Day in the field

Courtesy of Botanicals

With over 150 events every year, the Field Museum knows how to throw a party, and weddings are no exception. Brides and grooms have a choice of over eight different spaces - the most popular being Stanley Hall, the museum's marble-clad main area, where Sue, the world's largest and most complete T-Rex, will add a little prehistoric pizzazz to your wedding decor.

No stranger to the unusual, the Field Museum has played host to a variety of unique weddings, including a Star Wars-themed ceremony, complete with the bride dressed as Princess Leia and escorted by a company of stormtroopers. If you're in the mood for something a little less expansive than Stanley Hall, which holds 1,500 guests for dinner, then look into one of the museum's exhibition halls. The Director of Special Events recently raved about a small wedding reception held in Rice Hall, the location of the Serengeti exhibit and the mammals of Africa. With a jazz ensemble and a cluster of tables, it provided the perfect atmosphere for the more personal gathering. - Stephanie Sutter

Dynamic duo

Courtesy of Pen Carlson Photography

Patience is a virtue. It's also a professional asset. Just ask the husband and wife duo behind Pen Carlson Photography. Working more as documentarians, the two photographers don't stage the right moment, they wait for it. And we're assuming if one of them doesn't catch that special shot, the other one will. And it seems like there ought to be some good karma attached to supporting another couple on your special day, don't you think? Both Kiri (whose maiden name is Pen) and her husband Brett (whose last name is Carlson) have a background in the arts and once called photography a hobby. Then they photographed a friend's intimate 20-guest wedding some seven years ago and, as they say, the rest is history. Now the couple limits its wedding roster to ensure it can provide personalized service, which starts well before your wedding day. Just check out the website's engagement photos, some of which appear to be shot at a meaningful location (outside your apartment, for example) instead of in a nondescript studio.

Desserts with attitude

Courtesy of Ugly Truffles

Don't let the name fool you. We found these chocolates, known as Ugly Truffles from Chicago's Chocolate Gourmet, to be quite appetizing and presentable in their hand-rolled natural form. Chocolates don't need to be perfectly shaped to meet our approval and we think their imperfections make them seem that much more homemade. If nothing else, the assortment of cleverly named chocolates, such as homely hazelnut and morning after merlot, could provide a nice conversation piece for out-of-town guests or as parting gifts to your wedding guests. And if chocolates aren't your thing (they may not for an outdoor summer wedding favor) Chocolate Gourmet also produces Damn Good Cookies which includes the yummy chubby wubby chocolate mini sandwich cookie and a rockabye raspberry sugar cookie with homemade raspberry preserves. The New York Times called them 'cookies with a bit of swagger.' Their creator Mary Winslow also makes a mean wedding cake through her original Windy City business Take the Cake.

Simply satisfying

Courtesy of Simply It

Here's something unexpected to look forward to-your rehearsal dinner. I had such a fabulous time I could have stayed all night. Maybe it was the fact that basically all the planning was finished, that our two families (who had previously never met!) hit it off, or that I was surrounded by all my favorite people. No matter, it was an evening to remember. And had this Lincoln Park restaurant named Simply It been around, we would have booked it immediately. It's one the tastiest, warmest Vietnamese restaurants we've been to in the city. And given that my husband and his family are Vietnamese, it would have been the perfect spot. Its owner, Tuan Nguyen, formerly of Pasteur, goes out of his way to greet regulars and make sure his diners' needs are met. He need not worry because all our meals have been spot on. (Make sure to try the Lemongrass Beef appetizer; it's one of our favorites!) Also check metromix.com for rave reviews and know that Simply It offers catering services if you're so inspired..

Hold the ketchup

Courtesy of J&L Catering

Sometimes the least elegant moments of a wedding are the most fun. That's why we like one wedding trend Chicago's J&L Catering has spotted-the midnight snack. More and more brides are requesting fun (and not so fancy) late night bites, the company says. We're talking mini-burgers, hot dogs and deep-dish pizza slices (very Chicago, don't you think?) Anyway, we're all for pumping some personality into your menu, be it requesting dishes with sentimental value, as in what you ate on your first date, the day you got engaged or maybe what your parents enjoyed on their wedding day. And J&L Catering likes to go in that direction, finding out about the bride and groom and their culinary likes and dislikes as well as any meaningful meals prior to creating a personalized menu. Often times, the caterers said, some soon-to-be newlyweds get caught up in trying to please everyone when the best recipe for success is just pleasing themselves.

