Spring Blue Table Inspiration

Blue Spring Wedding Inspiration

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Blue Spring Wedding Inspiration

One way to get out of the winter wedding planning blues is to look forward to spring. You have heard of the proverbial something blue, but this blue spring wedding inspiration goes further. Here is some unique blue spring wedding inspiration that will get you spring wedding ready!

Blue Marbled Trends

You can incorporate this design to save the dates, invitations, wedding cake, or flowers. A marbled design brings together multiple hues of blue. For the more indecisive couples, you don’t have to choose choose one shade of blue if you go with this marbled trend!

Fifty Shades Of Gray/Blue

A pretty way to soften a blue color scheme is to add grays, whites, and different shades of blue. We recommend you choose a few areas to add strong color. Then, you can balance the more pungent colors with soft grays and whites. The easiest way to do this is with the bridal party or flowers. Men can wear any blue, gray, or black color to coordinate.

Light Blue Spring Bridesmaids Dresses

One trend we love for 2020/2021 spring weddings is a return to light blue bridesmaids dresses. A soft blue says spring without being too overdone. Your bridesmaids love that many shades of light blue are flattering on all skin tones. We all look forward to lighter hues of spring clothes after a long midwest winter. Don’t you?

Blue Spring Wedding Decor

We love dramatic tablescapes with mixed textures and shapes. This past year hanging canopies of glass baubles and flowers have been popular. You can use different shades of blue fabric as a table runner. There are plenty of light blue glass ornaments that can add a whimsical touch to your wedding. Another trend for this year is velvet. You could tie blue velvet ribbon to a lantern, or centerpiece. Keep in mind it is important your guests can see each other to speak across the table. Avoid going too big or tall with centerpieces. Sometimes the simpler the better.

Are you having a blue spring wedding? We would love to share your photos! If you would like to share, please e-mail us (at hello@chicagoweddingblog.com) your photos with vendors credited. In the meantime, share this post with your engaged friends to inspire them! Happy wedding planning!

Bridal Party Proposal

Four Unique Ways To Propose To Your Bridal Party

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Four Unique Ways To Propose To Your Bridal Party

Pinterest has become a hub of DIY and wedding planning. Because of this, ways to propose to your bridal party have become more creative. If you want some unique ways to ask your bridesmaids & groomsmen without breaking the bank, we’ve got you covered! Here are four unique ways to ask your bridal party to be in your wedding.

Option #1- A handwritten note on the back of a meaningful photo of you together.

It’s always nice to receive handwritten notes. Friends love reminiscing on memories by looking at old photos. When you combine those two ideas together it makes for a special keepsake. If you want to go the extra mile, purchase a clear plastic or glass frame so your friend can always see the front and back of the photo and note.

Option #2- A custom sticker put on a mini bottle of champagne or the bridal party’s drink of choice.

This is a yummy and easy option. Purchase printable stickers from any office supply store. You can design on your computer using the brand of choice app, and TADA, you have a fancy & fun bridal party proposal! If your bridal party isn’t the alcohol type, that’s fine! How about a specialty coffee drink?! Decide which drink is your bridal party’s favorite and choose that option.

Option #3- A T-Shirt Or Custom Apparel

When you are getting married there are many fun outings with your bridal party. Who doesn’t love cute or comical bridal party coordinated apparel? You could go simple with bridesmaids bride tribe shirts such as these cute ones from Liz & Kate boutique in Geneva, IL. Or some fun ones for the guys like these groom squad shirts. If you wanted to go a bit simpler, bridesmaid and groomsmen hats are easy to find at many local brick & mortar shops.

Option #4- Give them a box of their favorite sweet treat with a note on the inside of the box asking them to be in your bridal party.

This one is an easy DIY if you like baking. If not, there are many local bakeries or candy shops that make it easy to fill up a box with their favorite things. Who doesn’t like getting candy and cookies?! You can find bakery boxes at any local craft store. Check out some of your local bakeries may even help you out and box it for you.

weddingcaketrends

Wedding Cake Trends

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Wedding Cake Trends

This year we’ve seen a lot fun wedding cake trends! These trends will likely continue into 2020. We will take a look at which wedding cake trends couples are choosing.

