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April 11th, 2012
Planning Katy and Alex’s October wedding was a wonderful experience. I just loved working with Katy (and her fabulous Mom, Mary Lou), she is so full of life, always smiling and laughing and she was casual about the details. She was very trusting and flexible and it was a fun time! I didn’t actually get to meet Alex until the very end of the planning process because he was a bit of a slave to his residency schedule. He was a real trooper though and gave his opinion when he could. He really trusted Katy and she was always thinking about things that he would and wouldn’t like. When I finally met Alex, it was honestly one of those great moments, I just knew they were a perfect match.
Katy and Alex got married at the historic Holy Name Cathedral on State Street in Chicago on October 1, 2011. The Church was only a few blocks from their condo so they felt right at home in the neighborhood. The sky was so blue and the sun shined down upon them on such a special day.
The amazing, wonderful and talented Olivia of Olivia Leigh Photographie went with the bridal party all over Chicago and took some fantastic photos. Everyone had such a great time celebrating the newlyweds!
Even though the sun was shining, it was a chilly, brisk, Chicago day! Thank goodness the bridesmaids had these adorable wraps to keep them warm!!
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Dan Murphy from Pastis Designs created all the gorgeous bouquets and floral arrangements. Katy’s vision was simple, elegant and clean to match the event space. She chose a yellow, white and gray color palette and it looked very fresh! They held the reception at Terzo Piano at The Modern Wing of Chicago’s Art Institute. They took some pictures in and around the museum before cocktail hour began.
One of Katy’s bridesmaids owns a graphic design company, Atheneum Creative, based out of Houston, Texas. These little tags are the place cards which all have different symbols to match up with her table numbers. All the ”numbers” where places that were special to the couple. The guests had a blast walking around from table to table reading all the stories about why each place was a memorable location for the couple. The grey board that the place cards were pinned on was a huge map of Chicago. Once all the pins were removed, you could see it more clearly and it was really cool!
Bon Appetit Catering provided all the food and beverage for the wedding. Some of the hors d’oeuvres highlights included: mini white cheddar grilled cheese with fig jam, chilled mussels on the half shell with yellow curry and mushrooms stuffed with sundried tomatoes and asiago cheese. For the full seated dinner guests dined on wild mushroom soup and a roasted squash salad for the first course and bacon wrapped pork tenderloin for the entree. Everything was fantastic!
Tipsy Cake designed both the wedding cake and the grooms cake. The flavors Katy and Alex chose were out of this world: The top layer was white cake with pina colada American butter cream, the second layer was white cake with passion fruit filling and American butter cream and the bottom layer was almond cake with caramel and American butter cream. The groom loves chocolate cake so Katy surprised him with chocolate devils food cake with a chocolate toffee crunch filling, he loved it!
Katy LOVES to dance, and she is quite good at it, a real natural. Alex doesn’t love to dance but he was by her side all night long and they had a blast! The expert DJs from Cage and Aquarium kept the dancing floor packed all night.
I had the best time getting to know Katy, Alex and their wonderful families. Clementine wishes the a lifetime of happiness!
Posted in bouquet, bridal party, bright, cake, Clementine, cocktail, color, Dancing, details, DIY, escort cards, floral, food, fun, music, roof deck, style, venue, view, wedding, wedding dinner | No Comments »
March 13th, 2012
Eleana and David got married on October 14, 2011 at The Columbus Park Refectory in Chicago. Their wedding date wasn’t just a random October day, it held special meaning to the bride and her family. Her parents got married on October 15th, her grandparents got married on October 16th and her great-grandparents got married on October 17th. Since it was such a special date the entire wedding was really focused on love, family and tradition, it was all very romantic.
Their wedding day was a windy, chilly, Chicago day and yet everything went off without a hitch. Every detail and every moment was memorable and special. They held their ceremony outside in the pavilion attached to the main refectory building which had a great view of trees and nature. They had a live quartet provided by Quartet Parapluie which really helped set the tone for the ceremony. Right before the ceremony started we sprinkled rose petals down the aisle, we were worried they were going to be blown away but they held out long enough for Eleana to make it down the aisle to her handsome groom who was dressed in his Marine Corps uniform.
After the ceremony, the guests came inside for a beautiful sit down dinner provided by Phil Stefani Catering. The guests were treated to an amazing menu of chicken ricotta and braised short ribs. After dinner the guests were spoiled with endless sweet treats of brownie sundaes, mini molten lava cakes and chocolate ravioli all provided by Phil Stefani Catering. Their stunning and elegant wedding cake was designed and provided by Sarah’s Pastries and Candies.
Asrai Garden enhanced the space with rich, bold, autumn colored flowers that were so fresh. Since family and tradition was such an important aspect to the Bride and Groom on their big day, they had family wedding pictures as part of their center pieces with flowers flanked on either side. It was a very sweet, special touch.
Eleana and David spent the rest of the night dancing and celebrating together and with their friends and family. It was a very joyous occasion filled with love and romance. Clementine was honored to have gotten to know such a wonderful couple and family!
Special thanks to Erica Rose Photography for providing us with such lovely photographs.
