The beloved you seek will arrive to open the door to your fortune for love is the key that opens all your locks. -RUMI

I’m learning to love, to take a deep breath and let go. To trust with the most reserved parts of my heart. It scares me the things I hear myself say. Letting go of control that once fooled me into feeling safe, is just what held me back from truly feeling.

We ended the night with a Chicago hotdog stand. People woke up the next morning with hot dogs in their suit coats. That’s a success in our book. 

Calling all self-proclaimed free spirits... is marriage the end to all things “free” as we know it? Ok, I know how melodramatic that sounds. But, really — it can start before you’re even engaged!

Ok, so “elopement gone wild” might be a bit of hyperbole for the following video... but what else would you call two grown women running in stilettos behind a couple’s horse and buggy?

Chris emailed Charming in Love about a courthouse elopement just before Christmas 2016. His fiancée, Sasha, had just moved to Chicago from Russia, and they were beyond ready to seal the deal. I mean, have you seen her?...

PSA for wedding planners of the webiverse: Ya Pinterest boards? ....they’re basic.

Listen, I’m a visual person. I totally understand the inclination to create an inspiration board. But, that’s just it — these boards are meant for INSPIRATION...

I can’t help but wonder… is it possible to have an intimate, whirlwind elopement without pissing off everyone you love, especially your well-meaning, (yet slightly traditional) parents?

In short, yes. But like most things in life, it takes a helluva lot of compromise...

Don’t get me wrong, Pinterest is great.

If I want exercise routines to get arms like Michelle Obama, or if I wanna make a cheese ball in the shape of a pumpkin, I know where to go - not necessarily in that order, but maybe.

But, for a wedding? I’ll pass...

...We met in Germany, I am from Chicago & we have some great memories in Chicago.... for us Chicago is where we have the most memories, so figured we might as well make it official here too! Besides, as people who have seen other cities, we both agree that Chicago is wonderful city with a lot to offer!"