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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.

Married Couple

Wedding Vendor Feature: MBD Wedding Photography

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Wedding Vendor Feature: MBD Wedding Photography

MBD Wedding Photography

Photo: MBD Wedding Photography, Venue: The Armour House

If there’s one wedding vendor you want to get right on your wedding day it’s your wedding photographer. Choosing an experienced photographer is key to cherishing your wedding moments for years to come. Because there are so many wedding photographers in the Chicagoland area, we’d like to feature one amazing one. We would like to introduce you to MBD Wedding Photography to learn why we think they are fantastic wedding photographers.

1.) How would you describe MBD Wedding Photography & photographers?

Our photographers can be described as Artistic/Creative Photojournalists. The goal is to capture your wedding day in a style that allows you to relive specific memories for years. If your children look at your photos years from now, you can piece together the memories from your ceremony all the way until your first dance. The smallest details, the funniest moments, those tears of joy, and those unexpected surprises on the dance floor will all come rushing back when viewing your photos.

Having been a wedding industry leader for over 25 years before offering photography services, Music By Design has built long lasting relationships with award winning Chicago area photographers. After the word spread that Music By Design started MBD Photography and began offering photography services, those same photographers reached out to us looking for an opportunity. This situation gave us the luxury of choosing some of the best photographers in the country. Our photography staff is composed of the industry’s best and we are proud to be affiliated with such amazing artists.

2.) What recommendations do you have for couples booking their wedding photographer?

It is important to choose a company that offers the complete package. Amazing in-office customer service and award winning photography. Be sure to communicate your expectations and be wary of a company that says yes to everything. It is important your company offers an honest and open level of customer service to create a refreshing experience, giving you piece-of-mind during the booking process and beyond. At MBD Photography, if you are looking for something we do not provide, we will be honest with you. It is important to us to cultivate a relationship with each couple we work with, and that relationship is built on trust. Our goal is to fulfill and exceed your vision for your wedding photos and we believe great communication is how we achieve that. MBD Photography embodies the same dependable philosophies that made Music By Design a leader in the wedding industry.

3.) What photography packages does MBD Wedding Photography have?

As today’s couples are more budget conscious, the standard 12 hour wedding package is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Therefore, we offer 10 hours of wedding photography. That is enough time to cover from Noon to 10pm and capture your entire wedding day. In addition, to honor customer demands, based on our market research, our pricing structure is very simple and straight forward. All prices and options are listed on our website ‘MBD Photography   , but always be sure to ask if we are offering and discounts or promotions.

Your wedding package includes your professional photographer, online planning system, digital hi-res images with print rights, online gallery for sharing and viewing images, and digital downloads.  You can choose between one or two photographers. A second photographer results in more view points and angles of your ceremony and reception. More information on our wedding packages can be found on our MBD Wedding Photography wedding information page on our website.

We also offer engagement sessions, which is a great way to get to know your photographer even more before your wedding day. You and your photographer will discuss location and details for your engagement shoot. We are also happy to offer tips and suggestions on everything from what to wear for your engagement shoot to beautiful locations that photograph well. If you are in need of suggestions, don’t be afraid to ask. You can find more information on engagement and event packages at the MBD Photography Event Options page on our website.

4.) What makes MBD Wedding Photography different than other wedding photographers?

After being the industry for years and seeing all types of photographers, we differentiated ourselves by only hiring the absolute best Chicago has to offer. We understand that is a simple answer, but that is what truly makes us one of the best in the country. In addition, we take care of our team. We value our photographers’ skills and expertise, so they enjoy working for us. When people feel valued and love what they do it definitely shows in their work and, therefore, your wedding photos!

5.) Do you have any favorite fellow wedding vendors you love working with?

Our favorite vendors include our sister companies: Music By Design and Photo Booth By Design. Regarding venues, here are some of our favorites in no particular order. We love these venues because the staff is amazing and the venues are beautiful! And…let’s not forget the amazing food – delicious!

Riverside Receptions
Emerson Creek Events
Fisherman’s Inn
Heritage Prairie Farm
Hotel Baker
Herrington Inn & Spa
The Armour House

6.) Tips for couples who are organizing their wedding photography timeline?

