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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.

tips for wedding bouquets

Wedding Flower Tips

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Wedding Flower Tips

To achieve your ideal wedding flower look, it’s essential to be an informed bride or groom by knowing wedding flower trends and expert tips. One of the most fun parts of planning your wedding is selecting your wedding flowers. We put together all the must-know tips so you can plan your wedding flowers even better than you imagined.

Keep in mind your wedding dress.

Floral appliques are a huge wedding dress trend. If your wedding dress has a specific floral look, such as roses, include that type of rose in your bouquets. This will help your wedding dress and flowers be cohesive, both as you walk down the aisle and in your wedding photos. If you choose a sleek wedding dress instead of a floral one, you can select even more elaborate flowers as a perfect contrast to your sleek bridal look.

Roses, roses, and more roses…don’t get stuck on the title, go by look.

Roses are timeless wedding bouquet flowers. Have you ever seen an unfamiliar flower and are shocked to find out it’s actually a rose? Roses come in so many shapes and sizes. When you meet with your florist, bring your budget and photos of the bouquets you like. If you love an out-of-season flower that tends to be more expensive, say peonies, many Bourbon, Hybrid Perpetual, Alba, Portland, & Damask roses are the perfect look-alike choice that may be less expensive if they’re in season. Don’t get stuck on the title of your ideal flower, two different flowers could look so similar. Your budget will thank your flexibility.

Bigger isn’t always better.

In recent years, the beautiful focus of some bouquets has been the smaller, filler flowers that surround the larger ones. If you are planning a bohemian-style wedding, smaller flowers are the perfect choice either as the focus of the bouquet or even the entire bouquet. Some popular smaller flowers include Cherry Blossom, Baby’s Breath, Queen Anne’s Lace, Craspedia, Quince, or Phlox. The filler flowers are the perfect way to add texture and dimension to your bouquets.

Bring your ideas and budget, but trust your florist!

Florists are truly artists! While you should absolutely bring your plan and budget, be open to their ideas and input. They may have flowers in colors, shapes, & textures you didn’t even know existed. This is why choosing a great florist matters so much. Look on social media, wedding websites, and florists’ own websites to see photos of other bouquets they’ve created. Then you’ll be able to trust them to exceed your expectations of your wedding bouquets. An added bonus is they are experts in knowing how to give you the look you want while staying within your budget.



Choosing your wedding flowers is an important part of designing your wedding day and planning your wedding. Be sure to prepare as you meet with your florist. Bring photos of bouquets and flowers you love to show your florist and don’t forget to be transparent with your budget. A good florist can deliver stunning bridal bouquets at any price point. Happy Planning! For more wedding planning inspiration and tips check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below.

Magenta Bouquet

“Viva Magenta” Wedding Inspiration

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“Viva Magenta” Wedding Inspiration

Each year a Pantone color is selected to be the color of the year. We think it’s the perfect way to select your wedding color. Because the color is unique to each year, it’s sure to be on trend. The 2023 Pantone color of the year is called “Viva Magenta.” If that color doesn’t say joyful celebration we don’t know what does! From its cheerful brightness to its balancing deeper tones of dark red, Viva Magenta is the perfect color to inspire your wedding, no matter the season. Here is some timely inspiration as you plan your “Viva Magenta” wedding.

Start with a bold entrance.

Place color where you and your guests will enter your venue(s) to set the tone of your wedding day. The cheery vibe will be felt the second guests enter. Choose a decorated floral arch, or large draping flowers on any tables or chairs near the entryway. While sometimes less is more, your grand entrance is one place you should go big or go home. If you are on a tight budget, you can still embrace this bright-colored hue by using less expensive flowers, such as carnations. Then throughout the rest of the venue, you can incorporate ribbons, candles, and other decors to carry the color through without the big price tag.

Your bridal party will look beautiful in flattering “Viva Magenta”-hued dresses!

No matter the time of year, your bridal party will have plenty of dresses to choose from in this flattering hue of magenta. If you are having a fall or winter wedding velvet can be a dynamic choice for bridesmaid dresses to pull out both the darker and lighter shades of this color. If you’re getting married in the spring or summer and like the idea of having different shades come out in the same dress, a silky charmeuse satin would be a lighter-weight choice. And of course, there is always the ever-classic chiffon bridesmaid dress popular for its flattering, flowing styles.

Choose a venue with a complimentary, or neutral color scheme.

If you are looking to choose this bold color, it’s important to keep that in mind when selecting your venue. If a venue has lots of red or burgundy carpets or walls, you want to ensure it will not clash with your selected color of the year. One option is to go with a venue with a neutral color scheme so your wedding color will pop. Another option would be to choose a natural or garden venue that would incorporate the magenta. There are so many incredible Chicagoland wedding venues that combine the best of both worlds, whether you’re looking for a barn venue or a grand ballroom.

