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Guest list simple

Wedding Planning: Keep It Simple

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Wedding Planning: Keep It Simple

During the time of the pandemic, couples made the best of smaller weddings out of necessity. Then, extravagant weddings filled with entertainment, experiences, and desserts galore came next. While both of those weddings can be equally meaningful and special, we propose another option: simplicity. Here are the main areas of wedding planning you can simplify to keep your wedding planning stress-free.

Bachelorette/Bachelor Party

While elaborate vacations are fun, they are not necessary to have a great time. The most important element is not the location; it’s the people you are with! As a result, you should put extra thought into the guest list. Only invite those who you enjoy spending time with! Inviting people you don’t enjoy being around is a recipe for a bachelor/bachelorette party disaster. Once you determine the list, it’s important to choose a date on which you know they can come. Send a survey to your closest and best with two or three date ideas. Then spend the decided date having fun with your friends locally. You could go to your favorite restaurants or bars or hang out all day at your house watching Netflix. Whatever you do, do it with your favorite people and it’s sure to be a special day you’ll never forget.

Guest List

The guest list is easily the most stressful aspect of planning a wedding. That being said, your marriage is still valid whether you have ten people or 300. Once you have your allotted guest number that fits your budget, focus on ease. If going through and cutting people you are close to off the guest list stresses you out, then have a bigger wedding. Remember, we are focusing on simplicity, therefore less stress. Simple doesn’t have to mean small. However; if having a huge party stresses you out, have a small wedding. There is nothing wrong with keeping such a special day more intimate if that’s what feels best to you. People will have dissenting opinions no matter what you do, so take the stress out of it and stick with what simple means to you.

Guest list simple

Photo: MBD Wedding Photography, Venue: Heritage Prairie Farm, Wedding: Fatima and Nolan

Décor

We all can recognize the beauty of elaborate candelabras and giant floral arches everywhere, but there is also so much beauty in simplicity. The easiest way to simplify your wedding décor is to go to the venue and take a mental list of their existing décor, lighting, and color schemes first before you start buying décor. You may not have to decorate much if they already have a beautiful, standard setup. Instead of having details everywhere, think about where you want people’s eyes to go. Do you want them looking at each other at their tables? Choose lower, simple centerpieces. Do you want their eyes on you the whole night? Dress up the sweetheart table while keeping the rest of the venue more simple. If your venue has a bold color scheme already, use soft, simple colors and less ornate décor.

Simple wedding decor

Photo: MBD Wedding Photography, Venue: Riverside Receptions, Wedding: Missy and Dan

We hope these ideas will help you simplify your wedding planning and take the focus from the details and put it back on to getting married. The more you can simplify, the less stressful your wedding planning will be and the more meaningful your wedding can be. Happy Planning! Share this blog post with a friend who is beginning their wedding planning. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

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.

Wedding Dress

How To Know Your Wedding Dress Is ‘The One’

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How To Know Your Wedding Dress Is ‘The One’

Whether it is friends’ stories or TV shows, everyone has their own theory on how to know if your wedding dress is ‘the one.’ From the internet to boutiques there are more wedding dress retailers than ever. Choosing a dress can be difficult because brides can see so many beautiful wedding dresses. While every person is different, there are common signs to look for. We can help you figure out if your wedding dress is ‘the one’ with these tips.

Trust your gut!

The old adage is definitely true as you shop for your wedding dress; trust your gut. Rarely do you regret trusting your intuition, so don’t start while searching for your wedding dress. If you are between a few dresses and your heart pulls you toward one, trust it. Shopping for a wedding dress is a new experience. Even if you can’t put your finger on why you are pulled toward one dress versus another, trust your gut.

You cry as you put it on.

This is one that happens only half of the time. Some people get a flood of emotion when they put on their dream dress. The tears come and everyone joins in with them as they realize their loved one found her wedding dress. In contrast, other times, brides aren’t criers, so this doesn’t happen at all. That being said, if you do cry it could be a telltale sign that this is your dress.

You have zero doubts.

When your dress is right you have no regrets or doubts. When you put on this dress you should feel the most you. This means you feel confident and can see yourself getting married in this dress. The excitement you feel about your dress should only stay the same or grow. This is why some brides choose to sleep on it, as it is such a big decision. The dress you go home dreaming about, or cannot stop looking at pictures of, is your dress.

It’s the opposite of what you thought you’d want, but it feels so right.

