Wedding Lights photo

Lights as Wedding Décor

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Lights as Wedding Décor

If you walk into just about any store looking for wedding décor you will likely find an array of lights. Most venues have typical ceiling lights. If you add unique lights to your wedding décor it will create a warm and artistic atmosphere. From candles to string lights, there are so many options to choose from. To make designing your wedding décor easier we narrowed down the best lights to use as wedding décor.

Candelabras

Since the first time we saw Beauty and the Beast, we all saw the formality a candelabra can add to an event. If you are having a formal wedding, a candelabra is the perfect complementary lighting choice. You can introduce your wedding colors by using colored candles in the candelabra. If you prefer the classic, white candles you can have colored flowers draped around the bottom of the candelabra.

Modern Candelabra

Post: The Knot, Photo: Henry Photography

Fairy or Twinkle Lights

If you want a less formal lighting option, fairy or twinkle lights are a softer choice. Fairy lights are very thin lights on a wire that are easily moldable into or around shapes, such as mason jars or vases. Twinkle lights are essentially Christmas lights that come in many bulb colors and sizes. Twinkle lights can be hung from the ceiling or draped with tulle or other soft fabrics. Fairy lights tend to be done on a smaller scale such as being used in centerpieces. If you want to incorporate many different lights, fairy and twinkle lights are very complementary.

String lights

Speaking of lights that can be hung, string lights have become increasingly popular in the last few years. If you are having an outdoor wedding, reception, or cocktail hour string lights add romance to the space. String lights also make for amazing after-dark photos. If you dream of having a beautiful kiss-in-the-dark wedding photo, string lights are a great addition to your wedding décor. As with any light that is hung, it’s important to check with your venue about your hanging options before you get your heart set on hanging lights.

Tea lights

Even the smallest touch of light can make a big impact. Tea lights can be burning or battery-operated candles. They can be used in so many ways from floating in water to placed in a floral centerpiece or table. If you already have a lot of wedding décor tea lights are a perfect, smaller option that will also highlight the existing décor.

Paper lanterns

Paper lanterns come in many shapes and sizes. These lights are soft but add drama to your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception. Paper lanterns can be hung from the ceiling or placed on the ground to frame the aisle, patio, or dance floor. Similar to string lights, lantern lights are a great option if you are having any part of your wedding outdoors. The beauty of these lanterns comes not only from the color of the paper but also from the dramatic contrast of light.

We hope these ideas will make designing your wedding décor easier. Don’t forget, even a little light goes a long way! Happy Planning! For more wedding planning inspiration and tips check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

Greenery contrasts and stand out

Wedding Flower Inspiration to Stand Out with a Popular Wedding Color

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Wedding Flower Inspiration to Stand Out with a Popular Wedding Color

Every wedding year has a popular wedding color. Once you know three couples with the same wedding colors you may find it difficult to have the on-trend colors, but still, have your wedding stand out. One great way to solve this common color mishap is by having unique wedding flowers. You can stand out if you choose a popular wedding color. Here is some wedding flower inspiration to stand out with a popular wedding color.

Choose a unique cascading bouquet shape to stand out.

A uniquely shaped bouquet can be such a show-stopper! A cascading bouquet blends your bridal party’s attire and the flowers together. Often, only the bride’s bouquet is a cascade. If you choose to do this for your entire bridal party, it would be unique and add drama to a popular wedding color.

Choose greenery to add a contrasting color.

When you choose a popular wedding color, it’s important to have a contrasting color as well. Greenery is a great classic contrast color for your wedding day. No two shades or kinds of greenery are alike, so you can incorporate many different shapes and shades of greenery into one bouquet, even without flowers. If you still want to have flowers in the greenery even mixing in just a few flowers can go a long well to pull together the contrasting color with your wedding color.

Wrap your wedding flowers with ribbons.

Speaking of contrasting colors, who says you have to have only one wedding color? A distinct addition to the contrast between your wedding color and greenery is a pop of color with ribbons! Wrap ribbons around the stems of your flowers to introduce a pop of color, without having the flowers be the pop of color. The ribbons can even drape down in a cascading fashion for extra drama. If you are an all-or-nothing bride, tie it all together by introducing a pattern such as stripes, sequins, or floral to tie all your colors! Nothing like tying your wedding colors together with ribbons in a nice bow, get it?

A classic style will tone down a bold wedding color.

Choosing a tight, round, classic shape is a solid option if you are choosing a modern and bold wedding color. If you choose simpler flowers that will ensure your wedding colors are the focus of your color scheme. Classic white roses never go out of style. If you like the idea of a classic bouquet, but would miss having texture in the bouquet, add baby’s breath to incorporate texture while keeping the classic style.

