It is always good to welcome a new year by reflecting on the previous one … So here are some of our favorite memories from 2011 including weddings we have coordinated as well as events we have participated in within the wedding industry.  It was hard to narrow them down and they appear in no particular order.  I hope you enjoy taking a walk down memory lane with us  (and you can always look back through the blog for more details about each event!).

A special thanks to the following photographers for the above images: Amanda Hein Photography, Bellissima Photography, Danielle Aquiline Photography, David Wolfe Photography, Fred Fox Photography, Gerber + Scarpelli Wedding Photography, Jennifer Kathryn Photography, Jeremy Lawson Photography, Megan W Photography, Simply Jessie Photography.

I love my job!  I really, really love my job.  One of the reasons I love it so much is because of the amazing people I get the pleasure of working with on a regular basis. One of my favorite people in the world is Becca Kaufman from BKO (Becca Kaufman Orchestra).

I was lucky enough to meet Becca when she joined MFO Entertainment (they also represent The Larry King Orchestra whom I simply adore) and we became fast friends.  It turns out we live in the same part of town and our kids even had soccer together.  What a small world!

Becca was also a strong supporter for our eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway this past year. She worked so hard to make sure Amanda and Mike had the best night possible!  It meant so much to have Becca’s unwavering support.

I was delighted to sip a glass of champagne with Becca!

How did you get into the music business?

I always loved to sing and was auditioning and performing throughout my childhood.  I went to Northwestern University and was a theatre major, but sophomore year some friends and I started a band, and I was hooked.  I loved how the same songs could change depending on the crowd and the mood we were in.  I also discovered the recording studio at that time and it felt like home-certainly more than theatre ever had.

What is your favorite song to sing?

Depends on the day, time and my mood.  Same goes for the music I listen to.  But I have always loved to sing and listen to songs that tell a story.

If you had to pick one song and you’d only be able to listen to that one song everyday for the rest of your life … What would it be?

In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel.  It was my first dance, it describes love and devotion and dedication and it always makes me feel joyful and loved.

How do you balance Motherhood with work?

Depends on the day.  It’s a constant juggling act because my kids’ schedule, just like my work schedule, is always changing.  I have a husband who is very involved when he isn’t traveling and wonderful childcare and friends who work with me to make sure my children always have what they need and are loved and supported.  I love what I do, and I know my children sense that.  I feel I am a better mother because of it, so it’s worth the juggling.

I could not have said it better myself!

What’s your favorite place to perform?

I think my favorite performances have never been made by the place but rather the people I am playing with and for.

You also do Music Showcases, tell us more about those, why you enjoy them and how all the readers can enjoy them!

For the last 10 years I have co-produced a monthly vocal showcase, Chicago Singer Spotlight, at the incredible FitzGerald’s in Berwyn.  We feature 4 singers who have different experience levels and vocal styles backed by an incredible house band. Our goal was to give singers of all backgrounds a chance to spread their wings in a supportive nurturing environment.  We have professional vocalists trying out a style of music they have never performed before to people who have always dreamed of performing with a band.  The singers can get a recording of the show, professional photos and can network with others. They also don’t have to worry about putting a band together or filling a club by themselves-it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I wish there was something like this when I started out.  Please come out and support the show-it’s the second Wednesday of every month!

It really is always a fantastic show!!

What is your personal “guilty pleasure” music wise?

Don’t have one!

I don’t believe her but I let this one slide!

What is your favorite color?

Purple

What is your favorite book?

I never get to read anymore-3 kids make it impossible because I get so absorbed in a story I can’t do anything else.   I love mysteries and my favorite indulgence on vacation is to read as many books as I can.  I just finished the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series on my last trip and loved them.

What is your favorite tourist location in Chicago?

Buckingham Fountain

What is your all time favorite movie?

I have two and you cannot make pick just one!

1. Shawshank Redemption

2. Sense and Sensibility

What’s the best place you’ve ever eaten?

I am married to a chef, so I have been very fortunate to eat at many many incredible places.  I think the best place I have ever eaten was a small restaurant off of an alley way in Italy with my husband.  We don’t remember the name.  We were in Rome and it was not a tourist spot, it was a place for locals.  There was no menu-you ate what they served.  A carafe of wine, the most amazing homemade pasta with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella.  The food was delicious and the company divine.

What is your dream vacation?

A beach on an island somewhere, laying on a floaty in the ocean with a great book, the warm sun, a cool breeze and a frozen drink.

Me too Becca, when can we leave!?

What’s your favorite thing about working with Greatest Expectations?

I love that you listen to your clients.  Your celebrations are very personalized, beautifully executed and you don’t miss anything!  And of course-I adore you personally!

We adore you too Becca and cannot wait until the next time we get to enjoy your talent!

Here is one of my favorite pictures from Amanda and Mike’s eleven eleven WEDDING.

Photograph by Amanda Hein Photography

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!!

This wedding was glamour on a grand scale!! We all had so much fun working with Rachel and David on their beautiful black, white and hot pink wedding!  Rachel, who is the oldest of three girls has excellent taste and we really bonded.  The planning process was like hanging out with an old friend.  I also truly enjoyed getting to know her mother!  We had a lot in common since I was pregnant with my third daughter for a majority of the process.

The setting was just right at Ivy Room at Tree Studios.  Any opportunity to work with Donna and her team at the Ivy Room is a welcome one!  I just adore this picture of Rachel and David against the “Ivy Wall”. Breathtaking!

Jewish law requires that all weddings on the Sabbath be after sundown.  That meant this Labor Day weekend wedding started after 7:30 p.m. (and lasted well into the wee hours of Sunday morning eventually moving to Pops for Champagne!)  The first event was the Ketubah signing.  I have always loved this tradition, it one of the most beautiful parts of any wedding ceremony. Once this event is over the couple is “married in the eyes of Jewish Law”.

The ceremony, which took place directly following the Ketubah signing, was in the main ballroom with the most amazing and beautiful seven layer Chuppa you can imagine with lots and lots of romantic candle light.  Ronsley Special Events really did a great job with everything.  The ceremony was a magical setting in all white (except for the beautiful black chivari chairs provided by Tablescapes).

We were blessed with perfect weather for cocktails in the courtyard (seen below light up beautifully with pink up-lights thanks to Sound Investment).

From there guests went back inside to a totally transformed space with rich pink lighting, the most luxurious black and white silhouette linens from BBJ Linens and to die for centerpieces from Ronsley Special Event.  We alternated tables with the all white tall centerpieces featuring Calla’s and Orchids and short square centerpieces of hot pink roses in an opaque black vessel … Of course there was tons of candlelight throughout the room!

The treats just kept coming as the guests were blown away by the sounds of the Larry King Orchestra, tastes from Weddings by Blue Plate and the piece de resistance, a four tiered PB&J cake, dripping in handmade silver and crystal flowers, from none other than Amy Beck Cake Design … Ok, so it was Amy’s, to-die-for, chocolate bourbon cake with peanut butter mousse and fresh raspberry filling … PB&J couture style!

All around this wedding was a blast.  It was such a pleasure working with Rachel and David (and their families!) and being surrounded by some of my favorite vendors.  That always makes events run smoothly and a lot more enjoyable!  The beautiful photography is courtesy of Matt Blum .

As a little icing on the proverbial cake … Chicago Social Brides Magazine decided to feature Rachel and David’s wedding in their December 2009 Issue.  Be sure to pick up your copy today to see it in person (you can also view the entire issue online).