So fun to be a part of the Martha Stewart Spring Wedding To Do's article today! Read all the tips here on Martha Stewart Weddings!
I had so much fun writing about my business for The Estate Blog and being asked to contribute as one of their preferred creative partners. I got to answer some fun questions for them about me, my business and my love of the City of Chicago! Here are some excerpts below of that article. You can read the full article on The Estate Blog.
Get out the heart sweater and chill the champagne, it is Valentine's Weekend!! A chilly weekend is predicted in Chicago and here are my top picks for having a wonderful Valentine's weekend with your loved one!
In September, I was honored to be asked to speak by Sarah and Andrea from Cherry Berry Events at Camp Wedding at the Camp Wandewega, located in Wisconsin. This was their inaugural wedding retreat and I was looking forward to meeting some new friends in the wedding industry. I attend a couple of event conferences a year and I was intrigued by the concept of Camp Wedding, with wedding professionals being in a camp environment.
Want to learn about the event industry from one of the best wedding planners in Chicago? Ali Phillips of Engaging Events is looking for a great intern for the winter season. Intern should be available one business day a week and available on some weekends. Please send resume, 2 references and cover letter to info@engagingeventsbyali.com.
I am so excited that we are now selling tickets for the Wish Upon a Wedding Chicago Chapter 5th Annual Blissful Wishes Ball Gala that will be on Monday, November 3rd at 6pm. The Gala will be taking place at the Chicago History Museum which is an iconic location for Chicago weddings. The catering will be done by Joshua Yates and the amazing team from Pure Kitchen Catering with dancing by the Larry King Orchestra and decor by The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
On Sunday, August 11, I celebrated ten years of being a Chicago wedding planner at Arlington International Racetrack with sixty of my family and friends. Having done over 330 weddings in Chicago, (and around the world), it was an amazing day of celebrating and reflecting on the last ten years. I was able to hug people that were there when I did my first wedding. I never would have thought that eleven years ago when I first begin to register my business that I would have the most incredible and rewarding careers I have ever had. I am so thankful for every client that has ever hired me and every wedding vendor that has ever referred me. What a fun day out at the track with my friends! I love how everyone embraced the bow ties and hats theme! Cheers to ten more years and I can't wait to see what the next ten years has in store for me.
Monday, November 4th was the 4th annual Blissful Wishes Ball benefitting the Wish Upon a Wedding Chicago Chapter at The Sculpture Garden at Bridgeport Art Center. Two hundred fifty wedding and event professionals in Chicago gathered, celebrated and also supported Wish Upon a Wedding. Often called the "prom" of the Chicago wedding industry, this year was just an amazing night to remember. I am the Founding President of the Chicago Chapter and also the National President and this cause is so close to my heart. In four years we have granted seven weddings in Chicago and sixty weddings nationally for deserving couples facing terminal illness or life-altering circumstances. With the attendees support in the silent and live auctions, the Chicago Chapter was able to raise $29,600 for the charity.
My friend Beth Bernstein from SQN Events is bringing a great wedding education opportunity that will take place on Monday, November 18th called Toss the Bouquet: Educate, Exchange, Elevate at the W City Center in Chicago, Illinois. My good friend Liene Stevens on Think Splendid is the keynote speaker and Beth has an amazing line up of speakers for some of the top designers and event planners in the country.
The Wish Upon a Wedding Chicago Chapter Invites you to The 2013 Blissful Wishes Ball benefiting Wish Upon a Wedding on Monday, November 4th, 2013 at Sculpture Garden Gallery at The Bridgeport Art Center at 1200 W 35th Street Chicago, Illinois. Cocktails will begin at 6pm, followed by the program, dinner and dancing to the MFO Entertainment Group. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Last week I co-chaired with Anthony Gowder of Anthony Gowder Designs, The Wedding Event for The Special Event Show which was in Chicago for the first time in 25 years. I was flattered to be asked to chair this event and represent the city of Chicago and all that we have to offer for weddings and events. The evening seated dinner was for a sold out crowd of 700 and the guests were treated to a delight of design, awesome music by The Becca Kaufman Orchestraand Sasha Souza's Favorite Things presentation at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.
We are less than two weeks away from the much anticipated February 14th opening of the BHLDN Store in Chicago, Anthropologie's answer to all things bridal. We fell in love with BHLDN when they launched last year on Valentine's Day online and how appropriate that the Windy City gets their own store for brides, grooms and party planners alike one year later on the same holiday, (one that celebrates love); Valentine's Day.
Only ten days away until the second annual Wish Upon a Wedding Blissful Wishes Ball on Tuesday, November 1st at the Millennium Knickerbocker in Chicago. It's not too late to get your tickets! Last year was a sold out crowd and what a night it was! This year is going to have a "MOD" theme so think black and white and Austin Powers! Yeah Baby! I hope to see you there!
Since I have a lot of Chicago wedding vendor readers and aspiring wedding planner reading my blog I wanted to let you know of an event that may be of interest to you. My friend Katy Carrier of Carrier & Associates and hosting a great event in Chicago on Monday, October 17th. Law School for Wedding Professionals is a day-long educational workshop covering the legalities of owning, protecting and growing your wedding business.
For Chicago weddings, we like to recommend some great activites that the brides and grooms can do with their guests or even recommend to their guests for when they are visiting Chicago. One of my favorite things to do in Chicago is the Architectural River Cruise. This cruise takes you on Chicago's First Lady and you see over 50 buildings in Chicago. The guides are well versed in the history of Chicago architecture and will provide you with many wonderful details about how this great city was built. The cruise would be a great pre-wedding activity where anyone could attend the day before the wedding or maybe even great for a post-wedding event the day after the wedding. There is a full service bar on the boat and small snacks. You can toast your guests as you see Chicago from the river and learn more about the great city you are wedding married in.
Last Monday the new JW Marriott Chicago celebrated with a Grand Opening Event. And wow was the event Grand! The hotel opened in November of last year and is a great addition to Chicago. Boasting two ballrooms, the JW Marriott is Chicago's newest luxury hotel to host weddings and corporate events. I am so excited to have a new venue to show to couples for consideration for their wedding.
Looking to do something this weekend? Want a fun "outdoor" activity but it is just too cold for you? What a FUN new idea for your Engagement Session? How about grab your skates and head to the top of the John Hancock Observatory. What you may ask? Well today thru March 31st, the John Hancock Observatory will have an ice skating rink, made from a synthetic substance called XTRAICE, inside called "Skating in the Sky". What a fun outing with your fiance. Don't forget the camera.
I woke up this morning and it feels like fall a little bit, but this quick cool weather will be replaced Sunday with warm and sunny yet again for the Labor Day Weekend in Chicago. Needs ideas for what to do this weekend? Take a break from wedding planning, get out there and enjoy all the city has to offer.
