Chicago Bride by New Accountant Magazine

Photo & Gown by Essense Designs

Weddings • Showers • Celebrations

gardenterracebanquets.com Intimate Banquet Setting • Private Garden Patio Outdoor Ceremony Site • Exceptional Value Accommodates up to 200 guests 1000 Wellington Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL (847) 228-3524

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333 Plum Grove Road Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 847 690-1426 foxrungolflinks.com Overlooks the golf course Features fireplace, waterfall and outdoor patio Hosts up to 120 guests

All Photos Courtesy of Lilly Photography

One couple each night | Spectacular golf course views Exquisite menus | Private balconies Ask us about 2017 incentives and specials. Email our professional event staff at events@arrowheadgolfclub.org 26W151 Butterfield Road | Wheaton, IL 60189 |arrowheadgolfclub.org

At Cosley Zoo, we want your wedding to be wild. That’s why we reserve the entire zoo for you and up to 500 guests for an after-hours celebration. Say “I Zoo” on the front lawn or in our outdoor amphitheater. Experience the first moments after your nuptials with a bit of nature. Use our airconditioned Kiebler Room as a bridal or groom suite. Stroll the brick walking paths with a glass of wine and catch up with your guests. Add on animal visits. Preferred caterers are available. Five acres of family, fun, and forever. To get started, contact Tami Romejko at 630.510.5040 or tromejko@wheatonparks.org.

1356 N. Gary Ave. | Wheaton, IL | 630.665.5534 | cosleyzoo.org

T IME

T HE OF Y OUR L IFE

Halim Time and Glass Museum • North Shore’s Unique New Event Space

Every Second Spectacular

1560 Oak Street • Evanston, IL 60201 • 224.716.5600 • www.halimmuseum.org

from the editor

Feel The Love Congratulations on your engagement! We are thrilled to be a part of your wedding planning process. Here at Chicago Bride, we are dedicated to providing you with resources that will make your wedding preparation run as smoothly as possible. That’s why we have plenty of amazing advice to ensure that the journey to your special day is as exciting and enjoyable as the day you got engaged!

Since 1995

Publisher Steven N. Polydoris Steven@RENPublishing.com Associate Publisher Debra A. Maier Debbie@RENPublishing.com Advertising Account Manager Margaret “Marge” Stack Advertising@ChicagoBrideMagazine.com Bridal Show Coordinator & Production Mark Schmidt Mark@RENPublishing.com Editor Kari Polydoris Kari.renpub@yahoo.com Contributing Editor Cathy Demetropoulos Graphic Designer & Art Director Michael Thomas Phone: 773-866-9900 Fax: 773-866-9881 Advertising Department Advertising@ChicagoBrideMagazine.com Bridal Shows BridalShow@ChicagoBrideMagazine.com Editorial Department Editor@ChicagoBrideMagazine.com

In this issue, we start from the very beginning with a wedding planner checklist. You’ll learn how to craft your perfect and unique wedding registry to ensure you begin your married life in style. You’ll find what four things to do right after you get engaged to get you started on the right track. There’s even something for the groom! Find out how to choose the best man and the perfect tux. We guarantee you will look flawless in your gown if you shop at Bella Sposa Bridal Boutique. They have wedding gowns to fit your body shape and size, but also to your unique style. You’ll also learn five new ways to more beautiful, healthy hair by NYC hair stylist, tips to picking wedding jewelry that compliments your dress and new items to keep you calm and cozy during the chaos. You’ll discover tons of tips on all things money. Learn about a new way to spend money on your wedding day with a new wedding gift card, and what special wedding expenses are worth the splurge. You will also learn how to scale back on certain wedding costs, tips and tricks on budgeting from a personal expert, and a new cool way to go over finances with your partner. Of course, we continue to feature your wonderful weddings in our Real Weddings section, and we are excited to showcase a beautiful and talented Newlywed: Elena Victoria. Find out about Elena’s clothing line and how she designed and sewed her very own wedding gown! Please continue to send in your Real Weddings submissions–you will find the guidelines on our website, www. ChicagoBrideMagazine.com. In this issue you will also find beautiful venues to host special events, uncover a magical place to vacation for your honeymoon, a new interactive photo album to view photos from your day and how to pack for a honeymoon or other weddings! Happy planning! Kari Polydoris

ChicagoBrideMagazine.com

Printed in the USA. Published by Real Estate News Corporation, Chicago, IL 60659. Steven N. Polydoris, President. Chicago Bride is distributed by Subscription as well as over-the-counter sales. No material appearing in Chicago Bride may be reprinted without written permission. Copyright Real Estate News Corporation, 2017.

Tabula Tua Premier Bridal Registry

Bella Sposa Bridal Boutique Every Body / Every Bride

www.TabulaTua.com

www.BellaSposa.com

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chicago bride contents

before your wedding 10

Wedding Planner Checklist Your ultimate wedding to-do list

4 Things To Do Right After You Get Engaged

5 New Ways to Beautiful Hair

The New Wedding Gift Card You Need to Know About Honeyfund

Dream Weddings for Less

Make Your Wedding Dollars Work

Wedding Expenses to Splurge On

Packing Expert: Wedding Season Tips

your wedding

27 6

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Tabula Tua

Your Premier Bridal Registry Boutique

Bay Pointe Inn

Reception venue showcase

The Chateau Busche

The Patrick C. Haley Mansion

For the Groom

Tips & Tricks for Wedding Budgeting

Joy Launches Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Interactive Photo Album

Keep the Bride Calm & Cozy During the Chaos

Reception venue showcase

How to choose the best man and the perfect tux

Naked Cashmere

your style

Julie Vino “Roberta” A strapless gown with hand embroidered fabric and a silk flowing train with high slits. The gown can also be made from chiffon and has the option to add a miniskirt under the silk/chiffon.

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chicago bride contents after your wedding 54

Honeymoon Getaway Vista Verde Ranch

Marriage Financial Checklist From Napkin Finance

your style 20

Bella Sposa Bridal Boutique Real Brides, Real Dresses, Real Customer Service

Spotlight On…Elena Victoria Young Fashion Designer from Chicago’s Northshore

5 Tips To Picking Wedding Jewelry Accessorizing your gown

in every issue 5

From The Editor Feel the Love

Reception Site Reference Guide Great places for your reception

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Real Weddings Elena Winchester & Colin Swingler

Yellow Pages Our advertising guide

Geneva is your destination for two properties, with endless possibilities

www.riversidereceptions.com

www.herringtoninn.com

630-232-1330

630-208-7433

photo by Hazelton Photography

before your wedding

You want everything to be perfect. Use this checklist to make sure you’ve covered the necessities. Two Months Ahead

12 to 18 Months Ahead

• Announce engagement to friends and family • Take engagement photo • Place engagement announcement in paper • Determine a wedding budget • Figure out the style and size of wedding, level of formality, time of day • Meet with clergy or wedding officiant • Reserve church or ceremony site (keep in mind it may be a different time than what you want if you don’t book early enough) • Reserve reception site • Select bridal party • Reserve florist • Hire a caterer if the reception site isn’t catering the event • Reserve photographer • Reserve band, DJ, and/or any other type of musician you want • Send out “Save the Date” letters or cards

9 to 11 Months Ahead

• Shop for wedding dress, headpiece, shoes and accessories; order them as soon as possible • Make honeymoon plans and reservations • Meet with bridesmaids to select their attire • Compile tentative guest list • Reserve rental equipment if needed

6 to 8 Months Ahead • • • • •

Arrange for wedding day transportation Begin registering for shower/wedding gifts Order bridesmaids’ attire if you haven’t already and begin selecting their accessories Select Mothers’ dresses Discuss where the two of you will live after the wedding and begin looking for places together • Order your wedding cake

3 to 5 Months Ahead

• Book site for rehearsal dinner • Make a final guest list with names, addresses, and phone numbers and compile a response chart so you can keep track of your guests • Start the dreaded wedding workout • Select and order wedding invitations (don’t forget to include maps with the invitations and purchase Thank You notes) • Reserve rooms at hotels for out-of-town guests • Select groom’s attire • Plan rehearsal dinner • Make a food tasting appointment with caterer and baker • Select ceremony readings and music and choose your readers • Order wedding rings and engraving • Get the undergarments necessary for your gown • Meet with ceremony officiant again to discuss obligations to the church, religion, etc. • Purchase bridal party gifts (and don’t forget the parents) • Purchase wedding favors • Reserve room for wedding night

