• Posted in: My Fave

The team at Naturally Yours Events had a busy and exciting year, planning over sixty events, celebrating team engagements and expanding the wedding expo, Wedtoberfest, nationally! Every year we love reminiscing about our clients and couples who make us love what we do! Take a look back with us as we prepare for many more great events in 2019!

Wedtoberfest Styled Shoot for IndieWed Lounge at Ravenswood Event Center

Photo by Ryan Moore Photography

Wisconsin Wedding at Big Foot Country Club, Billy and Kate

Photo by Couple of Dudes

Wedding at Loft on Lake, Kerry and Bill

Photo by REM Photography

Destination Wedding in Iceland at Iðnó, Ceremony at Hallgrimskirkja, Irene and David

Photo by Caroline Ghetes Photography

KHK Foundation Fundraising Gala at White Eagle Banquets

Photo by Friend of KHK Foundation

Erickson Business Coach Event at Loft Lucia

Photo by Ingrid Bonne Photography

Wedding at Intercontinental Hotel, Sara and Ryan

Photo by Noelle Adams Photography

Wedding at Cafe Brauer, Megan and James

Photo by Ed & Aileen Photography

Wedding at Greenhouse Loft, Shira and Marty

Photo by Laurel + Prairie Photography

Wedding at Row 24, Summer and Craig

Photo by Mari Trancoso Photography

Wedding at Morgan Manufacturing, Lily and Cameron

Photo by Mark Trela Photography

Wedding at Chicago Cultural Center, Charlotte and Abhit

Photo by Sam Hurd Photography

Wedding at Greenhouse Loft, Jade and Andy

Photo by AJ Fotography

Wedding at Renaissance Schaumburg, Ceremony at Holy Family, Michelle and Nick

Photo by Shauna Veasey Photography

Wedding at Lacuna Lofts, Elizabeth and Tory

Photo by i Luv Photo

Wedding at Ovation, Vanja and Chris

Photo by Jennifer Shaffer Photography

Michigan Wedding at Acorn Theater, Ceremony at Jean Klock Beach, Betsy and Anthony

Photo by 430 Studios

Wedding at The Joinery, Jackie and Keith

Photo by Ed & Aileen Photography

Wedding at Independence Grove, Yen and Mark

Photo by Sprung Photo

Wedding at Ravenswood Event Center, Ceremony at St. Benedict’s, Melanie and Kevin

Photo by Redwall Photo

Wedding at The Joinery, Kelsey and Karl

Photo by George Street Photography

Wedding at Artifact Events, Ceremony at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic, Carolyn and Jimmy

Photo by Dabble Me This

Wedding at Room 1520, Liz and Aaron

Photo by Thistle and Twine

Wedding at Lacuna Lofts, Stacey and Chris

Photo by Uttke Photography

Wedding at Marriott Lincolnshire, Tanya and Saumil

Photo by i Luv Photo

Wedding at Ivy Room, Ceremony at Loyola University Chapel, Karie and Ryan

Photo by Brooke Alaina Photography

Wedding at Garfield Park Conservatory, Deidrea and Will

Photo by Allison Williams Photography

Wedding at Firehouse Chicago

Photo by Cling & Peck

Wedding at The Quadrangle Club, Ceremony at Rockefeller Chapel, Michael and Milkie

Photo by Juancho SC Photography

Wisconsin Wedding at The Barn at Back Acres, Emily and Brad

Photo by Cattura Weddings

Wedding at Catalyst Ranch, Kathryn and Marc

Photo by Studio Finch

Wedding at Lacuna Lofts, Ceremony at St. James Chapel, Patrick and Liz

Photo by Loren Weddings

Wedding at Stratford on the Park, Ceremony at St. Michael’s in Old Town, Joanne and Nathan

Photo by No Hidden Path Photography

Wedding at 19 East, Stephanie and Donald

Photo by Peter Gubernat Photography

Wedding at Kiwanis Park, Jamie and Pete

Photo by Ryan Moore Photography

Wedding at Greenhouse Loft, Kari and Greg

Photo by Brooke Alaina Photography

Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Photo by Steve Scap Photography

Wedding at Ignite Glass Studio, Kelsey and Chris

Photo by Micah Sedmak Photography

Wedding at Loft Lucia, Elizabeth and Alex

Photo by Timothy Whaley & Associates

Wedding at Camp Wandawega, Mary Kate and Ben

Photo by Anda Marie Photography

Wedding at Zia’s Lago Vista, Ceremony at Lincoln Park Gardens, Amy and Drew

Photo by Cage + Aquarium

Wedding at Thalia Hall, Laura and Aaron

Photo by Studio Finch

Wedding at Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, Lauren and Sagar

