|
|
February 3rd, 2012
I’m sure everyone remembers how unbelievable the weather was this past fall, especially since this winter has been pretty nice as well! Anne and Dan got married on October 22, 2011 and it was a super sunny and warm day, it felt like June!
They started their day taking pictures around Chicago with their bridal party. They really enjoyed being outside on such a surprising October day. These great pictures were taken by Cadence Cornelius Photography.
The Bride and Bridesmaids carried petite bouquets from Anna Held Flower Shop, they looked really nice with the bright blue dresses.
Anne and Dan got married at The Ravenswood Event Center, also known as The Ravenswood Billboard Factory which is located on Chicago’s northside in the Ravenswood neighborhood. This amazing atrium space was beautiful during their sunset vows. By the time the ceremony was over, the sun was completely set and the candles illuminated the room. It was very romantic. I just love the huge windows and the unique architecture of the space, there really isn’t another space like it.
The Bride made these adorable ceremony programs. She chose a few different patterns of paper to mix it up a bit and they looked great.
After the ceremony the guests were invited downstairs for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Food for Thought provided a delicious assortment of passed hors d’oeuvres including: Ginger sesame beef on pappadam crisps with chili aioli, lemongrass chicken on sugarcane skewers and pear & brie quesadillas with fresh mango salsa.
For dinner the guests enjoyed a beautiful sit down dinner in this cool loft space. Guests were able to choose their menu and were offered garlic and thyme marinated beef tenderloin, citrus rubbed french chicken breast and savory vegetarian crepes. The food and the service staff were excellent and guests really enjoyed themselves.
Anne collects salt and pepper shakers and this vintage cake topper is actually a set of shakers! The groom’s sister gave the newly engaged couple the gift as a Christmas present and the Bride loved them so much she decided to use them for her cake topper. It is a really cute personal touch. The beautiful (and tasty) wedding cake was designed and created by Dinkel’s.
After their amazing three course meal, the guests were invited back upstairs to the atrium which had turned into a dance floor and bar during dinner. Guests partied the night away with the talented DJ from Okyne Media Lab.
A really fun surprise was when the servers passed around Dairy Queen Blizzards!! Talk about an awesome late night snack.
As guests were leaving the event there was a table near the exit with party favors thanking the guests for coming to celebrate their big day. Inside the boxes were white love bird salt and pepper shakers. I thought it was a sweet take away and they will surely get a lot of use.
Anne and Dan’s wedding really went off without a hitch and it was such a fun day from start to finish. Clementine really enjoyed getting to know them and we wish them all the best!
Posted in autumn, bouquet, bridal party, bridesmaid dress, bright, cake, Dairy Queen, details, DIY, escort cards, floral, food, party favors, salt and pepper shaker, Uncategorized, venue, vintage | No Comments »
January 19th, 2012
Brenda and Joe are a crazy fun couple! I had the best time getting to know them over the course of the planning process. Lucky for me, one of my past clients (who got married at The Shedd Aquarium October 2010) referred them to Clementine!
Here is a sneak peak into their fantastic wedding day, which was filled with style, love and lots of laughs!
Thank you to the talented Jason Brown of J. Brown Photography for providing these amazing photos.
Brenda and Joe got married on September 10, 2011 (also known as 9.10.11). They had their ceremony and reception at Gallery 1028 which is located on Goose Island in Chicago. When I took them out to look at venues I had a feeling they would fall in love with the space because it has both modern and rustic elements . It was actually the very first space we saw and they ended up comparing every venue the rest of the day to it… so they decided it was the perfect spot!
They had chosen to take their pictures before the ceremony and boy did they have a good time gallivanting all over Chicago in their party bus, provided by Classic Chassis!
When they arrived to Gallery 1028, guests were already seated and ready for the ceremony. The mini bus pulled right up to the venue and we lined everyone up on the bus for the processional. The parents and grandparents were already lined up in the front room of the venue so it was very easy to get things started.
Brenda and Joe knew from day one they wanted a chic, modern wedding but they didn’t want it to feel cold. They wanted guests to feel welcome so we landed on yellow, green, gray and white was the main colors. Erin Foster from A Stem Above wowed us with her ideas to bring their vision to life. Brenda knew she loved a lot of rustic materials like natural grass, moss and branches and with Erin gave her exactly what she wanted!
