Thanks so much to ChicagoStyle Weddings for featuring Megan and Eric’s “Wedding with the Stars” at the Adler Planetarium last October!
The amazing photos of this gorgeous event were captured by Eric and Melissa Snoza of SnoStudios! We simply loved working with Food for Thought, Amy Beck Cake Design, Hello Darling and the Chicago Catz!
We are so excited that Lesley and Matt’s gorgeous, peach-inspired September wedding is featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs today! Here are just a few images taken by the very talented Jennifer Kathryn Photography.
It was such a pleasure working with an outstanding group of professionals on this wedding: The Newberry Library, Fleur, Berghoff Catering, Orchestra 33, A Family Affair Video, and Amy Beck Cake Design!
I seriously loved interviewing Kara Underwood from Magnificent Milestones!! Kara owns an amazing custom invitation shop and I am like a kid in a candy store there … Ok, I will admit it … I have a little crush on paper. Feeling really nice paper gives me a bit of a rush. Now I know that might be a little strange for some of you but it isn’t for Kara and that is one of many reason we get along so well!!
One lucky reader will get an amazing gift provided by Kara … You will have to read through the interview to find out what and how you can win. Yeah, I am sneaky like that!
You own a beautiful invitation company that operates out of Smitten Boutique, how did you end up sharing this space?
Kirstin Martin, the owner of Smitten Boutique, and I separately had dreams to open a wedding boutique in the West Loop. It was perfect… close to many wedding vendors and there was absolutely nothing like it in the area. The only problem was, we both had the idea at the same time.
We opened within 6 months of one another and did our best to find our niche and support one another’s businesses. Kirstin focused on day of details, such as jewelry, cake toppers and more, while I focused on custom invitations and all things paper. We were constantly sending people to one another and meeting for coffee to chat. After a year, Kirstin and I met to discuss a physical merger. We would share the amazing space at Smitten Boutique and each maintain separate businesses. Naturally, I jumped at the chance!
Seriously folks, if you live in the Chicagoland area and have not been to Smitten Boutique then run don’t walk. The store is simply amazing!!
What do you love most about the invitation business?
When the bride sees her invitations for the first time! It is very surreal to see your name next to your fiancés… very official!
You just created your own Invitation Line. Tell me about “The Third Coast Collection”!
I started the Third Coast Collection out of my love for Chicago and a void in the marketplace. Brides & Grooms are always searching for fun and kitschy notes for thank you cards and welcome bags. They don’t always have the budget for customized notecards and these have a way of being personal to the couple and their personalities. Stay posted for a line of Chicago-centrice save the dates and invitations coming this fall!
You used to be a wedding planner, what made you decide to forego that and focus on invitations?
I love weddings (obviously), so it’s no surprise that I had my hand in several things at once. Planning was so much fun, but I truly think everyone should have a specialty. After the business started to grow, I realized that I was spreading myself to thin and needed to decide on just one focus. My love for paper prevailed!
I must admit this makes me very happy!! Not only because Kara was some stiff competition for me but because she has truly outdone herself with the custom invitations. I seriously love taking my brides to see her. Not only do they love being in the shop and what she has to offer but she is just plain fun to spend an hour with … Oh and it does not hurt that if you make an appointment to look at invitations with her she gives you the most adorable “expert thank you cards” (yes, that is all you have to do … Make an appointment instead of just stopping in!).
What do you miss most about planning?
Good question! I miss the day of, hands down. It is so exciting… Seeing the bride for the first time, watching the groom when she walks down the aisle, bringing them in to see the room, everything.
What did you find the most stressful about being a wedding planner?
There were times that I felt more like a psychiatrist than a planner! There is a lot of mediating, whether it is between a client and his/her parents or the bride and groom themselves, and it is challenging.
You just got married yourself (at the Ivy Room no less). What did you learn from “the bride’s perspective” that you did not know from the planner perspective?
All the fun details and stresses you don’t deal with as a planner…. Such as the amazing dress, the dreaded guest list.
What was your favorite part of your wedding?
