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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.

Bridal Party

How To Choose Your Bridal Party

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How To Choose Your Bridal Party

Congratulations on your engagement! When you plan your wedding everything from wedding colors to guest count is dependent on your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen. There are a few factors you should keep in mind when you think about how to choose your bridal party. Here are some ideas to help you choose.

Unequal Numbers

Let’s begin with saying, there are no rules. If your fiance has 5 groomsmen and you have 2 or vice-versa it is not the end of the world. That being said, having equal numbers in a bridal party is important to some couples. If you do have an uneven number, do not panic. You can have the bridal party walk down the aisle without partners. You could also have the bridal party ready at the altar at the beginning of the ceremony. Another idea is you could double up and have groups of 3 walk down the aisle. Either way, it is okay to have equal or unequal numbers for your bridal party.

Gender Of Bridal Party

Do you have a gender diverse friend group? It is no problem! In fact, it is something to celebrate. As long as you know your wedding colors it is easy to color coordinate any group of people. When you plan your bridal party, do not worry about separating genders. The gender makeup of your bridal party will not matter as long as you and you fiance choose your long term closest friends and family.

Long Term, Thick And Thin, Friends & Family

Some of us have a makeup of friends as our family; and that is a beautiful bridal party to have. Others have so many cousins they are close to, so there is not much room for having friends in the bridal party. The most important factor is not the relation to you, but the long term quality of their relationship with you. There is nothing worse than adding someone into your wedding to not be in contact with them a year later. Think long term. There are many ways to involve people who you’d like to be a participant without having them in a bridal party. Some people make amazing wedding guests, but not bridal party participants.

Personalities

And last, but not least, one of the trickiest factors when choosing your bridal party. Of course you want all your closest people in your bridal party. However; those few friends who are on again/off again with how they treat you will not make good bridal party participants. It is important to remember wedding planning is stressful. You want only those who will be supportive of you in your bridal party. You do not have to have anyone in your wedding unless you truly want to.

Always remember your wedding day is one day in your life. The wedding planning process goes on for months. Keep the people who care about you the most close to you. Those who will be lifelong friends make amazing bridal party participants; no matter the numbers or genders that make up your bridal party.



We hope this helps give you some ideas for how to choose your bridal party. For more wedding planning inspiration check out the blog posts below. To submit your wedding to be a featured wedding please e-mail hello@chicagoweddingblog.com 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.

Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning InspirationImage: Magda Fou via Unsplash

Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning Inspiration

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Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning Inspiration

Are you stuck in a wedding planning inspiration rut? The first step is to look elsewhere for inspiration, such as celebrities. Audrey Hepburn is an iconic actress known for her style. If you are looking for a classic style wedding, look no further! You can certainly gain inspiration from her simple elegance and incredible life. Here are three ideas of Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning Inspiration to get you started.

First, Audrey Hepburn Style Inspiration

Audrey Hepburn’s style was simple and timeless. She never wore busy clothing or accessories. Her style made her beauty and personality shine through. She kept her attire simple choosing just one statement piece. In contrast to this, often brides feel they need to wear sparkle from head to toe. However, in bridal attire less is more. If you choose a simple gown, you will draw people’s eyes up to your beaming face. If you choose a simple wedding dress, then you can choose more dramatic decor. It’s all about balance.

Second, Add A Humanitarian Aspect To Your Wedding Planning

 Audrey nearly starved to death in WWII. As a result of this, Audrey committed herself to Humanitarian Aid. Audrey’s charity of choice was UNICEF. You can donate to a charity in lieu of wedding gifts. What better way to start your married life together than giving to others? You can do a donation in lieu of favors as well. There are many pretty ways to notify your guests you prefer charitable donations in place of wedding gifts. 

Third, Incorporate Your Hobbies Into Your Wedding Theme

Theme your wedding around your favorite hobby or sport. Audrey Hepburn is most well known for her acting, but her dream and hobby was ballet. Hobbies add fun to our lives. They are also easy wedding theme ideas. Do you like baseball? Then have a baseball themed wedding reception. Similarly, if you are a movie buff theme your wedding around your favorite films. Have fun choosing a theme you both enjoy. There are many options for sports themed weddings if that is more you.



We hope this Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning Inspiration helps inspire you as you plan you wedding! In short, there are many different ways to gain inspiration for your wedding planning. Look to celebrities, photos, activities you enjoy, and colors you love. It will make wedding planning more enjoyable. Now soak in the inspiration and make it your own! Do you need more wedding planning inspiration? Scroll below for more helpful wedding planning blog posts.

Guest list simple

Wedding Planning: Keep It Simple

/0 Comments/in /by

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.

Read more
Bridal Party

How To Choose Your Bridal Party

/0 Comments/in /by

Congratulations on your engagement! When you plan your wedding, everything from wedding colors to guest count is dependent on your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen. There are a few factors you should keep in mind when you think about how to choose your bridal party. Here are some ideas to help you choose.

Read more
Cons Of A First Look

The Pros And Cons Of Doing A First Look

/0 Comments/in /by

The last few years a new trend, called a “first look,” has been becoming much more common. A first look is a moment, before walking down the aisle, where the engaged couple 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.

Read more
Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning InspirationImage: Magda Fou via Unsplash

Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning Inspiration

/0 Comments/in , /by

Are you stuck in a wedding planning inspiration rut? The first step is to look elsewhere for inspiration, such as celebrities. Audrey Hepburn is an iconic actress known specifically for her style. Audrey Hepburn would be a great icon to help you inspire your wedding style. You can certainly gain inspiration from her simple elegance and incredible life. Here are three ideas of Audrey Hepburn Wedding Planning Inspiration to get you started.

Read more
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