The fern is taking over the ever popular eucalyptus greens we see on cakes. The fern gives your cake an elegant rustic appeal. This is great if you still want the all white butter cream cake, but with a fun twist.

Another fun wedding cake trend we’ve seen is the donut cake! Donuts are like cake right? Why not have them for your wedding cake and displayed gorgeously. Now this can mean anything from a donut wall, which is still a fan favorite, to a cake in the shape of donuts, to tiers of donuts on plates that look like a cake. You get to be super creative with flavors that every guest will love!

If you don’t like going over the top, why not try the one tier wedding cake? It’s simple, elegant and you can even dish up a few different flavors if you can’t decide which ones you want! A great way to display several cakes on a table for the picky eater in your family. Or you can even have the single tier cakes shaped into designs like fancy hats or fruits.

No matter what kind of wedding cake trend you follow, budget is always a factor. A set of single tier cakes may be a little more cost efficient than a huge show stopper. But there’s a wedding cake for every bride and at the end of the day it’s the taste that matters! Have fun trying new flavors and talking to vendors to see which will fit your needs.

Healthy Bride, Not Skinny Bride With Rachel Hollis' "Five To Thrive"https://unsplash.com/photos/nTZOILVZuOg

Healthy Bride, Not Skinny Bride with Rachel Hollis’ “Five To Thrive”

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Healthy Bride, Not Skinny Bride with Rachel Hollis’ “Five To Thrive”

We live in a diet culture. There are hundreds of diets claiming to shrink your body. Women are constantly criticized for being too big, too small, too short, too tall, too (fill in the blank). Enter Rachel Hollis, author, motivational speaker, and fierce equality and female empowerment advocate. Rachel Hollis encourages her followers to do her “Five To Thrive” to become the healthiest, best version of themselves. Your fiance is marrying you, as you are, beautifully and wonderfully imperfect. Therefore, let’s make healthy your goal, not skinny. Here are Rachel Hollis’ “Five To Thrive” and examples on how it will help you prepare for your wedding, the healthy way!

1.) Drink Water

Most of our body is comprised of water. In order for your skin, joints, digestion, hair, and cells to regenerate and do their job, you need to drink water. Drinking water is the simplest way to get healthy. Rachel’s recommendation is to drink half your body weigh in ounces of water every day. I have tried it and I can honestly tell you it makes a huge difference in my energy levels and skin health. Fun fact: Coffee, iced tea, & lemonade do not count. It has to be water. But never fear, you can drink coffee as long as you drink your water.

2.) Exercising at least 30 minutes per day.

Exercise is imperative on your journey to get healthy. If you are not usually an active person you need to reset your habits a bit, but trust me, it will be worth it. Exercise helps increase endorphins, the happy hormone. Elle Woods, anyone? This means 30 minutes of exercise can decrease your wedding stress, big time! Exercise also gives you more energy. Wedding planning can feel like a stressful part time job. An extra boost of energy will give you the energy you need to balance work, wedding planning, relaxation, & fun time. Most importantly, exercise prevents health issues such as: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. What’s not to like? Build it into your schedule every day and you will feel amazing.

3.) Give up one category of food that is not good for you.

Okay friends, put down the cookies. This is not to say you cannot treat yourself every once in a while, but the old adage ‘you are what you eat’ is a real thing. Aside from drinking water and exercise, what you eat has the greatest effect on your health. Examples of junk foods we love that are bad for us are: Cookies, cola drinks, juice, cheese crackers, chocolate, sour candy, ice cream, cake, chips, & pretzels. Long story short, these foods cause a craving in your brain making you want them more and more. If we cut junk food for 30 days the odds of our bodies craving what is bad for us decreases drastically. You’ll be amazed how good your body feels. We recommend you replace whatever food you cut with something delicious and actually healthy for you. There are plenty of easy, Pinterest-worthy recipes that you and your body will love far more than the cookies.