Bohemian-style bouquets add a unique touch to a popular color.

Another way to have your wedding stand out from your popular wedding color is to have dramatic, artistic flowers. The Bohemian bouquet styles tend to incorporate everything from wildflowers to wheat, to greenery in an unconventional way. Often wedding guests are in awe of the unique flowers they haven’t seen in wedding flowers before. If you’re trying to tone down your wedding color and turn up the avant-garde style of your wedding, Bohemian bouquets are a great way to do that. This style is sure to become a conversation piece, as well as an eccentric touch to your wedding day.



As you plan your wedding, choose the color that you love! There is no need to sacrifice uniqueness simply because you choose a popular wedding color. We hope these bouquets inspired you to choose wedding details to set your wedding apart from the rest. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below! Happy Planning!

Silky Bridesmaid Dress

Bridesmaid Dress Style Trends

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Bridesmaid Dress Style Trends

You’ve found your wedding dress, so the next step on the agenda is to choose your bridesmaid dresses! The color, fabric, style, & neckline options are so endless. It may be difficult to choose an option that is both now and timeless. Bridesmaids, rejoice, we’ve narrowed down the bridesmaid dress trends you’ll actually want to wear again for years!

Silky Fabrics

This trend is a favorite of ours! Silk-like bridesmaid dresses come in many styles from long to short, and from fitted to flowing. If you are willing to be flexible with dress silhouette, your bridesmaids will be happy to find a style they feel best in for their body type. In this fabric, the cowl neckline is trendy and flattering for all body types.

T-Length/Midi-Length

We’ve seen a resurgence of the t-length dress! One thing to keep in mind is this trend looks best if all your bridesmaids feel comfortable wearing high heels. Wearing a t-length/midi-length dress with flats is not a very flattering line on anyone. This is an excellent option if you’re having a summer or warm destination wedding, but you do not want cocktail-length bridesmaid dresses. Bridesmaids also may feel more comfortable wearing a midi or long-length dress as opposed to a short cocktail dress. Brides, you can bring your vision to fruition while also being considerate of your bridal party’s self-esteem and any body image insecurities.

Strappy Backs

This is another great trend for warm-weather weddings! There are so many different options to choose from. Your bridesmaids will be happy to choose a back and neckline to accommodate their bra necessities or lack thereof. If you are wearing a strappy wedding dress, strappy bridesmaid dresses will be a fun complement to your dress.

Puff Sleeves

This one is definitely only for the fashion-forward who can appreciate this nod to the 1980s and 1990s. If you’re up for it, go ahead and be bold, choose the puff sleeve! They come in all options from long to short, tulle to crepe, and slit to solid. Brides, if you are pro or anti the puff sleeve, it’s best to talk with your bridesmaids to see how they feel about this trend. It can be gorgeous, but not all bridesmaids will feel good wearing a puff sleeve.

Variations of the High/Boat Neckline

Speaking of classics from the 1980s and 1990s, the high/boat neckline has more options than ever before! If you like to have more of an open neckline, you can choose a racerback halter. If you prefer more coverage in your necklines, a wider boat neckline will look and feel amazing. This is one option every body type will find a style they feel comfortable in.

The Square Neckline

We are so glad this trend is hanging around! This neckline is flattering on just about everyone! It gives you the clean lines of a boat neckline with the openness of a v-neckline. The clean lines are flattering and the square brings the eye up to your bridesmaids’ beautiful faces. If you’re looking to be more unique than the classic v-neckline, but still have a more open neckline, this is a perfect choice.

Have you chosen your bridesmaid dresses yet? Did you recently get your wedding photos back and would like to share how you chose your bridesmaid dresses? We’d love to hear! Email credited photos and vendors to hello@chicagoweddingblog.com to potentially be featured on our blog.

black dress to a wedding

How to Wear Black to a Wedding

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How to Wear Black to a Wedding

The old adage, don’t wear black to a wedding, is out and black wedding attire is in! There are, however, some things to keep in mind to wear black to a wedding in good taste. We will help you be on trend, and sort through the etiquette of how to wear black to a wedding.

Black Dress to the wedding

When The Bridesmaids Wear Black

When the bridesmaids wear black, it’s best you wear black 0nly if you are a bridesmaid. Brides put careful consideration into who is in their bridal party, therefore it’s important to avoid any misunderstandings that you may be upset you are not a bridesmaid. If you look great in dark colors but the bridesmaids are wearing black, play it safe and wear navy or charcoal. You’ll look great and avoid any awkward moments.

