As 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.
Read MoreYou've done some research on bouquet preservation options. Maybe you've already compared pressed frames, resin blocks, and shadow boxes or maybe you've been browsing portfolios and getting quotes. Either way, you're past the "what exists" stage and into the harder question: which option is actually right for me?
Read MoreAfter capturing almost 300 weddings and countless Chicago engagement shoots over the past ten years, Maura has become somewhat of a local expert when it comes to where to take photographs you’ll be obsessed with forever. So if you are currently planning a wedding and in the market for an incredible backdrop for your engagement session, then read on for the scoop!
Read MoreYou’ve seen pressed frames on Instagram, resin blocks on TikTok, jewelry on Etsy. Every preservation artist offers a different mix of products, and the pricing is all over the place. It’s hard to compare options when you’re not even sure what the differences are.
Having created all of these and watched how they hold up, I’ll walk through each option honestly so you can choose what fits your life, space, and budget.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend Engage! Summits aboard the Evrima, part of the The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - and it completely shifted how I think about immersive guest experiences.
This wasn’t just travel. It was a fully designed, multi-day experience that flowed effortlessly from one moment to the next.
Bridal style in 2027 is all about intention, individuality, and impact. At Grace + Ivory, more of today’s brides come in knowing exactly what they want and we love to let a bride drive her own wedding dress shopping experience!
Read MoreA packed dance floor doesn’t just happen, they are created. After years of DJing weddings, Trevor Harris of Total Harmony Entertainment tells us the key factors that make all the difference on your wedding dance floor.
Read MorePaula Jimenez, co-owner of Cresco Stems shares the right questions to ask when looking to book your floral team for your wedding. Deciding on the right florist can be a tough decision and a pretty significant one so knowing the right place to start will help!
Read MoreHere’s what you need to know about creating the easiest to eat dessert table at your wedding or special event. Erin Martin with ECBG Cake Studio shares about the many options that couple’s have when creating a custom dessert bar at their wedding!
Read MoreSomewhere along the way, “natural makeup” became synonymous with bridal beauty. Brides say they want something light. Breathable. Barely there. They want to look like themselves and avoid anything that feels heavy or dramatic.
Here is the problem: wedding days are not designed for light makeup.
Whether it’s a bachelor or bachelorette getaway with friends, a mini-moon that feels a little more intentional, or the honeymoon itself, the best trips aren’t always the most obvious ones. Lindsey Gotts, author of The Life Edit, shares a curated list of the best spring travel destinations in 2026.
Read MoreYour wedding invitation is far more than a completed step or a way to communicate logistics to your wedding guests. It introduces your aesthetic and gives guests their first emotional glimpse into the celebration you’re inviting them to be part of.
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