Learn 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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You'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?
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After 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!
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You’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!
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A 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.
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Paula 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!
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Here’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!
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Somewhere 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.
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Your 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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If you’re already on this wedding planning adventure, you’ve undoubtedly realized that finding the photographer for your wedding day is kind of a big deal. Because the truth is, long after the cake is eaten and the flowers have faded, your heirloom photos are the one tangible take-away from your big day (other than your new spouse, of course!).
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If 2025 was about rethinking tradition, 2026 is about owning your point of view. Couples aren’t asking what they should do anymore - they’re asking what feels like them. And I love that. Today’s wedding planner Nicole Fauls and owner of Urban Allure Events shares the biggest and best 2026 wedding trends.
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One of the most critical pieces of your wedding day is your DJ and entertainment. Booking your wedding DJ is about far more than just music. Your DJ sets the tone, guides the flow of the day, and plays a major role in how your wedding actually feels from start to finish.
Before you sign a contract, here are three questions every couple should be asking their DJ.
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Flowers are a creative way to incorporate your heritage into your wedding day and the possibilities are endless. From festive to moody, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Start the process by organizing your vision and finding a floral design team with experience and knowledge of your desired aesthetic.
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Curly hair has not traditionally been accepted as the beauty standard for formal events. Especially in spaces where elegance has been narrowly defined, curls were often viewed as something to manage, soften, or change rather than something to honor. Today Nicole Bijou, owner of Nicki Rouge Bridal Team shares five reasons to wear your natural curls on your wedding day.
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Bridal insider Tina Wong has organized some of Chicago’s best bridal shops by shopping timeline, with notes on who each boutique is best for. The “best” bridal shop isn’t universal—it’s the one that aligns with your timeline, style, and decision-making pace.
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