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We moved our blog in January 2010 here: http://www.weddingcreativoblog.com. Please visit us there for all the latest from Wedding Creativo!

Farms, Barns and Winery Weddings

We’ve been asked a few times lately about rural places for weddings such as barns, farms and vineyards. They can be lovely alternatives to traditional venues and you might even consider making near-destination weddings down-state or to neighbor states for a fun getaway weekend for your guests. They also generally make for a relaxed day, especially when ceremony and reception are both held at the venue and guests need not travel to any additional locations in these usually unfamiliar countryside areas.

Here are suggestions in the region closest to Chicago area:

Lynfred Winery (Roselle, IL)
http://www.lynfredwinery.com/priv.html

Whyte Horse Winery (Monticello, IN)
http://www.whytehorsewinery.com/winery/winery.php

County Line Orchard (Hobart, IN)
http://www.countylineorchard.com/weddings/staging/events.html

Hoosier Grove Barn (Streamwood, IL)
http://www.hoosiergrovebarn.com/

Vehe Barn (Deer Park, IL)
http://www.village.deer-park.il.us/Vehe_Barn_Rental.htm

Danada House – horse stables (Wheaton, IL)
http://www.danadahouse.com/

Millcreek and Blue Dress Barns (Southwest Michigan)
http://www.millcreekbarn.com/aboutus.html

There are a lot more vineyards that have weddings in areas throughout the region in southern IL & IN and northern MI, so if you are open to having a near-destination wedding these would be good to look into as well.

Chateau Pomije (Guilford, IN)
http://www.cpwinery.com/weddings.html

Chateau de Pique (Seymour, IN)
http://www.chateaudepique.com//index.htm

Spirit Knob Winery (Ursa, IL)
http://www.spiritknob.com/events.html

Ravissant Winery (Belleville, IL)
http://www.ravissantwinery.com/banquet.htm

Gill’s Pier Vineyard & Winery (Leelanau Peninsula, MI)
http://www.gillspier.com/banquet-room.htm

Black Star Winery and Farms (Suttons Bay/Leelanau, MI)
http://www.blackstarfarms.com/events/

Michigan’s lakeshore and Traverse City area is loaded with wineries – certainly make for a great weekend getaways for newlyweds too!

© Giorgio Ventola / Wedding Creativo Photography

@ Wedding Creativo Photography this week: Dec 13 – 19

This week on our Facebook-Tweets:

- Great finds on great deals – sales, shows, specials and tips for wedding planning savings
- Tips on upcoming trunk shows this weekend for gowns and jewelery – we’re talking Swarvosky Crystal people!
- Ideas for honeymoons in Greece and Italy with links to travel deals
- Punches are making a comeback – get a link for 11 recipes for punches that will knock your guests out
- Link to an online tool for fitness training
- Feature about a cool location for winter engagement sessions
- News about Wedding Creativo and lots more!

Follow Wedding Creativo Photography on facebook for regular updates! Or get the same messages from Wedding Creativo on Twitter if that’s how you roll.

Wedding Creativo’s Top 5 favorite wedding trends from 2009

Here are five of our favorite trends from 2009….and hope to see them continue in 2010! We are lucky to have such fashion forward brides!

All images © Wedding Creativo Photography / Giorgio Ventola Inc.

#1 – Birdcage Veil

#2 – Pashmina Wraps

#3 – Peacock Theme

#4 – Something Blue Shoes

#5 – Intimate/Rustic/Vintage Venues

Congratulations Renee and Jason

Renee and Jason had a fun small gathering at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro for their crisp autumn wedding. The bride wore a lovely vintage gown as she and the groom walked arm and arm together down the isle to start their ceremony.

All images © Giorgio Ventola Inc./Wedding Creativo

Create your own Wedding Web Site

We have been accepted as an affiliate of Wedsite.com. They have really cool layouts and features to create your own wedding website. Email us to request a coupon code for 20% savings on your Wedsite.

Congratulations Lisa and Neil

Lisa and Neil incorporated their convictions as vegans into their wedding. We loved the matchstick seeds, soil and cute ceramic pot that they gave out as gifts to the guests!

Images © Giorgio Ventola Inc. / Wedding Creativo

Congratulations Natalie and Michael

Natalie and Michael were the sweetest couple – and I have to say she send us the best thank you note ever! “You guys are NOT wedding photographers, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.” – we understand what you mean Natalie. We do our best to be helpful beyond photography and work well with all the vendors at the wedding, we were glad to do that for Natalie, and all of our couples.

They had two lovely locations, with the ceremony at Assumption Church, and reception at Chicago Mart Plaza with it’s amazing city views on the 15th floor over the Chicago River! The exceptional staff there is one of the most friendly and competent crews we’ve experienced.

Images © Giorgio Ventola Inc. / Wedding Creativo

Congratulations Dana and Caleb

Wisconsin couple Dana and Caleb had a beautiful summer garden wedding wedding with an intimate gathering of family and friends at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Images © Giorgio Ventola Inc. / Wedding Creativo

Great venues for small weddings in Chicago

I’ve started a new list on Yelp for some of our recent favorite places for smaller weddings. Click here to check it out.

List of great venues for small weddings around Chicago