Oh gosh, that is hard! I have a few… getting ready with my bridesmaids and my mom was a blast. I needed my girl time, so everyone came over in the morning for hair and makeup. After a lot of laughs (and some champagne), it was time to start the day. The ceremony was also one of my favorites. Our officiant did a great job personalizing it. Last but not least, one of my favorites was the dance party that took place that night.
What is your favorite restaurant in Chicago?
My favorite food is Mexican and I love the *new* Mercadito.
Favorite color?
Yellow
Favorite movie?
Steel Magnolias
Favorite song?
This changes all the time! Once I love something, I listen to it on repeat, literally, so it doesn’t last as a favorite for long. Sleepyhead by Passion Pit is on repeat right now.
Which living person do you most admire?
My mom, for a lot of reasons. She is one of eleven (yes, eleven!) children which made her mom-like figure to my aunts and uncles at a very young age. She had to sacrifice a lot to help out and never got to go to college. But I have never heard a complaint. She worked hard before starting her own family and still became extremely successful. In more recent years, I have thrown her several curve balls, moving to Chicago (with no job, no plan), starting my own business, opening a store and more. Everything I throw her way, I get nothing but support. I am always told that if “someone can do it, it’s me” and I truly think that is why I get to do what I love today.
What do you like best about working with Greatest Expectations?
Personally: You two are just fun! I can seriously chat with you for hours. Oh wait, we have!
Professionally: I love working with planners like you that go above and beyond for their clients. They are so lucky to have you! I know when I email them at 9:00 p.m. at night, I will get a response 
Thank you Kara!! It is so nice to get that kind of compliment from someone in the industry.
Now on to the good stuff … If you love paper the way Kara and I do then you will really enjoy these beautiful (and totally fun) engraved note cards from Kara’s Third Coast Collection. In order to win simply post a comment here telling us about your personal secret (or not so secret) obsession (mine is clearly expensive paper). Anyone is welcome to enter!
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.
Don’t miss the april Reem Acra and Amsale trunk shows at
Belle Vie Bridal Couture !! Experience luxurious bridal gown shopping in one of Chicago’s most upscale bridal salons! Trunk shows are an excellent way to get a couture wedding dress at an amazing price!
The first trunk show is …
Fall 2010 Trunk Show
April 16th & 17th
Then don’t miss out on …
Fall 2010 Trunk Show
April 23rd & 24th
Meet the designers, make custom changes and more!
Discount vouchers available during trunk show only.
By Appointment Only ~ 312.751.2222
Belle Vie Bridal Couture
34 East Oak Street
If you are a reader of this blog then you know we simply love the people at Fleur! They are just so darn talented and we love to work with them. We Fleur is celebrating it’s 8th birthday and would love for you to join them April 8th 10am-7pm for a little birthday celebration! Think Cupcakes and Cake from Tipsy Cake. Champagne and Saint Germaine, wine, cheese and jam, and other deliciousness. You might even want to take advantage of the storewide 15% off sale and find something pretty to take home and display on your table! I wouldn’t miss it if I were you!
I know it is April Fools Day but this is no joke! Greatest Expectations has teamed up with 27 other Chicago wedding professionals to give away a wedding! Yup … You read that right, we are giving it away … And all you have to do is enter to win! Here’s the scoop …
Chicagoland couples are invited to share their love stories for a chance to win the eleven eleven WEDDING, Chicago’s premier all-inclusive wedding giveaway valued at $60,000, to be held on Nov. 11, 2010, at West Loop Studio. Everything, from food to formalwear, flowers to the last dance, is included thanks to many of Chicago’s top wedding professionals.
Couples can enter by telling their love story, including the proposal, and by answering a few questions, like why they deserve to win the eleven eleven WEDDING giveaway. 10 semifinalists will be chosen and posted on the eleven eleven WEDDING site, where the public can then vote for their favorite couple. The couples with the top three votes will be interviewed by the planning committee and the winning couple will be announced on June 1, 2010, during a reveal party!
