chicago event planner Archives | Page 31 of 38

glamorous chicago wedding at the blackstone hotel

Rachel + Benno’s glamorous Chicago wedding at the Blackstone Hotel was classic and super elegant. Some of my sweetest clients to date, they threw an amazing party in one of the most historic hotels in the city. On the day of their wedding I was chatting with Rachel while she was getting her hair done. I asked if she was doing okay and how the rehearsal dinner had gone the night before and then asked how Benno was doing and if she had heard from him that morning. She told me that Benno said, “Rachel, Elizabeth is seriously my second favorite woman in the world, right after you.” Love that. Love when a groom sees the value in a planner and of course what a sweetheart he is to his bride. (Then Rachel told him I was her favorite, woop!)

outdoor wedding at garfield park conservatory

Louisa + Jeff’s wedding at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago was nothing short of simply gorgeous. Louisa and I worked together for over a year and it was such a pleasure to get to see how all of the planning came together on a perfect day for the happy couple.

urban architectural artifacts wedding

Katie + Bobby were married in May of this year at St. Mary of the Angels church and had their reception at the ever-popular Architectural Artifacts. They were such an easy couple to work with, so laid back and calm and everything went right on schedule. Katie’s dad walking her down the aisle could not have been sweeter and the amount of toasts from siblings and friends was a true testament to how many people love these two. (And also perhaps that they had been waiting for this day for awhile?!) Dan, a friend of the couple and of Broadway fame, sang while Bobby and his mom danced and then the entire guest list tore the dance floor up all night long. A lovely night filled with the most lovely people at one of the most fun venues in the city (we love a good Architectural Artifacts wedding!).

For the win? Indeed. For the win.

*all photos courtesy of the ubiquitous Megan of Megan Bearder Photography

Katie + Bobby’s Vendors
Ceremony: St. Mary of the Angels
Reception: Architectural Artifacts
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
Catering + Cake: Froggy’s Catering
Photography: Megan Bearder Photography
Florist: Ashland Addison Florist
DJ: Cross Fader King
Lighting: Chicago Lighting Design
Hair + Make-up: Francesca at Thomas West Salon
Transportation: Windy City Limo + Second City Trolley
Ceremony Musicians: Stephen Noon, David Jonies + Dave Johnson from Chicago Bagpipers

city wedding at intercontinental o’hare

My new favorite pictures are these amazing bridal portraits I keep seeing. First this one, and now the gorgeous Christine. Brett married this lovely lady in July at Holy Family Parish in Chicago. Their wedding fell on the last day of a historic heat wave that hit Chicago with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees for days in a row. You’ll see in the pictures below how absolutely stunning Holy Family is, however, one thing gorgeous, old churches tend not to have is air-conditioning. After fighting rush hour traffic on Friday and the serious risk of melting in church, I made sure we did the worlds fastest rehearsal (seriously, blink and you missed it) and got them out into the (basically non-existent breeze) ASAP. Saturday we caught a break and hit a high of only 98 degrees but what a difference it made. In the end, the heat didn’t matter: these two art teachers put so much work and love into their day, they were all smiles all day long and most definitely ready to party by the time the reception rolled around. Not to mention we found out the American Idols were touring in Chicago and staying at the hotel.

Let’s get to the incredible details shall we? I mentioned they are both art teachers right? Holy moly did they kill it in that department. I’ve included some shots instagrammed by yours truly because I was loving it. So many colors and so much personality in all of their details. They handmade all of the table cards and holders that went with them, had a candy bar, a chocolate fountain AND a cotton candy machine. Amazing. In the cocktail area they put up a bunch of their engagement pictures in which a chalk fight was captured on film. (Why wasn’t I invited? So fun…) In addition, some original artwork they created was displayed and of course a fabulously colorful twist on announcing the bridal party: light sabers, which caused epileptic shock in the absolute best way possible.

Congrats love birds. I have no doubt the amazing amount of color that will be brought into the world because of the two of you. Thanks for letting Phillip Phillips and I both be a part of your big day.

*all photos by the lovely Luis + Clarissa of I Luv Photo

Christine + Brett’s Vendors
Ceremony: Holy Family Parish
Reception + Catering: Intercontinental O’Hare
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
DJ: Annalise (DJ Lion Tamer) of Fig Media
Photography: I Luv Photo
Florist + Rentals: M & M Special Events
Videography: Delack Media Group
Make-up: Stephanie Negrete
Photobooth: Shutterbooth Photo Booth
Cake: Take the Cake
Transportation: The Trolley Car & Bus Co.
Lighting: PSAV Lighting

boho salvage one wedding

I thought I blew it with Anni + Ross the first time we met. I was definitely a creepy wedding planner. We were chatting about their Salvage One wedding of course and I was gushing over their vendors and venue because they were all amazing. I’m probably the only wedding planner on the face of the earth that won’t throw a complete and total fit about a bride telling me she’s going to do her own flowers, I could just tell Anni could handle it. They were just. so. chill. So as we were wrapping up I asked if they were taking a honeymoon after the wedding and they said yes, they were going to Palm Springs. Without thinking I asked, “oh, are you staying at the Ace Hotel?” The answer was yes, which I am sure creeped them both out a little bit, but I just knew. They are exactly cool enough to stay there and fit right in. Luckily, they saw past my bizarreness and hired Anticipation Events anyway!

Aimee, our super-duper wedding coordinator actually coordinated their wedding and I can’t tell you how jealous I was. I kept trying to find ways to sneak in to see it. But alas, Aimee killed it and didn’t need me at all.

The best news is that Anni was in the process of starting her own photography company and she is currently rocking it all over the city. I can’t wait until we get to do our first wedding together as vendors!

*all photos by the mayo-hating, photo-taking queen: Olivia Leigh Photographie

Anni + Ross’s Vendors
Ceremony + Reception: Salvage One
Day-of Coordination: Anticipation Events
DJ: Style Matters
Catering: Food for Thought
Photography: Olivia Leigh Photographie
Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s
Florist: bride & bridesmaids via the farmer’s market
Officiant: Bruce Falk
Bride’s hair + make-up: Salon Soca
Anni’s dress: Sarah Seven
My shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaids’ dresses: their choice, mostly Zara and Nordstrom
Ross and the guys’ suits: Formally Modern
Ross’s tie: J. Crew

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