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• Now is the time to be calling and reconfirming all those vendor contracts! • Check requirements for medical tests and marriage license for wedding and honeymoon • Mail invitations four to eight weeks ahead • Plan luncheon/special party for bridesmaids • Choose gifts for attendants and future husband • Meet with musician(s) to discuss song list • Meet with photographer to discuss the particular wedding photos you want taken • Finalize the details for the flowers • Make final fitting appointment • Organize ceremony rehearsal arrangements • Start practicing your makeup if you’re doing it yourself • Make appointment for bridal portrait • Schedule a practice hair appointment (do any hair color changes and/or drastic cut changes now so it isn’t a shock to you right before the wedding) • Start working on those vows to one another (if you’ve decided to write your own)

One Month Ahead

• Make appointment(s) for hair, make-up, manicure, pedicure, and/or massage for yourself and bridal party for the day of or day before your wedding (and don’t forget about the Moms!) • Send your wedding announcement to the paper • Attend your final fitting • Make arrangements to change your name • Put together programs • Go for a practice hair and makeup appointment. Don’t forget to bring your veil or hairpiece! • Attend your bridal portrait • Have those vows done! • Inform your bridal party of the rehearsal and dinner plans

Two Weeks Ahead

• Pick up marriage license • Prepare seating chart for reception and rehearsal dinner • Make a wedding day flowchart of events, hour by hour, to give your bridal party and all key vendors • Give caterer finalized guest count • Confirm honeymoon reservations and buy travelers checks • Break in the wedding shoes • Between two and four weeks ahead, have a facial and start drinking eight glasses of water everyday

One Week Ahead • • • • • •

Pack for the honeymoon Give the ushers their instructions Confirm all transportation for the wedding day and honeymoon trip Gather attendants’ gifts to give to them at the rehearsal dinner Confirm all vendors again Put together your emergency kit for the big day. (Take the whole week to do this so you don’t leave out anything crucial!)

The Day Before

• Attend rehearsal ceremony and dinner; set a specific time for everyone in the wedding party to meet on the wedding day and make sure everyone knows where to go for pictures • Give gifts to the bridal party • Lay out all clothes, jewelry and other accessories you’ll need for the next day, including your emergency kit • Discuss receiving-line procedures with parents and bridal party • Leave gift for the groom to find tomorrow, or exchange gifts with one another today • Relax and get some rest—tomorrow is a big day!

Chicago Bride - Fashion Show and Expo

Go to ChicagoBrideMagazine.com to order your tickets today!

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cover feature

Your Premier Bridal Registry Boutique

Tabula Tua When it comes to crafting the perfect bridal registry, brides find the perfect marriage of sophistication and convenience with Lincoln Park’s Tabula Tua.

ou’ve found the perfect venue for your dream wedding. You’ve found the perfect dress. And you’ve most importantly found that perfect person with whom you are excited to spend the rest of your life. So what’s left on the list? Your perfect, unique wedding registry to ensure you begin your married life in style. But in the midst of all the excitement of getting engaged, many couples fall into the path of designing a common registry filled with all of the usual, wedding registry suspects. (We see you, cookie trays and blenders!) While basics are absolutely necessary and a great place to start, wedding registries are a time to get creative and let your guests know what you’d really love to have versus what you might need. And what better place to find everything on your “Love To Have” list than at Tabula Tua in Lincoln Park? A longtime favorite of Chicago tastemakers and brides in search of a vibrant, elegant twist on tabletop entertaining, Tabula Tua offers the most beautiful dinnerware from around the globe. The Lincoln Park boutique location located on Armitage Avenue boasts two combined storefronts filled with unique, and often exclusive, manufacturers and showcases a diverse collection of table linens, flatware, fine china, serving pieces and everyday tableware. Importing such sought-after lines like Astier de Villatte from Paris, Reichenbach from Germany, Match Pewter from northern Italy, and MUD Australia from Sydney,

Australia to name a few, Tabula Tua has set themselves apart from other tabletop retailers and has claimed one of the top registry spots in the bridal industry. Because Tabula Tua’s reach had quickly blossomed from local, Chicagobased clientele into a nationally recognized brand-name offering bridal services and unique wares to customers all across the country, www.TabulaTua.com launched in the year 2000, becoming the first online store to offer high-end handcrafted tableware & luxury gifts. Not only do Tabula brides have online access to their registry at any time from the comfort and convenience of home, but they have a personal Bridal Consultant at their fingertips who can assist with anything one may need. Through each step of the

wedding registry process, Tabula Tua offers one-on-one, personal guidance with making selections, providing purchase notifications and updates, assisting with registry modifications (always err on the side of extra plates!) and registry completion. For those brides who have registered with Tabula Tua, they have found the perfect combination of customer service, convenience, and luxury tableware. And in addition to expertly-curated wares to help set the perfect table, Tabula Tua’s French-inspired boutique is also home to fine furniture and home accent pieces, exquisite designer lighting, oneof-a-kind rugs, cutom artwork, and luxury gifts, providing brides and Chicago shoppers alike a well-rounded selection of interior décor and accents. Since many engaged couples often purchase dishes, kitchen necessities, and home décor prior to their wedding, creating a “Love to Have” wedding registry is easy with Tabula Tua. Whether your style is bohemian chic, retro, rustic European, or an eclectic mix of all of the above, Tabula Tua invites you to browse through their carefully-curated selection of the most beautiful tableware and home furnishings available. Our bridal experts will assist with the perfect selections to create unique, distinctive table settings, designer-inspired home accents, and fun, gorgeous conversation pieces you’ll enjoy for years and years. Make sure everything on your wedding registry is also on your “Love To Have” list from Tabula Tua.

Tabula Tua - Lincoln Park 1015 West Armitage Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614 Phone: 773.525.3500 | Online Store: www.TabulaTua.com

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ASTIER DE VILLATTE Astier de Villatte ceramic dinnerware is entirely handmade in Paris, France and takes months to produce, making these ceramics one of Tabula Tuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought after. Made of black terracotta clay, the pieces are extremely durable yet surprisingly light to the touch, making them perfect for everyday use. The namesake tableware collection is inspired by 18th and 19th century designs and is glazed to create a milky white finish. The result is stunningly elegant.

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MATCH PEWTER In a world dominated by mass production, handmade Match Pewter stands firm in their handmade roots. Versatile, durable and always classic, all of Match Pewterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designs are rooted in classic European forms from the 14th through 19th centuries and many are cast from molds made from original antiques. Each Match Pewter product bears a stamped symbol from the region in which it was made and will surely become a family heirloom to be passed down generation to generation.

MUD AUSTRALIA Each piece of Mud Australia porcelain is entirely handmade in Sydney, Australia from limoges and imperial porcelain. The color is tinted through the porcelain clay to provide a color depth not available from surface glazing. Clear glaze is then applied to the interior of each piece leaving the exterior with a vitrified stone-like surface that becomes smooth with handling. Mud Australia porcelain is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. Not all items are in stock at all times. As soon as your order is received weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll let you know when it will ship, however, if not in stock please allow up to six weeks for your piece/s to be made and delivered.

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REICHENBACH Reichenbach porcelain comes from a town of the same name in Germany, the “porcelain village” on the Thuringian “porcelain road.” Today, the modern factory lies on the same spot that the original factory was built more than 170 years ago. Combining sophisticated modern aesthetics such as broad, graphic-abstract contoured edges with excellent craftsmanship, the quality and design of Reichenbach porcelain has become well known far beyond the European borders., and Tabula Tua is proud to introduce these dramatic pieces to the United States.

SIMON PEARCE Simon Pearce is the maker of the finest quality hand blown glass available for the tabletop as well as home décor. Founded in 1971 in Kilkenny, Ireland, Simon’s vision was to create products that were beautifully designed using time-honored techniques and premium quality materials. Inspired by centuries-old Georgian glassmaking techniques and using the finest natural materials, Simon Pearce’s timeless simplicity is truly designed to last generations.

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your wedding

Stunning Lakefront Weddings at

Bay Pointe Inn Bay Pointe Inn is Michigan’s premier wedding venue for lakefront ceremonies and receptions.

t Bay Pointe Inn every wedding reflects each couple’s unique style. Our desire is to ensure your wedding day is the perfect celebration. From the smallest detail to the most delectable bites, we ensure every moment is memorable. Located on historic Gun Lake in Shelbyville, Michigan, and only 2.5 hours Northeast of Chicago, Bay Pointe Inn is centrally located between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Couples from all over the country have fallen in love with our picturesque setting. Pristine vistas and flower gardens present endless photo opportunities for both onsite ceremonies and receptions. With seating for up to 200 guests, and space for cocktail parties up to 300, the Lakefront Pavilion & Ceremony Site is a unique setting unlike anything you will find in the city. Just steps away from the lake, the location provides beautiful gardens and a tranquil waterfall. Inside the reception space you will find a granite bar where our experienced mixologists prepare your signature drink. Enjoy exquisite cuisine prepared by our creative chefs. After dinner, it’s time for dancing and enjoying the company of family and friends. The gas torches and stone fire pit add natural elegance to your one of a kind wedding.

