Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc. » Bridal Party Attire

Embrace the holiday season when planning your wedding!

Greatest Expectations — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:40:29 +0000

Now that we are approaching the holidays we thought it might be nice to discuss “holiday themed events.” For the most part, we tend to shy away from events that are too “over-themed,” but that does not mean you shouldn’t take inspiration from the holidays and the seasons in general. Why not consider embracing the holiday season when planning your wedding? This post features lots of ways to have a wedding that is fun, creative and full of seasonal love.

Picking the month, date and location for your wedding is an important factor in deciding how you want the rest of your wedding to look and feel. It’s also important to consider what is going on in your city over your preferred dates. In Chicago we find that the months of September and October are the busiest wedding months, however, planning a November wedding can offer you cost savings and a plethora of venue options. Once you enter December you will fight holiday parties for event space, so it’s best to be a little flexible on your dates.

Use your wedding date and season as inspiration for your location. If you are planning a fall wedding look into parks, orchards, vineyards, farms or ranches. Fall seems to call for an outdoor or rustic, yet elegant, setting.

A winter themed wedding is ideal in a ski or mountain lodge or a small inn. These venues will provide the small intimate cozy setting that’s fitting for a winter wedding. If you choose to have your wedding at a lodge, you may be fortunate to have a snowy mountain as a natural back drop. There are some beautiful destination spots within a few short hours from Chicago. Or take this an entirely different direction and embrace the beauty of the city during the holidays – the sparkling lights and decorated store windows. How about transporting your guests via a carriage ride down Michigan Avenue or State Street?!

Selecting a color palette guided by the holidays is the perfect way to begin. It can be fun to get a little non-traditional! Consider, earthy green and brown in November or silver and blue in December. You may also need to consider the type of decor your venue will have in place for the holidays. If you are in a hotel or club they may have permanent holiday decor that could influence your own design. Take advantage of the natural beauty of the season as well and include it in your decor.

Build your menu around the season as well. We always encourage you to use locally sourced food items and the best way to do that is to serve what is in season at the time of your wedding. Consider the way the food will appear on the plate and how it is served. Remember that food styling is as much a part of your overall look as anything else. Everyone can appreciate a beautifully arranged plate! Specialty cocktails can be especially fun this time of year, consider spiced apple cider or wine (with a stick of cinnamon inside), eggnog or hot buttered rum! Give gingerbread cookies as late night snacks and hot chocolate as guest favors.

Dress the part! Don’t forget to cover up when outside. Beautiful faux fur shrugs or shawls can keep you warm and are beautiful in pictures. These can also be great bridesmaids gifts for your wedding party. If you are brave enough, consider a short outside ceremony in the snow and provide blankets to warm your guests!

Lastly, remember to have some fun with your pictures! Photographers love doing out-of-the-box shots to incorporate your personalities and the season, so get creative!

Here are a few other little details that may help inspire your holiday themed wedding.

Featured images are from the following:

Document The Day Photography

Heather Parker Photography

The Boho Wedding Blog

Indie Wed at Room 1520

Greatest Expectations — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:43:26 +0000

We had such a great time at Indie Wed last Thursday! Room 1520 did an amazing job and all of the vendors really out did themselves! Check out some fun pictures we took

Love the truffle cake from our friends at Truffle Truffle!

It was so fun to see Michelle from Bleeding Heart Bakery … The display was stunning and tasty!!

Our friend Chef Ginna was at the Salted Caramel table … Wonderful!

Figs and Ginger has a really unique take on things … I love the creativeness!

We had the most fun with the Busy Beaver Button Co. Seriously … You have to check them out!

Lastly I adore this custom wedding gown from Dame Couture … It is hard to tell but the top was pale blue!

Jenny Yoo Collection’s “Ask an Expert Series”

Greatest Expectations — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:04:55 +0000

We are so excited to be one of the featured speakers at the first Jenny Yoo “Ask an Expert” series on May 19th. Please join us, but RSVP’s are required as space is limited!

Hurry … This weekend only, Nancy Ciccone Trunk Show

Greatest Expectations — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:30:30 +0000

Nancy Ciccone Trunk Show

April 2 & 3 | 12pm – 5pm
James Ciccotti Bridal Shoes & Accessories
2545 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL
773.525.4280

Nancy Ciccone designs jewelry for life’s big moments. Each unique piece is meticulously handcrafted using only the finest materials to reflect the personal style, attitude and spirit of the woman it adorns. This designer attended event will include the complete collection for today’s modern Bride and mother of the wedding.

