Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc.

Here at Greatest Expectations, we love what we do.  Combined we have been planning special events for more than 15 years, but our hearts belong to weddings.  We love the romance, the excitement, the emotion … My heart melts when the new couple walks back down the aisle and I continue to cry at every Father of The Bride Toast. Truly, we love every event we do … But it is rare that we have a chance to really get creative and step completely outside of the box on a wedding.  That is why we so enjoyed working with Christina and Cary on their unbelievable “Red Hot Wedding” this past April at the Chicago Illuminating Company (one of my all time favorite venues).

Christina has amazing taste (well, she did hire us right – the proof is in the pudding).  She came to us with so many beautiful and exciting ideas for a contemporary yet completely elegant wedding.  We worked together to create something that no one else has ever done from a design perspective.  The team of vendors we had just rocked and working together, we just really hit this one out of the park.

Normally I write the post about the event and then show you pictures at the end but I just don’t think it does the event, or the images justice this time.  So I would like to include pictures as I post to really give you an idea of what it was like at this event!  I will also note that it is not necessarily in “event order”.

All of the images are from the beautiful and talented Amanda Hein Photography.   I really love working with Amanda.  It is super fun to watch her work as she is constantly scanning the room for the perfect shot, creative angle and unique look.  I highly encourage you all to check out her website (and blog, where Greatest Expectation got their share of love when she posted this same wedding) to see more of her work!

One of the things I loved most about this event was the color palette.  Interestingly enough, Christina and Cary first wanted an icy blue with red accents. As we progressed through the planning process she realized those colors just were not working for her (have you ever tried to find blue flowers, there are not many to choose from and you cannot get too picky about the exact shade of blue).  So a little over half way though the planning process she came to me with the idea of doing eggplant and candy apple red … I will admit to being a tad bit skeptical at first but once you see these colors together there is no denying the power and beauty they invoke.  We started with an amazing monogram (designed by the bride herself, she really is quite the talent!).

We decided to use stark white in the cocktail hour with accents of the eggplant and red in the floral and with the votive candle holders.  It was such a beautiful and really fun cocktail area.  We had white spandex on all of the high boys and two beautiful white seating vignette’s. The Pièce de résistance was the Glow Bar from Ivan Carlson (they did the white furniture as well). And one of my favorite things was the “place card wall”.  Think french message board gone contemporary!  This was a really, really large piece – over four feet tall and nearly four feet wide!  Truly, truly gorgeous!

Because red had always been part of the design we were able to keep several of the design ideas we already had planned, including the candy apple red dance floor!  Frost Lighting worked with us to not only create the perfect lighting effects but to also create the super cool dance floor.  Frost also provided the red seating arrangements that helped the dance floor area feel like a night club.

Because the contemporary shapes and architecture were such an active part of the design plan, we used a beautiful combination of squares and circles in almost every element.  The centerpieces done by Fleur, Inc were a combination of the most amazing red pave floral chandeliers dripping with crystals and red pave spheres in square glass containers. BBJ linen provided the rich eggplant lamour linens and the color combination was truly eye popping! We topped the tables off with fantastic red water and wine goblets and square bread plates. And guests were seated on Ice Versailles Chairs (all from Halls Rental) which are a clear lucite where you can see the silver tubing.  It was such a fantastic way to marry the tradition of the Versailles Chair with the edgy contemporary design of the lucite.

While all the guest tables were round, the head table was a square.  All of the floral was bright red, the only exception were the Bride’s flowers which were mostly white with a touch of blue (my favorite way to get your “something blue”).  We used her flowers as the centerpiece for the head table. That is not only a great design element but a wonderful way to save a little money.

The cake was a simply divine creation by Amy Beck Cake Design. Amy really out did herself with this square butter cream structure.  There were beautiful hand made red sugar flowers that I know took Amy and her entire staff weeks to make!  It tasted amazing (as Amy’s cakes always do) and really was a sight to see!

The catering for this event was done by Berghoff Catering Group.  I am here to tell you all, it was amazing!  Obviously the food tasted outstanding but what was even more exciting than that was the design of the food.  I really wish I had some pictures to show you the dinner, especially the salad course which was a Mango and Strawberry Tower with mangos, strawberries, goat cheese and arugula accompanied by raspberry vinaigrette with a fresh honeycomb.  Is your mouth watering yet?

Berghoff also provided beautiful Blood Orange Martini’s as the speciality cocktail (complete with red star fruit!) and a French Fry Bar (white and sweet potatoes with all imaginable toppings) to finish the evening out.  Trust me, if you hear about an event that Berghoff is catering make sure you are on the guest list!

Of course as with all weddings, the most important part is the couple and the actual wedding. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the first part of the day.  The most “unlucky” part of the entire day was when the Michigan Avenue Bridge got stuck half way up.  We were taking “first glance” pictures on the stair case at Michigan and the River and it obviously caused a serious traffic jam. No one could get across the bridge and they literally closed down Michigan Ave for four blocks!  But honestly, how else could we ever have gotten a shot like this (which I adore).

The beautiful bride!

The ceremony was held at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Lincoln Park.  I think this series of images is just fantastic!

One of the perks of having a reception in an industrial area is getting shots like these …

And I think this photograph may actually be my all time favorite image.  Seriously, my favorite image ever in over 13 years of planning special events and weddings.  I am not exactly sure why but it totally evokes something magical, romantic and completely beautiful in me.

Wow – I know that was a long post.  I hope you enjoyed it.  As you can tell I enjoyed every aspect of planning this event.  It was a complete pleasure working with Christina and Cary. They are wonderful people and I wish them the most beautiful, love filled future possible!