In order to enter you need to go to the eleven eleven WEDDING website and answer the following questions
• Tell their love story and the details of the proposal
• Answer why they deserve to win the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway
• Share the one moment they most look forward to on their wedding day
• Describe their design style
• Submit a picture of themselves
Applications will be accepted starting at 12:01 a.m. April 1, 2010. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. May 1, 2010. The ten semifinalists will be posted and public voting will begin on May 10, 2010.
Head on over and enter now!!!
It was such an honor to interview my long time friend and treasured vendor, Kelly Marie Uss from Fleur, Inc. Kelly has worked in the floral industry for twelve years. She loves working with unique blooms, pulling inspiration from cloud formations in the sky, ripples in raindrops, hidden clovers in grassy patches and the glow of the flowers themselves. She pairs a modern and clean approach to design, softened with a versatile, whimsical wild-flower-esque touch. Her background in painting and printmaking gave her a non traditional training in floral design and that is apparent in her sensitivity to texture and color. “Nature offers us so much, often in the whirl-wind of life we miss the small details. I feel it’s my job to help people recognize time to slow down and enjoy the intricacies all around us” say Kelly Marie. “There is so much beauty out there!” she says with a sigh and a smile. And she definitely keeps us noticing.
Read all the way through the interview to discover what Kelly is giving away to one lucky Chicagoland reader!
How long have you been in the floral industry?
Twelve years! It is really amazing to think about it.
When did you open Fleur, and how has it grown?
Eight years ago. In fact, April 8th is Fleur’s golden birthday! We’ve grown so much it’s mind boggling. From just a little bucket shop to a new location. We started with just a small storefront and now have a new location with a private meeting room for clients. Also, our style has really changed from modest arrangements to stylized centerpieces, and all the designs in the middle. It’s so fun to keep pushing the boundaries. In addition to working on just spectacular weddings and events, our storefront offers a boutique style shop with new selections almost everyday. We’ve also begun carrying vintage vessels, gorgeous hand crafted jewelry and beautiful plants.
I can say from first hand experience how creative and fun Kelly’s floral concepts are! I always love it when she calls to tell me she has a “new idea” because I know it will produce something amazing for one of my clients.
What is your favorite flower?
I have three. Peonies and lilac, because they remind me of my Mother’s garden growing up. And mimosa which resembles the softest little, butter yellow cotton balls. All three have incredible fragrances and do not last long, which makes them so very special and a reminder to me to stop and enjoy little moments.
Describe the perfect wedding centerpiece?
Right now I am just obsessed with vintage milk glass, or rather, vintage vessels in general. I love varying heights and shapes of containers, teacups and saucers filled with clusters of exploding movement and texture or one single bloom. I’d like to see dogwood blossoms, helleborus, peonies, ranunculus, jasmine, lots of buds, fun textures in a sherbet palette, with pillar candles! I’d love to place them on top of old, hardcover books, or sew a little “place-mat” out of vintage fabric. How bright and fun!
Like Kelly, I am currently obsessed with the look and style of vintage weddings. I think they are so romantic and fun!
What is your favorite venue in the city?
I like open space and natural light, so I think it might have to be Prairie Productions because it is just a blank palette waiting and there is so much room for so many options. Salvage One is also just so eclectic and amazing!
Awhile ago I “sipped champagne” with the bride from a wedding Kelly and I did together at Prairie Productions. Check out some pictures from the event in my interview with Alyssa.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Everywhere!! I want to see it all! But if I was planning my next little holiday I think it would be in Nova Scotia. I’ve never been to that part of the world and would love to see the maritime culture. I just know I would be so inspired and filled with design ideas after a week there.
If you were an animal which one would you be and why?
Recently I read that my spirit animal may be a crab (!?), but I think I’m a little more like squirrel. I am always forgetting where I hide my keys, and I like to use acorns in arrangements. They’re also all over Chicago, and I feel like that these days with all my running around, I am too.
What is your favorite song or musician?
I don’t think I have a favorite song, but I really love singer/songwriters. Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, Tim Buckley, Linda Rich and so many more. It’s nice to come home after a long day of work to some soothing guitar melodies. And I play the banjo, so almost anything that has an accompanying banjo usually wins me over.
