Naperville magazine editor Jen Banowetz, second from left, holds the Best of Naperville 2026 cover with events team members Katie Trotter, Katie McCarthy and Megan Quinlan at Santo Cielo, Naperville.

Naperville magazine

Best of Naperville 2026.

Greg Mulvey. Published .

This was my third year photographing the Best of Naperville awards for the magazine. The party moved to Santo Cielo this year, on the fifth floor with a view of downtown Naperville.

Readers vote, thousands of verified ballots across 50 categories, and then the magazine throws the winners a party. Each winner is presented with a plaque, and then everyone sticks around to celebrate, see who else made the list, and eat and drink very well. It was the 18th year. The room is full of people who run restaurants, shops, practices, and services in this town, and most of them are the face of their business. They don’t get photographed nearly enough.

I was there for the plaque photos first. Everyone wants that one, so it has to be clean, sharp, and flattering, and it has to happen fast, because the line is long. A few of you I remembered from last year. One of you is my eye doctor, and another runs the company my neighbor works for. When someone handed me their phone and asked for one on that too, I took it, so you had it before you’d finished your drink.

The rest of the night went to the photos nobody asks for: the handshake before the plaque, the bar, the view once the sun went down, people mid-laugh with a friend. Those are usually the ones people end up loving.

I’ve shot in this room before. The windows light it until sunset. After that it gets dark enough that I’m working with a flash and trying not to blind anyone, so the photos from later in the night look different from the early ones.

The magazine’s coverage ran in the November issue, and the photos here are their picks.