Brenda and all the bridesmaids walked down the aisle on a fresh grass aisle runner which looked awesome on the original wood flooring of the venue.
After the ceremony, guests were invited into the front room where a custom bar and lounge vignettes waited for them, provided by PJ Acosta of Studio AG. Nicole Fitzpatrick from Calihan Catering created an amazing menu including passed hors d’oeuvres of Moroccan spiced lamb pizza, pear and brie quesadillas and spicy chicken wontons.
Erin from A Stem Above created this stunning arrangement to hold all the place cards so guests could easily find their way to their seats for dinner.
While the guests were enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, the Clementine team, A Stem Above and Calihan Catering flipped the room from ceremony to dinner. A Stem Above provided three different centerpieces and even custom made real moss table runners.
Naomi Levine from Tipsy Cake provided this adorable cake and the flavors included: carrot cake with cream cheese filling, almond cake with raspberry filling and chocolate cake with peanut butter filling.
As a surprise Brenda had these bobble heads made! They look just like them and the guests loved it!
During dinner their friends and family gave many amazing toasts to the newly wedded couple. Between the toasts they dined on cedar planked salmon with risotto cakes and flat iron steak with scallion buttermilk mashed potatoes. Needless to say, nobody left their event hungry!
Spencer from Style Matters DJs kept the dance floor packed all night. Everyone had a blast and everyone partied until the very last song. It was truly a great time.
As guests left the event they were given glass bottles filled with spices as a party favor. Brenda and Joe love to cook together and wanted to share their love of cooking with all their guests.
Brenda and Joe were truly worthy of the paparazzi on their big day! They are a wonderful, loving and fun couple and I’m thrilled I was able to be a part of their special day.
Posted in Bicycle, bouquet, bridal party, bridesmaid dress, bright, cake, Clementine, details, floral, lanterns, lounge, party favors | 1 Comment »
December 29th, 2011
Katherine and Jonathan got married at The Chicago History Museum on August 20, 2011. Their wedding day was picture perfect. Every moment and every detail was just as sweet as they are. I just loved working with them and getting to know them over the course of the year.
The fabulous Brett and Kiri of Pen/Carlson provided all these fantastic pictures!
The Chicago Air and Water show was just wrapping up while the bridal party was out taking pictures. If you look closely, you can see that half of the bridal party is looking at the jets flying right over their heads! The bridal party was a great group of people, everyone was having fun and sharing loving memories of the couple all day.
I just love the bridesmaids dresses! Not only is the color so rich and beautiful, but the shape of the dresses were classic yet trendy and flirty all at the same time.
They decided to have their ceremony inside the Chicago Room where it was nice, quiet and intimate since the Air and Water show was earlier in the day there was a lot of foot traffic outside. It was a very special and beautiful ceremony.
After the ceremony guests were invited outside to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the patio. The weather was perfect so guests were very comfortable sipping their summer cocktails. Blue Plate Catering provided a wonderful variety of appetizers including baby lamb chops, goat cheese tartlets, tuna tartar and panini lollipops.
After cocktails the guests were wowed when they re-entered the museum to find this stunning place card table. Hello Darling provided all the floral and decor their wedding. Katherine was so beyond thrilled with the look of the reception, it was exactly what she always dreamed. Natalie from Hello Darling really listened to what Katherine wanted and the outcome was a little modern, a little vintage and a lot of romantic charm.
Once all the guests were seated for dinner, Dustin from Toast and Jam invited the newly weds to join their party! They kept the momentum going as Jonathan whisked Katherine directly into their first dance.
Shortly after they danced they cut into their wedding cake. Katherine’s one wish for dessert was to have a small chocolate cake from her favorite Evanston bakery, Tag’s Bakery and Pastry Shop. She also ended up surprising Jonathan with a custom groom’s cake of his favorite team’s stadium. Bleeding Heart Bakery did an outstanding job. He was really surprised and couldn’t believe Katherine was able to sneak this little detail past him since he was involved with every vendor meeting the entire planning process.
Hello Darling and Blue Plate Catering made the Chicago Room of the Chicago History Museum sparkle with such amazing color and texture. Every detail from the flowers, to the crystal candles and vintage cut glass vases to the linens and glassware all went together perfectly, the room really looked spectacular and the bold colors fit the couple’s fun personality as well.
This is one of my favorite pictures, this pretty much sums up the feel of the entire night! Love, laughter and good times. It was an amazing night.
