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.
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.
Most 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.
Every 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 MoreIf 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.
Read MoreBridal 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.
Read MoreTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement has everyone buzzing, and for good reason. If you’re dreaming about a 2026 wedding, here are some ideas you can take from their engagement and upcoming celebration.
Read MoreWhat are the Top Trends in Rehearsal Dinner Dresses for 2025 Weddings? Grace + Ivory spill the tea on all of the best looks, especially for the bride who wants to soak in every bridal fashion moment!
Read MorePlanning a wedding can be a fun and emotionally exhausting undertaking. When you are doing that as an individual with a disability, that exhaustion can become even more challenging but it doesn’t have to. Disability advocate and wedding photographer Kellie Hetler shares tips for finding vendors that will work well with you and your special needs!
Read MoreWhether you are shopping for a special 2025 bride in your life, looking to treat yourself, or need an easy list to forward to mom, fiancé, or your maid of honor: let us, at Grace + Ivory, take care of the shopping! We get it, your wedding year is filled with endless to-do lists and there’s already so much to get…so figuring out your bridal essentials on top of it all can be overwhelming.
Read MoreThe wedding industry is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging that reflect couples' desire for personalization, simplicity, and meaningful experiences. In recent years, we've seen a shift away from traditional norms as more couples opt for unique and personally detailed celebrations. Let’s explore some of the most exciting trends shaping modern weddings and how couples are making their big day their own.
Read MoreIn a world where tradition and innovation often collide, modern couples are increasingly embracing a refreshing take on the classic wedding. Gone are the days when a wedding had to follow a rigid set of traditions.
Read MoreIt has become increasingly common for friends or family to fulfill the important role of wedding officiant. Given rising costs across the service industry, it’s perhaps unsurprising that brides and grooms are looking for ways to sign away fewer vendor checks. We are offering some thoughts on whether you should hire a friend or a wedding professional for this important wedding day role.
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