One of the most common questions during wedding planning is about vendor gratuity: Is it optional? How much should we give? When do we hand it out? Who should be responsible for distributing it to the right vendors?
Today we are going over the full list of vendors and with a Chicago wedding planner’s recommendations from years of working in the wedding industry.
As a long-time professional Chicago wedding photographer, I have spent hundreds (and I mean of mornings with brides and grooms in those fleeting hours before the ceremony. I’ve seen the “good”, the “not-as-good”, and the “whoopsie daisies!” all pop-up on wedding mornings and lucky for you, I’ve created a little cheat-sheet listing out my top five ways you can prep to make sure you are set for wedding morning – and ultimately wedding day - success!
Read MoreNot sure when to order wedding invitations or begin planning your wedding-day stationery? This guide walks you through the key milestones, from Save the Dates and invitation design to mailing deadlines and day-of details, so you know when to begin and what comes next.
Read MoreWhat 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 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 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.
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!
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