party!”

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River North Reverie: The Top Wedding Venues in Chicago’s River North Neighborhood

Feature Photo by Mark Trela Photography

Art, architecture and city energy sing in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Rather than dedicated event spaces, River North’s wedding venues primarily exist in the form of luxury hotels and fine dining destinations. Just across the Chicago River from The Loop, nothing beats wedding portraits along the Chicago Riverwalk promenade! So why not host your wedding amidst some of the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Marina City corncobs, Merchandise Mart, Trump Tower and the Reid Murdoch Building? From repurposed industrial spaces to rooftop gardens with skyline views, this neighborhood provides an array of options to suit diverse tastes.

Join us as we explore the enchanting allure of River North’s wedding venues, where dreams come to life amidst the dynamic rhythm of the city.

 

*For the purposes of this venue guide, we’ve considered the boundaries of River North to be the Chicago River on South and West sides, N Rush Street on the East and W Chicago Street on the North.

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Love in the Loop: The Top Wedding Venues in Chicago’s West Loop Neighborhood

Feature Photo by Nicole Donnelly Photography 

While all neighborhoods have their own allure, the West Loop neighborhood has exploded onto the scene as a favored wedding destination. The ever-expanding neighborhood is a delightful gem, brimming with charm, character and, most importantly, mesmerizing wedding venues. From industrial-chic spaces to panoramic rooftops, the West Loop has it all.

From 1850 to the late 1980s, the West Loop was Chicago’s thriving meatpacking district. But as time went by, the West Loop began to change, graduating from meatpacking and evolving into the modern-day hotspot for foodies and partygoers alike. This once industrial hub has thus additionally turned into a vibrant backdrop for Chicago couples to start their forever.

Whether you’re envisioning an intimate gathering or a grand affair, these West Loop venues will set the stage for your love story. Let the love-filled, West Loop venue exploration begin!

 

*For the purposes of this venue guide, we’ve grouped together in the neighborhoods of West Loop, Fulton Market, Greektown and West Town.

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11 Seating Charts We’re Loving

If you’re in the middle of your wedding planning, you know what’s coming: The Seating Chart. The RSVPs are piling up, and that one task needs to be tackled – sooner rather than later, if we’re being honest.

It’s a task that many dread, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite seating charts that we’ve featured in real weddings or styled shoots right here on chicagostyleweddings.com.

Without further ado – the seating charts of your dreams!

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Preparing for the Perfect Day: Six Must-Do’s the Week Before Your Wedding

By Lee Ramsay, Lee Ramsay Events | Feature photo by JC Lemon Photography

Your wedding day marks a momentous occasion in your life, and the week leading up to it can feel both thrilling and overwhelming. Whether your wedding is an intimate gathering at a lakeside park or a downtown blowout bash, creating a plan for the week leading before your wedding can help ensure everything goes smoothly on the big day.

As a wedding planner, I recommend these six steps to make the most of this final week of preparation–and to ensure you have a truly unforgettable (and relaxed!) wedding.

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23 Breathtaking Terrace & Rooftop Venues in Chicago

Feature rooftop venue photo by Jermaine Horton at The Penthouse Hyde Park

When it comes to celebrating love against the backdrop of the iconic Chicago skyline, the city’s rooftop venues truly shine. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate ceremony under twinkling stars or a vibrant party overlooking Lake Michigan, these venues offer a slice of urban paradise. Here’s a roundup of the most captivating rooftop wedding venues Chicago has to offer.

 

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Five Keys to Unlocking a Memorable Backyard Wedding

backyard wedding

By Lee Ramsay, Lee Ramsay Events | Feature photo by Sammi Shea Photography

There’s no place like home: when planning a wedding, the unique and most personal venue you can book is your own backyard. Chicago’s range of neighborhoods and landscapes provide truly one-of-a-kind local experiences that a big ballroom can’t replicate.
A backyard wedding, however, is no simple fête. As an event planner, my primary advice to couples looking to get married in a backyard is that this is not the easiest route; it’s actually one of the most ambitious types of events to pull off. So, I discuss these five key considerations with my clients when planning outdoor weddings at home–from brownstone backyards to lakefront estates.

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Beyond the Aisle: 7 Wedding-Related Events to Consider

As you diligently plan and prepare for your nuptials, it can be easy to overlook the various events that precede and succeed your big day. These events, ranging from an engagement party all the way to a day-after brunch, present opportunities to commemorate your love story in a medley of ways.

However, more events can mean a host of additional logistical questions. So we’ve compiled a list of the most common wedding-related events and their respective traditions and etiquettes. While it is worth bearing in mind that none of these events are mandatory (apart from the ceremony, of course), the more occasions to rejoice in, the more delightful the festivities will be!

Discover Your Wedding Day Fragrance

Feature Photo by Stephanie Wood Photography

Amidst the glimmer of heirloom jewels and your face-framing lace veil, the perfume you adorn yourself with becomes an essential part of curating your wedding-day aura. Fragrance has a remarkable ability to stir emotions, evoke memories and enhance your overall experience. Join us on a fragrant journey as we explore the various scent profiles and their significance in the context of your special day.

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Wed Essentials: Hot Nights, Cool Vibes by Sarah Kathleen Events

Inspired by the bright lights and bold colors found in Miami, vibrant wedding details are making a big splash. Statement shoes paired with short dresses help beat the heat and the fun fashions don’t have to stop with the bridal gowns. Unique neon touches will show guests the way and keep the party going all night long!

“Hot Nights, Cool Vibes” Handpicked by… Sarah Rodriguez, Owner of Sarah Kathleen Events

Above Photo by Aquila “Quilz Tamay” Flores

 

  1. Amazonica Table Linens, Lola Valentina
  2. Flamingo Decor, The Whole Sch-bang Wedding Event Styling
  3. Chelsea Pearl Cat-Eye Sunglasses, Lele Sadoughi
  4. Getaway Palm Tree Heel, AKIRA
  5. Neon Flamingo, WEBB Production
  6. Neon Table Numbers, DecorFab
  7. Petit Chou Mini Dress, Veronica Sheaffer
  8. Sun-Kissed Glow Cream Bronzer, Charlotte Tilbury

Every Wedding Playlist You’ll Ever Need

Feature Photo by Lauren Ashley Studios

What is the soundtrack to your love story? Choosing songs for your wedding can either be super exciting or completely overwhelming. It is, however, an important step in establishing the vibe and sound that will make your wedding unique.

THE RULES

When planning the music for your wedding, it’s important to remember that there are no hard and fast rules. But, if you’re looking for some helpful guidance, here are a few things to consider:

  • Create a Spotify or Apple Music playlist so that whenever you hear a song you both like, you can quickly add it to the playlist to remember for later.
  • Make a list of “must-play” songs to ensure that your favorite tunes are included on your special day.
  • Create your list of “do-not-play” songs, which might include tracks that hold bad memories or that you simply don’t like.
  • Tailor your choices to your own favorite genres and use music as a storytelling device. Personalize your wedding soundtrack by including artists you’ve seen in concert together, “your song” and even covers of classics done by contemporary artists.
  • Consider the special moments of the day — such as entrances, cake cutting, first dances and the bouquet toss — and select songs that fit the occasion in terms of tempo and theme.
  • Think ahead and communicate any specific requests to your sound operator. Things can happen quicker than you anticipate, so if there’s a particular part of a song you want played during a specific moment, be sure to let them know so they can edit or cue up the song accordingly.
  • Finally, don’t be afraid to include your favorite songs, even if they don’t fit into the dancing portion of the evening. These songs can be played during dinner or cocktail hour to ensure that they don’t go unheard.

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