What 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 MoreColor is making a comeback—and it's doing so in a big way. Today's couples are looking for ways to create weddings that feel deeply personal and unforgettable. Rather than following a single aesthetic, they're embracing palettes that tell a story, evoke emotion, and reflect their personalities. This resurgence isn't about being louder—it's about being more intentional.
Read MoreFlower mockups are a trial run of your floral arrangements. Usually, fresh floral mockups are limited to bridal bouquets, bridesmaids’ bouquets and centerpieces. The intention is to give the couple an overall idea of the color story, size, shape and texture of their floral arrangements.
Although many floral designers and florists do provide this service, there are plenty that do not. If you’re considering or questioning the purpose and need of a floral mockup, here is some information that you might find helpful.
A very real issues for couples planning their wedding in 2026 is sorting out AI usage and how it may affect the validity of their wedding vendors. Most specifically, how AI affects photographers.
With that issue becoming a growing concern for people that are trying to discern fact from fiction, we created this article with the help of some of our wedding photographers within the CHI thee WED Vendor Community.
Every season transforms this city into a different backdrop. Summertime from the color pallet to the seasonal florals to the quality of the natural light available, choosing your wedding season is a big deal!
If you're trying to decide exactly when to say "I do," here's what each Chicago season really brings to the table when it comes to your wedding photography.
Here's the thing we want you to sit with for a second: your people are traveling for you. You are bringing every person you love into one city, at one time, on purpose. That will probably never happen again in your life. You only get to do this once.
So don't just invite them to a wedding. Host them for a weekend.
