Labor Day Weekend 2008
Aaaahhhhh … Shelley and Mike. They just make me smile. I smile so big it hurts.
These are two of the sweetest and funniest people I have ever worked with. Shelley found us through our ad on mychicagowedding.com (always great to know what advertising is paying off!) and contacted us at the beginning of her planning process. She and Mike had both lived in Chicago but were currently living in LA. You can see why a wedding planner would be needed here.
Shelley was … Well, how should I say this … a “nervous” bride. Yes, I think that is the word we will use, nervous. In our first meeting she exclaimed that I may have to grab her by the shoulders on her wedding day, shake her really well and say “Snap out of it!”. Thank goodness that did not happen! She managed to stay calm, radiant and totally thrilled the entire day. She and Mike were both a complete joy to work with and their great big smiles showed it!
The ceremony was held outside at The Adler Planetarium. The backdrop, our beautiful city and the gorgeous Lake Michigan. It was important to Shelley and Mike to have a “tropical/beach” feel to their wedding so we went with a flowing white alter, sand, river rocks and loads of petals. Kelly from Fleur out did herself here, everything was beautiful and tropical. The ceremony musicians, Amarante Ensembles and Celebrant, Toni Hassett just served as the cherry upon this wonderful Sunday (and yes, the wedding was on a Sunday).
After the ceremony the guests enjoyed the caribbean sounds of steel drums from Steel Express and sipped on the “Bomb Shell” (vodka, cranberry, orange, splash of pineapple and 7-UP garnished with a pineapple wedge) and some “Moose Juice” (rum, triple sec, pineapple and lime juice garnished with a lime) and taste buds were tantalized by treats from Food For Thought.
After much debate, the couple decided not to enter their reception via a Conga Line but that does not mean there was any lack of spice. With everything from the place cards in sand, personalized M&M’s, the coolest cake on the planet (designed by Alliance Bakery), tables named after the couples favorite bars, limes in the centerpieces, and hand embossed menu cards (specific to each table with an explanation of the “bar” they were sitting at) … nothing was left unpersonalized. This event was just fun from start to finish (if you don’t believe me check out the picture below of Shelley rocking out to tunes spun by the talented Rolland from The Sound Lounge) and even included fire works courtesy of The City of Chicago.
I could honestly go on for days talking about this super fun wedding but I know what you really want are some pictures. Below you will see the greatness of Belen from Orange 2. I can honestly tell you that picking just a few images to show has been torture. That said, there may be one or two more than “a few” but I can promise you will not be disappointed!