Posted in bridal party, bridesmaid dress, bright, cake, Clementine, cocktail, color, Dancing, details, escort cards, floral, food, fun, Photography, sparkle, style, Uncategorized, unique vendors, vintage, wedding | No Comments »
November 9th, 2011
Megan and Bobby are from the Chicagoland area (Naperville and Fox River Grove) but they are currently living in Philadelphia. They wanted a wedding planner to help them plan their wedding from long distance. They hired me before meeting me and when we finally met in person I met not only the bride and groom but also their parents and siblings! I spent the entire day taking them from venue to venue hoping to find the perfect spot. Not only did we find THE spot, but I feel in love with them and their families.
I had such a great time planning with this crew. Their parents were so happy and joyous for their children, and as a group we would all discuss what was best for the big day. It was really wonderful how they attended every single meeting as a group, they made a great team and I’m so happy I could be a part of it.
They were able to incorporate so many wonderful special touches to represent and honor their family members.
Megan and Bobby had their August 27th ceremony at the bride’s family church in Naperville. It was a beautiful and traditional ceremony with one very special twist; the father of the bride sang a solo during the ceremony! Another special touch, the bride tucked a red flower into her gorgeous purple calla lily bouquet to represent her grandmother who had recent passed.
After the ceremony the bridal party had a great time taking pictures in downtown Naperville. The bridesmaids all chose different dresses and they looked so great with the flowers provided by the very talented Jenna from Avant Gardenia.
They held their reception at The Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet. The mansion is so stunning, these pictures do not do it justice. The guests were able to walk through the mansion during cocktail hour. Megan and Bobby brought about 20 picture frames filled with family photos that we placed all over the house. It was such a great way to make the mansion feel like it belonged to them.
The dinner and dancing portion of the evening was held in a stunning atrium. It was dressed with chandeliers, crystal and custom gold chargers on every dining table.
Megan and Bobby treated their guests to a five star plated dinner of apricot chicken. The menu and the service was exceptional, the guests were truly treated like royalty. During the meal the father of the bride and groom each gave special toasts. They also welcomed the maid of honor and the best man to toast the bride and groom, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room!
Not only did they serve wedding cake but they also had a huge sweets table with everything you could ever want and more.
After all the formal and traditional moments throughout the day they danced the night away (thanks to DJ Chicago) and let me tell you….it was THE party of the year! Everyone had so much fun and it was amazing to watch Megan, Bobby and their entire families celebrate!
I’m thrilled I was able to get to know such a wonderful couple and to help them plan the wedding of their dreams.
Thank you to George Street Photo and Video for providing these wonderful pictures.
Posted in bouquet, bridal party, bridesmaid dress, cake, floral, food, fun, wedding dinner | No Comments »
October 18th, 2011
Megan and Chris planned to have a fun, laid back event and boy did they succeed! The moment I met the two of them, I knew their big day would be so much fun! They both have really fun personalities and they let loose on thier wedding day!
Michael Monar Photography captured all these amazing moments.
Megan and Chris got married on July 23rd, 2011 and I’m sure you don’t remember the weather but it was very HOT that day. What better way to cool off during the photo session than stopping at an ice cream truck! I cannot believe Megan chose a colored popsicle for her treat! Talk about laid back!!
Both the ceremony and reception were held at Gallery 1028. The venue really fit the couples overall style with the rustic yet modern vibe it presents. Megan had the girls wear any gray dress of their choice so the bridesmaids could reflect their own style. I love how Chris is the only guy wearing gray, it really helped him to stand out and the yellow socks are just so much fun!
Studio AG helped bring their style to life with this stunning ceremony decor. I love how illuminating the candles and chandeliers were in the dark event space. It was very romantic and modern.
Some of the fun details provided by Megan and Chris: Custom made slap coozies for the guest’s drinks! Guests had fun slapping them onto their drinks and wrists all night!
Their welcome table really set the tone for the event. This is the first thing guests saw when the entered the venue. The pattern on the welcome sign matched their linens perfectly. The mailbox for their gift cards matched their personality! They also had a guest book with fun papers and patterned/colored tape that guests could mix and match.
They had three different table designs throughout the dinner space, this is a picture of the head table which was a large feasting table. The runners were custom made by the bride herself! Calihan Catering provided really fun dinner stations including amazing dishes of paella, tacos, custom pasta, gazpacho and much more!
