Out-of-the-Box Dessert Reception

Here at Greatest Expectations we love to get creative weddings. It is so much fun to work with clients who want to do something unique and allow us to really get our creative juices flowing.

When we met with Christine and Tyler, we knew right away they would be a fun couple to work with. Right off the bat they mentioned how important candy was in their lives. Yes … You read that correctly, candy! So we suggested a dessert reception with a few savory bites to complete the evening.

The perfect location for this ceremony and reception was The Chicago History Museum. We work at CHM a lot and always love it. One of my favorite things about this space is that we can make it look completely different for each event and you still get that elegance and timeless beauty that the museum offers.

Most of our events at CHM are held during the “good” weather months because they have such a great outdoor space. It is really rare to find outdoor ceremony space in the city. But this was a winter wedding, so we were inside for the ceremony. I am here to tell you … it was beautiful.

Please don’t consider CHM to be only a spring and summer venue because, with the right decor and set up, an inside ceremony can be completely breathtaking.

We pulled together an all-star group of wedding professionals to make this wedding extra special starting with one of our favorite photographers, Eric Snoza from SnoStudios. We have worked with Eric on several events, and he always delivers an exceptional product at an amazing price. Christine’s response to her wedding pictures was pure joy. She even told me she felt like her pictures were better than any of the ones she’d seen in the million wedding magazines she had been looking through.

If you are a follower of this blog you already know that I adore the pastry chef from Berghoff. Chon is such an exceptional talent and when it was decided that this wedding would be all about desserts we knew it was best to call on the our good friend Nicole and her expert staff.

The menu consisted of about twenty different sweets that were stationed and passed, along with a savory antipasto station and some beautiful savory passed Hors D’Oeuvres. My absolute favorite would have to be the Rice Krispie Station. Picture handmade rice krispie treats filled with fresh strawberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips (the bride’s favorite) with options to dip in chocolate fondue and sprinkle with an assortment of mouth-watering toppings!

Of course we had to have mini lemon cupcakes with lavender cream cheese frosting and mini chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. Chon also did the wedding cake. The bride requested a simple vanilla buttercream cake … But of course the filling had chocolate chips inside. Can we say yummy?

Because they didn’t have a seated dinner, we did cocktail style seating with the most beautiful shantung linen from BBJ Linen and a trio of centerpieces provided by Kelly Uss at Fleur. Kelly truly created something breathtaking by using white and green florals including succulents, sweet peas, hydrangea, garnet dahlias, orchids and black eyed anemones. She even found an adorable tiny succulent for the groom’s boutonniere.

Kelly also designed this beautiful wishing tree and of course the evening would not have been complete without a candy bar and Berghoff root beer floats for the guests to enjoy!

There were some really adorable details captured while the bride was getting ready as well. I was totally in love with the blue shoes Christine wore and the beautiful hair accessory. Check out the hanger her wedding dress was on!

Overall we thought this was a perfect wedding and we thank Christine and Tyler for allowing us to be part of their special day! I’m off to eat something sweet now.

The Cutest Chicago-Centric Stationery!

A few months ago we did a While Drinking a Glass of Champagne interview with Kara Underwood Gordon from Magnificent Milestones Custom Stationery.

Since we last spoke with Kara she has been hard at work creating a fantastic new line she calls The Third Coast Collection. We think Kara has designed something really amazing.  To make it even more fantastic, the line is eco-friendly, using soy based inks and recycled paper products … If you live in Chicago it doesn’t get much better than this!

Here is what Kara has to say about her exciting new line:

“The Third Coast Collection celebrates the great city of Chicago that we call home! A place where each neighborhood, bus route and zip code has it’s own identity and flair. Each resident is proud to call it their own. The Third Coast Collection is made up of letterpress cards, reusable bags and clean designs, all done locally.”

Below are just a few examples from the line and remember, everything Kara does is completely customizable, so get those creative juices flowing and give Kara a call today!! If you shop now you can save 15% on orders of $100 or more! Enter SHOPBIG at checkout.

Golfing for a Cause!

We are pleased to be a sponsor for an exciting Charity Golf Event hosted by our good friends at Engaging Events, Poetic Productions and Gerber + Scarpelli!

Wednesday, August 18th
12PM Shotgun Start
5 PM BBQ

Crane’s Landing Golf Course
10 Marriott Drive
Lincolnshire, Illinois

Support a great cause while playing golf! If golfing is not your thing, that’s OK … Just come and enjoy the BBQ. There is even a chance to win some exciting prizes!

To register just click here.

All proceeds benefiting One Step Camp for Cancer.

Don’t miss the CS Brides 4th Annual “An Afternoon of Bridal Luxury”

An Afternoon of Bridal Luxury

Oak Street’s 4th Annual Charitable Wedding Walk

Sunday, September 19, 2010 | 12PM-4PM

Walk begins at The Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Avenue, Level Three

COUTURE GOWNS • ELEGANT JEWELS • DELECTABLE CAKES
BRIDAL REGISTRY • FLORAL & EVENT DÉCOR • HAUTE CUISINE


LUXURY SWAG BAGS
Filled with extraordinary gifts exclusively for the bride-to-be

TO PURCHASE TICKETS, VISIT WWW.CSBRIDES.COM
A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association

Customized Wedding Veils

There is something extra special about your wedding veil.  Whether you want something simple and short, cathedral length, birdcage or just a really fantastic hair piece (yes, in some situations that can be the whole veil), your veil makes a statement about who you are and what type of wedding you plan to have.

One of my favorite new products is the Custom Monogrammed Veil by Kristina Eaton. This is a totally unique item and perfect for the bride who loves to see her Monogram everywhere (ok, you will not be able to see it as it trails behind you but everyone else will and you’ll have the pictures to remember it by).

You can check out Kristina’s beautiful handiwork at a trunk show hosted at The Dress by Nicole, August 12-14. Receive a 10% discount if you place your order during the trunk show!