Photo by Elizabeth Jane Photography

Wedding at The Rookery, Jessica and Andrew

Photo by Ingrid Bonne Photography

Wedding at Loft on Lake, Jillian and David

Photo by Blake Jackson Photography

Wedding at Zhou B Art Center, Jennifer and Matt

Photo by Cage + Aquarium

Chicago Wedtoberfest: Wedding Expo at Artifact Events

Photo by Ingrid Bonne Photography

Michigan Wedding at Mill Creek Barn, Michelle and Antonio

Photo by This is Feeling

Wedding at Columbus Park Refectory, Meghan and Chandler

Photo by Emily Williams Photography

Wedding at The Joinery, Rani and Jason

Photo by Ed and Aileen Photography

Wedding at Kitchen Chicago, Tiffany and Laura

Photo by The Still Life Photography

Emily’s Bat Mitzvah at Chevy Chase Country Club

Photo by Naomi Epstein Photography

Minneapolis Wedtoberfest: Wedding Expo at The Lumber Exchange

Photo by Mark Fierst Photography

Wedding at Germania Place, Ceremony at St. James Chapel, Tiffany and David

Photo by Cage + Aquarium

Wedding at Greenhouse Loft, Lena and John

Photo by This is Feeling

Wedding at Ovation, Jamie and Vytas

Photo by Henington Photography

Wedding at Low Res Studios, Leah and Sean

Photo by Artisan Events

Wedding at The Joinery, Andrew and Emily

Photo by Anna Zajac Photography

Elena’s Bat Mitzvah at City Winery

Photo by Ingrid Bonne Photography

Wedding at Byron Colby Barn, Tiziana and Tony

Photo by Alyssia Evans

Cheers to all the clients and vendors we worked with this past year. Thanks to you we earned The Knot Best of Weddings 2019 award! We are honored to be a top wedding planner in Chicago and look forward to planning more wonderful events in 2019! Happy New Year everyone!

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• Posted in: Client Wedding

When we asked TJ and Gina what their hobbies are, they responded with “nerding out”! After meeting through OKCupid they bonded over their mutual interest in Harry Potter and decided to carry the theme into their wedding. The venue of The Library set the scene perfectly for these two bookworms and their day was filled with personalized, magical details all captured by Aubrey Jane.

The bride’s bouquet featured a mix of real and paper flowers made from the pages of Harry Potter novels and the groom sported a yellow bowtie with his house’s (Hufflepuff) details. The wedding party was all coordinated in the colors of Hogwarts houses – yellow, red, blue, and green accented with silver and black.

TJ and Gina lovingly exchanged vows under a woodsy Chuppah with a Hogwarts flag backdrop. The ceremony blended the couple’s backgrounds with both Catholic and Hebrew blessings – plus some readings from the good book of Harry Potter and a goblet of fire unity ceremony! 

Guests felt like they stepped right into Hogwarts with all the magical elements incorporated into the couple’s reception – from the ‘Three Broomsticks’ sign above the bar, to the Owl Post card box, to the individual wand favors which doubled as escort cards. Dinner tables were named after chapters from the books and adorned with potion bottles and book pages.

“After all this time?”… “Always” said Snape.

Butter Beer cupcakes? Yes, please!

The Magical Vendor Team

Planner: Naturally Yours Events
Venue: The Library at Lasalle
DJ: Birds & B-Sides
Photographer: Aubrey Jane
Floral: Flowers for Dreams
Caterer: Inspiration Kitchens
Bar Staffing: Drinks on Me
Bakery: The Drunk Baker
Hair Stylist: Solo Salon
Makeup Artist: Ryan Alexander
Bridal Dress: Bombshell Bridal
Bridesmaids Attire: Brideside
Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Menguin

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• Posted in: Client Wedding

After ten years of marriage, Patricia and Fidencio celebrated their vow renewal surrounded by loving family and an abundance of fun! Originally married at City Hall, they fulfilled their desire of having a Catholic ceremony which took place at St. Francis of Assisi. Patricia and Fidencio enlisted the help of Naturally Yours Events to bring an elegant flair to their fiesta-inspired wedding at Catalyst Ranch. The cocktail style reception with their favorite Mexican dishes, bright florals and personal family touches created the perfect party atmosphere. See all the colorful details Cage and Aquarium beautifully captured from their day below.

It was important that Patricia and Fidencio’s children were an integral part of their wedding so they all served as bridesmaids, flower girls and ring bearer. During the ceremony, Patricia surprised her husband with a special performance by a Mariachi band!

The space at Catalyst Ranch fit the cocktail, fiesta theme with the venue’s eclectic furniture and bright color palette. It complimented the beautiful florals provided by Flowers By Stem and custom papel picados hanging from the ceiling.

Guests were greeted with margarita push pops and tasty cups of ensalada de fruta con chile – yum!

Salud to another 10 years Patricia and Fidencio! We had so much fun celebrating with you.

Thank you to all the vendors involved!

