media feature
Ali Phillips
Ali Phillips Chats Spring Wedding To Do's on ...

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! 

Ali Phillips Chats Spring Wedding To Do's on Martha Stewart
media feature
Ali Phillips
Ali featured on The Estate Blog

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. 

Ali featured on The Estate Blog
date ideas
Ali Phillips
Valentine's Weekend in Chicago

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!

Valentine's Weekend in Chicago
event space
Ali Phillips
Camp Wedding Retreat at Camp Wandewega

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. 

Camp Wedding Retreat at Camp Wandewega
internship
Ali Phillips
Chicago Wedding Planner Internship Available

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. 

Chicago Wedding Planner Internship Available

event space

Chicago Social Brides Feature of Chicago Wedding at Old St Pat's and Palmer House Hilton

Palumbo Wedding in CS Brides Magazine.pdf

I am so happy to share the wonderful feature of a Chicago Wedding we did that was just featured in Chicago Social Brides Magazine. The wedding of Jessica and Ryan was in July this past summer. They celebrated their marriage ceremony at Old St Patrick's Church. Following the afternoon nuptial mass, guests feasted and feted at the Palmer House Hilton. The rooms were magically transformed be Erin McDonald of Heffernan Morgan and Frost Lighting. The Larry King Orchestra kept the guests dancing the night away with his fifteen piece orchestra and DJ. 

Gorgeous Chicago Wedding at Armour House in Lake Forest

I was so excited when Kristin and Jack asked me to plan their Chicago Wedding. Kristin was from the Chicago area and wanted to take advantage of the wonderful fall weather we have in Chicago in September and host her wedding then. She selected the Armour House in Lake Forest as her reception site which is one of my favorite locations in the suburbs of Chicago.

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The Knot Chicago Party

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The Knot Chicago Party

The Knot.com invited Chicago wedding industry consultants and professionals to gather together on Wednesday night at the cool event location, Salvage One, to celebrate. I have not done an event at Salvage One, but what a unique location to host a corporate event or a wedding. It is a two floor raw and lofty space with an outdoor garden that could be used for cocktails or even a ceremony. Located in West Town, parking should be easy for your guests on the night of your event. Not to worry though at this event, VIP Valet was a sponsor at the event and quickly whisked my car away. The ladies at Big City Bride and Botanicals Chicago really did a great job creating a fun and gorgeous event for industry professionals. We sampled great food from Berghoff Catering, danced to the tunes spun by Delta Disc Jockeys, and visited the fun photo booth by Shutterbooth. 

Sixtieth Birthday Party Chicago Style

As a wedding consultant in Chicago, I often get asked to plan the birthdays and anniversaries of past clients of parents of past clients. The sixtieth birthday party that I was asked to plan was absolutely one of my favorite parties to plan. The party was a total surprise to the birthday girl. At the same time we were planning their daughter's wedding so the father of the bride and I would have secret meetings to talk about decor and the entertainment. Brian Culbertson, a famous jazz musician from Chicago, was one of the birthday girl's favorite performers. The father of the bride tasked me with planning an amazing party and booking Brian Culberston and his band for a snowy evening in February.  We called the event "Club Joy', the birthday girl's nickname and boy was there a lot of joy in the room.

Museum of Contemporary Art Wedding of Emily and Ben

Museum of Contemporary Art Wedding of Emily and Ben

What incredible pictures by Jeremy Bustos at Studio This Is. Here is a sneak peak he sent from from last Saturday's wedding at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Fourth Presbyterian Church. More to come! Enjoy

Sunny Beach Pictures at Ritz Carlton on Grand Cayman

Sunny Beach Pictures at Ritz Carlton on Grand Cayman

If you are in Chicago, you woke up to a cold and dreary day today. I just got back from a walk with the dog and it is COLD! SO.....I thought I would channel some warm summer vibes by posting these adorable pictures of Kevin and Janie who got married at the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman.  They zipped around the Island the day after the wedding to play in the sand and run thru the crystal clear blue water in the ocean. What a fun couple!