So often brides are surprised to find they love a dress so different from their Pinterest board. That isn’t just okay, it’s very common. How you know the dress is your dress is you look and feel confident and beautiful in it. It’s a good idea to have a conversation with your shopping companions ahead of time so they are supportive of whichever dress you choose, even if it is unexpected. That way you can avoid any uncomfortable moments that may overshadow your saying, “yes,” to the dress.

Have you gone wedding dress shopping? If you are ready to get started check out more wedding dress shopping tips and inspiration in the Chicago Wedding Blog posts. We hope you found these tips helpful as you get started! Happy Planning!

Bachelorette Party Sailing

Bachelorette Party For The Bride Who Doesn’t Want To Party

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Bachelorette Party For The Bride Who Doesn’t Want To Party

Are you a bride for whom big crowds and attention is an anxiety inducing thing and not something to celebrate? We’ve got some great bachelorette ideas for the bride who wants to slow it down, chill, and not party like it’s their last day on earth. You don’t have to do the strippers, get blackout drunk, or spend thousands of dollars – your bridesmaids will thank you since they’re the ones usually footing the bill!

Why not try a spa day bachelorette party with your girls?

Plenty of spas offer reserved space for parties of 4 or more. You can even do couple’s massage but with all your gal pals. You can go the extra mile and rent out a hotel room near the spa too and keep the chill vibe going even after the facials, massages, pedicures or skin peels. Grab a few bottles of wine or sparkling beverages and enjoy your ladies’ company in the privacy of a hotel room.

The old school sleepover, but bachelorette party version.

Remember those days when you had a few girls over and gossiped the night away? Why not re-create that for your bachelorette party? It’s a low budget idea that can include a bunch of girls. It doesn’t have to be your house, maybe your maid of honor can host or you can rent out a hotel room. Big pillows, painting nails, plenty of adult refreshments and food will make the sleepover not your average high schoolers!

The next idea is certainly pricey, but also very private; rent a sailboat!

What’s better than having a chartered yacht take you and your friends/family out for a scenic tour of the water? You can drink responsibly since you won’t be driving, and some chartered boats may provide food and beverages depending on how long you want to rent it.

Have you tried Glamping?

Check out Glamping Hub for the most up to date places you can take your bridesmaids to go hang out in nature. There are a lot of styles of glamping; take your pick of teepees, tents, cabins, etc. It’s all the fun of camping but with electricity and toilets. If you’re a nature loving bride this is the perfect place to celebrate your upcoming marriage.



See! If you’re a bride who doesn’t feel comfortable partying, there are plenty of fun options. Whether you enjoy the outdoors or indoors, vacation or home, you will have an amazing crazy-free bachelorette party. For more wedding planning advice and ideas check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

Wedding Dress With Sleeves

Sleeves, Or No Sleeves On Your Wedding Dress

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Sleeves, Or No Sleeves On Your Wedding Dress

A big trend we love right now is a wedding dress with sleeves. They can add that little spark of elegance that makes you stand out among thousands of brides! There are so many styles to add to your gown. Here are many ways to add sleeves to your wedding dress .

There are many options you can pick from.

Lace, fitted, flutter, cap, bell and elbow length are just a few to start. You have a lot of variety to find out which type of sleeve works for your body type and style. Be sure to work with a seamstress to ensure the proper fit. If you’re having a summer wedding with warmer weather don’t let that deter you from having sleeves. There are a lot of styles and fabrics to choose from that will keep you cool. We love a mermaid lace, open back with lace cape or illusion/flutter sleeves for warmer weather!

If you don’t want to take the time or money to have them made custom,  then you can opt for detachable ones.

We love a long drape sleeve that you can take off for the reception and not have to worry about dragging it in your cake or main dish. Sleeves don’t have to be exactly what you think either – we love pairing a jacket with the dress as well! Many brides prefer a light jacket (or heavy coat in winter) to keep them warm when traveling between venues. A wedding jacket can also be a statement piece on its own – fur, lace, pearl beading and all the sparkle you could want!

We recommend trying on a bridal gown with sleeves, even if you’re a little skeptical.

Sometimes the type of sleeve you think you want turns out to be a completely different style. Sleeves on a wedding dress are an accent of themselves so have fun picking out the perfect ones!

Did your bridal gown have sleeves? Did you love it? Or did you forgo the sleeves and love your gown? We’d love to see! E-Mail your wedding photos, with vendors credited to us at hello@chicagoweddingblog.com . Happy Wedding Planning!