Luxe letters

Courtesy of Elizabeth Grace

We love invitations with a little extra flair. Who doesn't? So it comes as no surprise that we felt compelled to share our latest find-Chicago's Elizabeth Grace. Its owner Laura recently worked with bride (planning a Venetian themed wedding) to craft a 'Save the Date' note featuring a Venetian mask embellished with a tiny crystal and create a wedding invitation in the form of a fancy scroll tied with a silk ribbon that arrived in a gold and white patterned box. (We should mention the bride arrived to her wedding in a gondola-not an easy feat in Chicago.) Right now, Laura is custom lining envelopes in gold silk shantung for an elaborate wedding invitation adorned with gold engraving and Swarovski crystals. Not all clients have such involved requests (or budgets), but if they do she can deliver. Elizabeth Grace specializes in both custom invitations and those involving stationery from William Arthur, Louella Press and Dauphine Press, just to name a few.

Enlist an expert

Courtesy of Lazaro

When trying on wedding gowns, why not seek an expert opinion? And who better to discuss the finer details, as well as fit and flair of a wedding gown than the designer himself. If you agree, you may want to visit Macy's on State Street in Chicago next month when Lazaro, the man behind the brand bearing his name, will be in town for three trunk shows, Aug. 1 through 3.

Priding himself on the ability to design for any bride, Lazaro crafts styles ranging from simple, sleek, slender silhouettes to extravagant ball gowns. The designer will be on hand to show his bridal and bridesmaid collection with buyers receiving 10 percent off. Appointments are suggested for the trunk shows set for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3. Call 312-781-3545 to reserve your space.

Get that glow

Photo by William Huber

So it seems that more of us are getting married later in life (by that we mean past age 25). That's not a bad thing. We figure it often works in our favor. Less drama, fewer oats left un-sewn and less immaturity in general. But, then again, getting married in your 30s, for example, can present its own challenges.

Maybe your skin lacks a little bit of that youthful glow or you're starting to notice a few fine lines. Well, one trip to The Spa at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago can get you photo-ready in no time. We can personally vouch for the Ultimate Kate facial which gave us a noticeable radiance three days and counting. We're not sure whether it was the oxygen treatment or the light therapy, but something worked its magic and as our skins ages we're open to a little hocus-pocus. Particularly impressive was the lack of redness upon exiting. Brides-to-be feeling extra indulgent may wish to investigate the purifying diamonds massage, which involves oils infused with the precious gems, or the Royal Lulur Ritual, a 120-minute massage, scrub and hydrotherapy service, based on a traditional Indonesian wedding ritual.

Service with a smile

Courtesy of Elegant Motoring

I never took a limo to prom (and didn't care). In fact, my junior year prom date drove a van (to my parents chagrin). Your wedding day, however, is a different story. If you wish to arrive in style, consider Elegant Motoring. Its owner Tom, with 10 years in the chauffer business, can call upon any of his eight classic cars, including a Rolls Royce or two (although stretch limos and other more modern vehicles are available upon request). The Rolls, we should mention, is extra roomy, which becomes an important feature when exiting in big dress. All vehicles are equipped with the traditional 'Just Married' sign, which can be displayed as desired. And whereas some brides and grooms pay their own way, others enjoy the trip as a wedding gift from a generous guest. Elegant Motoring has even been known to pick up grandparents and a family pet or two. You wouldn't want Fido to miss out on the action!

Give me a break

Courtesy of mySpa

Sometimes you just need to get away. Get away from your cell phone, your computer, your to-do lists, your soon-to-be in-laws. And mySpa, a hidden sanctuary in Chicago's Fairmont Hotel, has just the trick to get you back to your beautiful, balanced bride-to-be self. Called the AromaHarmony massage, this signature (and personalized) service is based on the art of chakra balancing and involves choosing among seven aromatic oil blends to tap into and balance your body's inner energy. I can attest to the de-stressing powers of the Nirvana service (how could I resist?) a gentle exfoliation and massage treatment. Afterward I was indifferent to the traffic jam of my ride home (in which I encountered two car accidents and one road closure) and felt quite cheery and Zen-like with my two energetic, boisterous boys all evening. Needless to say, I was impressed! If you want to bring your husband-to-be along, book a mySuite service set in a duet treatment suite featuring a two-person infinity soaking tub that fills from above.