If you’re planning the event of your dreams and need a bit of extra help, then welcome! Here, you’ll find an extensive array of luxury Chicago wedding decor ideas & inspiration for couples tying the knot. And if you’re new around here, I’m Jaymi, a luxury wedding & editorial photographer based in Chicago, Illinois. I’ve had years of experience documenting the love stories of couples like you. So now that I’ve introduced myself, let’s get into the ideas & inspiration your soul has been looking for.
Rachel & Davis’ Luxury Chicago Wedding at Morgan’s on Fulton
Morgan’s on Fulton luxury Chicago wedding venue
To start us off, we’ll showcase one of my favorite luxury Chicago wedding venues! Rachel & Davis held their wedding at Morgan’s on Fulton in the heart of Fulton Market District and got ready at the illustrious Hoxton Hotel. Of course, finding the perfect venue is the first step in bringing your vision to life. So it is not a decision to take lightly by any means! Thankfully, I’m familiar with all the best luxury Chicago wedding venues, so you don’t have to spend too much time searching. Morgan’s on Fulton is an exquisite space for the modern couple, with plenty of options regarding the guest count.
Rachel’s gown
How stunning is Rachel’s Sarah Seven wedding gown? The sheer sleeves, sleek silhouette, and structured bodice perfectly suited her frame. In addition, the ruching at her shoulders gave the gown a unique touch without distracting from the rest of her ensemble. How beautiful and elegant did she look!
Cream bridesmaid dresses
Moving right along, let’s discuss her choice of bridesmaid dresses. Many brides stray from wedding party colors that may interfere with the wedding gown, but not Rachel! Instead, her bridesmaids wore simple, cream dresses that made the wedding party look clean, cohesive, and luxurious. Their nude heels were the perfect shoe choice to complement their outfits, and who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?
Florals & Decor
Now, let’s chat about florals and decor! Rachel and Davis chose to keep the decor minimal and let their choice of venue do the heavy lifting. This is one of the many benefits of selecting a Chicago wedding venue that is beautiful on its own. They decided on white and nude roses for their florals with no shortage of greenery. The bouquets were simple and compact to coordinate with the minimalistic theme, and everything matched beautifully!
Minimal ceremony
Along with the previous point about minimal decor, Rachel and Davis’ ceremony at Morgan’s on Fulton was elegant yet conservative. One of my favorite elements was the saxophone player, who contributed to the romantic ambiance of their day. Your wedding ceremony doesn’t have to be elaborate; it should reflect your love and personality as a couple!
Romantic, candlelit reception
Their candlelit reception came straight out of my dreams! This is the part of their wedding day when they tastefully went all-out. Romantic string lights lined the ceiling, and the tables had tall wax candles to set the mood. Their centerpieces matched the roses from the bouquets and ceremony decor, complete with hints of baby’s breath throughout the space.
Champagne tower
To end their luxury Chicago wedding night, Rachel & Davis had the most stunning champagne tower! Champagne towers have become increasingly popular over the years, but I never tire of them. It’s a fantastic way to kick off the night and officially celebrate your marriage!
Amanda & Chris’ Luxury Chicago Wedding at The Abbey Resort
Wedding guest color palette
Amanda & Chris knew what they were doing when they created their wedding guest color palette. Once you see their decor photos, you’ll realize that the color palette matches the florals! How lovely is that? Having suggested colors or tones for your guests can make your wedding photos coordinated and cohesive, no matter who is photographed. They chose soft tones of blue, yellow, and pink, and their guests did not disappoint in the slightest!
Lakefront Venue
Imagine your guests mingling and conversing during cocktail hour… except they’re right on the lake. Amanda & Chris chose a waterfront venue for their sunny Lake Geneva wedding, and their guests were in love! Everyone was able to roam around the lawn, enjoying each other’s company while awaiting the bride and groom. Although their venue, The Abbey Resort, is in Wisconsin, here are some waterfront luxury Chicago wedding venues:
The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown
Periwinkle alphabetical seating chart
There are many ways to design a seating chart, but this way is one of my favorites. First of all, they chose this muted shade of periwinkle (that matched the rest of their decor) with a gold framed border to tie the look together. Ivy leaves adorned the corner of the chart and lined the bottom with a few stand-alone candles! All the guests’ names were sorted in alphabetical order by last name, so there was no confusion. Not only was it aesthetically pleasing, but incredibly functional as well!
Florals & Decor
Remember when I mentioned how Amanda & Chris’ guest color palette matched their decor? They incorporated soft shades of blue, yellow, pink, and green into their venue, which was magnificent! The decor turned out very classy without feeling overdone or over-the-top. Their colors matched the venue’s theme and perfectly complemented the soft, warm evening light. The candles added a romantic feel to all the tables, even more so that they were of varying sizes and shapes.
