The Gathering Place Blog

Join me in our travel series as I take you to the top couples' destination spots that are super trendy right now! Whether you are a couple celebrating a milestone anniversary or a newly married couple looking for the perfect honeymoon location, this series is for you! Before we jump into the beautiful waters of Bora Bora, don't forget to check out our other content on our social media platforms! You never know where it might take you! Facebook Instagram TikTok Bora Bora is a

Walk into any place with live music and just observe for a minute. Look around at the people. Look at the performers. I can tell you what you see - people of all kinds engaging with the music! Whether it be directly singing at the top of their lungs, or tapping their foot as they have a conversation with friends, everyone engages with music! Music SPEAKS to people! Personally, I love music! But you know what I don't love? CROWDS! So my solution to immerse myself in music, yet

Central IL Wedding Budget: Making Your Money Count! My number one pet peeve is being wasteful - that includes being wasteful of money. As...

Jumping Into Fall with Illini Sports As the summer ends (so sad!!) and we make our way into fall, we look forward to all the sporting...

Champaign, IL engagement ring 5 Clever Methods to Uncover Your Partner's Ring Size for a Dream Wedding in Champaign, IL Finding the...

Cheers! Incorporating the Mocktail Trend Into Your Champaign IL Wedding A festive fall mocktail ready for a Champaign, IL wedding...

4th of July Firework Finale at The Gathering Place near Champaign, IL The Ultimate Guide to Proposing During These Spectacular Fireworks...

Explore a park to find your perfect engagement photo op! Here in Central IL, from Champaign to Bloomington-Normal, we have some pretty...

When planning a party, whether it's a casual get-together, a birthday celebration, or even a wedding reception, having fun activities for...

Unleash the Dance Floor Magic: Tips for Getting Your Guests Grooving at Your Champaign IL Wedding One of The Gathering Place's favorite...

Predicting Up and Coming Trends for 2026 Graduations at Champaign, IL Venues As the 2025 graduation season comes to a close and we begin...

Say Yes to the Dress: Affordable Online Wedding Dresses for Your Central Illinois Dream Wedding I always tell clients who come to tour...

Finding the Perfect Affordable Hotels Near Me for Your Champaign, IL Wedding Guests Choosing the right hotel for your wedding guests can...

Global Entry and CLEAR - A Game Changer for Honeymoon Destinations As my husband and I prepared for our honeymoon destination, we...

Finding a Honeymoon Getaway You Can Enjoy Without a Passport Seventeen years ago, my husband and I embarked on a journey to a honeymoon...

Traveling as a couple for your honeymoon can be an exhilarating and bonding experience. If you're anything like my husband and me, I am...

So you're engaged! Now your challenge is to find your perfect venue! Finding that perfect venue may just be one of the most important...

If you're in Champaign, IL, to attend a wedding (or really just anytime!) and looking for a breakfast experience, Merry Ann's Diner is...

Choosing the right caterer for your Champaign, IL wedding reception is one of the most critical decisions an engaged couple can make. The...

So many venue choices can leave a bride feeling completely overwhelmed. However, if you're leaning toward a rustic chic minimalist theme,...