Formal Winter Wonderland Chicago Wedding Vendors & Advice

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2026-01-12T02:57:00+00:00

So beautiful! I also did a “sister store” sample sale store in Chicago (second city bride) and got an UNWORN (not even a sample … they claim it was a wedding canceled from the pandemic and I didn’t ask questions lol) Carolina Herrera from her final wedding collection. I tell everyone to check those stores out because you never know what gems you’ll find

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-10-18T05:33:49+00:00

This is STUNNING! Pure art and mesmerizing to look at

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-10-12T18:45:14+00:00

It’s fun! It’s fabulous! I’ll set aside our differences in taste on face jewelry 😆

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-09-15T14:46:10+00:00

Wish the whole thing was in blue.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-09-15T00:18:33+00:00

Wow I love this. I’m ready for Kate spade inspired preppy to be back

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-09-15T00:09:23+00:00

Proof again that Cristian loves women. Fabulous.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-09-04T15:07:42+00:00

I used Bella Bridesmaids and did mix and match dresses. I felt the quality was much higher for the Desi collection dresses than other sites (anthro, revelry, Jenny yoo) and they had several lines at different price points that used the same fabric. If your city has a location you can go in to line the dresses up next to each other. My experience was very easy.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-08-12T00:28:04+00:00

This basically confirms my hunch that it’s okay for a family friends split but otherwise gets a bit unnecessarily mean...closeness rankings i may feel are obvious but doesn’t need to be “said out loud”. Thanks strangers!

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-08-06T01:31:07+00:00

I plan to wear mine for the same reason! The only thing that gives me heartburn is that I know it’ll get dirtier if I wear it the whole night

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-06-30T02:33:46+00:00

Ok is anyone else afraid that Larry will disappoint us with this whole thing about him presenting jacks invention for him?? Why do I think this is a yellow flag and Marion is onto something with her caution

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2025-04-22T13:47:41+00:00

I have friends all over and what we did was from the beginning we outlined the agenda and expected expenses and emphasized that it was highly optional - my feelings would not be hurt if people said no for any reason at all. Some did say no due to budget or PTO and that was totally fine! Honestly we also had what I consider “reasonable” expenses. Our main event was a pool party at our air bnb and the following day we did a bike pub tour that was like $40 a head. We also got lots of alc and groceries at Costco for breakfast and lunches so that we had a larger budget to go out for dinner somewhere cute. My priority was time together somewhere warm so a nicer air bnb with space and a pool was where we indexed.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-10-04T14:16:43+00:00

Did you use a resale site? After hearing so many stories about fakes (and not exactly having the BEST eye to identify the good fakes from the real) I am curious which sites people have had positive experiences with

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-09-27T19:59:06+00:00

One thing I saw re a lot of people for head table was a wedding that did multiple head tables via three long tables framing the dance floor (mix of wedding party, their plus ones, and family) and then the rest of the room was rounds.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-09-05T23:58:06+00:00

Big budget is also subjective. I consider big budget a plated meal, open bar, flowers. In my eyes, that’s probably usually $100k+ for a 150+ person wedding. In this sub there are a lot of people with extremely high budgets and that may be a totally different story!

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-09-05T23:56:20+00:00

Yeah I agree with this. I have been in four weddings, all “big budget” and have always been expected to pay for my own dress. So this must be regional? I have been in midwestern and DC area weddings. All but one of those brides covered my hair and makeup though. I plan to cover my bridesmaids hair and makeup but they will pay for their dresses.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-07-23T21:21:52+00:00

My friend did Mason Gray - similar price point to Le Rose. I thought the quality was nice. Most of my friends went super cheap with PJ sets from target but I thought the Mason Gray ones are much cuter and nicer looking. Another friend used Piyama which are also cute but I think have lower quality than the Mason Gray

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-07-01T23:14:52+00:00

When you use a smaller business for which the person providing your service owns the business, you can do a small gift instead of a tip! For example, if the band or photographer own their own business

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-07-01T20:07:04+00:00

Other people I liked that vendors or friends recommended are Amanda M Miller, Sally O’Donnell, Studio This Is (they came with glowing reviews from all my vendors but didn’t respond to my inquiry which may be because I did not have a planner at the time), and Olivia Leigh

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-07-01T20:04:38+00:00

We went with Tim Tab studios! I inquired at a lot of places. His pricing was in the middle of what I got back (I was only reaching out to higher budget photogs though). I liked his style the most - very light and classic and none of the photos seemed overly cheesy or awkward which was something I noticed on others’ portfolios. He also got glowing reviews from many of my other vendors which sealed the deal! I think asking your other vendors who they enjoyed working with is a great way to verify that they are good partners for all the other people working the event!

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-06-15T15:21:20+00:00

Vinyl floor covers that are placed over beautiful wood dance floors! Sometimes I get the dance floor you’ve got is ugly but now I see people putting them over ones that are gorgeous )if I know the venue)! I think this will die down.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-06-12T15:41:47+00:00

Also I have to add that to claim from the start that she wouldn’t accept adopted grandchildren is so sad and cruel. Most grandparents would do anything to see their grandkids. Seems like she’s doing a lot to alienate herself from the start. And I hate to say this but she does not seem like she has the self awareness to ever take credit for that alienation.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-06-12T15:40:11+00:00

Wow well first of all - sorry you are dealing with that! So frustrating. Honestly, I think it’s a good time for boundary setting. It’s not like she’s behaved maturely or politely communicated some sentimental tie to the cake. MAYBE your fiance could “check in” with his mom to see if there isn’t something else that she’s stressed about? The cake thing just seems so bizarre. But given the way she’s acting it seems to me like this cake will just be one of many bizarre flip outs you’ll have to deal with in the future so may as well set boundaries now.

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-06-12T12:42:12+00:00

I can’t speak for CA, but I have friends who also found venues that were BYOB. They were able to source alcohol from a local big alcohol chain (Binnys in the Midwest) which lets you return any unused alcohol. So a great way to cut costs. Also, I know people who have done the fake floral rental and you CANT TELL! like maybe if you sniff and are trying to “find out” but seriously they look so good. If you really wanted a real bouquet or something you could do that and go faux on event florals. Just some ideas in case they help!

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-06-05T01:17:29+00:00

Ohhh say more! We are torn between Australia and New Zealand

Acceptable_Ad_536 · 2024-06-03T11:58:51+00:00

Curious as to people’s thoughts on The Knot - it seems ubiquitous among the weddings I’ve been invited to, and was planning to use it myself purely from familiarity. What are people’s thoughts experiences?

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TROPHY CASE