SouthWind Events

Elevated vibes, sophisticated moments, and a whole lot of fun! Who says you can’t have both elegance and a great time? Let’s make your big day unforgettable—classy, chic, and full of joy! 'Til the next toast 🥂 . . . #southwindevents #weddingplanner #chicagoweddings #chicagoweddingplanner #weddingfun #weddinginspo #chicagoweddinginspo #chicagowedding #chicago #weddingplanning #wedding #ido

This is what we’re seeing for wedding trends in 2025! Sustainable weddings: Eco-conscious couples are embracing sustainability with recycled decor, seasonal florals, and organic materials, all while throwing a beautiful, environmentally-friendly celebration. Fashion-forward bridal outfits: Brides are saying goodbye to traditional gowns and hello to chic, non-traditional bridal attire. Think tailored suits, statement colors, and avant-garde designs that break all the rules. Floral wedding dresses: Floral wedding dresses are blooming! Couples are opting for colorful, whimsical designs that subtly incorporate blooms, adding a fresh twist to the classic white dress. Unique wedding themes: Break from tradition with personalized themes that reflect your love story. Whether it's a travel-inspired wedding or a vintage vibe, couples are showing off their creativity and individuality with unique ideas. Different cakes + treats: Why settle for traditional when you can have a watermelon decorated wedding cake or tiered cheese wheels? Couples are taking their wedding cakes to the next level with fruit, cheese, and other quirky and trendy twists. Serpentine & curved tables: Forget straight lines! Couples are opting for serpentine, caterpillar, and curved tables to add a whimsical, modern touch to their wedding receptions, creating flowing and dynamic seating arrangements. What trend are you loving most for 2025? Let us know in the comments! . . . #2025weddingtrends #2025wedding #2025bride #isaidyes #2025groom #weddinginspo #weddingplanning #chicagoweddings #weddingplannerchicago #chicagoweddingplanner #southwindevents #chicago

This is what happens when you have a planning team who is willing to take care of any and everything so you can soak up every moment of your wedding day! We handle it all so you can relax, celebrate, and focus on what matters most.

Planning a wedding is a beautiful journey, but remember to take a beat and prioritize you. Wedding prep can wait! First, give yourself time to destress, re-center, and recharge. When you feel balanced, everything else falls into place so much easier.

Mahlet & Heath’s wedding was filled with her Ethiopian culture, endless smiles, laughter, and pure joy from start to finish! The stunning bride, @justonegursha, radiated beauty and love, making the day even more magical. Huge thanks to @visi_studio for capturing every heartfelt moment so perfectly! Wedding Gown: @winniecouture Gown Alterations: @arthurandlucca Groom's Tuxedo: @lorenspratt Planning & Coordination: @southwind.events Photography & Videography: @visi_studio MUA: @makeupbycapri_ & @laurenlashayebeauty

Thank you to everyone who sent us sweet messages about our rebrand and website! We appreciate your love and support so much, and we will be forever grateful for your excitement over this new chapter in SouthWind Events! If you haven’t seen the website yet, we would love for you to take a peek at it over at southwindevents.com or click the link in our bio!

Looking back to the celebration that could only have been done #TheMcMillonWay

Bride: @imans.essence Groom: @don__lik Planner: @southwind.events Venue: @victoriainthepark; victoriavenues Photo: @artisticelegancephotography Video: @revelinfilmweddings Floral & decor: @siblanaevents Bridal makeup: @thelaurensimone_ B ridal hair: @lostyled_ Makeup: makeupbycapri_ DJ: @djflo05 Officiant: @corneliusclark Ceremony musicians: @divisistrings Cake: @calumetbakery Transportation: @midwesttransitsystem, @sentinelconsultinggrp Bridal Gown: @matopeda.atelier Groom’s suit: @crownofwealthcollection Groomsmen suits: @dejiandkola Content: @lavirsocial