4. Wake up on hour earlier every day and do something for yourself.

This means going to bed earlier, instead of sitting on your phone for an hour before you go to sleep. Fun fact: The blue light emitted from phones and computers keeps you awake, bad idea before bed. “You’re telling me to wake up earlier?!” Yes! This means you get to drink your coffee in peace, read a book you’ve wanted to read for a while, and/or eat a real breakfast to start your day off right. We are always rushing from one thing to the next, especially in the morning. A little relaxation time is important and healthy! Waking up an hour earlier starts the focus of your day on you and your health.

5. Write down 10 things you are grateful for every day.

Did you know, according to science, focusing on what you are grateful for everyday wires your brain to be more positive? The more you count your blessings and focus on what you are grateful for, the more your brain is trained to look for the good in every day. Multiple studies have shown people who practice gratitude every day have more life satisfaction and less stress. What’s to lose? Commit to doing it every day you will feel healthy and happier.



We can’t wait for you to look and, most importantly, feel your healthiest on your wedding day! You and your fiance showing up as your healthiest, best selves for each other will ensure your marriage will start strong, and continue happily ever after. Get ready to ‘thrive!’


Recommended reading for funsies: 

New Age Bohemian

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Welcome to 2018 brides! We are taking a look at a trend for the new year: New Age Bohemian. This may sound like hippie nonsense but give it a try. The Bohemian look is going to replace all the rustic wedding trends we saw last year.

What entails a New Age Bohemian wedding? First, let’s look at where your guests will start – the invitations. Bohemian is all about florals, romance and non-fussy. We love a touch of elegant flower on your invitations to set the mood. You can set the tone you want depending on which flowers you choose and the color scheme. Romantic doesn’t have to mean all pinks or reds. If you’re a more dramatic bride you can incorporate plenty of dark greens and blues.

Let’s not forget where flowers are also a big hit – on a hair piece! The New Age Bohemian look is perfect if you are a bride who wants to wear flowers in her hair and dance barefoot. You can put together a lovely crown of flowers with greenery for both you and your bridesmaids.

The most important aspect, to go with this crown of flowers, is your dress. There are hundreds of Bohemian style dresses out there and we’ve picked out a top few! As an added bonus, the flowy, lacy dresses also look quite comfortable to wear.

Feel free to go all into the Bohemian wedding trend this year! We love that it is fun, elegant and romantic.

Golf Wedding

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Spring is here and maybe you’re thinking of a golf wedding theme! The turf is green, the clubhouses are gorgeous and the service is excellent.

Do your parents belong to the local country club? If so, you might be able to reap some major benefits on your bottom line and extras if you book your big day there. Some country clubs offer discounts for members and can really give you a bang for your buck.
Most country clubs have golf courses included on the premises. Why not include that theme into your wedding day?From argyle socks to golf ball décor, you can never go wrong with this uber preppy style! Here are a few ways to incorporate a golf wedding into your theme:
1) The Attire
 We wouldn’t suggest the bride do too much to immerse her look in the golfing theme; however, the guys are fair game. From sporty tweeds to golf ball inspired cuff links, these are just a few ways to incorporate the look and feel of the game.
2) The cake
Petite golf ball cakes or mini donut balls are a cute way to pay homage to the game. If you don’t want it to be your main wedding cake, suggest to your sweetie a“groom’s cake”to have a little more fun with your theme.
3) Grand Entrance / Exit
You can’t forget the golf cart! This could be a unique way tobring the bride to the ceremony spot. Not crazy about that idea? What about your getaway vehicle? The wedding party can decorate the cart in a fun fashion as your private mobile post ceremony.
4) The Décor
Your décor can sprinkle in as much golf-y goodness, from“here comes the bride” flags that mimic the flags on the
course, prints inspired by golf wear, to the wedding favors. Colors to think about incorporating into your palette arebold reds, yellow, green, and even navy blue. Pew bows could have small round white flower balls attachedto themor use golf flags on each pew. The bridal bouquet should be all white to resemble a golf ball. Use indoor/outdoor grass/carpeting as an isle runner. Keep a supply of mini-pencils handy for your guests to send youtheir best wishes in your guest book. Attach tees to your unity candle to complement the links feel as you seal your wedding vows for now and for always. However, if your wedding is actually taking place on a golf course, consider sealing your vows with a shot for the hole together!
5) Program
Ever think of putting a little twist on your wedding program? Your program can mimic a golf score card. Little details
like this keep your golf wedding theme consistent while having a little fun!