Best of Naperville 2026 winner VAI'S Italian Inspired Restaurant Kitchen + Bar, four people holding two plaques in front of the bright windows at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
VAI'S Italian Inspired Restaurant Kitchen + Bar, Best Italian Restaurant and Best Vegetarian/Vegan Cuisine
Best of Naperville 2026 winner ME SPA, two women in a plaid dress and a suede skirt each holding a plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
ME SPA, Best Day Spa and Best Massage Studio
Guests filling booths beneath globe pendant lights in the window-lined dining room, the event poster on an easel, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Three wine glasses of a red cocktail with orange slices lined up on the bar top, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A server holding a board of small bites with the downtown view through the windows behind her at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winners Innovative Dental Partners and Innovative Orthodontic Centers, a large team with two plaques and the magazine cover propped at their feet, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Innovative Dental Partners, Best Dental Practice, and Innovative Orthodontic Centers, Best Orthodontic Practice
Guests applauding across the crowded room as the low sun lights the windows, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A musician in headphones and a light blue blazer playing from a laptop by the window overlooking downtown, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winners Hotel Arista, Arista Coffee & Café and Zorba Lounge posing with four plaques at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Hotel Arista, Best Hotel and Best Special Event Venue. Arista Coffee & Café, Best Ice Cream. Zorba Lounge, Best Cocktails.
Sunset glows orange behind the Millennium Carillon at Moser Tower, seen across downtown rooftops from the fifth floor. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner My Chef Catering, five people smiling around their plaque on the magazine poster easel at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
My Chef Catering, Best Caterer
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Sparrow Coffee, a woman in a red floral dress holding the plaque beside a bearded colleague at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Sparrow Coffee, Best Coffee Shop
Best of Naperville 2026 winner DeEtta's Bakery posing with the Best Bakery plaque beside the magazine cover easel at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
DeEtta's Bakery, Best Bakery
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Innovative Dental Partners, a woman in a black dress holding the Best Dental Practice plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Innovative Dental Partners, Best Dental Practice
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Gerald Subaru of Naperville, a man in a gray blazer smiling with the Best Car Dealership plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Gerald Subaru of Naperville, Best Car Dealership
Three guests in an olive dress, a white wrap and a navy blazer posing beside the magazine cover easel at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Four guests gathered around the magazine cover easel, two resting a hand on it, at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Naper Grove Vision Care, two men by the cover easel, one holding the Best Optometry Practice plaque, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Naper Grove Vision Care, Best Optometry Practice
Two women in a lavender top and a maroon shirt standing on either side of the cover easel at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Naperville Pediatric Associates, two people holding the plaque together under the globe pendant lights at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Naperville Pediatric Associates, Best Pediatric Practice
Two women in a brown jacket and a navy blazer standing beside the cover easel under globe pendant lights at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner The Indian Harvest, a man in a white shirt holding the Best Indian Restaurant plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
The Indian Harvest, Best Indian Restaurant
Guests standing along the bar behind rows of wine glasses and a bowl of citrus at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A man in a blue shirt taking a selfie with three friends in front of the magazine cover easel at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A man in a gray suit and yellow tie posing with a woman in a white halter dress at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Five guests in suits and a white halter dress standing arm in arm in the dining room at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Innovative Orthodontic Centers, four people in suits and a white dress holding the Best Orthodontic Practice plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Innovative Orthodontic Centers, Best Orthodontic Practice
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Pho Thien Vietnamese Kitchen, two people in a white blouse and a tan blazer sharing the plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Pho Thien Vietnamese Kitchen, Best Southeast Asian Restaurant
Three men talking and laughing at a window table with drinks and small plates, downtown buildings outside, at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A server offering a board of small bites to guests seated at a table by the windows at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner BrightSide Theatre, two women holding the plaque together beside the cover easel at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
BrightSide Theatre, Best Live Entertainment Venue
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Lauren Collander Interiors with the plaque, beside a guest in a blue umbrella print sweater, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Lauren Collander Interiors, Best Interior Designer
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Lauren Collander Interiors posing with the plaque and a companion under the globe pendant lights at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Lauren Collander Interiors, Best Interior Designer
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Lauren Collander Interiors, a woman in a black top and navy skirt, smiling alone with her plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Lauren Collander Interiors, Best Interior Designer
Best of Naperville 2026 winners Innovative Dental Partners and Innovative Orthodontic Centers, the full team posed under globe pendant lights with two plaques, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Innovative Dental Partners, Best Dental Practice, and Innovative Orthodontic Centers, Best Orthodontic Practice
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Innovative Orthodontic Centers, two men in suits, one holding the Best Orthodontic Practice plaque and one a magazine, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Innovative Orthodontic Centers, Best Orthodontic Practice
Best of Naperville 2026 winners Costello Jewelry Company and The Apartment, four people holding two plaques on either side of the cover easel at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Costello Jewelry Company, Best Jeweler, and The Apartment, Best Gift/Specialty Shop
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Niki Moon Salon & Spa with the Best Hair Salon plaque, beside a woman in a trench coat, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Niki Moon Salon & Spa, Best Hair Salon
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Custom Works, a man in a white shirt beside a woman holding the Best Remodeler plaque, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Custom Works, Best Remodeler
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Custom Works posing with the Best Remodeler plaque under a cluster of globe pendant lights at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Custom Works, Best Remodeler
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Wheatland Animal Hospital, a woman in a black top and speckled skirt holding the plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Wheatland Animal Hospital, Best Veterinarian
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Wheatland Animal Hospital smiling with the Best Veterinarian plaque as guests dine at tables behind her at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Wheatland Animal Hospital, Best Veterinarian
Guests chatting beside the glass wall of the open kitchen, a man in a blue suit gesturing, at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Mesón Sabika, two women posing with the Best Outdoor Dining plaque under the globe pendant lights at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Mesón Sabika, Best Outdoor Dining
