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From east to west to everywhere in between, wedding planners are coming up with unique ideas to inspire couples everywhere. Here are some of our favorites.

In the Heartland

A Chicago cocktail reception had a white-on-white color palette, white linen overlays and mirrored accents around the room.Photography: Stuart Rodgers Photography.

“The Midwestern bride is hometown proud,” says Debi Lily of Chicago’s A Perfect Event. A Chicago couple might choose to have a rehearsal dinner cruise on Lake Michigan, a reception held in a city landmark building and a bon voyage brunch followed by a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

Midwestern brides also love strong themes, according to Joyce C. Smith, a bridal consultant at Cincinnati’s Weddings Unlimited, Inc. “For one wedding, with a starry night theme, everything was in different shades of blue–the bride even wore blue shoes,” she says. “And the wedding cake had dramatic cascades of stars in blues and silvers and white.”

“In the Midwest, we like to be playful,” Lily asserts. “It’s elegance with a twist. I did a wedding at the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s a formal venue, but we had fun, eclectic things going on. As guests arrived, they grabbed a cocktail and toured the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit. There was a big, bluesy Chicago band playing. Later, there was a Chicago-style hotdog stand for late-night snacks.”

“The cocktail reception is really big,” says Lily. “Usually there are three to five food stations, with someone hand-rolling sushi in front of you, or a fabulous raw bar.”

Stationery goes sophisticated! Lily is seeing layered invitations, lavishly tied with ribbons and delivered in wrapped gift boxes.

Where’s the beef? “In the Midwest that’s what food is all about!” Lily says. But many brides insist on restaurant-quality presentations—tender filet layered on grilled asparagus and truffled risotto.

Late-night revelry is in, as receptions go into the wee hours. The brides Smith works with usually ask for a band followed by a DJ to make sure the music never stops.

The candy bar is replacing the sweets table, according to Lily, who stocks apothecary jars or vintage containers with the couple’s favorite childhood candies in their wedding colors. “We’ll provide candy scoops and boxes, too, so guests can help themselves. It works as both a favor and an interactive dessert,” she says.

Lily notes that not everyone wants a wedding cake. She is seeing more “dessert trios”—individual arrangements, each of which includes a tiny pot de crème, a mini chocolate cupcake and a chocolate shake in a shot glass, displayed on a rectangular plate.

And what’s the favorite regional hue? “Pink, absolutely,” says Lily. “I’m also seeing a lot of chocolate brown mixed with blue or lavender, or chocolate brown mixed with green or tangerine. Midwestern brides love anything chocolate—whether it’s for their color palette or dessert buffet!”

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