The BoatHouse Villa is the perfect setting for a more intimate ceremony and reception. Located adjacent to Bay Pointe Inn, the luxury Villa is an exclusive wedding experience. Your

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closest friends and family will enjoy the Villa for the weekend as you relax before your big day. A private dock, outdoor soft seating, a gourmet kitchen, game room with pool table and vintage shuffleboard table and bar set the stage for your wedding weekend. Photo opportunities abound on your wedding day. Your guests are met with a beautiful setting as they arrive and are ushered to the private lakefront ceremony site. After you say your “I Do’s”, guests are escorted to the picturesque courtyard with cabana bar where craft cocktails and appetizers are enjoyed. Dinner is served by our attentive banquet staff on the lakefront terrace. Enjoy mingling and dancing under the stars as two families come together as one. Whether a large reception or an intimate gathering, our chefs will cus-

tomize a menu to meet your specific taste, leaving you and your guests raving long after the festivities have ended. Want to host a full bar? Looking for local wines and brews to incorporate Michigan into your reception? We have customizable bar packages and an extensive variety that is sure to please even the most particular of palates. Our attentive sales team has one goal: taking the stress out of wedding planning. From your first inquiry to the final details, we are excited to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. Our unique romantic spaces with panoramic views, luxurious bridal suites, charming Inn rooms and feeling of a “boutique hotel” are just what you have been looking for! See for yourself why Bay Pointe Inn is “One of Michigan’s Top Resorts.”

Bay Pointe Inn 11456 Marsh Road, Shelbyville, MI 269.672.8111 baypointeinn.com | events@baypointeinn.com

The perfect setting...

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before your wedding

4 Things To Do Right After You Get Engaged

ngagement season is upon us, and many of the newly betrothed will be left completely scatterbrained as to what to do next. Derrick Valenti, wedding planner for the Warwick Allerton Hotel in Chicago, has great advice for those planning their nuptials. See below for a few of his pointers. Call Family & Friends Social media makes it super easy to share the exciting news, but it’s always a good idea to call close friends and family and let them hear it from you personally. This will also set the stage for your wedding invite list, helping you decide who truly matters the most to you. Get Your Ring Sized & Insured Get your ring sized so that it’s not slipping off your finger or cutting off your circulation. Also, speak to an insurance broker about coverage in case your ring needs to be repaired or replaced. You may need an official appraisal before you can

officially add the ring to your insurance, so call the insurance broker to see what paperwork is required. Better safe than sorry! Set a Date with Your Venue Couples rush to decide when their special day will take place, but you can’t actually make that decision until you speak with your venue. Wedding locations can book up years in advance; so the earlier you meet with your venue to lock in a date, the better. Create a Budget Before you can get into the fun stuff, you should set a budget for the wedding. You and your fiancée should be in agreement of how much you’re willing to spend as well as if family members are willing to contribute. This isn’t exactly a fun conversation to have while you’re basking in your engage engagement glow, but it’s one of the most important.

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eal brides, real dresses, real customer service is what BELLA SPOSA Bridal Boutique is best know for.

Every bride, regardless of her body shape or size, should experience the joy of finding the designer wedding dress of her dreams.

BELLA SPOSA Bridal Boutique offers bridal gowns in sizes 2 to 34 to try on in our store. We carry both Essense of Australia and Stella York designs in array of plus sizes. Not only do we have wedding dresses fit for your body shape and size, but also to fit your unique style. Our collection has trend-setting styles including glamorous beaded gowns, sexy backs with illusion lace, relaxed boho silhouettes, picture-perfect ballgowns, and vintageinspired fit and flare styles.

Book your appointment today.

Bella Sposa Bridal Boutique - 9524 179th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60487 708.532.2100 | www.bellasposaboutique.com

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REAL BRIDES REAL DRESSES REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE Book your appointment today.

9524 179th Street Tinley Park, IL 60487 708.532.2100 www.bellasposaboutique.com

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REAL BRIDES REAL DRESSES REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE Book your appointment today.

9524 179th Street Tinley Park, IL 60487 708.532.2100 www.bellasposaboutique.com

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Bella Sposa Bridal Boutique - 9524 179th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60487 708.532.2100 | www.bellasposaboutique.com

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before your wedding

5 New Ways to Beautiful Hair Bi-lingual NYC Hair Stylist, Lucy Garcia Planck, from Salon Bergdorf Goodman provides 5 NEW ways to more beautiful, healthy hair inside and out.

ouble duty

ing pick-me-up for roots.

beauty – Sup-

Air dry blowout – If you

port a beauti-

have straight hair, let

ful, healthy

it dry naturally until it’s

hair from the inside and

barely damp. Take 10

out with biotin, affection-

minutes and roll your

ately known as the “hair

hair in 8 – 12 sections

vitamin.” It promotes hair

with a set of Velcro rollers

growth and helps pre-

and small clips – big ones

vent thin, dry, splitting, or

closer to the top of your

brittle hair. Biotin can be

head and smaller ones

found in foods like whole

on the bottom. Leave in

grains, eggs, sardines,

for 20 min to an hour. Run

nuts, beans, black-eye

a hair dryer for a minute

peas, cauliflower, banan-

ensuring hair is dry to the

as, and mushrooms or try

touch. Take out and voila!

taking a vitamin gummy

Salon blow out without

like Vitafusion’s Gorgeous

the arm work out or coor-

Hair, Skin & Nails—a

dination of a round brush

daily multivitamin with

and hair dryer.

biotin. And, the good news is, your nails and

Read the labels and

skin will benefit too.

avoid products with chemicals like Sodium

Watch chemical overload

Lauryl Sulfate (SLS),

by using products with

Diethanolamin (DEA) and

natural, organic ingre-

Triethanolamine (TEA)

dients designed for your

Propyl, Methyl, and Butyl.

hair’s type and texture,

They can strip your hair

like coconut, carrot seed

of essential oils and con-

oils, shea, and cocoa but-

tribute to breakage and

ters, proteins and orange,

split ends, cause allergic

lemon, and lavender

reactions and scalp ir-

essential oils from foods.

ritation, destroy the hair’s

But, watch the expiration

natural keratin making it

date as natural products

brittle and of course, alco-

don’t always have a long

hol can dry your hair and

shelf life.

lead to breakage.

Baby powder that Blonde – We still prefer a good baby powder shower for our blondes; it’s also our go-to as a hold-over between highlights and a volumiz-

CHICAGO BRIDE | CHICAGOBRIDEMAGAZINE.COM

your style

Julie Vino “Alessandra” Fully embroidered fabric with a nude color bodysuit. There is an option to add nude or ivory lining.

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before your wedding

The NEW Wedding Gift Card You Need To Know About

rom millennials to baby boomers, weddings to retirement, anyone can now give an enriching life experience Honeyfund, the #1 honeymoon wedding registry site, today unveiled the first-ever universal travel and experience gift card. Just in time for the holidays, Honeyfund Gift Card recipients can redeem the card for unlimited travel experiences from top partners including Hotels.com, Delta Air Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Groupon, QVC, Uber, and many more. “With the Honeyfund Gift Card, anyone can buy the gift of a truly customizable experience for anyone else,” explains Sara Margulis, Honeyfund chief executive officer and co-founder. “From a once-in-a-lifetime experience, like scuba diving in Bali, to a simple spa day or wine-tasting trip, the memories of this gift will last a lifetime.” New research from Airbnb shows that millennials would rather spend their money traveling over buying a home or paying off debt. The Honeyfund Gift Card was conceived to allow hundreds of millions of wedding guests to give a honeymoon gift even if the couple isn’t registered on Honeyfund. It turns out to be a great gift for any occasion. Top Three Reasons a Honeyfund Gift Card is the Perfect Holiday Gift

restaurant and retail partners, offering unlimited experiences around the world! Fun & Meaningful: Givers love a unique and meaningful gift. The Honeyfund Gift Card offers a customized experience the recipient will never forget. For more information about Honeyfund and the new Gift Card, please visit honeyfund. com/giftcard. About Honeyfund Founded in 2006, Honeyfund’s founders Sara and Josh Margulis discovered their own wedding guests enthusiastically preferred giving experiences and memories over housewares. As they prepared for their own wedding, they created a simple page for family and friends to contribute to their dream honeymoon in Fiji. In 2014, Sara and Josh brought their idea to Shark Tank, and received investment backing from renowned investor, Kevin O’Leary, who continues to be an active partner to this day. Today, Honeyfund is the #1 wedding registry app, and a crowd-funding pioneer. With 100% free options, Honeyfund and sister-site Plumfund now power all kinds of experiences and savings goals for all of life’s occasions.