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Mesón Sabika, a woman in a blue print dress holding the plaque beside a friend in brown florals, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Mesón Sabika, Best Outdoor Dining
Best of Naperville 2026 winner St. Patrick's Residence, four team members gathered around the cover easel with the Best Senior Living Community plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
St. Patrick's Residence, Best Senior Living Community
Best of Naperville 2026 winner St. Patrick's Residence, four people posed under the globe pendant lights with their plaque at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
St. Patrick's Residence, Best Senior Living Community
The magazine cover on an easel in the dining room, with guests in booths and by the bar at Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Beyond Measure Fitness Training receiving their plaque, held by two people beside the event poster at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Beyond Measure Fitness Training, Best Fitness Facility
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Marker Law holding up their plaque in a blue suit beside the magazine poster at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Marker Law, Best Law Firm
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Marker Law posing with their plaque and the magazine poster, guests mingling behind, at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Marker Law, Best Law Firm
Guests talking over drinks at a sunlit window booth, a dark gift box on the table between them, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Kitchen staff prepping specialties at the open counter, seen through a window pane as guests pass, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guacamole, elote dip and chips in woven baskets with crudités and salad on a buffet table, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Baskets of chips and dips beneath a knotted rope screen, guests seated by the windows beyond, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two men in blazers, one tan and one navy plaid, talking by the slatted wood wall, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A man in a gray blazer and a woman in cream chatting over a cocktail at the bar, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a maroon top laughing in a crowded circle of guests while another sips a drink, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a tan blouse smiling over her wine glass as someone shows her a phone, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two men in suits, one holding a drink can, chatting with guests near the windows at dusk, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Vasili's, a man in a plaid shirt holding their plaque beside the magazine poster at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Vasili's, Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Restaurant
A server leaning in with a tray of bites at a long table in the crowded dining room, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests smiling at a window table with wine and a stack of plaques between them, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests in a padded booth leaning together and smiling for the camera, one in a denim jacket, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a gray flat cap and glasses smiling at a window table beside a crystal glass, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Four guests sharing a window table, three smiling toward the camera, one in an orange print dress, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests smiling with drinks in front of the backlit bar shelves, one in a blue floral dress, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A man in a blue suit smiling over his shoulder while leaning on the patterned bar, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests talking at a window table beside a card reserved for major sponsor Innovative Dental Partners, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a tweed blazer reading an illustrated event program at the bar beside red wine, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Kitchen staff in aprons and caps prepping small plates at the open kitchen counter beneath black pendant lights, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A wide view of guests at curved booths and tables along a wall of windows at golden hour, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner My Chef Catering posing with their plaque beneath the globe pendant lights at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
My Chef Catering, Best Caterer
The long bar with backlit liquor shelves as guests gather along it and the windows glow at dusk, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest smiling over her shoulder while a host speaks into a microphone behind her, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A Naperville magazine host speaking into a microphone as seated guests listen beside a fiddle leaf fig, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A Naperville magazine host in a black floral dress speaking into a microphone with notes in hand, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests smiling side by side on a booth bench, one in maroon and one in light blue, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner The Indian Harvest posing with their plaque under a neon sign reading heaven forbid at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
The Indian Harvest, Best Indian Restaurant
Two guests in black tops posing close together at a high table with cocktails by the sunlit windows, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a cream blazer seated at a table in warm evening light beside crystal glasses, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A man in a gray suit and yellow tie greeting two guests near the knotted rope screen, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Yellow and orange chrysanthemums and roses from the build-your-own-bouquet station, a guest blurred behind them, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A wide sunset sky over downtown rooftops and trees, with the Moser Tower carillon on the horizon. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Peach roses in soft focus in front of yellow and orange mums at the build-your-own bouquet station. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Buckets of peach roses, yellow daisies and orange mums line the bouquet station beside the venue's tall windows. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Karisma Boutique guests, winners of Best Fashion/Clothing Store, smile together at a booth table with cocktails and plates. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Three guests smile at a table with wine, small plates and the magazine's Best of Naperville issue. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Five guests, two wearing Baird & Warner name tags, squeeze in for a phone selfie by the window. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests laugh at a high-top table by the window, a cocktail and seltzer in front of them. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Three guests smile at a long table, sunset light on the buildings outside the window. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests sit side by side at a window table, the downtown view behind them. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Champagne is poured for the DJK Custom Homes table, winners of Best Builder, beside the fifth-floor windows. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Close view of a champagne bottle filling a row of flutes at the DJK Custom Homes table. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A DJK Custom Homes guest grins beside a friend holding a fresh bouquet of sunflowers and red blooms. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A DJK Custom Homes guest puts an arm around a friend holding a bouquet from the flower station. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests raise champagne flutes in a toast across a window table, downtown lights glowing below. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner ME SPA, two representatives holding their Best Day Spa and Best Massage Studio plaques at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
ME SPA, Best Day Spa and Best Massage Studio
