Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc.

Our clients Amanda and Mike, the winners of the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway, have started their wedding planning.  It is such a blast to introduce them to all the event sponsors and help them deign the perfect wedding!!

Each of the sponsors will be doing guest blog pieces on the eleven eleven WEDDING website so I hope you will head their often to check it out.  Diana, from Jenny Yoo is the first blogger!  In the meantime, here is a little teaser … The video from Amanda’s dress shopping experience at Jenny Yoo!!

Thanks to Ken from Poetic Productions for this fantastic montage!

If you have been following the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway then you will be thrilled to know they have announced their winner!!  The top three finalists arrived at ZED451 on Tuesday evening for an exciting evening of cocktails, socializing and the big announcement! Head on over to read all the details!

We have been so honored to be part of the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway.  Being in the company of the other sponsors is humbling and thrilling! Now we get to help a wonderful couple plan the wedding of their dreams.  Even though that is what we do every day it is still pretty darn exciting!

Katherine and I also wanted to give an extra special thank you to Aga and Frankie from Mario Tricoci for helping us look glamorous for the big night!  You ladies are so talented and simply amazing!!

The voting is now open for the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway!!  Please take a moment to check out the site, read about the ten amazing semi-finalists and cast your vote.  We had so many wonderful couples submit applications and it was extremely hard to decide who should be in the top ten.  We think you will fall in love with them all just like we did!!  No go vote!!

Applications are still being accepted for Chicago’s Premier Wedding Giveaway … Don’t miss your opportunity to win the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway!!  Be sure to check out all the details about how to enter and enter your submission by May 1st at 11:59 p.m.

Here is your chance to get the perfect dress and support an amazing cause!!  April 2nd and 3rd Bride’s Against Breast Cancer will be hosting a dress sale at Wyndham Chicago.

Power Hour Preview Shopping Spree

Friday, April 2, 10 am – noon $20 per attendee

General Sale
Friday, April 2, 12 – 8 pm Free Admission
Saturday, April 3, 10 am – 4 pm Free Admission

If you are interested in volunteering for this event your help is appreciated and needed!

Here is a tiny excerpt from their website:

Our mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.

We at Making Memories are dedicated to providing a spark of joy into the lives of women and men who are losing their battle against breast cancer. The tragedy of this illness is not merely the physical and emotional burden, but also the enormous financial strain it places on a family.  When insurance benefits are exhausted and mounting medical expenses deplete bank accounts, there is often little or no money left for special memory-making moments, set apart from the everyday sadness and turmoil of “saying goodbye.”

It is the driving force of our Foundation to make a wish come true for these brave fighters. The wishes and memory-making events we bestow, allows the individual and their family the opportunity to put aside the realities of this illness, if only for a time, while basking in the joy of one another’s presence.  Our sincere desire is for every terminally ill breast cancer patient to pass from this world, comforted in the knowledge of having left one final beautiful memory for his or her family.

A very dear friend of mine is hosting this fundraiser.  Get the little ones in your life and check it out!

Celebrating Neuro-Diversity is a benefit to help support 6 children who were nominated by their family and friends.  All of these children have a Neurological Disorder.  This year the common denominator is that each one of the children are on the Autism Spectrum.  The funds that will be raised will be split evenly and go to the children to help pay medical bills, pay for the help of an aide and/or send the child to a summer camp for children with special needs.

To purchase tickets, make a donation or be a part of the raffle/auction please visit the Neuro-Diversity Website.

If you have not already checked out Inspired By This I think you should get right to it!  I simply adore this blog and make sure to check it several times a day  We added them to our blog roll a few weeks ago, so I sure hope some of our loyal readers have checked it out!

I was “inspired” by their post this morning about custom chocolates!  Leila from Inspired By This is passionate about chocolate and let’s be honest … I have had quite a love affair with chocolate myself.

When it comes to favors I normally suggest making a donation instead.  There are so many amazing charitable organizations out there and it is easy to select one that is special to you and your fiance. But if you really want to give something then I say it simply must be edible (or drinkable).

Leila’s post today was the perfect combination of both the edible and charitable ideas. Introducing Chocri: Mein Schokolade! A site and service dedicated solely to make delicious and custom chocolate bars. Founded in Germany and just recently brought to the US in January, Chocri offers the most options out there to customize your bar; there are more than 100 toppings!

What really puts me over the edge in love with this custom chocolate bar company is that all of the chocolate is organic, fair trade chocolate from Belgium. As if that were not exciting enough, Chocri is also dedicated to giving back! They donate a percentage of their revenues to DIV Kinder which is an organization that supports children at the Ivory Coast.  You can even make an extra donation at check out if you so desire. These facts basically make the custom bars a perfect wedding favor! A delicious treat and charitable giving … A Perfect Pair!

Be sure to check in out Inspired By This … I promise you will not be disappointed!

Please stop by our  boutique bridal show at Pleasant Home in Oak Park this afternoon!  Last night was a smashing success and we expect today to be just as fantastic!!  Walk in’s welcome just remember to bring your $10 or better yet a piece of formal ware to donate to The Glass Slipper Foundation!

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Pleasant Home ~ 217 South Home ~ Oak Park

I love 1154 LILL – seriously, this is just the coolest store and I think it makes a perfect gift for your wedding party and a great excuse to get together with your girlfriends!

1154 LILL STUDIO is hosting their Blissful Bride Week Monday, September 14th – Sunday, September 20th.

Get 20% off your custom handbag bridal order of 5+ items.  Take your entire bridal party and make a day of it! They even have custom bridesmaids dresses (in Chicago only) by AUDEY, where a portion of all sales go to Equality Now, an International Organization that  works to protect and promote human rights for women around the world!

Be sure to schedule your appointment online or by calling their store at  773.477.LILL (5455)

Oh, and in case you did not already know it LILL does private hand bag parties!!  You can do them in the store or at your house!  This is a fantastic idea for a bridal shower, birthday … anything really! I might have to plan my own private hand bag party … More details here.

Chicago Social Brides and  Oak Street are hosting their Third Annual Charitable Wedding Walk on Sunday, October 4th from 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

This is truly an exciting day filled with high style and elegant wedding treats.  It is a wonderful way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.

This outdoor wedding walk will include glimpses of couture gowns, elegant jewelry, haute cuisine and delectable cakes at more than 25 stops along the famous shopping row. Brides-to-be will receive a luxury, Juicy Couture tote to collect gifts at each location (exclusively for the bride). The walk will begin at the Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia, level three.

The best part is that a percentage of the proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association. Not only can you spend an entire day shopping for luxurious wedding items but you can feel great about it because proceeds go to a fantastic charity (now that is what I call a great Sunday)!

To order your tickets online or get additional information just click here.  Tickets are $65 for the bride and $25 per guest.  A portion of your ticket price is tax deductible.  Online sales close October 1st so don’t wait too long to reserve your spot for this exclusive event on Chicago’s  most glamorous street!

If you want to check out last years exceptional event you can take a look here.

Be sure to let us know how the event was and have a truly fabulous day!

Oh, and if you have not already seen the current issue of CS Brides you really should!  It is a wonderful magazine … You can even view a digital version, which I think is simply fantastic!