Who is your favorite artist?
As for artists, I love Paul Klee for his whimsy and color, and Winslow Homer for his nature and palette. They’re perfect descriptions of my realist and abstract sides.
What is your favorite restaurant?
Lula Cafe. Yum! Although, Avec is a close second. Oh gosh, I’m getting hungry right now, thinking about them.
What do you like most about working with Greatest Expectations?
As we all know, the wedding industry can be stressful for both the bride and the vendors. Working with you and your team is so fun that the stress is just eliminated! We can laugh and joke all the while figure out plans and develop a completely unique and personalized celebration for each and every client. You are always coming up with the most fabulous new ideas and your standard is a perfect pairing of good fun, humor and superb professionalism! It is always a delight to work with you and your staff.
Thank you Kelly!! It warms my heart to hear such kind words from you. I consider myself extremely blessed to not only work with you often but to call you my friend.
Kelly has generously agreed to giveaway a $100 vase arrangement to one lucky reader!! The arrangement will be made in a vintage container and include wonderful blooms of the season. The picture below is just an example of Kelly’s work. The winning item may resemble this piece. In order to win just post a comment to this thread telling us what you enjoy most about having fresh flowers in your home! A winner will be selected at Random on March 8th. You do not have to be a Greatest Expectations bride to win
I consider myself extremely fortunate to work in a field I love! I have been in the industry a long time and have met so many amazing people. My clients become friends and Kristen and John are no exception! Off the bat I knew they were going to be a fun and unique couple. The first call I got was from John (yes, the groom … sometimes it does happen!). Right away I was intrigued; I don’t get a lot of super involved grooms.
We put together a powerhouse of players for this wedding, starting off with the venue of course (this should always be your first decision). They decided on The Ivy Room. Kristen fell in love with the outdoor space where we planned to have cocktails. This is such a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. Truly a hidden gem!
As is sometimes the case with October weddings, the weather simply did not go the way we had planned. Not only was it unseasonably cold (we rushed out for heat lamps just days before the wedding), it also poured rain a good portion of the day. Now keep in mind Kristen had begged me to do everything possible to make sure cocktails were outside. So I was 
on constant Weather Channel watch throughout the entire day. I arrived at The Ivy Room post-ceremony (which was held at the beautiful St. Jospeh’s Church on Orleans) and it was somewhat clear. I decided to make the call to set up outside. After all I had promised I would give it a shot! All I can say is, we tried. About 15 minutes after set up started, the sky opened up and I knew we’d have to take cocktails inside. So in we went with the soaking wet linens and chairs. Fortunately when Kristen put her hand down on the wet table cloth she smiled and said “Thank you so much for trying.” What more could I ask for!
One thing you can say about rain on your wedding day is that there are tons of fantastic photo opportunities! The amazing and talented Belen from Orange 2 Photo had a field day with this beautiful and creative couple! My favorite picture is at the top of the post (I am pretty sure this is my all time favorite wedding photo ever in 13 years of event planning!). I have sprinkled several of my favorite images throughout the post so I hope you enjoy them!
Knowing upfront how important the band was to the bride and her family I knew they had to have The Larry King Orchestra!! As it turns out Larry knew several of the same people as Kristen so they always had a great time chatting! We even had a guest performance of by Jim Peterik (formally of the band Survivor) who co-wrote the Rocky III theme
song “Eye of the Tiger.” He performed his number one hit and the crowd went wild!! The band had a blast playing for Jim and it was a real highlight of the night!
The caterer was the always fantastic Weddings by Blue Plate who treated the guests to some amazing food! The specialty drink was White Sangria made from scratch and wow was it yummy. I did not get to enjoy it at the event of course, since I was working and eight months pregnant, but I had the pleasure at the original tasting!! Blue Plate always does an amazing job and their food is not only tasty, it is also beautiful!! 
The cake was done by Amy Beck Cake Design. Let me just say Amy is beyond talented!! The gorgeous ivory fondant cake actually matched Kristen’s dress. The yummy inside included bourbon chocolate cake, almond cake and carrot cake. Not a single piece was left, I did not even get a slice (and I live for wedding cake) … It was that good!
