For over 12 years Michelle has owned Michelle Cox Photography, a wedding photography business in the Chicagoland area. In early 2022, she took on the role of Managing Editor for CHI thee WED and in Sept of 2023 she became the owner of CTW. Michelle manages the day to day operations, supervising the publication schedule, content calendar and all communications. Her goal when coming on board was to focus on our mission statement, and sharing advice and inspiration to all of the many couples that are in the Chicagoland area. As a wedding photographer, Michelle has a keen eye for editorial content and wedding imagery which makes this position a great fit for her.

Website: www.michellecoxphotography.com
Instagram: @michellecoxphotography

Hi! I'm Emma, owner and lead photographer of Emma Mullins Photography. I've been capturing wedding day memories for over a decade, and am truly honored to play such an important role in our couples’ stories. 

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside some of Chicago’s top industry professionals, while building my own team of talented photographers and videographers. We specialize in contemporary, documentary-style imagery that looks and feels true to life. 

Emma Mullins Photography has been a member of the CHI thee WED community since its inception in 2018. I'm proud to contribute as a curator and share my expertise with couples planning their weddings in Chicago. 

Website: https://emullinsphoto.com/
Instagram: @emullinsphotogram

I’m Nicole “Nicki Rouge” Bijou, the founder and CEO of Nicki Rouge Bridal Team, Chicago’s number one beauty team for diverse and glamorous weddings. I’ve built a powerhouse agency known for merging artistry with excellence. We deliver luxury, inclusivity, and peace of mind to brides who expect the best.

Before stepping into the beauty industry, I worked as an occupational therapist with children, families, and seniors. That experience taught me to truly understand people by recognizing how they think, feel, and connect. It’s shaped the way I lead my team and care for our clients today.

Beyond business, I’m a wife, a mom, and a woman who believes in living well. I love good food, great wine, and a solid workout. I also value experiences that recharge my spirit. I’m grounded yet deeply driven. My mission is to elevate the beauty industry, empower artists, and redefine what it means to lead with both heart and high standards.

Website: nickirouge.com
Instagram: @nickirougebridalteam

My name is Erin Martin and I am the owner of ECBG Cake Studio. At our brand new permanent cake studio in West Town, we make custom luxury wedding cakes for the best couples in Chicago. While keeping a personal, custom and modern touch in mind, our promise is to create delicious and beautiful wedding cakes made with high quality and ingredients that are worthy of your celebration. We promise to strive for excellence in our designs, recipes, and customer experience and cannot wait to work with you!

Website: www.ecbgstudio.com/
Instagram: @ecbg_studio

Hello, I'm Paula, the co-founder of Cresco Stems. After 20 years of serving the Chicagoland area as an insurance agent, my strong love and passion for flowers lead to the endeavor of founding Cresco Stems alongside my sister - Lupe. My love for floral design and its ability to tell the love story of each couple with flowers as an instrument has been a wonderful creative outlet. At Cresco Stems, we aim to make the floral design process stress free and accessible to Chicago couples. Listening to each couple's vision and bringing it to life on the wedding day, watching them walk into a space transformed by flowers, and seeing their excitement is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do.  

Cresco Stems offers full service floral design ensuring that clients can enjoy their events without worry or hassle. Helping clients bring the beauty of flowers to their weddings, private or corporate events is our goal. In an effort to remain accessible, we offer additional services such as Personals Only florals for couples only looking to purchase the blooms they'll carry and/ or wear. In addition, we offer a la carte florals for DIY couples.  

Beyond floral design, I continue to own and operate Cresco Insurance Agency, in the Pilsen neighborhood, with the help of my wonderful team of agents. As a Chicago Native, I thoroughly enjoy exploring everything our wonderful city offers. Cubs' games, music events, the architecture and restaurants - Chicago is truly the best place to live!

Website: www.crescostems.com
IG: @crescostems      

Hey there! I'm Alison, the proud owner of Designed & Detailed Event Management, which I opened right here in Chicago back in 2016. In the heart of this vibrant city, my diverse team of wedding and event planners bring dreams to life, one celebration at a time.

Designed and Detailed Event Management is a boutique wedding and event planning firm where sustainability meets luxury for ANY event! We specialize in creating unique guest experiences for weddings, parties, galas, corporate events and beyond.