When organizing your wedding timeline, look no further than Chicago Wedding Blog, of course. Quick Tips: keep your timeline simple and trust your vendors to ‘make it happen’. For example, a great wedding DJ will control the flow of your wedding in coordination with all your vendors – including your banquet captain. This will allow you to enjoy your family and friends without having to stress about what is happening and when. Your experienced DJ, such as Music By Design, will take care of the rest.




Thank you to MBD Wedding Photography for providing this information and beautiful photos to accompany it. For more information on MBD Wedding Photography, be sure to check out their website. We hope we’ve helped you find your perfect engagement/wedding photographer! For more wedding planning advice and information check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

Wedding Photography

Wedding Day Photography Planning

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Wedding Day Photography Planning

Congratulations, you’re engaged and have chosen your photographer! Now your wedding is quickly approaching. It is important to keep track of the photos you would like on your wedding day. We recommend making a list and photo schedule to keep you organized. We will teach you how to create your wedding day photography planning list and schedule.

Who?

It is will make your photographer’s job easier if they know who’s who in your family and bridal party. So make a list of names and titles. For example if your sister’s name is Emma you would say, “Emma, bride’s sister.” You only have to do this for your bridal party and immediate family.

What?

This step is mainly important for the engaged/newlywed couple. Are there specific poses you want together? For example, some brides and grooms want photos of them doing a specific pose or from a certain angle. Make one list of the photos you want of just you two. Step two on this one would be if you want photos with specific groups, for example college friends, high school friends, etc.

Where?

Do you have specific locations you want specific photos? The photographer needs to know your preferences on what photos are taken where. For example, if you want just immediate family photos at the church. In that case, the bridal party gets a break until outdoor photos begin at the reception venue. Group photos by location so your photographer can easily keep track of the photos they need to at each location.

When?

This is an important one! The day of your wedding you’re on a tight schedule, but if you plan ahead it will not seem tight. Your photographer needs the time of your wedding, but will also need the order in which you’d like photos taken. Sometime it is mart to do only immediate family at the church. The bridal party will have a break, then photos are being taken at the park. Lastly, just you and your fiancé are taking solo photos at the reception venue.

Why?

Your photographer can be your best friend on the ‘why’ front. It will be helpful the photographer knows any family or friend dynamics that may be at play at your wedding. For example, if you have divorced parents, who do not get along. Knowing that will help the photographer know to rush through the photos they take together to minimize interaction. In contrast, if grandma has a bad hip and needs to sit down. In that case, the photographer can have a chair ready as well as the ability to get grandma’s photos done first.

Finalized Schedule

Once you have your lists divided by the above categories you’ll put them together in a wedding day timeline, e-mail, and print off copies for safe keeping and for the photographer. This way, you’ll be confident you don’t forget anyone in your photos, have an organized, stress free wedding day, and have perfect wedding day photos you will cherish for years to come!

For more wedding planning tips and inspiration, check out the Chicago Wedding Blog posts below! Happy Planning!

Cons Of A First Look

The Pros And Cons Of Doing A First Look

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The Pros And Cons Of Doing A First Look

The last few years a new trend called a, “first look,” has become more common. A first look is a moment, before walking down the aisle, where the engaged couple, or selective family members, see each other. Often, only the couple and a photographer are there. While other couples choose not to do a first look to keep the emotion of walking down the aisle. Are you undecided about doing a first look? Here are the pros and cons of doing a first look.

The Pros Of Doing A First Look:

1.) If you are shy, you can have a more private moment.

Some people do not like people looking at them when they are emotional. If this sounds like you, a first look will make you feel more comfortable. You can get your emotions out and calm your nerves by seeing your fiance, or family member before doing it in front of your family and friends.

2.) You can have photos documenting only the reaction of your fiance or beloved family member.

Often there are a lot of people who attend your wedding. If you do a first look it is an easy way to choose whose reaction you will definitely document.  Then you can start your wedding day knowing you have beautiful photographic memories of the first time you and your fiance, or family member, saw each other on your wedding day.

3.) You want to spend more time mingling and less time taking photos after the ceremony.