We all know that floral is what sets your event apart from the others. Kelly from Fleur knocked it out of the park with this one. Kristen and John wanted an elegant, natural and organic feel. Kelly used 
beautiful manzanita branches with hanging votive candles and wired flowers. We placed tiny yellow orchids on each of the napkins which added a delicate touch to the tables. There were candles everywhere and we added an amazing wall pattern and dance floor lighting done by Sound Investment.
Overall it was a spectacular event. Getting to know Kristen and John was nothing short of a pleasure. Thank you for allowing us to play such a special role in the most amazing day of your lives!
I simply could not leave this post without sharing a few other pictures, I hope you enjoy them!!
If you are like many of the couples we work with you already have all of the stuff you need for your home. That said, you still want (and deserve) a bridal shower! So here are a few fun and creative ideas for “non-traditional” bridal showers … Here’s your chance to do something different and get things you really want!! Be sure to send this link to your bridal party, mom(s), and anyone else who might be throwing you a shower.
Entertainment Shower
Truly for the bride and groom that have everything. Your guests will enjoy thinking outside of the box while getting creative and the happy couple will enjoy utilizing all of these fun gifts! Each guest brings a gift that entertains, such as CD’s, DVD’s, magazine subscription, theater tickets, board/card games, movie passes, books, passes/memberships to museums, video games, tickets to sporting events … Or anything you can think of that the couple is interested in and will entertain them! Consider suggesting guests pool their resources and purchase a larger item like a subscription or even airline/hotel gift certificates.
Linen Shower
We are keeping it clean with this one! Here is your chance to finally get those bed linens like DreamSacks bamboo sheets (trust me you will never want to sleep on anything else again), beautiful new towels, or those place mats and table cloths you have not been willing to buy for yourself … This is a fun and easy shower that even your grandmother can enjoy!
Four Seasons Shower
No, we are not talking about hosting a shower at Chicago’s five-star hotel … This is a shower where each guest is asked to bring a gift for a certain season. For example if the guest had winter, a slow cooker, a warm blanket, mugs with spiced apple cider or hot chocolate; for spring, a picnic basket with supplies, an umbrella stand or a variety of cleaning supplies (hit spring cleaning head on!); for summer, beach towels and flip flops, a lemonade pitcher and glasses or grill tools; for fall, dishes for a holiday meal, an apple peeler/corer, pie pan and rolling pin.
You can either indicate the “season” on each invitation (I suggest having them printed with all four and then circling or highlighting – perhaps with glitter – the season for that specific guest) or tell them their season when they RSVP.
Lingerie Shower
Get the girls together! This one is not for the groom to attend, save those surprises for the honeymoon! A lingerie shower can be romantic and a little risqué, but no doubt a lot of fun! Each guest is asked to bring some type of lingerie and they can be as creative (think wedding night) or traditional (warm cotton pj’s) as they want.
This type of shower is normally hosted at someone’s home but if you are looking for a fun alternative consider a local lingerie shop that rents their space for private parties like G Boutique in Chicago (where they also feature a sex ed class) or Baubo’s Garden in Forest Park (where you can explore their “tool shed” during the event).
I think this is a fun shower to pair with a “question and answer game.” This requires a little effort upfront but the pay off is fantastic! Simply “interview” the groom on camera and ask him loads of funny (and perhaps tricky) questions. Then at the shower you ask the bride the same questions and see how many of their responses match. If you are pairing this with a lingerie shower I say go for it and make the questions a little racy!
Holiday Shower
Everyone loves to have special things to pull out at the holidays. This is a great opportunity to help your friends stock up on their holiday ware! Simply assign a holiday to each guest and have them bring a gift appropriate to the season. Be creative when thinking of the holidays and don’t leave any out … The guests will have fun picking out something for their specific holiday. Example: Fourth of July – A picnic basket decorated in red, white and blue, and, inside the basket red, white and blue plates, cups and napkins.