Additional vendors that helped make their day special:
DJ Sasha Savic
Turning Point Video Production
5 Star Valet
Posted in autumn, bouquet, bright, cake, Clementine, color, Dancing, details, DIY, floral, food, history, music, outdoor ceremony, Photography, treats, unique vendors, venue, view, wedding, wedding dinner | No Comments »
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 »
November 22nd, 2011
Jiyoun Bae and Keunsuk Lee got married at the Chicago Botanic Garden on Sunday, June 5, 2011. It was such a beautiful day and we were so happy we could be a part of their special day. The grounds at the Chicago Botanic Garden seem endless and they’re the perfect backdrop for pre-wedding photographs. Not to mention, it’s an extradordinary experience for all the guests, especially those who have never been to the gardens before.
The talented Steve Koo captured all these amazing photos and we’re so thankful he shared them with us!
Jiyoun and Keunsuk had their ceremony and reception in McGinley Pavilion overlooking the water. Their ceremony was so romantic and sweet, they started with a sand ceremony. They had live ceremony music performed by musician Jeff Chan. The Bride carried an absolutely stunning bouquet created by Flowers Flowers.
The reception was a lot of fun and the pavilion looked great! The Bride really got into the DIY projects. She made the table numbers and ceremony programs among other personal touches. I just love this “Just Married” sign that they hung at the entrance to the pavilion.
Culinary Landscapes, the exclusive caterer at The Chicago Botanic Garden, provided some delicious hors d’oeuvres including tortilla cups filled with smoked chicken and topped with mango salsa and avocado cream as well as pork tenderloin with blueberry balsamic and brie. The presentations were just mouth watering as the taste! During dinner the guests dined on sweet garlic glazed fresh chicken breasts with mushroom filled brioche charlotte and roasted fingerling potatoes and fresh asparagus.
The Bride changed out of her gorgeous wedding gown and into this fun party dress for the reception. She even wore a pair of fabulous royal blue shoes! Their wedding cake, provided by Rolf’s Patisserie, matched the overall decor perfectly. I love how Jiyoun kept all the little details in the classic black and white pattern.
The Bride and Groom clearly had a blast at their wedding! All the guests had a wonderful time dancing the night away thanks to DJ Brent Rolland from Fig Media.
It truly was such a lovely event and we just love working at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Posted in bouquet, cake, Clementine, Dancing, details, DIY, floral, food, fun, music, outdoor ceremony, Photography, short dress, style, view, wedding, wedding dress, Wedding planning | 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 »
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!
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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 »
June 21st, 2011
I just love this guest book idea. I’ve seen something similar before but I really like how the guests made their own leaf. Everyone really got into it, by the end of the night the tree was very full with lush multi-colored leaves. Now the bride and groom have a custom canvas for their home.
My client, Kate, found this great idea on Chicks n Hens (Where Happy Brides Gather) on Etsy.com.
Jeremy Lawson Photography provided these great pictures.
Posted in details, DIY, guest book, history, Uncategorized | No Comments »
February 27th, 2011
All you newly weds out there should bust out your new blenders, mixers and food processors and host a fabulous dinner party. My mom just had her birthday and I decided to have an intimate dinner party so she could spend time with her family and celebrate. I had so much fun with all the details. You can create an amazing dinner party using some of the tricks you learned while planning your wedding.
I made menu cards and wrapped them in pretty paper from Paper Source. I chose three different papers that went well together and rotated them around the table. I also made little place cards so each guest would know where to sit at the table. Then I tucked a little flower behind every plate.
I made an hors d’oeuvres sign since the appetizers were buffet style. This way the guests new exactly what they were eating, I had a few vegetarian guests so I wanted to be very clear about the ingredients.
I used the same patterned papers and cut out little hearts and stars and hung them on fishing line from my ceiling. They dangled down on the table and it was such a big hit! It helped keep the party fun and not stuffy.
I chose to cook items that could all be made earlier in the day so that I could enjoy the party too. I made goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon and when the guests arrived all I had to do was pop them in the oven. I also made butternut squash bisque and spinach-cheese stuffed shells, both of which where already made before the guests came, all I had to do was warm them up. A good party is when the host is able to relax and enjoy too!
Everyone had a great time and all the little details made the guest of honor feel extra special. It’s simple and inexpensive to try something a little different at your next dinner party.
Posted in Birthday, details, Dinner Party, DIY | No Comments »
June 22nd, 2010
If you haven’t heard of Paperless Post you must check out their website. It’s a perfect way to send invitations and save the dates in an affordable, modern and eco-friendly way.
You can create & design any type of invitation you want. It is perfect for wedding showers, bachelorette parties, save the dates and even wedding invitations. Paperless Post is much more polished and professional than sending an informal Evite.
Paperless Post makes sending invitations very easy too. Once you design your mailing you create an account and buy “stamps” and “coins” for a very low price…..approximately $20.00 for 250.
The best part is that you can track each invitation to see who has opened their and guests can directly RSVP to send a note to the host.
I strongly recommend trying them out for any upcoming party you might be hosting!
Posted in budget, Clementine, DIY, eco-friendly, invitations, save the date, Tuesday Tips | 1 Comment »
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