If 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!)
Color 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.
Whether you're getting married on a rooftop overlooking the skyline, in a garden, or at an outdoor venue in the suburbs, understanding how Chicago's weather can affect your wedding entertainment will help ensure your celebration goes smoothly, no matter what Mother Nature has planned.
Read MoreThe wedding industry has convinced brides that the best way to choose a beauty team is by scrolling through their portfolio. Our research suggests that's one of the biggest mistakes they can make.
Read MoreMost couples go into wedding planning with zero experience, which means they don’t always know the right questions to ask when hiring their vendor team. As a wedding coordinator, I am constantly amazed by how often I begin working with a couple only to realize they don't know the basic details of the vendor contracts they’ve already signed. If you want to protect your investment and your peace of mind, here is a guide to the key questions you need to ask before you hire each vendor.
Read MoreAs a bridal designer, I've seen hundreds of wedding dresses make it through wedding days beautifully. The truth is that most gown emergencies aren't major emergencies at all…they're small, fixable issues that can happen during a long day of hugging, dancing, eating, and celebrating. I recommend putting together a small wedding dress emergency kit and here are the dress-specific items I recommend every bride pack.
Read MoreMany couples wonder whether they need both Save the Dates and wedding invitations. Learn the difference between the two, when to send them, who should receive them, and how to decide what makes the most sense for your wedding.
Read MoreAs a Chicago wedding photographer with over ten years of experience and over 300 weddings under my belt, I think it’s fair to say that I’ve pretty much seen it all. I’ve witnessed the good, the amazing and the…ah…not so amazing?!
Here are five of the biggest decisions you’ll make that will impact your wedding experience:
Your timeline is the most important thing nobody sees. It's the invisible architecture of the whole day — and it's the difference between a wedding that happens to you in a blur and a day you actually get to be present for.
Most of the best decisions cost nothing. They're just about sequencing the day around the moments you want to feel. These are the ones we build in again and again.
When most couples think about wedding music, they picture a packed dance floor at the end of the night. While those high-energy moments are certainly important, the music at your wedding begins long before the first guest steps onto the dance floor.
The most successful weddings don't rely on great dance music alone. They use music intentionally to enhance every chapter of the celebration.
Dream weddings are often filled with stunning lush floral arrangements. Finding creative ways to repurpose your flowers throughout the day is the best way to maximize your floral budget while also ensuring a cohesive design from ceremony to reception. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts to ensure that you get the most for your floral budget.
Read MoreEvery year, the wedding industry publishes reports: spending trends, booking behavior, consumer insights. These publications are treated as the authority on how couples plan, budget, and make decisions. The problem is that most of this data was never built with Black brides at the center. Not intentionally excluded, just overlooked in the process.
Read MoreWhen couples begin planning their wedding, one of the most common questions is: Do I need a wedding planner or a wedding coordinator? The titles are often used interchangeably, but they are very different roles—and understanding the difference can help you invest your budget where it matters most.
Read MoreLearn how much wedding invitations cost and how to budget for your stationery. A clear guide for couples planning weddings in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
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