Newlyweds Know Best: Real Wedding Advice from Real Couples
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.
Marion & Joseph
Married 06/15/24 at Medinah Country Club
Say “No”
“Wedding planning can feel like a second job, and it’s easy to get caught in the spiral of decisions, opinions and comparisons. It’s okay to delegate, to say ‘no,’ and to choose what brings you joy — even if it’s not traditional or “Instagram-worthy.” The day will be magical because it’s yours.”
Eat!
“Ask your venue or caterer to pack “to-go” meals for you and your spouse. With all the excitement, you likely won’t eat much during the reception — and you’ll be so grateful for that late-night bite once it’s all over!”
See more from Marion & Joseph’s wedding here.
Giulia & Vito
Married 10/28/2023 at Belvedere Banquets
Think Beyond Trends
“If something is ‘out’ and you love it, you should still do it! It’s about what you like and what you want your day to look like. It’s not about what anyone else thinks is cool or the next best thing going. Trends will always come and go, but you will always remember your day for how you wanted it to be.”
See more from Giulia & Vito’s wedding here.
Erin & Conor
Married 03/02/2024 at Sanctuary Events
Trust the Pros
“Let the professionals do their jobs. Provide your budget and basic ideas, and let them do their thing. They are the professionals for a reason!
Stay Together
“People will pull you in a million different directions. My brother-in-law pulled us aside for a few moments by ourselves during the reception so we could really take in what was happening, who was there and process things together. If you have to schedule that time alone, even if it’s only 10-15 minutes. You’ll need it!”
Put Your Health First
“I was sick on our wedding and I had symptoms that week leading up to it, but I pushed my health to the side to focus on other things. PUT YOURSELF FIRST. I wish I had gone to the doctor’s and nipped it in the bud.”
See more from Erin & Connor’s wedding here.
Heather & Manny
Married 05/20/2023 at City Cruises, The Odyssey Chicago River
Assign Some Alone Time
“Find a moment to step away and just be together. After our first dance, while everyone was enjoying happy hour, we slipped away to exchange our personal vows in private. It was quiet, emotional, and just for us. Having that little pause gave us space to really take in everything that had happened and everything we were feeling before jumping back into the wedding day chaos.”
Curate Your Guest List
“Most of our guests already knew each other from past get-togethers, so the vibe was super relaxed and fun. There was no awkward small talk, just a room full of people who genuinely cared about us and were happy to celebrate together. And as a bonus, it definitely helped us save some money.”
See more from Heather & Manny’s wedding here.
Max & Trevor
Married 09/23/2023 at The Ivy Room
Celebrate Throughout
“Our favorite part [of wedding planning] was celebrating every decision we made throughout the process. We picked a tux? Let’s celebrate with dinner! We chose a napkin color? Let’s grab a drink! We selected a venue? Let’s reward ourselves with a weekend trip! It made every decision exciting and gave us a reason to love every step of the process.”
Plan On Your Own Timeline
“You have more time than you think. Don’t rush into decisions because you feel pressured to set a date or choose a venue. People will ask you for updates non-stop, but remember you are on your own timeline, not anyone else’s.”
See more from Max & Trevor’s wedding here.
Steph & Ian
Married 03/10/2023 at Skydeck Chicago
Think Outside the Box
“Think beyond traditional venues! If there’s a special spot in the city that means something to you — even if it’s not typically used for weddings — don’t hesitate to ask. You’d be surprised how many spaces are open to hosting once-in-a-lifetime celebrations when approached with a creative vision.”
Expect Unexpected Expenses
“Always plan for unexpected expenses — they’ll pop up. Stick to your budget as best you can, but be open to negotiation. Many vendors were willing to work with us to find a middle ground. We also made a plan to quickly pay off anything we went over budget on, and looking back, we don’t regret a single penny we spent.”
See more from Steph & Ian’s wedding here.
Natalie & Trevor
Married 01/06/2024 at Eden Events
Accept Help
“We thought we could do everything ourselves, and didn’t want to burden anyone with little tasks. But people do want to help and are so gracious! They are there for you. Your friends and family love and support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for an opinion, request a favor or even have someone place a late-night McDonald’s order for you at the reception!”
Get Creative
“I loved sourcing our materials and decor from thrift stores and resale shops. It felt special to have our own pieces that we can reuse in our home and that fit our personal style. I still get comments about how gorgeous and magical our decor was, and it makes us so happy since we found everything ourselves.”
