Debi Lilly and I recently reunited for some photo play centered around her immaculate vision and execution of aesthetic.

Brittany and Sophie have been in love for more than a decade. They are the ultimate dynamic duo— perennially co-creative, humorous, and darling.

Allison and Patrick got married in 2016 in their home city of Chicago. For their anniversary session, the distinctive architecture of Michigan Avenue paired with glitzy gold embellishments on Allison’s dress got the vibe just right for celebration.

Brett & Kellen! These two are such gentlemen, and to witness their wedding was to witness such powerful love— not just the love they have for each other, but also how wholeheartedly adored they are by their family and friends. After 27 months of planning, these they finally got to celebrate their marriage with their favorite people in their favorite city: Chicago.

When it comes to wedding day hair, I’m a shameless advocate for the updo. Styled hair down can be gorgeous, of course, but it comes with a host of factors that can complicate the wedding day. On the other hand, I find an updo to be, in general, an ideal option, for a few reasons.

Louise and Chas met and began their lives together in Chicago, so it only felt right to return to the city where they found each other for their wedding, even after they’d moved to the East Coast. They planned a spring celebration at Garfield Park Conservatory, making florals and plant life the theme du jour. The way all of their aesthetic elements weaved together resulted in a wedding day that felt like a nineteenth-century novel in its organic romance.

Anu & Chris’ wedding was small in attendance, but huge in heart. With just four guests in-person, they said their vows at one of the most serene spots in the heart of Chicago: the edge of Lincoln Park’s Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. They were joined by more than 60 friends and family members from all over the U.S., Switzerland, and India via Zoom.

My all-time favorite wedding emcee is this absolute pro named Dave Kennedy. He’s a class act, and he likes to mix in the Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole duet “Unforgettable” into his dance-floor mix. It’s just a fantastic song: classic and unexpected, happy and romantic. And it’s also what everybody hopes their wedding day will be, not just for them, but for all their favorite people, too— unforgettable. From my experience, here are ten things that will unequivocally heighten the experience of your wedding day.

Do you want to know a little wedding day detail that can easily be overlooked? Floral logistics.

Katherine and Elliot met on the shores of the same water over which they said their marriage vows. Elliot signed up for sailing lessons, not knowing that his instructor would one day be his wife— and co-owner of their sail boat. Since Lake Michigan and nautical life are a centerpoint to their lives, Columbia Yacht Club was a natural choice for their venue.