Cinderella’s Shoe

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Cinderella’s Shoe
Every bride dreams of finding Cinderella’s shoe – that perfect pair of shoes that will make her a princess! Gone are the days of dyed to match shoes.  In today’s wedding world, we dream of shoe art from Jimmy Choos to Louboutins to knockoffs,you can find simple, sexy, or glitzy shoes to compliment you on your big day. There’s a lot to know about wedding shoes. If you’re going to be walking down the aisle soon, you’ll definitely want to check out our tips.
There are several things you’ll need to take into consideration before you buy your wedding shoes. Of course, comfort is essential, and you’ll want your bridal shoes to be special. But, if they don’t work with your dress, you’ll be really disappointed. The perfect wedding shoes will need to be many things, but mostly, they must be comfortable. Just think, you’ll be walking down the aisle, posing for photographs, greeting attendants, cutting the cake, and possibly dancing in your bridal shoes. This could add up to hours and hours on your feet, so be sure, above all else,that you choose shoes that are comfortable on your feet. For the choosy bride, there’s always the option of more than one pair of shoes! You can have formal heels for the ceremony, and comfortable shoes for the reception and dancing.
The heel height of your wedding shoes is of utmost importance. Your dress will be fitted to accommodate the height of your bridal shoes, and if you’re not comfortable in really high heels, your wedding may not be the best time to try them out. If you want a bit of added height, but aren’t used to stilettos, you can consider platform heels, or lower kitten heels. And, of course, if you prefer a flat, satin ballet slipper can make beautiful bridal shoes.
While your shoes should be a good match to your dress and the setting of your wedding, they should also reflect your personal style. Some brides opt for two pairs of shoes, one for the ceremony and pictures and a more practical pair for dancing into the wee hours. Just be sure you wear all your shoes before the big day to avoid blisters!
Get Your Craft On

Get your Craft On

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Get Your Craft On

Calling all Martha Stewart wanna-be’s! This is your time to embrace your inner crafts(wo)men and tackle your wedding one delightful little detail at a time. Do it yourself most commonly known as DIY is the art of creating, replicating, etc. goods. With the right tools, a little creativity, and some patience you can practically recreate anything out there!

Want to learn how to emboss? Take a quick tutorial here: http://lovelylittledetails.com/2011/11/30/lovely-little-diy-embossing-101-lld-video-tutorial/

Get Your Craft On

Want to learn how to make fun little décor such as pomanders check out this fun step-by-step guide: http://ruffledblog.com/do-it-yourself-tissue-paper-pomanders/

Get Your Craft On

How about fun votive candle favors for your bridal shower. Check! http://www.heygorg.com/2011/07/diy-vintage-teacup-candles.html

Get Your Craft On

Want to create an aisle runner with your monogram? Or how about a unity candle? http://diyweddingplanner.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Make-A-Monogrammed-Aisle-Runner-For-Your-Wedding

Get Your Craft On

There are so many wedding planners, designers, and the like that are dabbling in Marthaville-type projects that the possibilities are seemingly endless! Just think of all the fun projects you can learn to do and save some green while doing so.

If you have a Michaels, Archiver’s, Joann Fabrics, or Hobby Lobby in your neck of the woods…well you are in luck! These crafty spots always seem to have great prices, sales, and even coupons! Who doesn’t like 30-50% off?! In the long-run, every little discount, sale, or coupon can add up to save for your bottom line.

Of course, Martha is the queen of crafting, and her site is an unbelievable resource for all wedding things related, but especially DIY. Still seeking more inspiration? Check out Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/. Pinterest seems to be taking over the (wedding) world one pin at a time. With Pinterest you can search by the interest, look, design, or desired project such as “paper flowers.” By golly, you’re in luck. You can find the picture that peaks your interest, click, and away you go to learn how to master that craft.

Be bold and creative, save some money honey, and get your craft on!