Convenience: With the Honeyfund Gift Card, give a great travel experience instantly with confidence; the receiver will love it! Flexibility: The Honeyfund Gift Card can be redeemed through a wide array of air, cruise, hotel,

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before your wedding

Make Your Wedding Dollars Work

Dream Weddings for Less Many couples are finding ways to scale down on costs, simply by making smart money choices. Here are some money-saving tips to help you stretch your wedding budget dollars.

Reduce your guest list. This may sound like a no-brainer but it is the number one way to reduce costs. The less people you have, the less you pay for food and beverage, which is the costliest of all wedding categories. What are you doing Thursday night? Tying the knot on a non-traditional day of the week (basically any day other than Saturday) will save bundles. Schedule an early afternoon reception or a brunch instead of a formal evening reception. The earlier the reception, the lighter the courses. Order a three-course meal versus the usually more expensive five-course meal. You will also have a little more negotiating power because some venues can only do one wedding a day since most couples go for an evening reception. If you end your reception early enough, the venue can still fit in an evening wedding; which will make the vendor very happy and more

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than willing to cut you a break. Timing is everything. Having a rehearsal breakfast or lunch (instead of dinner) will not only save money on food and drinks, but will also give everyone involved in the wedding the rest of the day to relax (or more likely finish up those last minute tasks). When contacting vendors, ask for the price difference for hosting on alternate days of the week to help you gauge how much could be saved. Family Style. Dread the thought of a line at the buffet but worried about the cost of a sit-down meal? Talk to caterers about serving dinner ‘family style’ when negotiating costs. It can be significantly less expensive and everyone gets to stay seated. Oh, and will there be kids? Serve them something different and less expensive, like cheese pizza.

Comfort Food. And while you’re at it, serve simple, well cooked food rather than elaborate or extravagant preparations that cost more and combine too many flavors. Everyone loves comfort food! Get crafty. Wedding favors, centerpieces and even the bride’s veil are some items that can be created by simply getting some friends together for a crafting party. Local craft stores hold classes on making these items. You and your girlfriends can check out some of those classes to get some great crafting ideas. Designate a driver. You can ask a friend or family member to be your wedding day chauffer, and that person can rent a luxury vehicle (at your expense) to drive you. Instead of renting a limousine for a few hours, you will have the rented vehicle for at least 24 hours, as well as transportation to the airport for your honeymoon if need-

ed. Just be sure to request for the vehicle to be dropped off at the airport you’ll be flying out of. Flower Power. Flowers can take up a large portion of a wedding budget, about 15 –20% in most cases. Reduce, reuse or recycle flowers; consider a large flower, or one with eye- popping color. Less will be needed (reducing) and it will have more impact. Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception and have bridesmaids drop their bouquets in a vase or scatter them here and there at the head table. Ask the florist if there’s another wedding that weekend similar to the one you’re planning – maybe an arrangement can be made to the cost of those swanky centerpieces by sharing them. Use fresh flowers that are in season or what is available in bulk at your florist. Also, downsize the centerpiece or opt for more inexpensive flowers. Sometimes, the simpler the arrangement, the more understated elegance and sophistication it exudes. Think a simple, clear vase packed with fresh-cut, similar stems or two to three long stems in a tall clear hurricane vase for simple drama. Do us a favor. Forego the big, expensive party favors that no one will end up using. Try something simpler, cuter and more practical like homemade cookies or earth-friendly gifts like flower seeds. Dress for less. You don’t have to spend a fortune on your wedding dress. Especially now that alternative wedding dresses are trendy, women are opting to visit high-end boutiques for evening gown options instead of ornate, special ordered bridal gowns. Plan on it. While wedding consultants are still being used and have invaluable connections and resources to plan a fabulous wedding, more brides are sacrificing their own time to cut costs in planning. Don’t be afraid to try social networking sites like Facebook.com and MySpace. com to solicit help and collect opinions from guests, friends and family to aid the planning process along.

Don’t discount the discount sites. Several shopping websites are available now to help brides cut their costs. Sites like CouponWinner. com and CouponCabin. com offer discounts from thousands of retailers for an array of items – anywhere from flowers and gifts to dresses and even travel. Bridal registry alternatives. Since many couples have places of their own before getting married, they probably don’t need to register for too much. Edivvy.com is a site couples can use to create a gift wishlist that would allow them to specify types of gifts (from specific items to cash donations) and allows their guests to buy these “gifts” as a group, donating as much or as little as they wish. Make some music. DJ services have successfully elbowed their way into the band scene for weddings. But with technology becoming easier and more ubiquitous, you can even take care of the music yourself and cut your costs in that category. MyWeddingMusic.com can offer advice on how to use your iPod to play music off of playlists you specifically create for your event. A word of caution: There are many things that can go wrong when handling entertainment on your own (i.e. equipment malfunction, wrong songs at wrong times) so if you don’t have a tech-savvy, reliable person to be in charge of this, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Drink up. There is no need for premium liquor. Guests won’t know the difference in a mixed drink. Save it for a good bottle of wine with the dinner. Invite me not. You can have a nice invitation without spending a fortune. Have you ever kept an invitation from a wedding? They all end up in the recycling bin at some point. Don’t allocate too much of the budget on elaborate invites. Tripping out. If you’ve always dreamed of honeymooning in Hawaii, by all means, go to Hawaii. Instead of staying 14 days, stay for 10. Rent the compact car instead of the convertible. Stay in a hotel room and not the private cabana on the beach.

Picture this. You can have your friends help with anything from planning to chauffeuring, but don’t go cheap on the photography and video. Those are the only things that remain from your day. Make sure they are done right. Shop around and stick to your $$ guns. You have less to spend so don’t let yourself get carried away (which could happen very quickly when planning your wedding) and blow your budget. You should figure out the maximum price you could pay and work toward that. Having a levelheaded outsider with you when visiting vendors and negotiating contracts is a big help, but in their absence, try WeddingBook.com. It’s a great resource that allows users to set their budget parameters when searching, so the only options that surface are for vendors you can afford, by researching all the options, contacting multiple vendors and reviewing quotes from top choices. WeddingBook.com gives you more options which allows for better negotiation leverage. It lets you review options in your market. You can even practice over drinks, conspiring over how to get that caterer to throw in free desserts. Good cop, bad cop, anyone? Give us some space. Expand the hunt for a venue beyond traditional hotels and banquet halls. Maybe a local garden, theatre or boathouse would cost less and be more personal and memorable. And remember...everything is negotiable. Times are tough all around, so no smart vendor will turn away business if you ask for a better quote or have extras thrown in as part of the overall deal. Everyone is willing to work with you these days so leverage it to your advantage to get what you need for a reasonable cost. Just be sure you know exactly what will be included and what will not when you review your contract and quote. You don’t want any last-minute surprises. Additional sources: www.Godselegance. com; Alyse Liebowitz of 3 Chicks That Click Photography

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your wedding

Elegant Dining and Beautiful Surroundings

Chateau Bu-Sché Located on 25 beautifully landscaped wooded acres, The Chateau Bu-Sché offers all the amenities required for today’s special events.

tunning atriums. Crystal chandeliers. White marble floors. Baby grand pianos. A creek-side gazebo perfect for outdoor ceremonies or a picture perfect setting. Flower filled outdoor ceremony sites. You have stepped into the world of the Chateau Bu-Sché.

Located on 25 beautifully landscaped, wooded acres, Chateau Bu-Sché offers beautiful amenities for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies as well as reception packages designed for your enjoyment. Upon entering the foyer, guests are greeted by magnificent lighting, stunning ceramic flooring, a massive fireplace and impressive two and a-half story ceiling. Dining areas are complemented by panoramic windows overlooking the glistening white atriums. Weddings at the Chateau BuSché can accommodate up to 200 guests and offer a unique country club setting, outdoor ceremony sites, bridal rooms, superb menus, and flawless services and professional staff for your unforgettable day.