A practical reason to have a first look is to save time. If you get some of your couple, bridal party, or family photos done before the wedding you give yourself more time to have fun later. Often there is down time before the wedding ceremony you can use to allot for photos. Then, you can spend your entire cocktail hour enjoying with your guests.

The Cons Of Doing A First Look

1.) You won’t have the traditional “coming down the aisle” reaction.

If you love the moment where the engaged couple see each other coming down the aisle for the first time, don’t do a first look. Some couples love the idea of walking down the aisle and seeing their fiance as a bride or groom during the ceremony for the first time. Think about whether you want to embrace the tradition of surprise not knowing what your fiance looks like coming down the aisle, or do that before the ceremony.

2.) You want time to relax before the ceremony.

Your wedding day is a busy day. If you plan on being stressed the day of your wedding, maybe don’t do a first look. Doing this will build extra time before your wedding ceremony for you to relax, breathe, and think about your day ahead. No need to cram things into your schedule before the ceremony. Another great way to use this time is to drink water and eat! It’s easy to forget that on your wedding day.

3.) You might not have as much raw emotion during your wedding ceremony.

Some people would be emotional regardless of whether they did a first look before the ceremony. But, if you are looking forward to the photos of the overwhelming love you feel for each other during the ceremony; maybe don’t do a first look to save it for the ceremony. Everyone is different, so think of your priorities and personalities.




Did you do a first look? Are you not doing a first look? Do you recommend or discourage a first look? Why? Comment below! For more wedding planning tips and advice check out the recommended blog posts below.

Tiffanny and Steven at Riverside Receptions

Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions

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Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions October 13th, 2019

In the words of Tiffany…

It was amazing and my florist knocked my vision out of the park! My photographer captured all the perfect moments and all the feels! Dillon from Music By Design kept everyone on the dance floor all night long!

I wanted a romantic enchanted fairy tale fall wedding and I knew from the second I tried it on that the gorgeous Casablanca Bianca dress from Bijou Bridal in Oak Brook Terrace would set the tone for me to build around. This dress was the only dress I did not want to change a single thing about and that is how I knew it was the one.

I have to stay that for my Husband Steven as well, just like the dress I wouldn’t change a thing!

As for my day of wedding look- Annetta Michelle, award winning makeup artist (two years in a row!) from Rockford, IL, gave me the perfect romantic fall glam and Kathya from Meld Studio in Naperville gave me the bun of all buns to top it all off (no pun intended)!

MK, my florist- Flour & Flowers By MK, completed the whole look with the beautiful floral arrangements to go with my romantic fall fairy tale theme!

Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions – Let’s recap all my vendors:

Venue – Riverside Receptions in Geneva
DJ – Chicago Wedding DJ Music By Design
Photographer – Bridgette Burgman Photography
Flowers – Flour & Flowers By MK
Award Winning Makeup – Annetta Michelle
Hair Style – Meld Studio Naperville
Wedding Dress Style #2340 BIANCA – Bijou Bridal – Oakbrook Terrace

All images of Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions is courtesy of Bridgette Burgman Photography.

Tiffanny and Steven at Riverside Receptions
Tiffanny and Steven at Riverside Receptions
engagmenet photographer

Vendor Spotlight: Engagement & Wedding Photographer

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Vendor Spotlight: Wedding & Engagement Photographer

Elle Taylor Photography

Our Vendor Spotlight: Engagement & Wedding Photographer, is featuring Elle Taylor Photography this month. Elle Taylor is a local wedding & engagement photographer in the Chicagoland area. Elle Taylor Photography’s style is beautiful, bright natural light photography. She loves bringing couples’ love stories to life in her photos. Elle also loves light pink and her puppy. Trust us, you want to learn more about Elle Taylor Photography and her beautiful photos. Because of this, we’ve interviewed Elle so she can tell you about herself and answer your wedding planning questions!

1.What is your favorite part of  being an engagement and wedding photographer?

My favorite thing about shooting engagements and weddings is the relationships I’m able to make with my couples. They’re all SO sweet, and I am genuinely so excited to meet them/see them again when I photograph their engagement sessions and wedding days. I always leave with a full heart (and full memory cards, haha!)

2. What attire or clothing advice do you give couples when they plan their engagement photos with Elle Taylor Photography?

