In early October, one of our curators, Emma Mullins, made the trip to Dixon, Illinois for the highly anticipated Storyteller Farms debut. This new luxury event destination is family owned and operated, having recently hosted its first wedding in May 2026.
Read MoreAs a long-time professional Chicago wedding photographer, I have spent hundreds (and I mean of mornings with brides and grooms in those fleeting hours before the ceremony. I’ve seen the “good”, the “not-as-good”, and the “whoopsie daisies!” all pop-up on wedding mornings and lucky for you, I’ve created a little cheat-sheet listing out my top five ways you can prep to make sure you are set for wedding morning – and ultimately wedding day - success!
Read MoreThere is a reason so many couples want Chicago in their wedding photos. Within one city, you can have historic architecture, a riverfront backdrop, a beautiful hotel interior, and the skyline along Lake Michigan. The challenge is choosing which places actually make sense for your day. Today Winterlyn Stebner, owner of Winterlyn Photography, shares her knowledge from over 12 years of photography experience to help you find the ideal locations for your wedding and engagement photography!
Read MoreTimeless in the City is a styled editorial built around restraint. Ashlee Stapleton of Ashlee Stapleton Events planned and coordinated it and modeled as the bride, with her husband Jason stepping in as the groom. I built the shot plan - the locations, the timing, and the order we'd move through the building.
Read MoreNot sure when to order wedding invitations or begin planning your wedding-day stationery? This guide walks you through the key milestones, from Save the Dates and invitation design to mailing deadlines and day-of details, so you know when to begin and what comes next.
Read MoreWhat does each guest actually cost? Not in the “Aunt Linda loves the shrimp” sense. In the “every chair pulls a whole supply chain behind it” sense. Today we are breaking down how to count your full guest cost on the wedding day or wedding weekend.
Read MoreIn today’s post, DJ Trevor with Total Harmony Entertainment gives three reasons he encourages couples and planners to place the DJ close to the dance floor, and centered in the room whenever the layout allows. Read more to find out WHY!
Read MoreYou don’t have to sacrifice the beautiful backdrop or the floral lined aisle if you take a moment to understand how floral pricing works while also prioritizing the right items. The cost of wedding flowers is impacted by the following things: quantity, design style, location and labor. Let’s get into it!
Read MoreThis gorgeous wedding was captured in Chicago by one of our community members, Varya Bazalev Photography. We hope that this Chicago wedding is all ofthe inspiration you need to create a magical day that is absolutely YOU.
Read MoreWhen planning a wedding celebration—whether it’s an intimate bridal shower, a chic bachelorette party, or a memorable girls’ night out—finding an activity that feels elegant, engaging, and personal can be a challenge. Enter MJM Occasions, a luxury, Latina-owned floral design studio in Chicago bringing interactive, hands-on floral experiences directly to your celebration.
Read MoreWe had the opportunity to work with The Wedding Masterclass for the Chicago State of the Wedding Industry Event in March. CHI thee WED was proud to be the team curator sponsor which means that I sourced the team that put the event together. We put as many CHI thee WED Community Members in the event as possible and it ended up being a fantastic group and fantastic event!
Read MoreHiring talented people isn't enough. Here is how to assemble a team that actually works together so you can stop managing vendors and be present as the bride.
Read MoreThis talented team of vendors in the Northwest Suburbs area brought a luxury level concept to life for smaller venues. They wanted to give clients an elevated experience, showing them the potential these spaces hold. They paid homage to the roots in the prairies and utilized a lot of naturally sourced foliage to showcase our home. The shoot took place in Historic Woodstock, at the Courthouse Square.
Read MoreFor 2027, we’re seeing brides embrace more personality, texture, and thoughtful design. Think silhouettes inspired by historical corsetry to romantic lace reimagined for the modern bride. At the same time, the idea of a “wedding dress” is expanding. Brides are dressing for courthouse ceremonies, welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, receptions, and after-parties, creating an entire bridal wardrobe rather than choosing just one look (which we LOVE!).
Read MoreFrom the beginning, Erica and Isabella wanted their wedding to feel personal, joyful, and centered on community. As their planner, my role was to help translate those values into each decision while creating a day that allowed them to remain fully present.
Read MoreIf you’re hiring a coordinator to execute your logistics on the big day, here is a clear look at what often falls outside our scope so you can plan accordingly.
(Quick disclaimer: Every coordinator offers slightly different service tiers, so always ask if you’re in doubt!)
Madelyn and Noah were living in Chicago for the summer and wanted a classic summer city vibe for their engagement photos. And I don’t blame them - who doesn’t love Chicago in the summertime? Luckily, the weather was on our side and I had a blast helping bring their vision to life.
Read MoreEmily and Grant’s wedding reimagined classic urban elegance through a bold, fruit-inspired lens, transforming the Chicago Illuminating Company into a vibrant celebration of color, texture, and personality. Rather than leaning into the muted tones often associated with industrial venues, this design embraced playful citrus hues, rich berry accents, and unexpected pops of tangerine, raspberry, and lime.
Read More