Photos by Rebecca Davidson

A Newberry Library Celebration, Alyssa and Jeff

A Newberry Library Celebration, Alyssa and Jeff

Alyssa and Jeff Peterson's wedding was a picture perfect fall day in Chicago. They chose to go on a "photo safari" around Chicago with their wedding party before they said their I Do's at Newberry Library in Chicago. Alyssa's wedding shoes just made me smile! They were the blue Manolo's that Carrie wore in the Sex In The City Movie! She rocked those shoes and had a blast all day. Their reception was a festive reception where the guests dined, danced (DJ was Don Wilson of Fun Times DJ) and climed in and out of the antique photo booth to get their pictures taken with the bride and groom.

Chicago Wedding at The Doubletree Chicago and St Josephs Church

Chicago Wedding at The Doubletree Chicago and St Josephs Church

Kate and Michael had a wonderful wedding in Chicago this past summer at St Josephs Church. Their guests feasted and feted at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile. 

Chicago Social Brides Wedding Feature-Trump Chicago

Chicago Social Brides Wedding Feature-Trump Chicago

I am so excited that one of the weddings I did in September was chosen to be featured in Chicago's most luxurios wedding magazine, Chicago Social Bridses. Lisa and Mark Rogers were married at one o'clock in the afternoon at St. Alphonsus Church. They toured the city in an antique car for pictures and then danced the night awayat Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. Thanks to the amazing team of vendors who made this wedding night magical for Lisa and Mark Rogers

Blackstone Hotek Consultant Event

Blackstone Hotek Consultant Event

Last night I attended the Blackstone Hotel's fabulous "Expect the Unexpected" Consultant Event.  What a wonderful night of networking, good food and awesome drinks. And the tabletop! All I have to say is, WOW!!!!  They were designed by the amazing Richard Remiard. He designed 18 tables and I spent about an hour walking thru and viewing his amazing work. Below was my favorite table.

Bridal Events in Chicago This Week

It is not too late to get your ticket to the Ritz-Carlton Chicago's Bridal Luncheon! It will be held Sunday, January 18th from 12pm-2pm and will feature a three-course luncheon. All brides to be will have the opportunity to win a five night honeymoon at the Four Season's Resort Lanai'i Manele Bay. Tickets can be purchased for $40 so grab your Mom or your Maid of Honor and call today to book your ticket, 312-573-5180.

Carnivale Chicago

Where can you go for a great rehearsal dinner in Chicago? Look no further than Carnivale. Here you can spice up your party by renting one of their private rooms for you and your guest. They have rooms for all kinds of party sizes. Their authentic soulful cuisine will put you in paradise. Here you can pick from Puerto Rican, Mexican, Colombian, Brazilian, and many more Latin American foods. Not only is the food amazing but also the colors featured throughout the restaurant are perfect for a fun get together! This restaurant would be a great place to eat, chat, and share a few of their famous mojito’s before the big day. The thing that I love most about the restaurant (other than the food and colors), is the SPACE! All the rooms are large enough to accommodate at least a party of 40 guests, if not more. The live music after dinner will get you and your party dancing in no time. Carnivale is a top location to take your guests for a wonderful celebration.

Alyssa and Jeff's Chicago Wedding

Alyssa and Jeff tied the knot at The Newberry Library. It was a gorgeous day in October for pictures around Chicago, which they did before the ceremony with their wedding party. The ceremony at 6pm was officiated by Jim Rehnberg and the guests laughed and cried when he talked about the amazing relationship of this bride and groom. Having met in a bookstore, their tables were all named after their favorite books. 

Alexandra and George

Alexandra and George will be married this week at Queen of All Saint's Basilica and a reception following at the Museum of Contemporary Art. We are so excited about this event and just adore working with Alexandra, George and Alexandra's mother, Kathy Kajari. 

Here are some awesome engagement pictures

Maricay and James Gorgeous May Wedding

Becky Hill (one of my favorite photographers in Chicago) posted some pictures of a wedding we recently did together on May 10th, 2009. The ceremony was at Holy Family in Chicago followed by a "rocking" reception at Maggiano's which was DJ'ed by the 'oh so fabulous' DJ Toad. 

The Marriage of Katie and Johnny Callaghan

I can hardly wait to post these pictures! Not even 24 hours later, Kurt and Nick Gerber have put together this BEAUTIFUL photo montage of Katie and Johnny's wedding last night.