Reception packages include five and a half-hour room times, five full hours of open bar, four-course gourmet dinner, bridal table champagne toast, wine at each guest table, choice of colored linen napkins, crystal votive candles, cake cutting, serving and wrapping (cakes can also be ordered in-house offering a wide selection starting at only $3.00 per person) and full set-up and skirting of bridal table, gift table, DJ table and cake table. Menu suggestions and options can be found online.

Situated conveniently off the 294 expressway in Alsip, IL, the Chateau Bu-Sché’s location accommodates plentiful nearby lodging for parties and their guests. Special savings are offered for the months of November through April as well as during the week. The on-site planner is available to answer all of your questions and handle your planning needs.

The Chateau Bu-Sché, www.chateaubusche.com 11535 S. Cicero Avenue Alsip, Illinois 60803 (P) 708-371-6400

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your style

Spotlight on…

Elena Victoria Young fashion designer from Chicago’s Northshore creates her dream wedding gown.

inding the wedding gown of

In 2016, Elena chose to pursue one of

your dreams can be a stress-

her true passions -- custom bridal. Thus

ful experience, so why not

far, the highlight of her brand has been

design your own? This is how

designing and sewing her own custom

the young Chicago fashion designer,

gown for her wedding this past August.

Elena Victoria, began her custom bridal

She was even able to incorporate

shopping experience. No matter your

pieces of her mother’s wedding gown

budget, your personal style or your

for a sentimental touch -- by using the

timeline, Elena Victoria will create a

pearls to embellish the sleeves. Elena

beautiful, handmade gown that is fit to

also has previous experience working

perfection just for YOU.

at Vera Wang in Chicago, where she learned how to alter couture gowns and

Elena is a young entrepreneur and

construct custom veils.

fashion designer based out of the North Shore of Chicago. Since high school,

Elena’s core belief behind her brand

Elena has been designing custom

and designs is that every woman is

dresses for special occasions. After

unique inside and out. Her gowns

graduating from the Apparel Design

are designed to flatter each bride’s

and Technology program at Purdue

physique, but also take into account

University, Elena worked as a techni-

any special needs or vision the bride

cal designer at Abercrombie & Fitch’s

might have. All gowns are handmade

headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. In

with the finest craftsmanship, from

May of 2015, Elena launched her very

carefully selected fabrics. A custom

own clothing line, ELENA VICTO-

veil can also be made to compliment

RIA as well as her sewing academy, EV

the gown, and Elena has experience

Sewing, where she teaches private

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sewing lessons to young girls and runs

als. One thing that Elena always

sewing camps and classes. In addition

keeps in mind is the bride’s budget,

to having a client base in the North

since this was something that she

Shore, Elena is expanding across the

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Midwest and now also teaches in the

ding. One of Elena’s greatest strengths

suburbs of Detroit. In building her

is her ability to create a beautiful

brand and business, her hopes are

wedding gown while keeping the

to inspire young girls to follow their

bride’s budget in mind.

dreams in fashion design and sewing.

If you are recently engaged and looking for the perfect gown, contact Elena Victoria at info@elenavictoriadesigns.com.

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your style

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your style

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your style

5 Tips To Picking Wedding Jewelry That Best Compliments Your Dress One area that is often overlooked when planning your perfect day and adds to last minute stress is accessorizing of the gown. Below are 5 wedding day jewelry options that will complement the different dress styles that will help every soon-to-be bride pick the perfect piece to complement her dress.

Short Necklaces and Chokers When it comes to accessories, sometimes less is more. Necklaces and chokers with a little length are perfect for the retro Sabrina/Bateau style dress. This dress is designed with fabric close to the neck, so it should be paired with jewelry that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t graze the shoulder or dress fabric. (Credit: Phillip Gavriel Prive Collection)

By Kari Polydoris, Editor, Chicago Bride Magazine

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your style

5 Tips To Picking Wedding Jewelry That Best Compliments Your Dress Bold Necklace You can be bold with your jewelry with a Strapless Gown because this style allows for versatility. Try wearing a bold necklace paired with simple elegant earrings. This will ensure that the jewelry complements the dress, but is not over-powering. (Credit: Ariva Fine Jewelry East Collection)

Pendant Necklace A good rule of thumb is for your necklace to not compete with the neckline of the gown. Because the V-Neck is popular on many styles of dresses, you should consider a simple pendant or pearl necklace. (Credit: Kabana Classic Collection)

Hoop & Mid-Length Earrings and Matching Bracelet The Jewel Neckline is round and sits at the base of the throat. For this look forego a necklace and go with midlength earrings and a matching bracelet. We recommend this hoop earring to create some movement, but not so long that they graze the shoulder or come close to the dress fabric. (Credit: Roberto Demeglio)

Stud Earrings When wearing a Strapless Gown with a bold necklace remember, â&#x20AC;&#x153;less is more.â&#x20AC;? Try to pair this bold necklace with simple elegant pearl studs to ensure that the pieces are complimenting the dress. (Credit: Vahan Jewelry)

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your wedding

Exquisite Cuisine in A Historic Setting

The Patrick C. Haley Mansion Celebrities aren’t the only ones who can live and get married in mansions. So can you!

he Patrick C. Haley Mansion was built in 1891, named after its inceptor, the then Joliet mayor, who envisioned this “Castle on the Hill” to overlook his city. He commissioned nationally known architect and certified Egyptologist Frank Shaver Allen to design his dream and make it a reality. The massive limestone structure took two years to complete. It stands three and-a-half stories high and boasts immense front and back balconies. The Mansion has since discreetly been updated to include important modern-day amenities necessary for events, such as central air conditioning, beautiful bathroom accommodations and an in-house sound system. However, rest assured; efforts were prioritized to maintain all of the original oak, cherry and mahogany woodwork, stained-glass windows, intricate friezes, ornate adornments and six fireplaces throughout in addition to the authentic Victorian décor.

An array of cuisine options, ranging from formal, plated, sit-down dinners to buffets, can be arranged with a custom caterer, available to accommodate all of your unique needs. An onsite planner is available via appointment to help with this as well as a private viewing of the Mansion, whose staff prides itself on attention to detail to ensure fabulous presentation and spectacular service. Event duration and

open bar is for five hours, which means drinks during dinner! Brides can opt for the ballroom or the conservatory, which offers glass, French doors that open out onto a terrace for indoor/outdoor flexibility. Speaking of outdoor, the grounds boast a beautifully, spacious portico-type gazebo that can be used for outdoor ceremonies.

Patrick C. Haley Mansion, 17 South Center Street. Joliet, IL 815-726-6800 www.patrickhaleymansion.com

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your style

Julie Vino “Julieta” Solstiss lace with embroidered appliques and a plunging v neckline, open back, sleeves and long train.

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www.MamaLuigis.com 708.496.0900

Don’t Make the Mistake of Over Paying for Your Reception

Let Mama Luigi’s add a special air of romance to your Wedding Day Celebration with our richly decorated Banquet rooms with affordable wedding packages for up to 300 guests. We offer personalized planning to the last detail.

Family Style Meal starting at $16.99

Deluxe Packages starting at $27.99

• Chocolate Fountain Available • Private Bride’s Room • Impeccable Service • Tastings Available • Pastry Chef on the Premises • Ample Free Parking • Rehearsal Dinners and Bridal Showers too!

your wedding

How to Choose the Best Best Man and the Perfect Tux

For The Groom Guide him in the right direction with these helpful hints.

f you think the president has it hard picking a second-in-command, you haven’t dealt with the personal politics of choosing a best man. If you’re lucky, your choice will be immediate and obvious. Otherwise, here’s how to make the nomination. Your best man should be an active part of your life. Don’t rely solely on sentiment— your childhood best friend may have known you the longest, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best man for the job. Look to the future, too: a buddy from college may not be a great choice if your lives are already going in separate directions. The best man is a position of responsibility. He makes the toast, holds on to the ring, and helps with day-of wedding duties. Choose someone reliable and nearby—it’ll be hard for him to help if he’s on the other side of the country. Also, the best man is traditionally tasked with setting up the bachelor party, so consider the kind of trouble your choice might get you into.