When planning for engagement photos, I send each one of my couples an in-detail outfit planning guide with my favorite tips and tricks for coordinating outfits, my favorite stores to purchase clothing for their “formal” looks and their more “casual” looks. I also send them tons of inspiration photos from other couples’ outfit choices to help show what outfits will look like when paired together for their photos. The most important thing I tell me couples to remember is to make sure that they’re comfortable in the outfits they choose because if their uncomfortable, it’ll show in the photos.

3. Is there an experience you’ve had while photographing an engagement or wedding that you will never forget?

This is such a hard question because I leave the majority of my engagement sessions and weddings with my face hurting from laughing so much with my couples. I could never forget any of them, but there is definitely one shoot that I will never, ever forget. After one of my shoots this past summer, I got engaged!! My fiance (boyfriend at the time) had been setting everything up while I was at the shoot, and he surprised me later that night 🙂 Best day ever!

For more wedding planning advice and vendors, checkout other Chicago Wedding Blog posts below!

2018 Trends

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We are already into March and seeing some of the hottest trends emerging! Here are some of the 2018 trends:

  1. Card Displays. For your escort cards we love unique displays. You can use the escort/seating cards to give your guests an extra gift. Create a flower wall that your guests can take a bloom home or a fun keepsake like a bottle filled with candy. We also love the idea of using shot glasses for your guests!

2. Registry details. This year it’s not uncommon for a couple to already have essentials like home goods. So, they are asking for cash! The Knot allows your registry to also include funds for adoption or down payment on a home. It’s not rude in this day and age to ask for what you really need. If that isn’t pots and pans then that’s fine.

3. Another 2018 trend we are seeing are balloons and arches! What a fun way to decorate for a spring/summer wedding. Balloons add that flair of color that will make your area pop. Also, you can pair Mylar balloons with latex to get a variety of feels too.  The romantic round archway is also getting a re-vamp this year. A circle represents unity so it’s perfect for your ceremony! Similarly, you can even decorate the arch with balloons to get both trends. Balloons don’t always have to be associated with being out doors either. You can create a lovely archway for your reception venue with balloons too!

No matter what your style you can choose to capitalize on these trends with your own flair. Add in your personal touches to make it the day you want!

Love and Technology

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Love and Technology

Technology is engrained in our everyday lives from Skype, text, apps, hashtags, and smartphones. Why not incorporate technology into your wedding?

From a live broadcast feed of your ceremony on Skype to displaying your vows on a screen whilst reading them from your Iphone, these are just some of the ways people have gone about using these tools to enhance their special moment. You could save up to $360 using technology!

1) Use your Phone

From phones, wedding websites, and apps, brides are using these devices more than you think. 69% of brides have a personal wedding website, 58% of brides are using their smartphones to take and share wedding-related pictures. 1 in 5 brides use a mobile app to plan, shop, or register for their wedding.

2) Guests Capture & Share Video

Video just isn’t for the wedding day anymore. Brides are having a blast making fun of the silly things they’ve said and done during their wedding planning. Over 25% of videos are captures on Smartphones. Save $1,400 by asking your guests to record and send you the videos to create a DIY wedding story. Storymix makes it easy with a mobile app, HD camera rentals, and custom editing services. Weddings.Storymixmedia.com

3) Reception Fun

Have access to a big projection screen or a big white wall? Instead of using it for a slideshow, use it for epic video game fun that most people can’t get at home on their small screens. Replace the game with your favorites like Rock Band or Wii Play, and you’ll have a reception activity that will have guests forming a line.

4) Social Media

This isn’t the first time cell phones have been at the altar. You’ve probably seen a YouTube video or two where a bride or groom whips out their cell phone to update their Facebook status or post a tweet. Have you ever seen it as a part of the ceremony, though? Before this groom is allowed to kiss his bride, they must update their Facebook statuses. Cool or cheesy?

Maybe you’re not into having mobile technology used that way during a wedding—we can understand that. But what if mobile technology could allow people, that otherwise couldn’t, be a part of your wedding? As we mentioned, not all guests can make it for your big day, so what if you could bring them to the wedding through FaceTime?

