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Wedding Handfasting

Wedding Unity Ceremony Ideas

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Wedding Unity Ceremony Ideas

A wedding unity ceremony is a ceremony that symbolizes the two newlyweds becoming one. While so much effort goes into the colors and attire on your wedding day, it’s more important to put some extra thought into your wedding ceremony. If you’re having a religious ceremony, many of the details are pre-planned, however, there are many unity ceremony ideas you can add to customize your wedding ceremony. There are many ceremony options to symbolize your unity. We’ll inspire you to create your own wedding union ceremony with some great ideas.

Beer Ceremony

Yup, you read that right: a beer ceremony! If you’re not the formal wedding type, this is a fun option for you! You each choose a beer that is your favorite. Each beer is in its own glass. Then, when you do the ceremony, you combine both beers into one beer tumbler. The added benefit, you create a whole new kind of beer that will either be delicious or create a fun story about how gross it was. 

Colored Sand Ceremony

In this ceremony, you each select a color of sand. You could potentially choose your wedding colors. During the ceremony, you would combine the two colors of sand together into a larger container. You could mix them all together, or layer them on top of each other in a pattern. The sand ceremony is a fun idea because it becomes a visual keepsake for you to keep after your wedding day, potentially forever. The one drawback is san art can get mixed up, so if you want a stable look this might not be it. 

Unity Candle Ceremony

Many religions have their own version of this option. A unity candle ceremony has two smaller candles that together light the bigger unity candle. This obviously symbolizes two becoming one. If you are having a religious ceremony or love classical wedding elements, this is the perfect unity ceremony option for you. 

Blown Glass Ceremony

The blown glass ceremony is a fun keepsake idea for a unity ceremony! Similar to the sand ceremony, both newlyweds combine each of their colored glass pieces into one bigger container. However, with this option, there is an extra step. The combined glass is then brought to a glass maker who blows the colors together into a new shape! You’ll have a beautiful piece of artwork to remind you of your wedding day to display in your home. 

Handfasting Ceremony

Typical to Irish/Celtic cultures a Handfasting unity ceremony is when the officiant ties (or fasts) the hands of the newlyweds together during the wedding ceremony. This symbolizes the unity of marriage and an unbreakable bond. You can have the rope braided, tied for wall decor in your home, or just keep it as a memento. 

You will be so glad you put extra thought into your wedding ceremony! Choose a unity ceremony that best represents your relationship. Your guests will love the personalized touches you put into your wedding day. Similarly, you’ll be able to appreciate the mementos or wedding memories for a lifetime. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

London House Bachelorette Hotel

Chicago Bachelorette Party

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Chicago Bachelorette Party

The city of Chicago has endless options when it comes to planning your bachelorette party. We highly recommend you have your bachelorette party in Chicago! Because the city feels like a destination but is close to home, you avoid the price tag of traveling. Your bridesmaids will thank you profusely when they don’t have to take up their allotted days off from work, or the expensive travel costs that come with a destination bachelorette party. We promise if you choose any of these bachelorette party ideas you won’t miss traveling at all! Are you ready to plan your Chicago Bachelorette Party? We’ve got you covered!

Let’s begin with where to stay!

As we mentioned, staying local means fewer days of hotel costs and fewer days off work. It’s a financial win only having to book one night at a hotel. There are so many great hotels in Chicago to relax in after your fun day and night out! Some favorites are:

  • LondonHouse Chicago is a river-front hotel. It is modern and glamorous in style. This Mag Mile location is a convenient walking or short ride-sharing distance to many attractions. The rooftop bar (and views) are to die for, not to mention the spa and other package options.
  • Ivy Hotel Chicago feels like home, but the home in your city-living dreams! The look of this hotel is sleek and luxurious. With its Mag Mile location, it is also perfect for walking or short ride-sharing to many restaurants and attractions.
  • Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel is right outside the Chicago Theatre District while also being steps away from River North and the Chicago Riverwalk! Talk about the perfect location! The hotel has a contemporary look, with the added Chicago perk of a rooftop! They also have a great indoor pool perfect for relaxing with your friends the next day.
  • The Blackstone is right across the street from Grant Park on S. Michigan Ave. Its vintage, luxury style is sure to make your bachelorette party one to remember. They have great bar and restaurant recommendations all within walking distance! Stylish and a great location? Win!

Where to eat dinner, you ask? The options are endless!

The privilege of being so close to a world-class city is the huge range of culinary styles! Whether you’re looking for gourmet healthy fare or legendary Chicago Pizza, there is something for you! Here are a few of our favorites:

  • True Food Kitchen is perfect if your bridal party has any dietary restrictions or is focused on wellness! The healthy food, mocktails, and cocktails are beautiful and delicious! You won’t regret keeping this one on your list!
  • Gino’s East is the perfect pre-partying restaurant! Its atmosphere is super casual, with its legendary writing on the walls. Literally, you can write on the walls. Aside from the chill atmosphere, the legendary Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is amazing. If you have any out-of-town bridesmaids, this is a down-to-earth Chicago experience for them!
  • Carnivale Restaurant is the perfect restaurant if your group wants to start the evening off with a bang! The Latin menu is absolutely delicious and unique! They also have an extensive drink menu sure to get the party started. This restaurant touts a fun experience with authentic Latin artwork and dancers! We think it’s perfect for a lively bachelorette party!