Planning: Naturally Yours Events, Lead Planner – Carlene Smith
Photographer: Cage and Aquarium
Church: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Catalyst Ranch
Florist: Flowers By Stem
Caterer: Catering By Michael’s
Cake: Bittersweet Bakery
Live Cocktail Band: Trio Mexico
DJ: Cage and Aquarium
Hair & Makeup: Deco Adamo
Transportation: M&M Limousine

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• Posted in: Helpful Tips

Congratulations on your engagement! You’re ready for the wedding planning to begin but aren’t quite prepared for the amount of questions family and friends are going to bring up over the holidays about your big day. On the other hand, perhaps you and your significant other haven’t taken the next step with an engagement and you’re prepping to field all the “When are you finally going to get married?” questions. [Don’t worry – proposal season begins with Thanksgiving so the ‘pop’ may be just around the corner, *wink wink*]. Either way you may not be able to avoid these conversations but you can learn how to navigate them in the best way possible.

First, have some answers ready to go. Before any family gatherings, discuss with your partner how you want to approach certain topics when they are brought up. Family will be excited to hear what your plans are but if you have short, prepared answers then you can keep their stream of questioning at bay.

It’s okay to not give or have all the answers. Sometimes family doesn’t need to know everything. If you have set a date or time of year for the wedding, are you sharing it with people at this time? If you haven’t booked some important pieces like venue, then it might be best to keep it to yourself before putting a date out there. Your aunt may start interrogating you asking if you’ve thought of X, Y, or Z, but if you just got engaged you obviously won’t have every aspect planned yet. Thank her for her input and say those are all great things to consider, then move on. There’s no need to get overwhelmed by not having an answer to every question.

Stand your ground. When relatives can’t stop themselves from inserting their opinions on things you’ve already decided on, gently explain why these choices are important to you and your partner. For instance, you have a lot of kids in your family but want an adult only reception or you’re choosing a venue that only allows for an intimate crowd. You can approach these subjects without turning into a brides/grooms – zilla and your relatives will appreciate the explanation of why these decisions are meaningful to you.

Know when to change the subject. When you are engaged and wedding planning, people tend to act like that’s the only thing you have going on in your life but that’s certainly not the case. Chat about your new promotion at work, the trip you just took, the new tv show you’re obsessed with or you can turn the conversation towards them and ask about new happenings in their lives.

Remember to have fun! Wedding planning is exciting and it’s fun to figure out your vision, then see it come to life. Unfortunately, one big stressor can be family conversations. Take a step back every once and awhile to keep in mind that you are marrying the love of your life which is the most important part. Need help along the way? Working with an experienced coordinator or wedding planner can relieve tons of the stress that can come with wedding planning. Contact Naturally Yours Events to get started!

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• Posted in: Helpful Tips

Live music versus recorded, instruments versus machines, band versus DJ. Which is the right fit for your wedding? We are here to provide helpful insight into choosing the best entertainment for your party!

First, we recommend laying out your priorities of the day. Your priorities help guide your style and vision. If you and your fiancé want an atmosphere that’s conducive to conversation and catching up with old friends from out of town, then a 13-piece band probably isn’t the right fit. However, if your family likes to boogie and all your college friends never leave the dance floor, then you can book that uninterrupted flow of music spinning off a DJ’s fingers or that high energy big band to keep the party dancing! Your priorities for the day will help set you on the right path.

Photo by: Steve Scap Photography  Band: Expo ’76

Second, consult with the big B…Budget. Quality DJs in the city of Chicago can be pricey, but a DJ hired for a full-day will usually be 50-80% more affordable than a live band. Obviously, the prices of live music varies dramatically based upon the number of hours booked, how many musicians, and experience. Budget will play a large role in influencing your decision, so consult this before beginning your musical search.

Photo by: Cage & Aquarium  DJ: Cage & Aquarium

Third, your venue will play a role in your musical choice. Important things to consider are the room capacity, the acoustics, the floor plan, noise restrictions or city ordinances, and access to electricity. If your venue is nestled in a neighborhood, it is likely going to have noise restrictions on decibels and/or how late the amplified music can play. Know your venue before booking this vendor.

Photo by: Mark Trela Photography

Lastly, if you can’t decide, have both! Consider a live string quartet for ceremony and cocktail hour, then switching to a DJ for dinner and dancing. Or have a trio for ceremony, 5-piece for cocktail and dinner, move up to an 8-piece for the start of open dance floor and end the last hour of die hard dancing with recorded music! All live bands require breaks- it’s hard work belting out those tunes for 45 minutes straight. To avoid silence during these 10-15 minute breaks, the band will put on recorded music- they have the capabilities to do both. A DJ on the other hand- can’t stop/won’t stop until the lights come up! Whether one, two, or three+ hours of open dance floor- your DJ is always mixing. Plus there are some DJs that offer you to book a live drummer to play along side them- best of both worlds is always an option!

Photo by: Ann & Kam Photography   Musicians: Fretless Music

Need recommendations for Musical entertainment at your wedding? Just ask!

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