Wedding favors and dessert tables can be adorned with colorful flowers, linens, beads, or candles as pops of color.

Paired with clean, white linens, Viva Magenta pops! A white cake is the perfect pairing for “Viva Magenta” flowers. Even if the white frosting has lots of detail you can still add bold-colored flowers or fabric to it. Don’t be afraid of different textures and sizes, they add more detail and softness to bold colors. A unique way to incorporate this color is to have vintage teacups for coffee service that have magenta flowers on them. Aside from being useful at your wedding, the teacups can become favors! Unique touches like this are what make your wedding memorable for your guests.

The groomsmen’s pocket squares and boutonnieres are perfect for a bold pop of Viva Magenta!

Keep your formality in mind when choosing your groomsmen’s boutonnieres and pocket squares. There are so many different flowers and boutonniere designs from rustic to classic, formal roses. We love this rustic one because of the unique flowers and simple style. Conveniently, magenta pops no matter what color suit the groomsmen wear. Therefore you don’t have to choose the largest boutonnieres or flowers to pull the eye to your wedding color.




This year brings some beautiful wedding trends! We think this joyful color will be a hit embodying the excitement you have for your new lives together. For more wedding planning advice and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning! Did you choose “Viva Magenta” as your wedding color? We’d love to see your wedding photos! Email them to hello@chicagoweddingblog.com.

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!

Engaged couple

A Scaled-Back Wedding

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A Scaled-Back Wedding

Happy New Year! For 2023, we’ve noticed one trend going very strong: a scaled-back wedding. For some couples bigger is better, but it’s becoming increasingly popular to take some of the hubbub out of the wedding day. Having a scaled-back wedding means different things to different couples, so we’ve taken note to give you an overview of scaled-back wedding ideas. Here are some of the best scaled-back wedding ideas for couples ready to start planning a simpler wedding!

No Bridal Party

This trend definitely can be controversial. Oftentimes friends have been waiting to be part of your bridal party for years. Imagine their dismay when they find out you are not having a bridal party. But here’s the thing: it is your wedding. Not having a bridal party means allowing your friends to be at your wedding with less of a financial commitment: no shoes or dress involved. Not having a bridal party can also benefit you as there will be fewer details and events to coordinate. Speaking of fewer details, if you do not have a bridal party you don’t have to choose bridesmaids’ dresses, or even wedding colors for that matter. If you are someone who feels overwhelmed by having to make numerous decisions, not having a bridal party might be the perfect way to have a scaled-back wedding.

Fewer Guests

Another commonly controversial way to scale back your wedding is by inviting fewer guests. It can be controversial, especially because so many people have been excitedly awaiting your wedding day. Yes, that may mean not inviting your mom’s college friends, sorry mom, but the added benefit is you have more quality time with your closest people. If large social gatherings are not your thing, this trend will add more enjoyment to your wedding day. Likely it will also benefit your overall budget.

A Shorter Wedding Planning Process

While planning a wedding usually takes a year to a year and a half, some couples are opting for a quick, six months-or-less planning window. This can be very stressful especially because many venues book out a year in advance and many bridal gowns can take eight months to arrive, but if you’re ready to get married this option may suit you (pun intended). In contrast, it may make decision-making easier because you will have fewer options. Couples are usually choosing from a sea of dozens of wedding vendors. If you are booking a last-minute wedding fewer vendors will be available, therefore your vendors will likely choose themselves for you. This takes your job of sorting through vendors away. For couples who are indecisive, having a shorter wedding planning process may be the way to go.

Simple Flowers and Décor

While many couples enjoy choosing large centerpieces and bouquets, others are opting for simplicity. If you are looking for a simpler bouquet option, what is more timeless than white roses for a wedding? Clean and simple can be so beautiful, so there is no need to sacrifice beauty if you prefer a simpler wedding. This makes choosing your décor much more simple because white goes with everything. You could just use your engagement photos or other photos throughout the years as décor and call it a day, no need to search for color-coordinating candles and beads.



Choosing a scaled-back wedding may not be for everyone, but there are many benefits. Did you choose to have a scaled-back wedding? What were your reasons? We’d love to know, comment below! If you have engaged friends, send this blog post their way to inspire their scaled-back 2023 wedding planning. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

groomsman suit

A Guy’s Guide to Being a Groomsman

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A Guy’s Guide to Being a Groomsman

Congratulations on being asked to be a groomsman! It is an honor that shows how much you mean to the engaged couple. Because you mean a lot to them, you’ll want to show up as your best as their groomsman. To help you do that, here is a guy’s guide to being a groomsman.

