The Inevitable Photobooth

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There are certain wedding trends that I cannot imagine living without at our wedding. I suppose that was a bit on the dramatic side but I simply MUST have a photobooth for our guests. I love the vintage look and feel of the photobooth. It is a guaranteed hit for our guests. Plus, we can create (or have our guests create) a guestbook with one half of the strip and a favor with the other (ala Mrs. Cupcake).

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I was lucky enough to find a great vendor in Chicago who is currently running a special upon reservation. The booth comes with an operator in case guests have any questions and can hopefully also help with the production of the guest book (all we need is a glue stick and metallic pen).

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I've been debating the idea of creating some spectacular backdrop to post in the booth but I'm leaning towards the traditional b & w look. I think the pictures will be a nice contrast to an all black album.

Have you been considering a photobooth? Are you adding any unique twists to make the traditional photo strips more custom?

A Rehearsal Fiesta

I want our rehearsal dinner to be fun and kitschy yet chic. When we first started considering different restaurants in Chicago, I knew that I did not want the typical rehearsal dinner at a family style restaurant with limited personality. M and I are both HUGE fans of Mexican food so I got the idea of throwing a fiesta style rehearsal dinner. After all, who doesn't enjoy margaritas?

We finally landed on Zapatista in the South Loop. The restaurant has a fantastic party room which can accommodate our rather large guest list (upward of 100 peeps) and while the meal will be family style, it is sure to be anything but bland. Plus there is all you can drink sangria, cerveza, and margaritas.

Now I'm gathering photos of fiesta table settings. I love these lanterns.

And gathering inspiration from the 'bee's Mrs. Lemonade who had a fabulous rehearsal fiesta herself.

Mariachi Band, anyone?

What are your rehearsal dinner plans?

A Sweet Favor

I've been back and forth on favors since we started planning the wedding. Every favor that I have ever gotten has seemed almost silly, therefore I had initially decided against them. But after oogling many a cute DIY idea on all of my favorites blogs, I begin to waver in my "steadfast" determination against them.

I started with the plantable favor idea. I loved the thought of giving our guests something lasting and pretty. A couple of tulip bulbs could be tied up in a pretty satchel and presented to each guest at the table. But then I began to worry about how many would go to waste...would our guests really find the favors useful or would they be tossed away due to the extra work it would take to plant them?

And then...I saw these from Miss Apple Cider

How sweet would they look in a brown bakery box with a red/white string bow tied on them. I think it is even DIY-able for me (a non-DIYer at heart) and I'm quite sure my mom would help me bake multiple brownie batches before the wedding. All I need now is a heart shaped cookie cutter.

Love Is Sweet.

You Are My Sunshine

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I adore a good "sun glare" wedding picture. I think there is something so ethereal with the way the light bursts between a couple as they look adoringly at each other. I'll have to tuck this away for my inspiration file.