Gift Card Shower
This is a great shower for people who live out of state (or the country) and are not able to travel with a bunch of gifts. I suggest guests purchase gift certificates from the local shops in the Bride and Groom’s hometown so they can be utilized throughout their first year of marriage (i.e. grocery store, department stores, specialty shops, restaurants).
A fun spin on this is the “#10 Envelope” shower. A #10 envelope is a standard mailing envelope (the long one). The rule is that every gift has to fit in the envelope. Hopefully the guests will get really creative in fitting larger gifts in the envelope.
Basket shower
The concept here is pretty simple … guests are asked to bring their gift in a “usable” container. While it is called a “Basket Shower” encourage the guests to think outside of the basket so to speak (think luggage, hat boxes etc…)
Some examples are “Kitchen Basket” – which is filled with things for the kitchen, “Bath Basket,” “Bedroom Basket,” “Entertainment Basket,” “Movie Night Basket,” “Romantic Basket.” Use your imagination and come up with all sorts of “Baskets!”
Around the Clock Shower
Yes, this is exactly how it sounds but there is a lot of opportunity to have fun and get some seriously unique items here. Each guest brings something for a certain time of day. Example: for 8 a.m., a coffee maker with mugs that match their dishes; for 7 p.m., cookware and a jar of spices; for 9 p.m., a popcorn maker and some movies … Don’t forget about late night, those are the gifts that are really fun to watch the bride open!
Around the House Shower
Not unlike the Around the Clock Shower, each guest brings a gift for a certain room of the house. You might bring towels for the bathroom, a vase or picture frame for the living room, a teapot for the kitchen, or lingerie for the bedroom. The Bride and Groom need help with every room in the house, so don’t leave anything out (including the backyard)! Obviously you will have more than one guest with each room (unless they have a really large house!) but that works out perfectly … Who needs only one set of dishes?
Wine and Cheese Tasting Shower
This is a great couples shower. Arrange for an elegant afternoon or early evening of wine tasting (wine, cheese and finger foods, what more could a guest ask for?). Ask the guests to bring a gift that is fit for entertaining (wine glasses, cheese markers, cocktail plates). Have some fun with this and consider these wine line reviews, they will keep your guests entertained all night. If you are really ambitious consider having a wine tasting contest!
Stock The Bar Shower
Invite the guys because they’ll want to be included! Have guests bring a bottle of wine to share, and a gift to help stock the couple’s bar. Encourage them to bring bottles of the couple’s favorite liquor, bar mixes, glassware … Anything you would use when cocktailing!
Alphabet Shower
I love this idea! On the invitation spell out the Bride and Groom’s names and assign each guest a “letter” from their names, the gift must start with the coordinating letter! At the shower, serve cookies with letters on them (this is a great guest favor). For a game idea, ask the guests to write down an attribute of marriage that begins with the same letter – something they would like to share with the bride.
Kitchen / Cooking Shower
Clearly the gifts are easy to figure out here but I love the idea of asking guests to email you recipes, then create a cookbook for bride (you could even make copies as favors for all the guests). If you simply do not have the time to coordinate an actual cookbook, enclose a blank recipe card with every invitation and ask that each guest write down a favorite recipe on the card to bring to the shower. Then present the bride a recipe box which filled with “tried and true” recipes. Suggest that the guests write a personal note on their recipe card for the bride to enjoy through out the years. For the bride this is much more practical than receiving a cookbook of recipes which no one has tried before and, at the same time, it adds a very personal touch! If you really want to take this one over the top hire a personal chef to come to the shower and give a cooking lesson!
The Pampered Wife Shower
Sometimes you have a bride who truly does have everything they need. If you’re sure the bride doesn’t need (or want) more housewares, then shower her with items to really pamper herself with like spa gift certificates, candles, bubble bath, and wine. I am sure she will thank you for it for a long time to come!
Another fun and eco-friendly thing to consider is a “display” shower … Ask your guests not to wrap their gifts. When the guests arrive set the gifts out for all to see and enjoy. It is also a great way to avoid the awkwardness of gift opening!
