While we obviously love elaborate weddings around here, we also have a soft spot for sweet elopements. With an emphasis on the intimate and personal, choosing to elope may be just the option for you. And there’s no need to run off to Vegas to make your wedding dreams come true– the perfect spot to elope is right here!

If you’ve been considering bypassing a full-blown wedding affair in favor for an elopement, we’ve got three simple steps to follow, regardless of the style of elopement you choose. All photos by Furla Studio.

(more…)

Photo by Marc & Mindy

There are so many decisions when getting married but first you have to start with the style of celebration. A small, intimate wedding like an elopement, minimony or micro-wedding may be the perfect fit for you and your fiancé.

(more…)

Take a look at every stunning piece in Jenny by Jenny Yoo Bridal’s Spring 2021 collection.

Jenny by Jenny Yoo for the confident bride, boasts slinky body hugging fit and flare skirts, soft airy tulle, and dainty details. Ultra-chic silky gowns, Marnie and Beale, give the simplicity of a slip dress, but radiate the bride with plunging architectural V-necklines, low backs and with charming flutter sleeves. The Empire waist is featured in iterations of delicate tulle, luxe satin, and bright crepe.

Find your perfect gown at one of our favorite local bridal boutiques, click here.

Take a look at every stunning piece in Jenny Yoo Bridal’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection.

The elevated Jenny Yoo Collection bridal defines modern femininity in luxe, opulent textiles. Favoring a square neckline matched to a scoop back, the Eva and Elliot gowns turn heads with only their remarkable statuesque shape. Unexpected details of decadent embellishments, corset backs, and printed organza create dimension to meet the updated aesthetic of the modern bride. The regal Lia gown is perfectly uncluttered, bold, and polished, a timeless A-Line that is as breathtaking as it is simple.

Love is in the stars and this elegant celestial styled wedding ceremony is no exception.

(more…)

If you haven’t added the bridal portrait to your must-do list, we recommend checking out this centuries-long tradition of scheduling a photography session with vendors like Regina Kelly to commemorate the wedding in a totally unique way.

Before wedding photographers were available to capture every moment of your special day, families commemorated weddings with a bridal portrait.

The time-honored tradition, which is still treasured in the South, originated in Europe as oil paintings (mostly of royalty) before photography became a phenomenon. The bride’s family would commission the portrait to seize the moment in time when their daughter was glamorously bedecked in bridal splendor.

Even as photography became commonplace, many families still love to have a formal photo captured in a studio, one that would be impossible to create amongst the usual chaos and excitement of the wedding.

In fact, the added beauty of these shots is the luxury of time. Bridal portraits are scheduled either before or after the wedding, so there’s no rush to get to the reception or pressure to include all your family and friends. The end result of the photos is also a bit more theatrical and artistic, with classic poses you likely wouldn’t do in a typical wedding picture.

If the allure of an heirloom photo intrigues you, remember to synchronize your fitting and alteration appointments with your bridal portrait timeline. To maximize your time and money, many brides try to schedule it on the same day as their hair and makeup trial. With this strategy, the bride not only looks her best, but also more definitively mimics the look she is trying to achieve for her big day.

Some women also opt to include their parents or spouse-to-be in some of the portraits. Think about how many times you and your family are elegantly captured together. This could be the last time you and your family are formally photographed together, and that’s pretty special. And even if you’re planning to have a wedding photographer, these portraits of you and your love will feel historic. These are the types of photos we faun over when looking back at black and white images of our ancestors. Your family will treasure these pictures for centuries.

Let’s bring this tradition back to the forefront of wedding customs!

Feeling inspired? Visit Regina Kelly’s website to learn more about capturing this special time in your life with a bridal portrait. 

Patty McGuire, owner of Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists, popped by the blog to share insight and tips for luxury wedding and special event hair & makeup services. All photos by Joy Lyn Photography.

Brides looking for a wedding makeup/hair services in Chicago have hundreds of options. What makes Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists so unique?

I think one of the most important things that sets us apart is that we commit to fewer weddings so that we can provide a level of excellence that every bride deserves. We approach each wedding as if it is our first, because every wedding is unique and special. As an on-site luxury bridal team, our artists work with only one bridal party per day. Every bride deserves a team who will be there exclusively for them on their wedding day. Our brides are trusting us with their family members, their friends and the people they love the most. That is an incredible gift. We never take for granted what an honor it is to be part of their special day. Our hope is that when brides are doing their research, they will get a sense of who we are, that we see our work as a calling, something much greater than just hair and makeup. We love our brides and take pride in being a part of the most important day of their lives.

What made you fall in love with helping brides look their very best on their wedding day?