The best man is also a social position. In addition to the toast, he will be doing a lot of meeting and greeting. A wallflower may not be up to the challenge (and you don’t want to put him in an uncomfortable position). Yes, you can choose two best men—for example, if you have two brothers and don’t want to pick between them. Family members may pressure you to choose someone specific, but if their man of choice is going to cause distress on your wedding day—or you just want to pick someone else—you’ll have to steel yourself and ignore their wishes. When in doubt, go with a male family member: your dad, your brother, a close cousin. After all, weddings are about family. Plus, you’ll avoid having to choose between friends. Don’t forget about groomsmen! Your wedding party is a great chance to include plenty of your buddies who aren’t quite best man material. When all else

fails, remember this old wisdom: a good friend will help you move, but a true friend will help you move a body. How to Pick the Perfect Tux. They’re not just for James Bond and senior proms—at a black-tie wedding, the tux is it. But let’s face it: few men enjoy picking one out. Letting your fiancée choose for you is certainly the path of least resistance, but being the best groom you can be means being man enough to have a say in what you’ll wear. Here’s how to look sharp. Consider the occasion. Do you even need a tux? A tuxedo is traditionally worn only after 6 p.m. Morning or afternoon weddings call for a morning suit, usually dark gray, which you can pick up from a menswear store. Don’t stifle yourself—for an outdoor or destination wedding, you might be better off with a more lightweight fabric and casual style. Consider your budget. Groomsmen traditionally foot the bill for their own getups, so be consid-

Excerpts from Stuff Every Groom Should Know, by Eric San Juan

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For The Elegance You Deserve

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your wedding erate and think about everybody’s price range, not just your own. Ultimately, you should aim to get everyone outfitted without breaking the bank. Rent or buy? Renting is cheaper (usually costing about $70–$175, as opposed to at least $500 to buy) and more easily ensures that your groomsmen will all match. But if you plan to attend a few black-tie events in your life (and don’t intend to gain weight), a custom-fit tux is well worth the investment. Feel the right fit. When your arms are at your sides, your fingertips should reach the bottom of the jacket. Your pants should hit the tops of your shoes with a single “break,” or crease at the ankle. And make sure your shirt fits well; you’re going to be dancing at the reception and

you’ll look back on your photos with pride.

don’t want it to turn into a puffy mess when you de-jacket. Rock the bow. If you’re wearing a tux, always go with the bow tie—it’s the classic option. Cashmere, wool, and flannel are for winter; in the summer, silk. To ’bund or not to ’bund? Modern cummerbunds are sleeker and more flattering than their bulky 1970s predecessors, so don’t avoid one just because you’re having high school flashbacks. A slim sash around the waist actually elongates your silhouette. Beware the trends. If you’re buying, go with classic and traditional black rather than the latest look blue, velvet, or anything with ruffles. They’re called classic for a reason. Fifty years from now,

Keep your fiancée in the loop. Whether she has a vision for your outfit or has no opinions on your getup, she’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness. Hell, if she knows exactly what she wants you to wear, just let her pick it!

Plan Your Wedding with Chicago Bride

ChicagoBrideMagazine.com

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To Have and To Hold... We offer a spacious Ballroom, premier catering and on-site expert planner that makes us the perfect setting for your wedding. Your guests will love our Studio & Two-room suites, free made-to-order breakfast and complimentary drinks at the Evening Reception. Our Brand new hotel offers 13,000 square foot ballroom that can make your dreams come true!

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before your wedding

Wedding Expenses To Splurge On!

aving during a wedding is important, especially as expenses seem to pile up. However, there are certain expenses worth the splurge on the bride and groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big day. Director of Catering at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Chris Schmidt provides a first-hand look at whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth the cost for those celebrating their picture perfect day at the iconic hotel. Plus, as a recent newlywed, Chris understands the budgeting problems that arise when planning the big day. Some tips from the wedding expert include:

To Sip: Upgrade the wine and champagne to one of your favorite selections. Toast with Veuve Cliquot and offer your favorite regional wine selection from one of your travels together as a couple. Good lighting!: This will add the most dramatic look to the event space and allow beautiful architectural details to be highlighted that might not be seen in an evening setting. Planning: Splurge on an experienced wedding planner to represent you (and only you!) on the wedding

The Food: Make sure there is good food - dinner, wine and bar packages are absolutely essential, and exceptional service is a must. By choosing a venue that already offers this, it alleviates some stress. The team at InterContinental Chicago caters to each wedding and works closely with the bride and groom to curate a menu perfect for their event.

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before your wedding

Wedding Expenses To Splurge On!

day, for your own sanity. Late Night: Late-night snacks are necessary after an evening dancing the night away! Towards the end of the reception, provide snacks for guests to refuel. From Chris Schmidt: Wedding budgeting definitely is a difficult process and debating which elements are most important to a couple can be tricky. For me, making sure that there is good food is a high priority - dinner, wine and bar package are absolutely essential. In addition, having exceptional service to pull the event together will have guests talking about this day for

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years to come. By choosing a venue that already offers these items, as well as beautiful linen and historic space as a standard, it just allows you then to concentrate on what else is important to create that wow. From there, allow your guests to choose their entree that night with choice tableside vs. having to choose well in advance. So many don’t recall what they ordered and overall, your guests will be treated to the additional level of service. Upgrade the wine and champagne to one of your favorite selections, perhaps toasting with Veuve Cliquot and offering your favorite regional wine selection from one of your travels together as a couple. For

summertime, add in a fun intermezzo course and splurge on the presentation to create a wow effect with perhaps dry ice and a champagne floater. Late night snacks truly are essential, so if this weren’t already incorporated, I’d definitely add this in as well. Of course the menu is just one aspect. Outside of this, lighting will add the most dramatic look to your event space and allow you to highlight beautiful architectural details that might not be seen in an evening setting. For your own sanity, making sure to invest in an experienced wedding planner to represent you and only you on the wedding day and if not already budgeted, I suggest splurging on this immediately.

Photo by Door County Visitor Bureau

Graceful, Authentic, Intentional H Hillside Inn of Ephraim H i l l s i d e I n n o f E p h r a i m , D o o r C o u n t y, W I â&#x20AC;¢ 9 2 0 . 8 5 4 . 7 6 6 6 w w w. h i l l s i d e o f d o o r c o u n t y. c o m

great places

ChicagoBrideMagazine.com

for your reception

Name & Location

Phone

Reception Site Range

Page

Arrowhead Golf Club 26W151 Butterfield Road Wheaton, IL

630-653-5800

Up to 300

IFC

arrowheadgolfclub.org

Bay Pointe Inn 11456 Marsh Road Shelbyville, MI

269-672-8111

Up to 200

www.baypointeinn.com

Café La Cave 2777 Manheim Road Des Plaines, IL

847-827-7818

Up to 300

www.cafelacave.net

Chateau Bu-Sche’ 11535 S. Cicero Avenue Alsip, IL

708-371-6400

90 – 450

www.chateaubusche.com

Cosley Zoo 1356 North Gary Ave. Wheaton, IL

630-665-5534

Up to 500

www.cosleyzoo@wheatonparks.org

Doubletree Hotel Chicago - Alsip 5000 West 127th Street Alsip, IL

708-371-7300

Up to 450

www.chicagoalsip.doubletree.com

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville 1823 Abriter Court Naperville, IL

630-799-5900

www.embassysuites3.hilton.com

Fountain Blue Banquets & Conference Center 2300 Mannheim Road Des Plaines, IL

847-298-3636

www.fountainblue.com

Halim Time & Glass Museum 1560 Oak Avenue Evanston, IL

224-714-5600

www.halimmuseum.org

The Herrington Inn & Spa 15 South River Lane Geneva, IL

630-208-7433

www.herringtoninn.com

Hillside Inn of Ephraim 9980 Water Street S. Ephraim, WI

920-854-7666

www.hillsideofdoorcounty.com

Hilton Lisle/Naperville 3003 Corporate West Drive Lisle, IL

630-505-0900

Up to 480

www.hiltonlislenaperville.com

Makray Memorial Gold Club 1010 S. Northwest Highway Barrington, IL

847-381-6501

30-250

www.makraygolfclub.com

Mama Luigi’s 7500 S. Harlem Bridgeview, IL

708-496-0900

Up to 300

www.mamaluigis.com

Medinah Banquets 550 Shriners Drive, Addison, IL

630-458-0200

50 – 600

www.weddingswithus.com

Meyer’s Castle 1370 Joliet Street Dyer, IN

219-865-8452

www.meyerscastle.com

Patrick C. Haley Mansion 17 S. Center Street Joliet, IL

815-726-6800

Up to 600

www.patrickhaleymansion.com

Riverside Receptions & Conference Center 35 North River Lane Geneva, IL

630-232-1330

Up to 270

www.riversidereceptions.com

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50 – 400

up to 170

Website

Romance, Elegance, Excitement...