Fun options all night long!

Chicago has a great nightlife! While there are so many great bars to go bar-hopping at we have narrowed down some of the most renowned experiences. A great night is guaranteed!

  • Howl at the Moon Chicago is an amazing dueling pianos bar! Belt out your favorite songs with your best girls and have fun dancing to all the hits you can request! Great music is a given at Howl at the Moon, but they also have Bachelorette Party packages! Being one of the more popular nightlife options, we highly recommend their “Jump the Line” package so you and your bridal party will definitely get in and not have to wait outside in line in the probably cold Chicago weather!
  • If dancing isn’t your thing, Chicago is well-known for their comedy shows! What’s more fun at a bachelorette party than laughing with your best friends? You’ve likely heard of Chicago referred to as “The Second City” but there is of course the iconic comedy club “The Second City” where you will love their talented comedians and some great drinks to go with it! If you want to continue the party afterward, the Old Town neighborhood in Chicago has so many great restaurants and bars too!
  • The Underground Chicago is a well-known nightclub. Its city dance club vibe, conveniently in River North, is perfect for the dancing queens in your bachelorette party, and if you’re a night owl! The neon lights and great DJs are sure to keep you dancing all night long! A fun bonus is it’s frequented by celebrities and professional athletes! They also have bottle service and a VIP area if you’re feeling fancy!

In short, you will have the best bachelorette party!

Because Chicago is a world-class city, we could go on and on about the endless options for your Chicago Bachelorette Party! We hope these ideas spark your excitement to have your bachelorette party right here in Chicago! With so much to offer, you’ll be so glad you had your bachelorette party in the Windy City! Are you planning your Chicago Bachelorette Party? We’d love to hear about it! Email your bachelorette party plans and photos to hello@Chicagoweddingblog.com. Happy Planning! For more wedding planning tips and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

Wedding photos group of friends

Plan Your Wedding Photos

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Plan Your Wedding Photos

We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: Your wedding day is one of the only days you will have most of your loved ones in one place. Because of this, you must plan your wedding photos accordingly. While, of course, many of your wedding photos will center around you and your bridal party, you don’t want to miss out on photos with your other loved ones too. To accomplish that, you need to organize your guests by the connection they have to you and to each other in a grand list for your photographer. Here’s how you should start to plan your wedding photos with your special wedding guests.

Immediate Families

The immediate families include the parents and siblings of the newlyweds. These photos are usually not forgotten, but they are important to organize nonetheless. Some details to keep in mind are:

  • Is there an old family photo you’d like to recreate alongside your formal photos?
  • Are there any family dynamics the photographer should be mindful of?
    • I.e. Divorced parents, differently-abled or handicapped family members who may not be able to stand for long, etc.

Extended Families

Extended family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins. This group of people requires a lot of photos. This is often the most overlooked group of people for wedding photos. Being that this is one of the only times in your life you’ll have a photographer present, it’s so important to get photos with your aging relatives. That being said, keep in mind any physical difficulties your elderly relatives may have while taking pictures. Many couples also have special relationships with aunts and uncles. Therefore it may be important to get one-on-one photos with special family members too. The easiest way to organize this larger group is to divide them by individuals/one-on-one photos and large group photos. Some important photos for extended families may be:

  • Individual/One-on-One Photos:
    • Grandparents, together and individually. Also with the groom/bride together and individually.
    • Aunts & Uncles, together with the newlyweds, and potentially individually too.
    • If there are specific special cousin relationships you might also want individual photos with them too.
  • Large Group Photos
    • The entire side of the prospective families (just the bride’s side, then just the groom’s side) including grandparents, cousins, parents, and siblings
    • Grandparents group photo (bride’s side and groom’s side separately) with the immediate families
    • Grandparents group photo with the extended family (bride’s side and groom’s side separately)
    • Divided extended family, families the bride and groom may be close to (ex. Uncle John’s family with the bride and groom)
    • Just the bride/groom’s generation of cousins

Specific Friend Groups

Oftentimes newlyweds have friend groups from various stages of their lives. Just because they were not in the bridal party does not mean you cannot get special photos with them. An easy way to accomplish this is to have your wedding photographer coordinate with your wedding DJ. The DJ can call the various groups to the dance floor for group photos during any reception downtime. Here are some potential groups you may want photos with:

  • Elementary School Friends
  • Middle School Friends
  • High School Friends
  • Sports Team Friends
  • College Friends
  • Work Friends
  • Neighbors

All Your Wedding Guests

What is more fun than getting a ginormous group photo of all your loved ones together on your wedding day? This often-overlooked photo will be so fun to look back on. You’ll be able to remember who was at your wedding, even as years go by.