Pinterest Pins of the Week

Pinterest Pins of the Week

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

Balloon and Floral Arch: Wedding décor has long been associated with the traditional arch, and over the years, the standard structure with 2 paper wedding bells has evolved to fit many types of occasions. From super casual California weddings with sheer fabrics, to over he top white lush floral covered arches that you can only dream of, the look has stayed pretty timeless and open for all kinds of interpretations. The new look? A fun and whimsical mix of sweet, loose florals and bright colorful balloons. It’s economical and oh-so- sweet. Perfect for full arches or strings of décor, this look is a fresh, new alternative to the usual wedding ceremony look.

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

Natalie Norton Photography

Olivia Palermo: We often make reference to this New York style staple when talking about new trends fresh from the runway. But this past week, socialite and fashion blogger/editor and former “The City” star wed her longtime love in a totally surprising and of course, insanely chic ensemble that made all of us stop and stare. Her look was a perfectly styled 3 piece combination of cashmere sweater, tailored dress shorts and overlayed tulle skirt all by Carolina Herrera. For a girl who has the entire fashion world watching her every last move, the look was entirely classic and timeless with a fun, modern twist with white wedding shorts. Her hair and makeup were understated and not too contrived ( she even dubbed her hair do as “ an uncontrived ponytail.”) We kind of love that she took the road to simplicity for her walk down the aisle and adored the intimate feel that her crisp, white outfit conveyed.

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Pinterest Pins of the WeekVia Coco’s Tea Party

Woodsy wedding theme: The rustic wedding theme seems to be here to stay and while we love the juxtaposition of elegance meets outdoors, there is a new take on the natural element for wedding themes. The “woodsy” wedding features more of a whimsical and “Midsummer Night’s Dream” feel with patches of moss and bark inspired paper cones for perfectly wrapped appetizers and snacks. The look can be totally topped off with bohemian strung lights and sweet, yet still rustic table linens.

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Pinterest Pins of the WeekOrganic Elements

Pinterest Pins of the Week

Pinterest Pins of the Week

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

Drink Dispensers: We see A LOT of these on Pinterest and in just about every other wedding publication out there. The idea really took off a few years ago when rustic weddings became all the rage. Well, not just rustic but rustic with a refined, elegant edge. These special apothecaries are stunning filled with signature cocktails, fresh lemonade or flavor infused waters. When it comes to the self-serve aspect, we say be as creative as possible. Offer at least one non-alcoholic option and consider using multiple vessels. One drink dispenser never seems to be enough so catch your guests’ interests with multiple varieties ( at least 2.) Our favorites? Southern style sweet tea and vodka lemonade, Fresh squeezed lemonade with fresh mint sprigs and lavender, and cucumber and basil infused water. Delicious and absolutely beautiful! They are functional and will quench your guests’ thirst while setting the tone for your décor.

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Pinterest Pins of the WeekKen Kienow Photography

Rose Gold: When it comes to delicate jewelry we have seen rose gold make a huge statement recently. But we have also seen it completely blow up in the realm of wedding rings. The look is chic, modern, and also somewhat vintage. The hint of pink adds a feminine touch and allows you to stay in the traditional gold tone family while also adding some personal flair. For pink lovers, it’s a must! The great part is that infusing rose gold with your existing pave diamond jewelry is a simple transition for anniversary gifts in the years ahead and adding a fun sparkly rose gold band to your engagement ring is a nice compromise if you are on the fence as well. But we can’t help but sit in awe over some of the rose gold engagement rings that take the tone to a whole new level of elegance and refinement. With all of these options, it makes ring shopping that much harder!

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Pinterest Pins of the WeekVia Etsy

Creativity Rules: While these mega cute mini gumball machines certainly caught our eye, it wasn’t until we clicked inside this pin for some of the most creative and unique ideas for weddings we’ve seen anywhere! From the ultra-chic black and white chevron flower girl dresses, to the custom pickle bar and animal topiaries, this pin is a must read and see! We love just the thought of inspiring couples to do what feels right and really make their wedding a true reflection of their personalities. And it doesn’t hurt to have a home run idea that guests will never forget!

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Pinterest Pins of the WeekLauren Rosenau Photography