The Wedding Is Black Tie

A long, black dress is perfect for a black tie wedding. If you are going to a black tie wedding, first verify the bridesmaids are not wearing black. Then, if they’re not, go for it! You will love how slender, classic, and on-trend you feel and the newlyweds will appreciate you sticking to the dress code. It’s a win-win!

You Have A Great Relationship With The Newlyweds

If you have bad blood with the newlyweds, listen to me: Do not wear black to their wedding! Their wedding day should be filled with joy, laughter, and calm, regardless of any rocky relationships they had in the past with their wedding guests. The last thing you want is for them to feel you wore black to dig at them on their wedding day. Consequently, whether you are the mother-in-law, cousin, or friend from high school who had a fight about who was invited to homecoming; avoid wearing black if you’ve had any conflict with the newlyweds. You’ll thank me when everyone has a great time and a healthy, long-term relationship with the newlyweds.

You Are The Mother Of The Bride/Groom

As a host of the wedding, it’s important you look and feel your best. That being said, it’s important to choose your attire with etiquette in mind. As said above, if you have any bad blood with the newlyweds-to-be, do not wear black. Even if you have a great relationship with the engaged couple, it’s still important to double-check with your child and their soon-to-be spouse to ensure there are no hurt feelings. Once you’ve checked with them, choose the beautiful black dress you’ve dreamed of! Remember, as the host of the wedding you should be more formal than a wedding guest. So don’t be afraid of beading, bows, and dramatic sleeves.



Are you planning on wearing black to a wedding? What aspects of this new trend do you love? We’d love to hear! Comment below! For more wedding planning tips and inspiration, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

Jenga yard games wedding

Wedding Experiences

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Wedding Experiences

The last few years, experiences have become more popular than tangible things. Experiences are fun activities you participate in within a specific event. They create memories far after your guests lose your wedding programs. While your wedding is a once in a lifetime event in and of itself, you can make it packed full of memorable fun by adding wedding experiences to your day. Here are a few ideas!

Games

If your venue has the option for an outdoor reception or cocktail hour, this is a fun option. Games such as bags, bocce ball, giant Jenga, and Twister are amazing games to add extra fun to your wedding day! This gives your guests plenty of activities to keep them occupied as you wrap up your wedding photos. They will surely not forget how much fun they had!

Make Your Own

Do you have a large group who isn’t so sure about dancing? Keep them busy with a make your own activity while they wait to become dance floor ready as their liquid courage to kicks in. Make your own experiences can range everything from make your own wedding favor to make your own custom drink or dessert bar! Guests will love customizing this fun experience to their taste and preference.

Boat Ride, Petting Zoo, or Pool Party

While definitely venue specific, these amazing experiences will definitely take the cake. If your venue is on a lake, treat your guests to boat rides. If you’re getting married on a farm, guests may be able to enjoy petting and feeding the animals. Guests will have to prepare in advance, but having a pool party as part of your reception will be one-of-a-kind, refreshing fun for you and your guests. Keep your venue in mind as you think about experiences. So many options are available if you think creatively.

Dance Lessons

Having two left feet is nothing to be afraid of when you bring in the experts. Your guests can enjoy learning some new dance moves by having dance instructors come in to teach you and your guests some ballroom dance! Everything from swing dance to tango can be easily taught in a few minutes, but you and your guests will have fun memories, and impressive dance moves,  for years!

Magic

Table to table entertainment may not be for everyone, but if you have a group of guests who prefer to stay at their tables a magician is a great way to keep them entertained. Cocktail hour is another ideal time for a magician to perform. Some guests may not know many people, so having entertainment is a great topic to promote natural, easy mingling.

Are you planning experiences into your wedding day? Does your wedding venue have built in experiences? We’d love to hear about your plans! Comment your plans below. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below! Happy Planning!

kids at a wedding

Keeping Kids Busy at a Wedding

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Keeping Kids Busy at a Wedding

Kids add so much hilarity to weddings, however, you want to be sure to keep them busy during the right times. It is important to keep in mind the length of your ceremony so the kids do not run out of things to keep them occupied. Although the focus usually goes on keeping the adults happy, open bar, and a good DJ, anyone? your younger guests deserve the same amount of consideration. Whether they are in the bridal party or simply esteemed guests everyone will be happier with these fun ideas for keeping kids busy at a wedding.

The Ceremony

Let’s start with the ceremony. The options you will have available to the kids will differ depending on whether you are having a full-length church ceremony or a quick ceremony at your reception venue.

