Bill + Augusto’s Festive Wedding at Salvage One

October 14, 2019Leave a comment

Bill and Augusto had a festive wedding at Salvage One, a vintage Chicago warehouse with salvageable architectural finds. The couple incorporated their love of music by having two bands perform during the reception. Everything made a statement from the venue to the splatter paint designed cake. As the night ended, guests left with Garrett Popcorn as a sweet treat.

Photography: Avant Garde

Venue: Salvage One

Band: Wedding Banned + Cover Girls

Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design
Party Favors: Garrett’s Popcorn

Annie + Bill

September 13, 2016Leave a comment

Annie and Bill were a fun, modern couple, and their personalities were tangible on their wedding day. From early morning until late at night, the day was filled with fun details with a unique modern twist. Riverbend Studio captured all of the loveliness.

When a designer and an enthusiastic couple put their heads together, there is nothing they can’t do! Annie and Bill chose Fleur de Lis to help make their day beautiful, and together they put together an absolutely stunning decor for the reception at Galleria Marchetti.

At the end of the day, what really matters is whether or not the bride and groom enjoy the day—and they absolutely did! Along with their family and friends, Annie and Bill had a magnificent time, and I am so glad that I could be a part of one of the most important days of their lives.

Band: Dangerous Mike Music
Cake: Amy Beck Cake Design
Ceremony: St. Joseph Church
Florist: Fleur de Lis Florist
Hair and Make-up: Art + Science
Photographer: Riverbend Studio
Reception: Galleria Marchetti
Wedding Coordinator: Honey Bee Weddings

Jessica + J.T.: The Reception at Galleria Marchetti

January 31, 2013Leave a comment

Yesterday, I posted the first part of Jessica and J.T.’s wedding. Today’s post is dedicated to their beautiful reception at Galleria Marchetti.

All photo by Redwall Photography.

Galleria Marchetti is a hidden gem in the city.

The room looked stunning with the dramatic centerpieces by Scarlet Petal.

The first centerpiece was a round and lush sphere of flowers that included hydrangea, roses, cushion poms, and hypericum berries held in a tall and slender hourglass vase with a few hanging crystals as accent.

The second centerpiece was a trio of mercury glass pedastals that displayed pillar candles encased in glass hurricanes. Surrounding the trio of candles was three mint julep cups containing more green hydrangeas, roses, and tulips.

The escort card table was simply beautiful. There was a series of five cylinder vessels in varying heights that displayed groupings of blush pink and celadon hydrangeas with the prettiest pink escort cards that I have ever see!

Can we take one more look at those escort cards? I love the POP of pink!

One very delicious cake by Amy Beck that included devil’s food chocolate and vanilla cake on alternating layers.

Scarlet Petal accented the cake with fresh flowers.

The ladies put their bouquets in vases on the head table.

Both Jessica and J.T. loved the Devil’s Food cake!

As the evening continued, there were a few toasts.

And then the dancing began courtesy of Dan Hayes Orchestra!

Congratulations to a very fun couple! I wish all of the best in your future together.

Connie and Brian: The Reception

July 20, 20121 Comment

Yesterday, I wrote about Connie and Brian’s morning as well as the Catholic ceremony and Korean tea ceremony. Today, it is all about the reception at Terzo Piano.

All photos by Avery House.

Connie really wanted purple to dominate their decor. Their escort cards were the traditional card in an envelope style.

Honey Bee Weddings has worked at Terzo Piano many times but this was the first client that wanted to transform the space. We added uplighting, linens, and three gorgeous centerpiece designs by Revel Decor.

Amy Beck designed a cake that mimicked the bride’s gown.

One of the centerpieces sat on mirrored boxes to create a truly modern centerpiece.

Some brides mention a flower or a color that they would like to be used on their wedding day. Connie was very specific: She wanted purple dendrobium orchid blossoms in the tall centerpieces.

The last centerpiece was my favorite: low and lush arrangements with tons of color saturation to create a linear tablescape.

Magnificent Milestones designed menus that reflected the modern look of the invitation suite and included their monogram.

The bride and groom had their monogram made into a gobo.

Cheers!

I love this photo because you can see the details of the dress and the cake.

Garter tosses are a rarity these days but you wouldn’t know it by looking at this expressive crowd of gentleman!

A kiss in front of the Restless Rainbow.

No one could have imagined the installation on terrace. I thought that it was beautiful. The shocking colors did make me think of a rainbow!

The bride and groom took photos on the walkway.

Dancing the night away!

Connie + Brian: Morning and the Ceremonies

July 19, 2012Leave a comment

My first meeting with Connie and Brian was over the phone. They lived in New York City and were looking for a Chicago based planner. I was really in awe (and impressed) when they told me that they met in high school. I have friends that have been married for ten years that are high school sweethearts but I have never planned a wedding for a pair!