Four guests pose close together by the window, one in a rainbow ruffled dress. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Squares of dessert topped with dark chocolate drizzle and crushed raspberry line a white platter. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Rows of small plated desserts with pistachio cream, pink meringue and crumble wait on long white trays. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A Santo Cielo cook in gloves pipes pink cream onto rows of small dessert plates in the kitchen. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two Santo Cielo cooks, one in a yellow cap, pipe cream and spoon crumble onto desserts. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests chat behind buckets of sunflowers, red mums and wrapped yellow roses at the bouquet station. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a black sleeveless top listens to two friends, with yellow roses blurred in the foreground. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests share a warm hug as a smiling guest in a striped top looks on. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests hug at a window reflecting the sunset and carillon tower, a friend smiling behind. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a tweed cap and glasses smiles while hugging a friend by the window at dusk. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests laugh together near the bar under red lighting, with the evening sky in the windows behind. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a cow print blouse talks with friends over a cocktail near the bar. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests dine in curved booths under clusters of glowing globe pendant lights, with the open kitchen beyond glass. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A spritz, an old fashioned and a pink cocktail sit on the bar beside a bowl of citrus. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
The evening's DJ in headphones plays behind a row of potted plants under neon lights by the window. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
The Santo Cielo bar glows with pink patterned tile, orange stools and shelves of bottles as guests mingle. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A Best of Naperville magazine cover hangs beneath a neon heaven forbid sign and potted plants. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests mingle with drinks under a pink tinted ceiling as twilight fills the tall windows. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a patterned shirt holds an old fashioned, chatting with a friend in navy. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests pose arm in arm, one in a tiered rainbow ruffle dress and one in black. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
The Indian Harvest, winners of Best Indian Restaurant, share a laugh over orange mums at the flower station. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a tan blazer gathers sunflowers and red mums into a bouquet at the flower station. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests chat behind rows of buckets filled with sunflowers, roses and mums, sunset in the windows. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests crowd around the build-your-own bouquet station, choosing sunflowers, red mums and wrapped yellow roses. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Peach roses with red edges and coral mums packed together at the Phillip's Flowers & Gifts bouquet station. Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests reach for red and yellow flowers and trailing plants at the bouquet station by the windows, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two men in suits look over rows of wrapped yellow blooms at the build-your-own-bouquet station, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests pick stems from buckets of yellow and orange flowers at the Phillip's Flowers bouquet station, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A host in navy hands small white gift boxes to guests from a long table near the flowers, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in a light blue suit reaches into a cart of sunflowers and orange blooms, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A woman in navy points toward a guest in glasses and a bright floral scarf, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A woman in a black jumpsuit and a man in a dark suit pose beside the cover display, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A woman in a white top and a man in a blue blazer smile together at a booth, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Three guests seated close together at a booth smile for the camera, one in a blue embroidered cardigan, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in glasses and a blue plaid blazer holds a red drink near the back bar, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Vasili's, four team members posing with their plaque in front of the bar at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Vasili's, Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Restaurant
A deep blue lounge wall with a heaven forbid neon sign, potted plants and the magazine cover, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests talk over drinks at a window counter under purple and orange ceiling light at dusk, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Bartenders work the long blue-lit bar beneath tall shelves of bottles and hanging plants, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A bartender in a patterned shirt mixes drinks behind the pink-tiled bar front as guests wait, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A curly-haired guest in a gray dress holds red wine at a table glowing in orange sunset light, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two men in jackets talk beside a tall window with downtown lights glowing behind them, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Guests gather at tables along the panoramic windows as dusk settles over downtown Naperville, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A woman in black listens as two men in blue jackets talk near a warmly lit wall, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A smiling man in a suit and tie stands between two women with pink cocktails, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Three guests pose together under red light, a woman in a white jacket between two men, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A smiling guest looks back over her shoulder holding a fresh bouquet of sunflowers and roses, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Three women hold out black Best of Naperville tote bags in front of the flower station, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest carries a black tote printed with sponsor logos while holding red and yellow stems, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A man in a gray plaid jacket studies the orange and yellow blooms at the bouquet station, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A guest in glasses trims the stems of her bouquet of roses and sunflowers, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Stacked white A La Folie macaron boxes, gifted to guests, sit on a pink-lit table, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A smiling guest in a gray sweater holds up a bright bouquet of roses, mums and red sprigs, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A table sign thanks the sponsors, including DJK Custom Homes, Santo Cielo and Baird & Warner, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Two guests smile across a wooden table, each holding a finished bouquet beside red wine, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A finished bouquet of sunflowers, roses and deep red mums rests on a table in soft light, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Karisma Boutique, five women posing with their plaque and the magazine cover at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Karisma Boutique, Best Fashion/Clothing Store
A smiling man and a woman in a tan jacket hold up the large magazine cover together, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
A grinning man in a dark patterned shirt points at the magazine cover he holds beside the bar, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winner Baird & Warner, two representatives posing with the magazine cover in front of the bar at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Baird & Warner, Best Realty Company
Two women, one in black and one in a blue cardigan, hold the magazine cover at the bar, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Best of Naperville 2026 winners Lauren Collander Interiors and Pho Thien Vietnamese Kitchen posing together with the magazine cover at Santo Cielo, Naperville.
Lauren Collander Interiors, Best Interior Designer, and Pho Thien Vietnamese Kitchen, Best Southeast Asian Restaurant
Five people gather around the magazine cover at the bar, a woman in black laughing and pointing, Best of Naperville 2026, Santo Cielo, Naperville.

Winners, if you spot yourself and want your photo for your own website or social, get in touch and I’ll make it easy.

If your business has an event coming up, a celebration, a ribbon cutting, an anniversary, a night like this one, this is the kind of work I do. Here’s how event photography works with me.

Photographed for Naperville magazine. Their November coverage is here.

I stopped at the flower bar on the way out and built a bouquet for my wife. I picked the stems, arranged them, and tried to tie the whole thing off. The flowers held up better than the knot.