Colin Lyons Photography

MAKRAY MEMORIAL GOLF CLUB BARRINGTON, ILLINOIS

Colin Lyons Photography

The Wedding Studio

cJefko Photography

Colin Lyons Photography

SOMETHING BLUE PHOTOGRAPHY

1010 S. Northwest Highway || www.makraygolfclub.com || 847-381-6501

your wedding

Tips & Tricks for Wedding Budgeting From personal expert – Kimmie Greene — from Intuit’s Mint

Know how much you can afford to spend Being part of a bridal party comes with a lot of commitments (showers, bachelorette parties and lots of gifts!) – know how much you can afford to spend on a friend’s wedding. If you’ve done this before, look back at how much you spent the last time, and if you haven’t… surveys show that on average it costs around $1,500 to be a bridesmaid. It’s important to consider having a conversation with the bride upfront about how “big” you can go on certain events and be open about your finances. Destination bachelorette? Create a savings goal, early Need to purchase a ticket to a bachelorette party in Nashville, Miami or Vegas? Plan for this onetime-only expense early by creating a savings goal in Mint, noting how much money you’ll need, setting a date and linking your goal to a specific account to easily stick to your plan. Planning ahead and

seeing how much you can save by cutting back in other spending categories will ensure you won’t have to miss out on a weekend of fun with your besties. That pricey bridesmaid dress you definitely won’t wear again Bridesmaids dresses can cost you up to or over $400 for something you probably won’t ever wear again. If the bride gives you

www.mint.com

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some flexibility in the design of the dress or the style is available online, consider a rental option such as Rent the Runway to take the sting out of the expense of your wedding weekend. Dresses that typically cost $400 to even $600 can be as little as $50 to $115 to rent, and you can even rent accessories including bags, jewelry and more.

Using credit: Shoes, jewelry, gifts and more You’ll be tempted to, or may even have to, use a credit card to afford to be in your friend’s wedding – but be careful! As the credit card charges add up from buying gifts, shoes, manis, pedis and more – use Mint to receive automated reminders and pay directly from the app so you don’t miss a payment. You don’t want being in all these weddings to impact your long-term debt or your credit score or cost you more money in late fees. Keep track of balances between friends Consider all the online tools available to you when you’re in a bridal party. Splitwise is a great way to keep track of expenses with your friends for decorations and giveaways for the bachelorette or gifts for showers and the big day. Splitwise will show you what

you owe others in the group and what you are owed, and allows you to pay friends using Paypal or Venmo directly from the app. With so many things to purchase, it’s a great way to hold everyone accountable for expenses so one person isn’t continually hunting others down for payments. Take the worry out of it Lots of bridesmaids worry about the spending and high cost of being part of your best friends’ big day. With Mint, you can use the budget tracking tool to set a plan for the wedding and stick to it. The app will stay on top of things for you, so you don’t have to worry and alerts you whenever there’s something you should know, such as if you’re being charged fees, going over budget and more. Plus, you’ll get a summary that shows you how you’re doing week to week so you can enjoy the experience – not dread it.

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after your wedding

Honeymoon Getaways

Swap the beach for a luxurious, all-inclusive winter wonderland Snow-loving newlyweds, head to Vista Verde Guest Ranch for a truly exotic honeymoon in the mountains. By Kari Polydoris, Editor, Chicago Bride Magazine

f youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for an authentic

For the honeymooners looking for

backcountry powder or on trails

getaway filled with adventure,

adventure and relaxation in one, this

groomed to your convenience each

romance and layers of white

unique all-inclusive dude ranch is the

day. In addition to the endless ski-

fluffy snow, look no further than

place for you. Vista Verde offers an

ing available, there are other options

array of activities during their adult-

such as snowshoeing, horseback

Vista Verde Guest Ranch.

only weeks (early January through mid-

riding, a romantic sleigh ride, horse-

Located just outside Steamboat

February). The guides and staff go out

manship clinics, snow tubing, yoga,

Springs, Vista Verde sits on 600

of their way to modify each experience

cooking classes, wine and beer tast-

secluded acres in the middle of

to your personality, ability and interest.

ing and more.

Coloradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Routt National Forest.

Whether you are looking to be chal-

Hosting no more than forty folks at a

lenged or unwind, the ranch offers both.

the day, head to your cozy log cabin

time, you can fully enjoy the quiet,

When it is time to relax and take in

serene beauty that winter at the

The cross-country ski program

with a private outdoor hot tub over-

ranch has to offer.

includes tours through untouched

looking the breathtaking scenery.

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after your wedding The cabins are rustic yet romantic. The eclectic mix of antique, western art and handmade log furniture makes your cabin feel like your own luxurious home away from home. Enjoy the fully stocked fridge and snacks while you snuggle in front of the fireplace. While enjoying top of the line accommodations the ranch has to offer, the fresh cuisine is nothing short of divine. Start your day with coffee, assorted juices, fresh berries and homemade bread, or choose from made-to-order omelettes, eggs benedict or honey wheat pancakes with caramelized apples on top. The dinners at Vista Verde are particularly special. You may request a private table for two, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely you will want to join the staff and other guests for casual, family style dinners. End your day with a multi-course meal with wine pairings, wonderful conversations and a satisfied belly. What sets Vista Verde apart is the flexibility and personalization that goes into your stay. The staff is an absolute joy and genuinely cares about your time at the ranch. The attention to detail is mastered, too; if you want a mimosa in the morning to start your honeymoon, rest assured there will be a champagne bottle and freshly squeezed orange juice awaiting you the first morning! With the stress of wedding planning in the past, slow down with your sweetheart alongside spectacular views and snowy adventures. At Vista Verde, all activities, equipment, instruction, airport transfers from Yampa Valley Regional Airport (Hayden/Steamboat) and staff tips are included. To book your honeymoon visit www.vistaverde.com or email reservations@vistaverde.com.

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your style

Mimi Tran “Alyssum” Swarovski and pearls hand beaded on silk crepe and tulle fabric

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your style

Mimi Tran “Lillian” 3D hand cut french lace silk crepe and tulle fabric

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real weddings

Elena Winchester & Colin Swingler

BRIDE’S FULL MAIDEN NAME: ELENA VICTORIA WINCHESTER GROOM’S FULL NAME: COLIN PETER SWINGLER LOCATION OF CEREMONY: FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EVANSTON LOCATION OF RECEPTION: SUNSET RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER: DEANNA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHER: BELLA PHOTO VIDEO MAKE UP: ANNA GUIDONE DRESS & VEIL: ELENA VICTORIA DESIGNS HAIR: MARILYN MARTINEZ

your wedding

Joy Launches World’s First Interactive Photo Album Allowing Families to Curate and Share Treasured Memories.

oy announced the launch of the Joy Album, the world’s first interactive photo album that allows users to curate and share their favorite photos with friends and family. Designed to live on your

coffee table and sit comfortably in your lap, the Joy Album makes your most cherished moments instantly viewable in gorgeous layouts, finally modernizing the lost art of creating a physical photo album. Joy has been in stealth mode since February and is now taking preorders for the Joy Album device, which will begin shipping in summer 2017. “As new parents with tons of pictures and memo-

ries to share, we missed the days of sitting with family members and flipping through physical photo albums,” said Joy co-founder and CEO Alan Chan. “The need for family members to connect in this way still exists, but our photos have become scattered across different devices and apps. We were inspired to solve this modern problem by creating one beautiful, easy-to-use device that allows users to curate and share memories with loved ones near and far.” Joy is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information, visit www.joy.co.

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The Joy Album offers the following features: • Beautiful album layouts that showcase photos and videos on a large 13.3” HD touch screen • Integration of photos from all the places you store them digitally, from your smartphone

your coffee table and sit comfort• Proprietary magnetic stand for

ably in your lap, the Joy Album

wireless charging and quick

makes your most cherished mo-

access, with a 5-hour battery life

ments instantly viewable in gor-

• Private sharing to allow you to select exactly who can view your photos at any given time • StoryTime feature that allows

camera roll to Facebook,

families to share photos and tell

Instagram, Dropbox and

stories in real time on their own

Google Photos

Joy Album devices

• Support for several file formats, such as HD videos, raw files, GIFs, 360 degree photos, panoramas and more • 10 GB of free photo storage with optional upgraded plans

About Joy Inc.: Joy is the creator of the world’s first interactive photo album that allows you to curate and share your favorite photos with friends and family. Designed to live on

geous layouts, finally modernizing the lost art of creating a physical photo album. Designed by a team that hails from Apple and Sonos, the Joy Album aims to be the premium all-in-one hardware and software photo solution for families to share memories with loved ones near and far. The company was founded in February 2016 and has raised $2.5 million in seed funding from investors including Obvious Ventures, The Chernin Group, and BoxGroup.