Many months later, it was the big day. Connie looked so beautiful and the couple looked like they were having so much fun. It was a wonderful wedding and I was so glad to be apart of it.

Ceremony: St. Hyacinth

Reception: The Modern Wing

DJ: DJ Erik

Florist: Revel

Hair and Make-up: Sonia Roselli

Videographer: Chris and Oliver

Cake: Amy Beck

All photos by Avery House.

Connie and Brian’s gorgeous custom invitations by Magnificent Milestones.

Connie with her very sweet and beautiful Mother.

Do you get pampered any day like your wedding day?

Connie puts on a bit more lipstick before heading out the door to meet Brian.

A stunning bridal portrait.

The Bride and Groom take a few photos after their first look.

I love this photo downtown. I’ve never seen a shot like this before and simply love it.

The entire bridal party in front of the Chicago Theatre.

The fine gents.

Back at the church, the ushers are ready to go.

Moments before she walks down the aisle, Connie has a laugh with her Dad.

I love that the photographer caught Brian looking at Connie.

After the ceremony, everyone headed to the Modern Wing for the Korean Ceremony.

Connie in her Korean tea ceremony attire.

Tomorrow, we will have more photos of the couple and their reception!

Lauren + Charlie – The Details

June 29, 2011Leave a comment

Earlier this week, we featured Lauren and Charlie’s ceremony and reception. Now we’ll highlight some details from their event.

All photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

Lauren wore a beautiful lace dress by Monique Lhuillier.

Her shoes added a playful touch.

Lauren carried a beautiful umbrella. This usually guarantees dry weather… and we did avoid rain for most of the day!

Their color scheme was black and white with pops of bright yellow. Here is the ceremony set up.

The flower girl basket and ring bearer pillow.

Runners on the dinner tables coordinated with the damask pattern. Vibrant flowers brightened up the space.

The cake perfectly matched the color scheme.

Lauren made the rosettes on the escort cards. It was such a pretty DIY project.

Congratulations again on a fabulous wedding!

Lauren + Charlie – The Reception

June 28, 2011Leave a comment

Yesterday’s post showed Lauren and Charlie’s ceremony. Now we’ll look at the party!

All photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

The maid of honor and best man gave some great toasts!

They shared their first dance to “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson.

After cutting the cake, the bride took a nibble off the decorations!

Winding up to toss the bouquet.

And Charlie threw the garter into the crowd!

The couple spent lots of time on the dance floor. This always makes me happy!

Guests always love stepping out on the balcony for the fireworks show.

In the last post, we’ll check out some details from their wedding.

Lauren + Charlie – The Ceremony

June 27, 2011Leave a comment

Lauren and Charlie were planning their ceremony and reception at Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier, a location where I had previously coordinated a wedding. It’s always interesting to see the same space decorated in a totally different way!

Cake Amy Beck Cake Design
Caterer Phil Stefani Signature Events
Ceremony + Reception The Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier
DJ Toast and Jam
Florist All Things Elegant
Linens Elite Chair Covers
Makeup Starlight Makeup
Officiant Meaningful Moments
Photographer Dennis Lee Photography

All photos by Dennis Lee Photography.

Almost ready at the hotel. Lauren was very calm the morning of the wedding.

Ready to go out and meet her groom.

Lauren and Charlie opted to have a first look before the ceremony.

The bridal party took photos at River Esplanade Park.

The groomsmen were a bit more animated!

Here’s a creative use of your surroundings!

Crystal Gardens is such a pretty, lush backdrop for a ceremony.

Members of the bridal party each took a moment to bless the couple’s rings.

In the next post, we’ll look at their reception.

M+D: Everyone Loves Cake

December 11, 2008Leave a comment

At the end of the first dance set, we had the band play “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)“. While guest took their seats, the staff brought out the cake to us.

The cake in all it’s glory. We are so thankful that Amy Beck took us on at the last minute.

It was so exciting to cut the cake. I can’t really say why, it just was.

Denton serves me cake. We had a definite No Smash rule.

I have to admit, this was a lot more fun that I had anticipated.

My master plan was to take a super large piece of cake since I know most couples don’t get to eat cake at the wedding. I am glad that I did. I ate the leftovers as well as the piece at my seat. Ha!

Although we didn’t cut the Groom’s cake, we had it on the right side of the Head Table.

The Groom’s Cake. Denton loved it!

Surrounding the cake was cake to-go boxes. Since we ordered 2 slices of cake per person, we figured that most guests would opt to take a slice home.

M+D: Bridal Party Introductions

October 28, 2008Leave a comment

Around 8PM, guests were asked to be seated for dinner. I took a peak inside beforehand. I was so pleased with the way that the room looked! Everyone pitched in to make the room look PERFECT.

The room looked amazing.

More tables with the candy buffet in the background.

To drive home the point about dancing between the courses, the designer, Katrina, wrote dancing six times. It created a visual break in the menu as well!