Mark Down the Wedding Date

Once you know the date of the wedding and have agreed to be in the wedding, mark down the date and make arrangements. Everyone has only so many days off for work, so plan ahead if you have to take any days off for the wedding. If you are not sure how many days off you will have by the wedding date, make a plan. Talk with your boss well in advance if you will need to take any days off. Then, make sure you communicate with work throughout the year so they don’t forget you have a wedding coming up.

Other Wedding-Related Events

Being in the bridal party means there is an expectation you will be at the engagement party, rehearsal dinner, wedding, and the day after brunch. It’s important you ask the engaged couple what events they have planned so you can ideally be there, if not, let them know in advance. (Are you getting the hint that sooner is always better?) Some nationalities’ traditions mean even the wedding is a multi-day affair. If this is the case, be sure to ask which events you should plan on being at.

Getting Your Suit

The day you get the email or text from the bride or groom about the suit rental/purchasing information, make a date to do it. Do not wait for the deadline to go to your nearest tailor to get measured. The week you get that email/text go get measured and take care of your rental/suit purchase. If you’ll allow us to paint with a broad brush, guys tend to wait till the last minute to take care of their wedding attire. Don’t be that guy! Get it done a.s.a.p., way before you have to.

Plan for the Bachelor Party

If there is going to be a bachelor party, be transparent about your ability to participate sooner than later. If you have a particular budget to stay within, communicate that clearly with the rest of the groomsmen. Clarity & honesty is key. If there are days you know you are unavailable around the proposed time of year of the bachelor party, make that clear so there are no hurt feelings or surprises.

Wedding Gifts

When you are a groomsman you’re normally off the hook for purchasing a bridal shower gift, but you will need to bring a wedding gift. Wedding gifts can be anything from home or cooking goods to gift certificates. If you have a plus one coming to the wedding, have them bring the gift. Then, you will not forget the gift at home before the couple leaves for their honeymoon. We all know how adult friendships go, you probably won’t see the couple for a few months. So bring the wedding gift to the wedding so you don’t have to give it to them late.



There you have it, a surefire guide to being a great groomsman! Your friend will be sure to appreciate your promptness and cooperation as they plan their wedding. For more wedding planning tips and inspiration check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

everyday dishes

Wedding Registry Must-Haves

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Wedding Registry Must-Haves

Your wedding planning is off to a good start, so now it is time to create your wedding registry and fill it with your must-haves! We’ve all purchased gifts for friends from their registries, but creating our own can be overwhelming. How many plates do I need? Is China really necessary? While each couple’s style and priorities are different, there are a few must-haves we recommend you put on your wedding registry. Here’s some help to get your registry started with the most important items.

Pots and Pans Set

The number one cookware item you will use daily is your pots and pans! Whether you are a can of soup or a homemade chicken cordon bleu person, you must put them on your registry. Not only are they useful, but they are also made to last and are expensive. Many registries allow group gifts so friends can team together to give you a more expensive gift.

Bath Towels

Now that you’ll be married, it’s time for your college bath towels to become cleaning or beach towels. Register for some nice, new towels. You will be so glad you did! It is fun putting together the color scheme of your first married home together. Towels are a great way to decorate your bathroom with a splash (pun intended) of color. Pro tip: Register for bath sheets! Bath sheet towels are towels but are longer than typical bath towels, so you will be wrapped and cozy after every shower without a chilly breeze.

Bed Sheets

Speaking of sheets, you won’t want to forget to register for quality bed sheets! We recommend cotton sheets for spring/summer and flannel sheets for fall/winter. Cotton sheets will breathe and not hold in your summer heat making for a more comfortable night of sleep. In contrast, microfiber sheets will hold in your heat, so we don’t recommend those. Flannel sheets are so cozy and perfect for the infamous Chicago winter windchills!

A Clothes Steamer

This one might surprise a lot of people. You may think, “Why do I need a clothes steamer when I already have an iron?” Well, let me tell you! Many an event and weddings have been saved by my inexpensive clothes steamer! A bridesmaid forgot to iron her dress? Steamer. The groom ironed his pants wrong? Steamer. Table cloths laying strange on the tables? Steamer. Trust me, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Every household needs a clothes steamer!

Your Everyday Dishes

Unlike China dishes that you only use about once a year, your everyday dishes will be used, you guessed it, every day. Because of how often you will use them it is important to register for quality everyday dishes. Read reviews and ask questions, don’t just go by looks. We recommend registering for 8 place settings. If you are not registering for China dishes we recommend registering for 12 place settings. These dishes will ideally last for decades, so be sure to choose a pattern and color you know you will still like in a few years.

Have you registered yet? Which of these items were on your must-haves list? Would you add something else? Tell us in the comments below. For more wedding planning inspiration and advice check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

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.