Alyssa & Patrick’s Luxury Chicago Wedding at Artifact Events
Artifact Events luxury Chicago Wedding Venue
To view more photos from Alyssa & Patrick’s wedding, you can read their full blog post
Another one of my absolute favorite luxury Chicago wedding venues! Artifact Events is located in the historic Ravenswood neighborhood, known for being home to the infamous Lincoln Park and all the craft breweries you can imagine. You have your choice of 5 spaces within this beautiful venue, depending on how many guests are in attendance and whatnot.
Wedding party outfits
There is truly nothing more classy than timeless black wedding party outfits. Both the bridesmaids and groomsmen were dressed in all-black attire, with the ladies in mismatched gowns and the gentlemen in sleek black tuxes. The bouquets and boutonnieres were the only pops of color to accessorize their outfits, but that’s all that was needed to complete their looks!
Badge seating chart
My couples really do think outside of the box for their Chicago weddings. Alyssa & Patrick’s lovely seating chart was no exception! They had every guest’s name on these adorable little badges that, of course, coordinated with their wedding hues.
Luxury Chicago wedding florals & decor
The soft, romantic tones of their florals and decor encompassed the vision for their wedding perfectly. They had an array of flowers for the installations and centerpieces, ranging in color from cream, to peach, to lavender. The tables were lined with the most delicious bunches of chiffon, cascading into the florals with the likeness of a waterfall. The wax candles were held by elegant, vintage-looking gold candleholders that complemented the rustic theme of their venue. The florists of Bird and Bumble truly outdid themselves!
Sarah & Micah’s Luxury Microwedding
Sarah’s bridal look
Sarah’s white tulle applique gown with bell sleeves and crystal embellishments was, dare I say, one of the most alluring gowns I’d ever seen. Her dainty floral earrings and single-pearl necklace were the perfect accessories for such a statement dress. You can’t tell me her look wasn’t an absolute showstopper!
Gown sourced from: EPHEMERL
Luxury Chicago wedding florals & decor
Sarah & Micah’s florals from Reed & Rye were heavily focused on greenery and light, creamy colors. The imperfection of their florals is precisely what made them so perfect; they looked effortless without looking unkempt. Your wedding doesn’t have to look perfect to look luxurious by any means, and their microwedding is living proof of that! They chose to have small bunches of flowers & greenery along their ceremony aisle instead of more traditional decor. Their centerpieces had a similar style, with just one per table looking like they came straight out of the garden! The table flatware was a delicious creamy shade of beige with natural, woven placemats underneath.
The outfit change
We have our first outfit change among us! Sarah swapped out her long gossamer gown with a short, vintage dress with a pair of white, chunky heels. If you are contemplating doing an outfit change for your luxury Chicago wedding, my vote is always yes! It will add so much more variety to your precious photos… plus, it’s easier to dance the night away in something a little more comfortable.
Caitlynn & Jerimiah’s Luxury Microwedding
Caitlynn’s bridal look
It’s been months, and I am still not over Caitlynn & Jerimiah’s luxury microwedding. We’ll start with Caitlynn’s sleek and elegant bridal look; she was absolutely glowing for her big day. She chose a satin v-neck floor-length New White Bridal gown that fit her like a dream. I love how she wore a simple gown but added a more dramatic touch with her Jane Rhyan ruffled veil! This is a fantastic way to add an element of uniqueness to your bridal look.
Luxury Chicago wedding florals & decor
You can never go wrong with all-white florals. Can you tell how keen I am on simplicity? There’s just something about a white color palette that makes the artist in me so joyful. The florists of Creative Light Design did a spectacular job designing arrangements that complemented their venue, JTH Tucson, without question! They had their simple flowers in mismatched white vases and free-standing bunches around their ceremony space. And a lovely shout out to Fawn Events for planning & coordinating their special day without a hitch!
The outfit change
Caitlynn’s outfit change gave her two completely different, yet complimentary, looks for her luxury microwedding. Another one-of-a-kind vintage piece with lace applique, puffy elbow sleeves, and an ankle-length skirt. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your second bridal look and find inspiration at local vintage and consignment stores. You never know what you’ll find!
Chicago Luxury Wedding Flat Lay + Tablescape Ideas
Lastly, I wanted to showcase a collection of flat-lay and tablescape ideas for couples needing inspiration. For your flat-lay photos, utilize items such as your jewelry, invitations, florals, fragrance bottles, and any other little details you could think of. You’d be delighted to see what magic your photographer can create with just a few personal items. Likewise, investing in high-end, themed stationery will not only elevate your photos but elevate your guests’ experience as well.
Luxury Chicago Wedding Decor Ideas & Inspiration
I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this collection of luxury Chicago wedding ideas & inspiration! To have a more expansive view of my work, you can browse through Lily & Joe’s modern Chicago wedding blog. When you’re ready to get in touch with me, you can fill out my inquiry form and I will promptly be in contact. I can’t wait to hear your story and bring your dream to life.