As mentioned earlier, consider how to incorporate technology into your wedding planning process. Such a method can allow for consistency in information sharing and time management. Take a moment to give it a try and see how this affects your planning.

Pinterest Pins of the Week

Pinterest Pins of the Week

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

Flower girl portrait: Let’s put aside for a second the fact that this little girl is just too cute for words, and her perfectly coifed bouffant hairdo is beyond perfection. The idea of having your littlest attendant sit for a portrait style shot is a great idea. For one, it’s timeless and is actually a nod to the days when brides and their wedding party sat for a painted portrait instead of all day photo shoots during the wedding. A few quick shots of just your flower girl is a classic and lovely way to mark the day and in just a few years ( or way down the road) when they are all grown up, it will make a perfect memento to always remember their part in your marriage. We LOVE this idea so much and we hope to see some serious little lady poses in future weddings to come!

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

Natalia Zakonova Photography

Rustic Wedding Charm:  We may sound like a broken record at this point when it comes to our love of rustic, natural elegance for weddings.  This stunning display features wooden rounds that look freshly cut from the woods to create a warm, natural feel perfect for so many types of weddings. This look could enhance a winter-white wedding or a summer soiree that brings the outdoors in.  You can even carry the theme through with wooden coasters, menus created on thin slabs of wood, and rustic farm tables with no linens just maybe a burlap runner down the middle.

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

 Colin Cowie Weddings

Champagne Fountains: What ever happened to the champagne fountain? It used to go hand in hand with high-class weddings and events ( hello, haven’t you seen The Great Gatsby or even a single episode of Downton Abbey?)  SO yes, we are declaring the champagne fountain is officially back. And whether you look at it as a throwback, or a really fun and chic way to explore your love of champagne, the look just screams “Time to celebrate!” And we , of course, are all about that! For an added touch of nostalia, try seeing if your venue will serve other drinks in fun champagne coups. It really does make everything taste so much better!

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Pinterest Pins of the Week

 One And Only Paris Photography

Kelly Vanderploeg Photo

Vendor Spotlight Kelly Vanderploeg Photography

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Vendor Spotlight Kelly Vanderploeg PhotographyEverytime I pick up my camera, my heart starts beating a little faster. I am a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), which is not that common…that test nearly kicked my butt.  I am also a proud member of Professional Photographer of America (PPA), Professional Photographers of America – Northern Illinois (PPANI) and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI). I offically opened my proverbial “doors” for business in 2007.  That was when I was trying to be a mom, a wife, a paralegal and a photographer…and doing none of them well.  Today, as a mom of four, it is a daily struggle to balance it all, but it is a way of life I have learned to embrace. I am a hugger.  I am shorter than people think.  I try keeping life simple.  I love home improvement projects.  I love a spontaneous dance party and I keep music playing in our home 24/7.  I eat more cereal than Jerry Seinfeld.  I call Geneva, Illinois home. Check my website and drop me a line if you see something that makes you smile. Also, my Vander Blog is filled with some great weddings.

I am lucky enough to shoot all my weddings with my BFF, Faye, so, when you book me to shoot your wedding, you get her as a little bonus (unless you are having a smaller wedding and just need one photog — in which case, we can chat).  We have both been brides and also stood up in each other’s weddings.  We have seven kids between the two of us, including two sets of boy twins, so we are prepared for anything and are anxious to get out of the house.  The fast pace hustle & bustle of a wedding day gets our creative juices flowing and makes our hearts flutter.  We dress in black and are ninja-like…seriously, you may not even know we are there at times. Ironically, we both speak Spanish (truth be told, I am more fluent after a few margaritas), but we also speak perfect “wedding”.  This is a non-verbal language spoken with the eyes in which fluency increases after shooting weddings together for so many years.  We are there to capture your day as it unfolds…we are not there to run the show, but are ready to direct traffic when the time comes. And I can not guarantee you won’t find us on your dancefloor…it might have been known to happen…just sayin’. Vendor Spotlight Kelly Vanderploeg Photography.

Vendor Spotlight Kelly Vanderploeg Photography
Vendor Spotlight Kelly Vanderploeg PhotographVendor Spotlight Kelly Vanderploeg Photograph