6. Styling Your Chicago Wedding: Fashion and Decor to Fit the Windy City
6. Styling Your Chicago Wedding: Fashion and Decor to Fit the Windy City
When planning your wedding in Chicago, the style choices you make—from your attire to your venue decor—play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the day. Chicago's fashion scene and architectural grandeur offer a fantastic canvas for creating a wedding that's both stylish and unique. Here are essential tips on how to ensure your wedding style is nothing short of spectacular.
Wedding Fashion: Dressing for the Occasion
Bridal Gowns and Groom's Attire:
Local Bridal Boutiques: Chicago is home to numerous bridal boutiques offering a range of styles from avant-garde designers to classic bridal looks. Consider visiting places like Mira Couture or BHLDN for gowns, or Esquire Custom Clothiers for custom suits. Scheduling appointments at several boutiques can give you a feel for different styles and what best suits your wedding aesthetic.
Weather Considerations: Given Chicago’s varied climate, selecting attire that matches the season of your wedding is crucial. For a winter wedding, think about elegant, long-sleeved gowns and accessorizing with chic fur wraps or pashminas. Summer weddings call for lighter fabrics and perhaps daring cuts to stay cool.
Accessorizing:
Jewelry and More: Chicago’s Jewelers Row is the perfect place to find exquisite wedding jewelry. From custom-designed rings to vintage pieces, accessorizing can complement your overall look and add a personal touch to your wedding attire.
Shoes and Comfort: Comfortable yet stylish footwear is essential, especially if your venue involves outdoor elements or cobblestone streets, like those found in some of Chicago’s historic districts. Consider a second pair of shoes for dancing!
Venue Decor: Reflecting Chicago’s Charm
Theme and Color Scheme:
Incorporate Architectural Elements: Many Chicago venues boast distinctive architectural features. Whether it’s the gothic charm of The University of Chicago’s cloisters or the sleek modernism of a downtown high-rise, let your venue’s aesthetics inspire your decor choices.
Seasonal Colors: Match your color palette with the season. A fall wedding might feature warm golds, oranges, and burgundies, mirroring the city’s autumn leaves, while a spring affair could highlight soft pastels or vibrant greens.
Floral Arrangements:
Local Florists: Chicago’s florists are known for their creative and lush arrangements. Work with local florists like Flowers for Dreams or Pollen, which specialize in sourcing locally and seasonally, to design centerpieces and bouquets that reflect the natural beauty of the region and the season.
Sustainable Options: Consider environmentally friendly decor options, like using potted plants that guests can take home as favors, or decorations that can be repurposed or donated after the event.
Lighting and Ambience:
Lighting Designers: The right lighting can transform a space. Companies like Frost Chicago or Intelligent Lighting Creations offer innovative lighting solutions that can set the mood, highlight your venue’s features, and make your wedding photos spectacular.
Candles and Soft Lighting: Especially for evening receptions, the soft glow of candles can add a romantic ambiance. Consider lanterns for outdoor spaces or delicate string lights draped elegantly in dining or dancing areas.
Adding Personal Touches:
Chicago-Themed Accents: Small nods to Chicago, such as table names after famous Chicago landmarks or incorporating the Chicago flag colors or stars in your decor, can add a unique local flavor to your celebration.
Interactive Elements: Consider interactive elements like a photo booth with props featuring iconic Chicago items, or a live painting artist capturing the scene of your urban chic wedding.
Styling your Chicago wedding involves blending personal tastes with the local flavor and seasonal considerations. By paying attention to these details, you can ensure your wedding not only looks stunning but also feels deeply personal and true to your vision.