Full-Length Church Ceremony

If you are having a full-length church ceremony, likely it will last an hour or more. Consequently, kids will need more time-consuming activities. Coloring books and crayons are the perfect quiet time-consuming activity. Luckily you can even buy these at the dollar store, so they are great for your wedding budget! A nice aspect of coloring books & crayons is they are mess-free and easily tailored to the interests of the kids. For example, if you know your niece and nephew are in love with Paw Patrol, coloring pages with those characters will be a hit!

A Quick Reception Venue Ceremony

Obviously with kids, and some adults, a quick ceremony is ideal. In this case, small fidget toys are a great option. Small toys buy you just enough time for the ceremony to be as quiet as possible before the kids’ imaginations get bored. Again, thank you dollar stores. If you are around kids at all, you’ll know fidget toys are all the rage nowadays. Kids will be more than happy getting to keep a fidget toy as a memento from your wedding.

After The Ceremony

You’ve gotten married! Now everyone can let loose a bit. However, don’t forget kids are less patient than adults. There are still plenty of things to keep in mind when trying to keep little ones busy.

Wedding Photos

Once the wedding is over, the next most difficult aspect for kids, specifically kids who are in the bridal party, will be wedding photos. It can be really boring for kids to stand around waiting for it to be their turn. Pro tip: take all photos that will involve the kids first, then let them go run, play, & eat. In the meantime, while they’re waiting for photos to start, have mess-free snacks ready. Think pretzels, goldfish crackers, peanuts, and no snacks that have color, juice, or oil. No one likes being hangry, especially kids who are having to wait. Kids will be much happier, and more cooperative if they’re not hangry during the wedding photos.

During the Reception

Yay! You’ve made it through the wedding ceremony, through photos, & now it’s time to party! The easiest idea to keep kids occupied during dinner is more ness-free (crayons) coloring. Similarly, quiet activities that keep kids still so their parents can eat, or during speeches are important. Quiet, open-ended toys are great for kids when they need to take up some time. Kids love making things out of nothing, so everything from tape, to beads, to pipe cleaners, to pompoms is right up their alley. Odds are you’ll be amazed at the quiet busyness of the kids’ table! If the venue has paper table cloths available, that is the easiest way to incorporate a coloring option as well.

Are you having a photo booth at the wedding reception? If not, you should definitely consider it! Adults and kids alike love taking silly photos with all the props. Similarly, another fun momento would be for the kids to make their own photo booth prop, think mask, or crown. You can easily find cutout templates off google images to tailor this to boys and girls alike.



Did you have kids at your wedding? Are you going to? How did you keep them occupied? We’d love to see it! Submit your kid-friendly wedding to hello@chicagoweddingblog.com. For more wedding planning advice and inspiration, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

all bridak

2022 Oscars Style Bridal Inspiration

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While everyone else was distracted by the slap heard round the world, we at Chicago Wedding Blog saw some gorgeous 2022 Oscars style bridal inspiration. If you are a bride planning your upcoming wedding, there are many Oscars style elements you can incorporate into your bridal gown. From gorgeous beading, to minimalist fabric details, 2022 Oscar style has your name all over it! Here is some inspiration to keep your eye out for as you shop for your 2022/2023 bridal gown!

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Bride and bridesmaids look feel best

Brides and Bridesmaids: What to Wear to Look and Feel Your Best

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There are more styles for brides & bridesmaids to wear on wedding days than ever before. However, this does pose some logistical challenges. Brides and bridesmaids have to coordinate necklines and skirts with figure, undergarments, dress lengths, and shoes. It is important to keep a few details in mind as you plan your bridal party’s wedding attire. Here is what you need to know, brides and bridesmaids, about what to wear to look and feel your best.

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Chicago Wedding

A Chicago Wedding

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A Chicago Wedding

Chicago may be known as the Second City, but it’s first in our hearts. There are so many characteristics that make Chicago such a great city. Because of this, what better wedding theme than a quintessential Chicago wedding? Here are all the things you need to include in a Chicago wedding theme.

Choose your baseball team.

This aspect of a Chicago wedding is ripe for controversy, but such a Chicago stable nonetheless. Are your family and friends North Side or South Side people? Depending on this answer, any Chicagoan knows which baseball team you’d be choosing. On the North Side is the iconic Wrigley Field, home to the Chicago Cubs. On the South Side is Guaranteed Rate Field, formerly known as U.S. Cellular Field, formerly known as Comiskey Park, home to the Chicago White Sox. These teams’ logos or memorabilia could be stand alone wedding themes, or simply decorations for tables.