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your style

Mimi Tran “Carnation” 3D handout french lace with hand beaded Swarovski crysta on silk satin and tulle fabric

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Shopping. Dining. Endless Fun. Just minutes from Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hare and downtown, Rosemont has shopping, dining and entertainment wrapped up in one exciting mini metropolis!

ROSEMONT.COM

your wedding

Naked Cashmere

Keep The Bride Calm & Cozy During the Chaos with Naked Cashmere Items perfect for the bride on her big day.

Puff Slipper nakedcashmere.com/puff-slipper Relax and unwind after a long day in our soft and luxurious cashmere slippers topped with a playful natural fur pom pom Comfortable padded insole Flexible suede outsole 100% pure cashmere

NakedCashmere.com

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Ynes Robe nakedcashmere.com/ynes 575 grams of 100% pure cashmere in 5-gauge knit Lounge in our Ynes Robe knitted from pure luxurious cashmere strands for an exceptionally soft and warm touch. It’s classically styled with a shawl collar and tie belt. Flattering fit Front patch pockets 45” length One size fits all

About Naked Cashmere: NAKEDCASHMERE is breaking the traditional retail model by cutting out the traditional brick & mortar stores and selling direct to you. Eliminating retail mark-ups allows NakedCashmere to ship the most luxurious pure cashmere sweaters and accessories for half the traditional retail price allowing you to purchase our collection wholesale. Nakedcashmere offers the most extensive cashmere collection available anywhere in the world from our factories directly to your closet. You don’t buy NAKEDCASHMERE, you collect it.

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your style

Mimi Tran “Sahara” hand beaded sequin flowers on tule fabric and silk

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Welcome To The Chicago Bride Yellow Pages Chicagoland’s Best Guide to Local Wedding Services CEREMONY & RECEPTION SITES

Phone

Website

Arrowhead Golf Club

630-653-5800

www.arrowheadgolfclub.org

IFC

Bay Pointe Inn

269-672-8111

www.baypointeinn.com

Café La Cave

847-827-7818

www.cafelacave.net

Chateau Bu-Sche’

708-371-6400

www.chateaubusche.com

Cosley Zoo

630-665-5534

www.cosleyzoo.org

DoubleTree Hotel Alsip

708-371-7300

www.chicagoalsip.doubletree.com

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Naperville

630-799-5900

http://embassysuites3.hilton.com

Fountain Blue Banquets & Conference Center

847-298-3636

www.fountainblue.com

Halim Time & Glass Museum

224-714-5600

www.halimmuseum.org

The Herrington Inn & Spa

630-208-7433

www.herringtoninn.com

920-854-7666

www.hillsideofdoorcounty.com

630-505-0900

www.hiltonlislenaperville.com

847-391-6501

www.makraygolf.com

Mama Luigi’s

708-496-0900

www.mamaluigis.com

Medinah Banquets

630-458-0200

www.weddingswithus.com

Meyer’s Castle

219-865-8452

www.meyerscastle.com

Patrick C. Haley Mansion

815-726-6800

www.patrickhaleymansion.com

Riverside Receptions & Conference Center

630-232-1330

www.riversidereceptions.com

Rosemont Convention Center

847-692-2220

www.rosemont.com

Phone

Website

708-532-2100

www.bellasposaboutique.com

Phone

Website

Page

773-525-3500

www.linlydesigns.com

12, BC

Phone

Website

Page

312-532-8542

www.secondcitytrolley.com

Hillside Inn of Ephraim Hilton Lisle/Naperville Makray Memorial Golf Club

FASHION, APPAREL & ACCESSORIES Bella Sposa Boutique

HOUSEWARE Tabula Tua

TRANSPORTATION Second City Trolley

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ChicagoBrideMagazine.com

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after your wedding

Marriage Financial Checklist from Napkin Finance Everything You Need to Know About Money in 30 Seconds or Less.

Discuss Your Finances Nothing stresses a marriage more than money problems. Make sure to disclose your financial situation and lay out your assets and debts. Discuss your spending habits and how you can plan together for upcoming life events like buying a new home, starting a family and saving for retirement. Avoid Wedding Day Debt A wedding is a party, not an investment - it’s one day, over in the blink of an eye. If you put $10,000 for your wedding on a credit card with 13% APR, you’ll pay about $2,500 in interest with $300 a month in payments. What happens if one of you unexpectedly loses a job, or has an accident? Avoid these problems by staying within your means and paying cash. Designate Financial Responsibilities Once you’re married, open a joint checking account to pay expenses like rent or mortgage, groceries and insurance. If one spouse handles finances, make sure the other stays in the loop by having monthly updates about your financial situation.

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Take Advantage of Tax Benefits If one spouse makes considerably more than the other, it may be a good

idea to file separate taxes. However, filing separately could affect your tax credits, deductions, and IRA contribu-

Invest in Life Insurance Buy life insurance. Term life insurance is less expensive, and would replace your income if you die, but pays nothing once the term runs out. Permanent insurance builds value and ensures your family has the money to pay for your funeral and debts. Joint life insurance helps the surviving spouse pay off debts and expenses. Plan For Your Family’s Future Set aside specific savings for things like buying a new home, having children and college funds. ABOUT NAPKIN FINANCE Napkin Finance is a multimedia company that grew out of our own needs for a better way to learn and understand finance. We developed our platform as a quick and easy resource on everything you need to know about money in tions – so for most couples, filing jointly has more advantages. Build Your Retirement Nest-Egg If you’re both employed, aim to max out both matching 401(k) plans. If you can’t hit your limit, aim to focus on the plan with the biggest match. One of the few financial drawbacks of marriage is the cap on IRA contributions. For a Roth IRA, it’s $117,000 for a single person, and $184,000 for a married couple.

30 seconds or less. Our mission is to empower members to manage their money and understand basic financial concepts in a simple, fun and engaging way. In addition to Napkins, we have grown into a wide range of products including: Videos, NapkinPedia, NapkinGrams, and NapkinRadio. Most importantly, Napkin Finance has become a community of ideas and concepts that has empowered our readers to fully understand the complexity of personal finance.

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before your wedding

Packing Expert: Wedding Season Tips What to Pack and How To Keep Your Clothes Wrinkle Free for Your Best Friends Wedding

ast year, 49% of couples were married 200 miles or more from where they live. Many wedding parties and guests have to pack a bag for a full wedding event weekend. The trickiest part is keeping the men’s suit and ladies dress wrinkle free when it comes time for the ceremony. Andrea Graziani, CMO and Co-Founder of DUFL, of what she recommends bringing for a destination wedding traveling this summer. Tips: • Pack dresses or suits directly from the cleaners for a wrinkle-free look • Pack your heels in a separate bag to avoid wear & tear on wedding garments Some of our favorite must-haves: • Humidity resistant hairspray – we like the Kevin Murphy Session Spray • Oil blotting pads to get rid of sweat/oil build up like Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets • Oil free make-up setting spray – Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray is one of our favorites • Anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner- Pureology Super Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner is great • Bugspray • Sunscreen • Oil free moisturizers- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion goes on smooth and isn’t sticky • Opt for nicer wedges rather than heels as you don’t want to be sticking in the grass/sand • Flip flops or sandals for non-wedding activities to save your feet for dancing in heels later • Light airy dress that won’t show sweat. Stay away from silk and tulle • Light weight sherpa • Hat to keep your face out of the sun • A cute romper that can be worn as a bathing suit cover up or as a day outfit DUFL is a premium travel service- a personal valet that simplifies business travel by shipping, cleaning and storing your business attire. www.DUFL.com

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Always & Forever...

S P E C I A L I Z I NG I N TR ADI TI O NAL , N ON - T R A D I T I ONAL & E THNI C WE DDI NG S

Celebrating over 30 years of award winning service & hospitality 3003 CORPORATE WEST DRIVE, LISLE, IL 60532 | 630.245.7600

L I S L E N A P E R V I L L E . H I LT O N . C O M

Contact our wedding specialist at 630.245.7627 CHICAGO BRIDE | CHICAGOBRIDEMAGAZINE.COM