I was a singer when I was younger and learned relatively quickly how to do my hair and makeup. As time went on, I would do hair and makeup for girls attending dances, women attending black tie events, things like that. I just fell in love with getting a woman ready for a special occasion. I started out working in salons, then eventually opened a couple of my own, so taking off weekends was difficult because our regular hair clientele needed us on weekends as well. I later became an educator for a cosmetic company that opened my eyes to all things bridal and it became a world I never wanted to leave. As the years went by, I slowly built a team to help me and was able to move towards working exclusively with brides. My team of 28 is made up of artists whose passion for their work is only surpassed by their love of people. As artists, we all have a style. My style and our team style has always been classic and timeless, leaning toward natural beauty and looks that will stand the test of time. I find beauty in every woman I meet and can see their complete look in my mind even before I start working. To see their beauty, highlight that beauty for them to then present to the world on the most important day of their life has been a transformative gift in my life that I am truly thankful for.

What overall trends are you seeing? What looks are popular?

While I do look at trends and want to be mindful of what is going on in the bridal world, Bridal Fashion Week for 2020 was calling for purple lips and hair bouquets. There are some trends, however, that we love for hair such as textured up styles, effortless undone chignons and more brides opting for leaving their hair down in soft waves, sometimes pulling one side back with a jeweled pin. For makeup, we are seeing more brides investing in skin care and customized treatments in preparation for the wedding day. We have a special relationship with Simply Beautiful Day Spa in Downers Grove, Il., who created exclusive packages for our brides to encourage more luminous, glowing makeup looks that allow their natural skin to show through. We love rosy bridal makeup looks with illuminating pops of color, lips in soft pinks, nude and peach tones. Gone are the days of heavy contour and Instagram brows, the modern bride is all about enhancing instead of hiding. Cream blush is another must have, as it creates the most youthful and radiant glow.

How early do you recommend clients book their hair & makeup services?

We book a year or a year and a half in advance. Especially with so many couples postponing their events to later dates due to the limits on event size, we encourage everyone to secure their favorite vendors right away.

What should a couple bring to their hair and makeup trial?

We always ask for hair and makeup images of inspiration ahead of time so that we know what the bride is drawn to. We love them to bring their veil, any hair accessories they might want to incorporate and any other images they want to share that will help us learn more about the vision they have for their special day. This is a special time of getting to know one another and working together to create a look they will love.

What advice do you have for couples when choosing their hair & makeup artist?

There are so many things I think are worth looking at when selecting all types of vendors. First, look at their social media. Do they post on a regular basis? Do you like their style? Read their reviews and the experience that other brides have had. How do you feel when they respond to you? Do you feel cared about and confident in their responses to your questions? There are so many agencies with package pricing, where the cost is less based on how many people you have in your group. The more people you have, the less it will cost. I do not understand that business style because it only hurts the hardworking artists. I respect them too much to discount their work. It is true that you get what you pay for in terms of your vendors. Experience matters. The work matters. Integrity matters. It’s important to choose vendors who understand what an honor it is to be chosen and who will put their heart and soul into making it all about the bride and the people they love the most.

What procedures do you have in place to keep your brides as safe as possible?

Sanitation has never been as important as it is today. Our team will be wearing masks to do our part in preventing the spread of illness. Our industry expects us to have the highest level of integrity in keeping our client’s safe and that is what we intend to do.

Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists is onsite team of passionate and professional hair and makeup artists who are all master-level experts that specialize in bridal and special event hair and makeup. Click here for more information about booking with Patty McGuire Hair & Makeup Artists.

View the full image gallery.

Written by Christina Oddo | Photography by Rachael Schirano Photography

Feeling a little overwhelmed planning your wedding day feast? Don’t panic! Once you learn a couple tricks of the trade and answer a few basic questions about your vision, your caterer will be able to help you craft the perfect meal for your perfect day while also infusing your personalities.

DECIDE HOW TO SERVE THE FOOD.

Before you even start thinking about what food to put on your menu, you need to figure out how your meal is going to be served. Food service sets the tone for the rest of the reception, so take the time to mull over the following options before you pick.

Full service is for couples who want the meal to be the star of the show. If you don’t mind dinner taking up a good part of your reception, having individual courses served directly to your guests is the way to go. It is also the safest way to go since it requires the least amount of handling (not to mention the handling is done by trained professionals).

Buffet is for couples who can’t wait to get dancing. Opting for a buffet-style dinner gives you enough time to enjoy your food and a few toasts, but also gets the party started sooner. Keep in mind that social distancing may be more difficult to enforce, and clear partitions may need to be used between food stations, depending on public health guidelines. Once dinner wraps up, everyone is free to hit the dance floor or go back for seconds.

A combo is for couples who want the best of both worlds. Have the main course served directly to each guest, but skip wait staff for dessert and have your guests serve themselves. This way, you get all the elegance of a full-service dinner plus the added expedience of a buffet.