After dinner Megan changed into an adorable and sassy party dress! She looked fantastic! They had Record A Hit provide a flip book station which was a huge hit, both at the booth AND on the dance floor. The guests loved it and it was a nice change from the ever popular photo booth. Cage and Aquarium kept the dance floor packed all night thanks to DJ Tyler.
They topped off the night with Chicago style hot dogs provided by Calihan Catering. Another perfect summer treat!
I think it is safe to say that not only did Megan and Chris have the time of their lives, but so did all their guests. They really stayed true to who they are as a couple and it worked out wonderfully.
Clementine was so happy to work with such an amazing couple and we wish them the best!
Posted in bridal party, bridesmaid dress, casual wedding, Clementine, Dancing, details, DIY, floral, food, fun, guest book, short dress, tapas, treats, Uncategorized, unique vendors, venue, wedding, wedding dinner | No Comments »
September 15th, 2011
We have all been to about a million bridal showers, here are some new fresh and fun ideas! Clementine was thrilled to work on such a fun project. Thanks to the talented Olivia Leigh for capturing all these great photos!
Natalie Walsh from Hello Darling created this amazing table-scape incorporating interesting textures and colors; mixing whimsy into every last detail.
Kara Gordon of Magnificent Milestones custom designed the invitations and menu cards. She kept with the whimsical and colorful theme. They are the perfect blend of modern and retro.
 
The guests were greeted by this fantastic display of goodies. The place cards were pinned to the large rainbow lollipops which were surrounded by fun treats including cake pops, mini doughnuts, mini pies and cookies. All the adorable bites were provided by Jewell Events Catering. Hello Darling custom designed all the fabric covered boxes which we then used as serving platters.
The ladies got to help themselves to a bellini bar. Each flute was filled with champagne and fresh berries, then the girls chose their preferred juice. They all had a great time mixing and matching the flavors.
Most importantly everyone had fun! There were a lot of laughs and tears and good times!
Thank you to Jane’s restaurant for providing such a lovely space and a delicious menu.
Posted in bridal party, bridal shower, bright, color, details, floral, food, fun, invitations, menu cards, style, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
August 12th, 2011
Jessica and Aaron got married on June 25th 2011 at the beautiful Rookery! From the moment I met them I knew their wedding was going to be a very special and elegant.
I knew just who to suggest for their floral and boy did they deliver! Scarlet Petal created the stunning bouquets; I was in awe when I first saw them, they were exactly what the bride wanted. I loved all the texture and the blooms were so big and fresh!
Kenny Kim Photography (assisted by Bob Davis & Collin Pierson) captured their wonderful wedding day. He was fantastic to work with and these images are just amazing. He really did a great job telling the story of their special day.
The ceremony was spectacular! The bridal party entered from the front of the building (which was behind the guests); they walked down the aisle. Jessica surprised everyone when she entered down the main stair case, directly in front of the guests. It was very beautiful, and very grand.
After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed cocktail hour on up on the balcony. Jewell Events Catering served delicious and adorable hors d’oeuvres including shrimp wrapped in peapods and lamb crepes with cherry balsamic fondue.
While the guests were mingling and sipping on cocktails, the catering staff, floral team and Clementine helped to flip the room from ceremony to dinner. Scarlet Petal created these stunning centerpieces. They added the bridal bouquets to the base of the arrangement on the bride and groom’s table.
Jessica and Aaron had the most impressive five tier cake from Take the Cake. The cake was so perfectly done that Jessica was speechless when she saw it. It was of course equally as tasty as it was pretty. They chose the classic combination of white buttermilk cake with strawberry conserve and cream cheese filling. The entire cake was decorated in buttercream.
Jessica and Aaron wowed their guests during their first dance! Xixi from Chicago Wedding Dance taught them a beautiful dance and they looked so natural and confident. They really had a good time with it, the guests got up on their feet for the special moment.
Jewell Events Catering prepared a decadent meal of beef and lemon scallops paired with sautéed spinach, whipped potatoes and asparagus spears, what a treat!
They really had a wonderful time and all their guests enjoyed toasting and dancing the night away. Clementine wishes the newlyweds all the happiness in the world! They were so wonderful to work with and we wish them all the best.