Speaking of former names, the Sears Tower is an iconic landmark to include.

Recently renamed the Willis Tower, let’s be real, everyone still calls it the Sears Tower. Any artwork you see of Chicago, or any picture on a postcard, will surely include this iconic tower. Consequently, it’s a must to include to your Chicago themed wedding. Some easy ways are as a photo booth prop, cake topper, or table centerpiece.

Navy Pier and the Ferris Wheel

Navy Pier is such a tourist attraction. If you live in the Chicagoland area, the odds are you’ve been to Navy Pier and have either seen or ridden on the Ferris Wheel at least once. An easy way to include Navy Pier and the Ferris Wheel into your wedding day is with a candy bar. Navy Pier’s  cart vendors are memorably like everyone’s favorite childhood fair. Set up a candy cart with your favorite desserts and sweet treats, just as if your guests were at Navy Pier.

If you’re a sports person we cannot forget the other sports teams.

Chicago has sports teams from soccer to baseball. A fun way to incorporate them into your wedding day is by theming tables by Chicago sports teams. Some options are: the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Chicago Bears, & the Chicago Fire. Alternatively, you can have the wedding DJ play each teams iconic songs during your bridal party entrances. Good luck as your bridal party fights over which team they get.

Deep Dish Pizza

If there is one undebatable Chicago food, it’s deep dish pizza. If there one thing that is debatable about deep dish pizza it’s who is the original deep dish pizza restaurant and which restaurant is the most iconic. Nevertheless, in-town guests will be super happy to eat some deep dish pizza as an appetizer, dinner, or late night snack. Similarly, out of town guests will be excited to try and give their opinions of the uniqueness of deep dish pizza.

You can’t forget Chicago theatre!

Whether it’s Broadway In Chicago, storefront theatres, or Improv, Chicago has some crazy theatrical talent and entertainment. You can easily theme tables by different theatres or shows, or have some showtunes playing during cocktail hour. A great gift for your bridal party would be tickets to a theatre show! Better yet, you could experience it together and go as a group instead of doing a morning after brunch!

Chicago’s so beloved for tourists all over the country. We know you will be able to tailor your wedding to what makes Chicago so beloved to you. We hope these ideas helped spark your creativity as you plan your Chicago wedding, For more wedding planning inspiration, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

Crepe Puff Sleeve Wedding Dress Trend

2022/2023 Wedding Dress Trends

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2022/2023 Wedding Dress Trends

It’s a new year, which means it’s just about nearing the end of engagement season! This means, wedding planning season will be in full swing soon! As you get shopping for your wedding dress, it’s important you know what the 2022/2023 wedding dress trends are. Here are the 2022/2023 Wedding Dress Trends you are sure to see and love.

Bell Sleeves

This is a dainty and unique addition to how popular wedding dress sleeves have been in the last few years. Bell sleeves come in many styles from at the wrist to higher up on the arm. This is a great way to highlight if you have beautiful wrists or as an artful camouflage if you don’t want to show your arms.

Shoulder Puffs

This trend from the 1980’s that continued into the 1990’s is back with a bang. This sleeve style is great if you are trying to balance a pear figure. The sleeves add dimension to the top of the body also bringing the eye up to your face. They are still puffed, but unlike the over the top shoulder puffs of the past, this years’ are balanced with simpler details elsewhere on the dresses.

Square Neckline

Perfect for the modern & simple bride, square necklines add a contemporary feel to any wedding dress. If you are planning a clean and modern wedding this will go perfectly with your theme. This is definitely a neckline you have to try on to know if you feel good in it. It is a unique neckline option that pairs well with any fabric details or skirt size.

Ruffles

Ruffles are definitely a love or hate detail for many brides. However, there are as many styles of ruffles as there are brides. If you are having a fun and over the top wedding, numerous tight, small ruffles might be perfect for your wedding dress. Contrastly, if you are having a simpler wedding, or are smaller in stature, consider having gentler ruffles or tiers instead.

Cape-like Sleeves Instead Of Veils

If you do not want a wedding veil in your hair, having a cape or long draping sleeves is a great option! They also photography beautifully framing your gown and wedding day smile. If a cape is your option know that they are in addition to your gown. If you like the look of the cape, but don’t want to purchase one on top of your wedding dress, the sleeved option is perfect for you.

Have you started shopping and have seen these trends? Which have been your favorite? We hope a sneak peek of the trends will make your wedding dress shopping easier. Happy Planning! For more wedding planning inspiration and advice, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.