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.
One of my favorite parts of the wedding day is the time that the bride spends getting ready at her home or in the hotel suite with her bridesmaids, Mom and friends. It is a fun time to bond and relax before the busy wedding day starts. Often times we will have hair and makeup artists come on-site to also make sure everyone looks gorgeous on the wedding day.
This week I got to talk with the WGN TV 5pm anchor news, Lourdes Duarte about non-traditional wedding gift registry items. Tuesday we looked at charity gift registries, like Kate and William are doing for their Royal Wedding. Today we look at some of the other ideas that I spoke of and are great ideas for couples to consider when registering.
I am fascinated by the anticipation leading up to The Royal Wedding. I am also fascinated by Fascinators. What is a fascinator you ask? Ah, a wonderful headpiece (often times taking the place of the traditional hat) which you see at weddings in the United Kingdom and all over the world. We are one week away from The Royal Wedding. The countdown has begun! Next week we will all get to experience the Royal Wedding from the United States while in the comfort of your own homes starting at 5am Chicago time. But rest assured that many a guest of The Royal Wedding and person in the UK and United States, in fact all over the world, will be donning a fascinator in celebration of Kate and William's wedding.
Happy Spring! Yesterday was the first day of Spring in Chicago (although it was a little chilly and rainy) and I for one am very much ready for the longer days and the popping of the green leaves, crocuses and daffodils. And Spring means the return of tulips and peonies to weddings.
In honor of Spring, enjoy some spring themed wedding pictures!
As many of my followers know, Beth Burton Cortina passed away peacefully with her dear and loving husband, Nick, and her so by her side on Thursday morning. Beth fought a battle with urachal adenocarcinoma since January 2009. On April 18th, 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding was able to grant Nick and Beth's wedding wish and they celebrated with 50 family and friends at Giovann's, their favorite restaurant in Joliet, Illinois. The Chicago Wish Upon a Wedding Board and many wish granters of Wish Upon a Wedding pulled together, donated their time and services and created the most magical day for Beth and Nick where cancer and sickness and doctors were not part of the day.
Ali, When should I be selecting and purchasing my wedding shoes? Can you give me any tips? (From Ashley)
That is a great question. It is a good idea to have selected your wedding shoes prior to your first fitting of your wedding dress which will typically happen two to three months before your wedding. Start looking for your wedding shoes about four to six months in advance of your 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.
Today I am excited to announce a new Blog Series called "Ask Ali". As a wedding consultant in Chicago I answer a lot of questions for my clients or potential clients about weddings in general. I also answer a lot of inquires on email for people interested in the wedding business or those wanting to become a wedding planner.
This week has been a hard week for me. I have seen people I love and care deeply about have losses in their family. Today I am reminded to stop and breathe and take time to live every day to the fullest. Life, and often in wedding planning, we can get so wrapped up in the little details. Those details are so important to creating the beauty of the day, but also, please take a little time to step away from the details every now and then and look at the overall picture of the day you are creating together as a couple. The wedding is about sharing your love with your family and friends and celebrating together. And your love and friends and family are what brings joy and happiness to life.
A question I get asked a lot as a wedding consultant is what should the order of the processional be? It is a great idea to think about this in advance of your wedding rehearsal. While rehearsals are for that, rehearsing, it is important to have a plan in place before you arrive to your rehearsal. I go thru a worksheet with my clients so I know who is paired up with who so I know the order the bride and groom want when we are practicing.
I am a Chicago girl, born and raised. I graduated from DePaul University right here in Lincoln Park. Nothing tastes better to me than a Chicago-Style Hot Dog to me. And why not embrace your hometown and where your wedding is being celebrated than having Chicago-Style Hot Dogs at your Chicago wedding? Pass them at cocktail hour or maybe you have a station of them later in the evening or passed in the cardboard boxes later on the dance floor. Feel that the whole dogs are too big? Do a mini version passed by the servers around 11:30pm when people need a quick snack to keep them going on the dance floor. Or, what about having a traditional cart come in to offer it to guests as they depart? Carts of Chicago can offer this service to you at your wedding.