Celebrating love #TheMcMillonWay

The fact is, a bad reception timeline can ruin the party. - waiting too long to serve dinner- speeches that go on forever - guests standing up, sitting down repeatedly - too many “things” happening before the dance floor opens- guests have too much down time; they’re just waitingThink about your guest experience & the mood of the space. When you enter your wedding reception, all eyes are on you! Your guests are thrilled to see the newlyweds enter the room and get the party started. So while you have their attention & your photo/video team is in place, knock out the photo moments & watch the mood of the room shift…🔘Entrance ⬆️ * fist pumps *🔘 Cake cutting ➡️ * cute *🔘 First dance ➡️ * sentimental *🔘 Welcome/blessing ⬇️ * time to relax a little *🔘 First course/salad ➡️🔘 Toasts ➡️ * bring the mood up a little with short sweet toasts ‼️….if these go on forever, the mood will plummet ⬇️ ‼️….put it between courses if you want to restrict time & make good use of the time gap; more party time later🔘 Entrees ➡️ ‼️….your vendors can eat now too without missing anything; ask the caterer to serve them after serving you, your wedding party & immediate family🔘 Parent dance ↗️ * we’re trending up again *🔘 Tosses ↗️ * going up more!! *🔘 PARTY!! ⬆️⬆️ * stay here all night long *So rather than putting your guests on an emotional roller coaster of ⬆️⬇️➡️↗️➡️⬇️↗️⬇️⬆️⬆️, create a steady flow & progression throughout the night. I promise it will make for an incredible experience that will have your guests raving!! #weddingreception #weddingreceptionideas #weddingreceptiontimeline

✨Alexandra & Alex share a bit about their experience with our team at SouthWind Events. . . As a wedding planner in Chicago, our goal when working with couples is to take the burden of concern & worry for any and every detail of the wedding day off the couple. We always strive to MAKE IT EASY - the wedding planning process and especially the wedding day itself. We create comprehensive timelines and have detailed conversations with every member of the vendor team to ensure we’re all in alignment such that everyone can execute their part of the wedding day with a clear & common goal in mind. This way, even when there is a major crisis and near catastrophic accident, we can work together, shielding the couple from the chaos & problems, and let them fully and completely enjoy their wedding. Of course, after the party is over, we tell all the tales and laugh about all the things they didn’t see or even know about. #southwindeventchicago #chicagoweddingplanner #nwindianaweddingplanner #clientreviews #clienttestimony #theknotbestofweddings #coupleschoiceaward

Wedding Day Shot Lists are a waste of time - Part 1 This applies to EXPERIENCED, PROFESSIONAL photographers only.

If you’re hiring a photography hobbyist who’s never shot a wedding before - your friend’s coworker, a college friend, or Uncle Joe - disregard everything I am about to say. Now, if you’ve hired an experienced professional wedding photographer, most of you are wasting time creating a shot list. If your list looks like this: - gown - accessories - MOB zipping dress/adjusting veil - MOH helping with dress - bride & groom - bride & groom w/ bridesmaids - bride & groom w/ groomsmen - bride w/ parents - groom w/ parents - bride & groom w/ brides parents - wedding cake - bouquets STOP 🛑 WASTING YOUR TIME and 💰 (with those Etsy buys). The fact is, these shots are standard. They are common images captured at every wedding. So rather than buying a list or wasting time & energy stressing over adding 3 more “must have” shots to an album of 2,500+ images, have a conversation with your photographer to make sure these pics are part of their standard shoot. If you find there’s something they don’t normally do, then add it to your list. Otherwise, consider it common knowledge. Bottom line, you’re paying them THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for their knowledge & experience. Don’t insult their intelligence or their professionalism by thinking you need to tell them every shot to take on your wedding day. Cuz nobody wants to be micromanaged on their job, let alone by someone who’s never done the job in the first place. Like & follow so you don’t miss Part 2 of what SHOULD BE ON YOUR SHOT LIST! If you agree, comment 📸. Have other thoughts/opinions? Let’s talk about it. 📸 @ab.photogs #weddingphotography #weddingplanningtips #weddingphotographytips #chicagoweddingplanner #2024bride #2025bride #shotlist #weddingplanningadvice