Wedding planning doesn't have to bring out the bride (or groom) "zilla" in you or your beloved. Whether your budget has room to stretch--and stretch--or you're pinching every penny, a stylish and memorable wedding is within reach. Consult our guide to Chicago's best bridal shops, hair salons, hotels and bakeries at every price point, and prepare to tie the knot without tying yourself in knots.
On this page:Hey, Big Spender, Nifty & Thrifty.
Hey, Big Spender
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Harry Winston Inc
Write a review55 E Oak St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
RING: Practically synonymous with "extravagance," this world-famous designer is favored by celebrities for whom money is no object, and the prevailing philosophy here when it comes to carats is "the more the merrier!" If you can dream it, you can find it at this opulent gem box, nestled in the heart of ritzy Streeterville.
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Blackbird
Read Reviews619 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661 (map)
REHEARSAL DINNER: Paul Kahan's award-winning spot on Randolph Street's Restaurant Row gathers foodies for swank, seasonal bites in a modern, minimalist stark-white environs. The upstairs private room echoes the sleek, contemporary look, allowing the strikingly plated food to be the star.
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Ultimate Bride
Read Reviews106 E Oak St Ste 2, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
DRESS: Badgley Mischka. Carolina Herrera. Oscar de la Renta. All of the stars align at this luxe Oak Street bridal salon where shopping is much like stepping into a page from the latest bridal magazine. Frequent trunk shows allow ultra-choosy brides to get their hands on even more exclusive styles.
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Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa
Read Reviews900 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
HAIR: Bridal coordinators at this classy Mag Mile salon and spa customize primping and pampering packages for the entire wedding party (grooms included). Book a day of beauty and relaxation before the big day, from massage and body polish to waxing and mani-pedi. Then come back for a sophisticated 'do before you say "I do."
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Drake Hotel
Read Reviews140 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
HOTEL: Want to swathe your out-of-town guests in old-school Chicago splendor? This iconic hotel, perched right where the lakefront meets the glitziest stretch of the Mag Mile, has it in spades. With the can't-be-beat views, the famous Cape Cod Room seafood restaurant and the beloved afternoon tea service, an unforgettable experience is guaranteed.
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Cakegirls Limited
Read Reviews2207 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)
CAKE: Two sisters with a celebrity clientele (including North Shore native Pete Wentz and wife Ashley Simpson) create elaborate, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes that start at $600. Tasting the impeccable, creative flavor combinations like almond butter cake with apricot preserves and lemon zest butter cake with cappuccino mousse might wreck your pre-wedding day diet plan, but you'll enjoy every last calorie-laden bite.
Nifty & Thrifty
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Kasia's Bridal & Special Ocsns
Read Reviews6039 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634 (map)
DRESS: This local, full-service bridal boutique, dedicated to superior customer service, is a one-stop shop, from off-the-rack styles (for bridesmaids, too) to custom-made dresses and alterations. Best of all? Most of the dresses cost less than $1,000.
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Tigerlilie
Write a review4755 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (map)
HAIR: Glamour circa the 1940s is so right now. Get the vintage-inspired look with a softly waved up-do from this Lincoln Square salon, which specializes in modern interpretations of the past. Bonus: With glam coifs coming in under $100 and soft-flowing waves for your girls for around $50, you don't have to feel guilty--ahem--letting your hair down at the reception.
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Ruby Room
Write a review1745 W. Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)
HOTEL: This tucked-away gem in the Ukrainian Village can't boast an address on the Mag Mile, but it has a few other things going for it. With no televisions or phones in the rooms, and access to an on-premise yoga studio and Zen garden, it provides a true respite for guests.
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dimend SCAASI
Read Reviews5 So Wabash Ave 17th Fl, Chicago, IL 60603 (map)
RING: To save big bucks on engagement bling and wedding bands without compromising quality, in-the-know Chicagoans go straight to the source: jeweler's row. At this elegant wholesaler you may not be plied with Champagne, but you will find sophisticated styles, from classic to intricate, for thousands less than the expensive boutiques.
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Tipsy Cake
Read Reviews1043 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (map)
CAKE: No need to go over-the-top with a ginormous cake to feed everyone. For the obligatory cake-cutting show, order a smallish custom layer cake from this Humboldt Park bakery--in flavors like Lady Baltimore, lemon, coconut or even red velvet. Then make up the difference with a couple of $150 sheet cakes. We guarantee no one will notice while chowing on the moan-inducing Italian buttercream.
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