Posted in bouquet, bridal party, cake, Clementine, cocktail, floral, Photography, Uncategorized, venue | 1 Comment »
July 28th, 2011
If you’re not sold on the idea of having all your bridesmaids wear different dresses you might want to consider another way to “mix it up” a bit. One of my client’s had all the ladies wear the same dress but she had them accessorize with the broach of their choice.
I think this nice little detail is a great way to have each dress, each bridesmaid, a little different. Yet at first glace (and in the wedding pictures), they all look the same.
These photos are courtesy of Laurie Peacock Photography.
Posted in accessories, bridal party, bridesmaid dress, Clementine, details, Jewelry, sparkle | No Comments »
July 13th, 2011
Andy and Judy tied the knot over Memorial Day Weekend at the Groom’s parent’s home in St. Charles, Illinois. The back yard was a beautiful backdrop for the special event. Even though it rained almost all day, the event went off without a hitch!
Clementine was fortunate to work with such an amazing family. We met Andy and Judy last year at Andy’s brother’s wedding which we coordinated at the Danada House. We were so happy to get to work with such a wonderful family again.
The couple wanted a low key, casual affair that focused on good food, good music and good fun! They put a lot of effort into creating such a lovely event. The bride made all the adorable centerpieces which also served as the table numbers.
These fantastic place cards matched the invitations; they shared the same pattern and color. They were sitting on little bamboo holders. I just love how the event style is both backyard BBQ yet it also reflects the bride’s Vietnamese heritage. The two style came together nicely.
They handed out mason jar mugs and individual servings of tea for the party favors which were a big hit! Many of the guests were drinking beverages from their mason jars all night. Once coffee and dessert was served, many guests asked for hot water so they could enjoy their tea.
After feasting on a delicious and hearty meal of BBQ roasted pulled pork, au gratin potatoes, fresh spinach salad and orzo pasta salad, they all enjoyed an amazing dessert spread including wedding cake, mini cookies, french macaroons and mini fruit tarts.
They danced the night away and everyone had so much fun. The rain even stopped and it was a clear and beautiful night.
All these amazing photos are thanks to the talented Julia Rendleman, Louisiana-based newspaper photojournalist available for travel and destination weddings. She has done over 100 weddings in the Chicagoland area.
Posted in bridal party, bridesmaid dress, bright, cake, casual wedding, Clementine, color, Dancing, details, DIY, escort cards, food, fun, lanterns, outdoor ceremony, party favors, Rain, Umbrella, wedding, wedding dinner, wedding dress, Wedding planning | 1 Comment »
June 28th, 2011
Angela and Andrew chose the wedding date of April 30, 2011 long before the date of the Royal Wedding was announced to be on April 29, 2011. With all the hoopla of the Royal Wedding it was refreshing to participate in the wedding of Angela and Andrew, who were super low key. They were really focused on family and fun for their big day in Chicago.
Shelley from Cage and Aquarium captured all the special moments from their wedding day!
They got married at St. Clement in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. It turned out to be a really beautiful day.
After the ceremony was over they gave each other a little toast while they drove around the city taking pictures with their closest friends. Trolleys are one of the best ways to celebrate while taking photos.
Lynn Fosbender from Pollen created these stunning bouquets. The flowers were huge and they matched the bridesmaids dresses perfectly. Pollen is an eco-friendly floral design company located in the Ravenswood neighborhood.
The reception took place at the gorgeous Newberry Library, located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. The Newberry Library has so many amazing features, including this beautiful staircase. Inside the ballroom they have hardwood floors, huge windows and three really ornate light fixtures.
During the cocktail hour the wait staff greeted guests with trays of Bellinis. The guests also enjoyed a nice assortment of passed hors d’oeuvres.
The reception including a lot of nice details incluing these adorable place cards. The flower on the place card not only matched the flowers on her menu cards, invitations and ceremony programs, but they also helped the servers know what the guests were eating for dinner!
O
Occasions Catering outdid themselves with excellent service and a creative menu. The guests dined on their choice of beef short ribs or roasted pepper and asparagus stuffed chicken breast!
The bride and groom danced the night away to the music stylings of DJ Victor of Cage and Aquarium. It really was a fun crowd and everyone really enjoyed themselves.
Thank you to Angela and Andrew for letting Clementine be a part of their wedding day!
Posted in bouquet, bridal party, cocktail, color, details, DIY, eco-friendly, floral, food, menu cards, spring, Uncategorized | No Comments »
|