Sip Mimosas and enjoy exotic Truffles by Vosges Haut Chocolat while browsing the Collection.

Evening selections and custom work is always welcome, all at 10% savings on same day purchases!

No rsvp required.

Fall in Love at the Jenny Yoo Bridal Soiree

Greatest Expectations — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:26:48 +0000

We are so excited to be working with the amazing team from Jenny Yoo on their Fashion Soiree. This is going to be an exceptional event and we hope you will join us there. Just click on the image below to purchase your tickets for only $15 (that is good for the bride and a guest!).

There’s nothing better than a sample sale!

Greatest Expectations — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:30:08 +0000

The Dress by Nicole 2nd Annual Sample Sale September 10th-12th

Select wedding gown samples will be 20-60% off, along with bridesmaids dresses, moms, flower girls, veils, shoes and other accessories … You simply cannot beat that!

Special Sunday hours on the 12th from noon to 4pm.
Hurry and make your appointment today, space is limited!

The Dress by Nicole
131 W. Wesley St.
Wheaton, IL 60187
630.653.3737

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

Greatest Expectations — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:17:23 +0000

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

Cynthia Rowley Launches New Bridesmaid Collection

Greatest Expectations — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:19:18 +0000

Our friends at Bella Bridesmaid just announced they are providing dress fittings at the launch party for Cynthia Rowley’s new bridesmaids collection!

There will be passed champagne, models showcasing the new collection and of course, your favorite Bella girls on hand to answer questions and assist with fittings, if necessary. The dresses are really wonderful. You may even want one for yourself (think bridal shower or rehearsal dinner!).

Please RSVP to chicagoevents@cynthiarowley.com and mention Bella Bridesmaid if you plan to attend.

Tis the season for Trunk Shows …

Greatest Expectations — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:23:39 +0000

Are you wedding dress shopping? If so then this is your season! The best way to get an out of this world amazing dress is at a designer trunk show. You simply cannot beat the prices and selection. So here is a list of several trunk shows coming up in Chicago … Go get beautiful!!

St. Pucchi
Spring 2010 Trunk Show
May 7th & 8th

Trunk Show perks include meeting the designer, making custom changes to your dress and more! Discount vouchers available during trunk shows only.

Belle Vie Bridal Couture ~ 34 East Oak Street

By Appointment Only ~ 312.751.2222

Vera Wang Chicago 2010 Trunk Show

May 14th & 15th

Enjoy discount vouchers available only during the show. Make custom changes and more!

Vera Wang Chicago ~ 34 East Oak Street

By Appointment Only ~ 312.751.2222

US Angels Trunk Show Only at Madison & Friends

Don’t forget about the little ladies in your wedding!! Enjoy the latest flower girl samples from US Angels. All orders placed during the trunk show will receive 10% off and no charge for rush shipping.

Madison & Friends

May 15th

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

43 East Oak Street ~ 312.642.6403

Christos
Spring 2010 Trunk Show
May 21st & 22nd

Trunk Show perks include meeting the designer, making custom changes to your dress and more! Discount vouchers available during trunk shows only.

Belle Vie Bridal Couture ~ 34 East Oak Street

By Appointment Only ~ 312.751.2222

whiteChicago’s WHITE OUT EVENT!!

Greatest Expectations — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:59:19 +0000

Head out this weekend for whiteChicago’s first ever WHITE OUT SALE!!

For one weekend only, whiteCHICAGO is showcasing Mother of the Bride gowns! You can check out discounted inventory of designer gowns especially for the Mother of the Bride. Accessories and shoes also marked at 50-80% off retail. Find the perfect adornment to add glimmer and glam to your sash or flowers, crystal hair pins to complete your bridal look and your moms gown, all at blow out prices.

You can even get a sneak peak of the inventory by checking out the whiteChicago blog!

Friday, May 7th | 11 AM – 6 PM
&
Saturday, May 8th | 10 AM – 6PM

No appointment necessary (now that’s a twist!)
whiteCHICAGO | 222 W. Huron