Website: https://www.designedanddetailed.com/
Instagram: @designedanddetailedweddings

I’m Trevor Harris, Founder of Total Harmony Entertainment, a company built from my passion for music, people, and creating experiences that feel effortless and unforgettable. What started as a love for DJing quickly evolved into a mission to bring professionalism, energy, and intention to every celebration I’m part of.

For me, DJing isn’t just about playing great music, it’s about creating moments that people feel. I thrive on reading the room, adapting in real time, and finding that perfect balance between sophistication and all-out fun. Every event is a new opportunity to connect with people through sound and energy, and there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a crowd come alive because of it.

My passion for entertainment began long before weddings. I hosted my own radio show in college, where I discovered how music could connect and move people in powerful ways. Outside of DJing, I’m an avid sports fan and love the teamwork, energy, and excitement that come with competition, values I bring into every event I’m part of. I’m also proud to serve as a board member for the Green Wedding Alliance, where I collaborate with other professionals dedicated to building a more sustainable and community-focused wedding industry.

Website: www.totalharmonyent.com
IG: @totalharmonyent
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Hello! I'm the proud owner of Wedding Day Chicago, a boutique wedding services company specializing in wedding coordination, Chicago elopement planning, and officiant services. I’m passionate about all things weddings, and nothing brings me more joy than helping couples celebrate their love in unique and memorable ways. When I'm not coordinating or officiating a wedding, you’ll likely find me exploring new destinations around the globe or spending time with my family and friends. 

Before launching Wedding Day Chicago, I owned a tour company that specialized in neighborhood and food tours, where I had the privilege of sharing my deep love for Chicago with others. While showcasing this fabulous city was a thrill, I discovered my true calling in the world of weddings. Being part of such a momentous day in people’s lives is both an honor and a joy. And yes, I might be biased, but my couples truly are the best!

Website: https://weddingdaychicago.com/
Instagram: @weddingdaychicago

Founder & Creative Visionary, Adorable Designs

Hello, I’m Candice Morales, founder and creative visionary behind Adorable Designs, a luxury wedding stationery studio serving couples in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and beyond.

What began as a personal creative outlet in 2008 has grown into a full-service studio known for heirloom-quality paper goods and a thoughtful, white-glove experience. Each design is crafted with care, from Save-the-Dates to Thank You Cards. What inspires me most is helping couples bring their wedding vision to life through stationery that feels intentional and personal.

I was a designer first, drawn to storytelling on paper and the beauty of tangible design. My experience in automotive manufacturing, systems, and quality engineering refined how I approach my craft, teaching me to value structure, precision, and process as much as creativity.

When I’m not designing, you can usually find me with my husband and our son, trying new coffees or reading books on creativity and entrepreneurship. I’m passionate about personal growth, faith, and helping others pursue their purpose while continuing to evolve in my own journey as a creative and business owner.

Website: https://adorablebycandice.com/
Instagram: @adorablestationery

I am the Founder & Owner of Urban Allure Events, an award-winning event planning & design firm that has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more. Additionally, I co-founded CHI thee WED and remain a curator on the blog.

With over 15 years of experience in the event planning industry, I specialize in crafting unique and memorable celebrations for my clients.

Beyond event planning, I have a strong background and interest in the veterinary field. I've worked as a technician, scheduling manager, and event manager for various veterinary emergency and specialty centers. I've also provided veterinary consulting services, managing regional conferences, company presence, visibility, and attendee experience, as well as aiding in the opening celebrations of new locations nationwide.

Known for my leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills, I am committed to continuous learning and growth in both my professional and philanthropic endeavors.

Website: https://www.urbanallureevents.com/
Instagram: @urbanallureevents

Tina Wong is the Founder and CEO at Grace + Ivory, a modern, curated try-at-home brand of customizable, made-to-measure wedding dresses. After seven years working in foreign aid and business development for non-profits in DC, she took the leap to fulfill her passion for business done better and launched her social enterprise in 2017. She lived in China for four years, which is where she got to develop relationships with the talented women who would become the dressmakers for Grace + Ivory. Tina believes that social enterprise is the future of good business and is the way forward to address local community social issues, so a portion of each dress purchased supports women’s programs. Tina is a proud Chicago native (go Cubs!), dog lover, and Loyola Chicago alum who loves travel (she’s been to six continents!), hiking, wine, and finding ways to support other ambitious women in the Windy City.

Website: www.graceandivory.com
Instagram: @graceandivoryofficial