PICK DISHES THAT HAVE MEANING TO YOU.

Work with your caterer to create a menu that has meaning by taking some time to reflect on food before deciding what to serve. What are your favorite meals to cook together? What foods conjure up happy memories? Come up with a list of foods that not only taste great, but have meaning, then talk to your caterer about them.

However, keep in mind that you and your partner aren’t the only ones dining out on your wedding night. Beef tartare may be your soon-to-be spouse’s favorite meal, but not everyone is comfortable with uncooked meat. Avoid unnerving your guests by offering a variety of options that are delicious, but don’t feel outlandish to guests with less adventurous palates.

GET PERSONAL.

There’s no point in serving foods that have special meaning to you if your guests have no clue about the backstory! Work with your stationer to personalize the menu card by adding little notes about how ravioli was the first dinner you ever cooked together or how lobster bisque reminds you of summer trips to Maine. Using your menu to let your guests in on a few special moments from your relationship will make them feel even more connected to the wedding.

CELEBRATE YOUR CULTURE AND BACKGROUND.

One of the most beautiful elements of marriage is its ability to unite people who come from different places and upbringings. This type of melding is definitely something to be celebrated, so whether you’re Hindu and marrying an Italian Catholic, or a Cubs fan tying the knot with a Sox fan, consider using your menu to showcase your unique blending of cultures. Serving foods from your various backgrounds side by side is a creative and touching way to signify how you and your partner came together to create a love that’s one of a kind.

ENJOY YOUR MEAL.

Most couples are so distracted during their reception that they just pick at their food or forget to eat completely. Allow yourself to really enjoy the food you spent so much time selecting. Also remember that food is fuel. How are you going to tear up the dance floor on an empty stomach? Avoid burning out early by taking care of yourself and making the most of your dinner.

Planning a menu for a big group of people can be stressful. Our best piece of advice is to trust your caterers. Feeding crowds is what they do best, so once you communicate your vision, it’s OK to let your caterer take the reins. Relinquishing control may feel scary, but the end result is worth it — a room full of your favorite people enjoying an amazing meal.

Browse Atlanta area caterers here.

Written by E. Ce Miller | Photography Ashley Gaminas Photography

Your honeymoon has the potential to be one of the most, if not the most, memorable trips of your life. Get inspired from the following adventures, and take the time to plan a getaway that appeals to both you and your spouse — a trip that will create special and unique experiences you will cherish forever.

THE LAID-BACK LOUNGERS

Tropical, beachside honeymoons are always in style. It’s the ideal setting to unwind from the stress, soak up some sun and concentrate on one another. Mexico’s vast array of all-inclusive hotels offer great value. If you’re in the mood for something more exotic, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Greece or the Caribbean may be more your speed.

If you prefer to stay domestic, you can relax by the ocean at one of the many beautiful beaches and lovely hotels Florida and California have to offer. If you are bored by the beach, consider activities like whale watching (great in Los Cabos, Mexico) or swimming with wild dolphins (Oahu, Hawaii).

THE DOMESTIC ROAD-TRIPPERS

Hit the open road and feel the wind in your hair. You don’t have to travel much past your backyard to be adventurous stateside. Lace up your hiking boots, venture to any of our 62 national parks and explore miles of scenic trails. If you prefer lake views over ocean panoramas, the Midwest is not only a hidden treasure of Small Town USA resorts, boating and outdoor adventure, but also offers beautiful, rustic cabins, waterfalls and nature.

Or, if you like wine and picturesque landscapes, the West Coast is for you. California’s gorgeous Wine Country includes more than 800 wineries in the northern San Francisco Bay area, which covers both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. Book a comfortable stay at a nearby bed and breakfast after indulging in the offerings of one — or several — of the region’s wineries.

If it’s domestic culture you’re seeking, go eastbound to absorb the charms of our original 13 colonies and their historical cities, which are ripe with metropolitan life, upscale shopping, amazing seafood, museums and more. If you navigate further South, toward South Carolina and Florida, prepare to be inundated with majestic oaks, lush golf courses, sandy beaches and luxury amenities.

THE ROMANTICS

Get swept up in the history and old-world charm of Europe. You can’t go wrong with Paris, Rome, Venice or Prague, but there’s an abundance of hidden gems that also deserve some love. For the best of both worlds, try a river cruise that docks in large metropolis areas, while also letting you explore lesser known, but equally beautiful cities and towns.

Keep in mind, you don’t need money to make memories. If finances are an issue, plan a trip close to home. Spend a few days at a quaint, little inn or enjoy one of the many resort spas nearby. You have the rest of your lives to travel — what matters now is fully enjoying one another’s company.

Start planning your honeymoon here.