2019: Year In Review -

2019: What an exciting year for Preoccupied Bride! I was fortunate to celebrate seven great couples, participate in three styled shoots, including the ChicagoStyle Weddings’ Designers Challenge, and get quoted in multiple media outlets.

I am excited to share my 2019 Year in Review with you.

Weddings

I started 2019 with the awesome Purvi & Atit and their two-day event. Day one took place at the Sheraton Suites in Elk Grove Village where the couple had their Hindu ceremony and Garba in an outdoor tent. Their reception included food stations, a live band and dance performances by the couple’s families. Day two took place at the Adler Planetarium, where the couple had a traditional American reception of dinner, speeches and dancing.

Ove July 4th weekend, my husband and I coordinated an intimate, DIY wedding for Katie & Erik at the Evanston Ecology Center. Two of our favorite highlights were their delicious taco buffet from Big Star and games, like bocci ball, in the outdoor area. A month and a half later, we did Kavya & Jash’s Knanaya wedding in Orland Park at Georgios Banquets. One of our favorite elements was the live feed provided to the 500-guest wedding, so guests had a great view of the wedding events wherever they were sitting.

September included a wedding in Chicago and one close to Evanston in the neighboring town of Wilmette. Emma & Ryan’s wedding in Chicago took place at The Joinery. The ceremony was sweet and extra special as the couple’s friend married them. Their cocktail style reception included food stations and dancing all night long. (Click here for more details.)

Two weeks later, Jess & Mark’s DIY wedding included a ceremony on Gillson Beach and their reception steps away at the Wilmette Park District’s Lakeview Center. The couple’s cookie display and creative photo booth were some of our favorite highlights. (Click here for more details.)

In October, my team and I coordinated our largest wedding to date—650 guests! Christina & Alex’s Indian Christian Orthodox ceremony took place at the groom’s home church in Elmhurst and their reception at Carlisle Banquets. One of our favorite parts of the wedding was the wedding party created not one, but two surprise videos for the couple that played during the wedding party entrances into the reception.

The season ended with Kelly & Ryan’s gorgeous winter wedding at The Drake. The couple braved the cold for their wedding party pictures between the ceremony and reception by heading to Olive Park and a few other locations in the city. Some of our favorite parts of their wedding included Drake’s famous champagne parade and a surprise groom’s cake by the bride. The wedding went seamlessly and was a perfect end to the wedding season. (Click here for more details.)

Styled Shoots

I had the privilege of participating in three styled shoots this year. The first one was for ChicagoStyle Weddings’ Designers Challenge. I was one of four planners to partake in the competition. I organized my shoot at Pinstripes Northbrook and created a lemon-inspired design, Fresh Rustic Romance. You can cast your vote every day through July so don’t forget to choose your favorite design.

The second shoot I organized was at the Q Center in St. Charles. The South Asian, peacock-inspired design included natural and rustic elements as well as a beautiful horse for a groom’s baraat ceremony!

The third shoot I participated in was at Farmington Lake in Mokena. I styled this boho chic shoot that had a color palette of greens, blushes and pinks. There were three awesome couples and one rockstar bride posing for wedding, engagement and bridal portraits.

Media

Preoccupied Bride was honored to be featured in several media outlets this year, but some of my favorites included:

ChicagoStyle Weddings: Styled Shoot Romantic Boho Chic

EventPlanner.com: Maya Tarach Preoccupied Bride

The Celebration Society: Peacock Wedding Shoot

ChicagoStyle Weddings: Fresh Rustic Romance

Chi the Wed: Amy & Jeff’s Downtown Evanston Outdoor Wedding

Thank You

Before 2020 begins, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported Preoccupied Bride. From my amazing couples who have trusted me to alleviate the inevitable stress that comes with wedding planning to all the new and acquainted professional vendors I’ve had the pleasure of working with, I am thankful to be a part of an exciting and ever changing industry that embraces creativity and new ideas.

To my fellow wedding planners who are about community over competition, it’s wonderful to work with other professional planners who understand the triumphs and tribulations of doing what we do. I look forward to many more collaborations and conversations to further improve our services to our clients.

Last, but never least, to my husband Andrew. He’s my biggest supporter and goes above and beyond to help me in every way he can in my business and in our home. He’s the best person I know, and I wouldn’t be where I am without him.