If you have this detailed list to give to your photographer you will surely not miss any cherished photos with your loved ones. You will never regret being organized in advance. Each couple has different family and friend relationships, so organize this photo list in a way that works with your relationships. We can’t wait to see your special wedding photos from your organized list! Tag us in your wedding photos or email them to hello@ChicagoWeddingBlog.com. For more wedding planning inspiration and advice check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

bride and groom charcuterie

Charcuterie for your Bridal Shower with Chi-cuterie

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Charcuterie for your Bridal Shower with Chi-cuterie

In recent years, charcuterie has gone from delicious appetizers to renowned, artfully displayed meals! As you plan your bridal shower food, charcuterie is the perfect bridal shower fare, whether it’s appetizers or a full meal! Because of its design and customizable options, choosing charcuterie for your bridal shower is sure to be a guest favorite! There is no need to slave over a hot stove all morning in preparation for your bridal shower food. To set you up for success, we were excited to talk with Michelle from Chi-cuterie, a wonderful small business in quaint Geneva, Illinois, that specializes in custom charcuterie boards for events. Not only will you learn all you need to know to plan your bridal shower charcuterie, but you’ll also hear a bit about their event space, perfect for bridal showers! Here is all you need to know to plan the perfect bridal shower charcuterie with Chi-cuterie.

charcuterie bridal shower venue

Venue: Chi-Cuterie, Geneva, Illinois, Photo: Susan Ryan Photography,

Charcuterie is not just for appetizers!

“Bridal showers are the perfect occasion to serve charcuterie as the main course. There is generally something that every guest will enjoy. Because ladies are typically mingling and visiting, nibbling on a variety of foods is just perfect! At Chi-cuterie, we are all about creating special experiences. We source our products from local farmers, artisans, and other local businesses. Guests are always so thrilled to learn the stories behind the items featured, especially about the cows and goats, as well as the passion behind the products! We enhance the experience by building our boards and grazing tables around the featured drinks for the event – be it bubbly, white wine, red wine, or a signature drink. This allows us to thoughtfully pair each item on the board, with great attention given to what cheeses, meats, and accoutrements pair together. For example, the Wisconsin Colby will be placed next to the local summer sausage as well as the strawberries and hand-crafted chocolate potato chips. These kinds of combinations make grazing even more enjoyable and people love trying new things and learning something new. And as we say at Chi-cuterie, we create charcuterie that starts conversations and that is what builds community! People are generally curious and ask a lot of questions. We often have guests come back to our store after attending showers because they enjoyed a particular local cheese, meat, jam, or chocolate for example. Promoting these small, local businesses is everything to us! It is not uncommon to find 30 or more represented on one of our projects.”

Don’t forget the perfect beverage pairing to go with your charcuterie.

“Typically the most popular charcuterie boards for showers are those we pair with bubbly! Nothing says bridal shower like a celebratory glass of Champagne, Prosecco, or Sparkling Wine! And our guests have absolutely loved learning about all the meats, cheeses, and unusual items we pair with bubblies! The element of surprise is part of building our experience here. We love finding new farms, products, and ways to delight the senses. Our latest hit has been our goat cheese boards with a local chèvre from a female-owned farm in Wisconsin that is bringing home award after award this year. We spread the cheese on a board, top it with one of our local jams (pear with ginger is a fave), local honey, fresh pears, thyme, candied walnuts, a beautiful finishing salt with herbs, and finished with our signature edible flowers and fresh herbs. These are served with beautiful crackers with pressed flowers and herbs.”

charcuterie

Photo: Susan Ryan Photography, Charcuterie: Chi-Cuterie

When planning your bridal shower food, it’s not just about the food, it’s about creating an experience.

“Our advice is to plan ahead and then ENJOY the experience. We take care of every detail at our event space so that the host can just arrive and enjoy the day with the bride! No need to bring any flowers, decorations, plates/napkins/cutlery/serving pieces, or even favors for guests. We can take care of all of those things for you! Want desserts? We can do those too! Want balloons? We have you covered Want a Mimosa or Bloody Mary bar? No problem! We also have a full line of wines by the glass or bottle, beer, craft cocktails, and beautiful non-alcoholic beverage options as well. Guests can even shop for wedding gifts in our retail area!”

Beautiful and delicious food for your bridal shower, what’s not to like?!

Bridal showers are all about bringing together a bride’s loved ones to celebrate. What better way to celebrate than eating delicious, one-of-a-kind custom charcuterie boards? Remember, don’t forget the perfect bubbly to go with it, because what celebration is a celebration if there’s no champagne?  Your guests are sure to rave about your unique bridal shower fare for years to come! Thank you so much to Michelle at Chi-cuterie for her advice and expertise on charcuterie for bridal showers. We hope you will not only consider using Chi-cuterie for their gourmet charcuterie but also for the incredible service at their event space. For more wedding planning inspiration and advice check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!