Lounge | Clementine Chicago

Modern and Rustic at Gallery 1028

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 »

Clementine’s “Wedding Season Kick-Off Party”

April 6th, 2011

Clementine hosted a really fun party to kick off the wedding season in style! All the guests are our industry friends and partners that we’re so fortunate to work with on a regular basis. I really wanted to just have a good time – I do love planning parties after all. It was a great success and I think everyone had a wonderful time.

All the participating vendors really out did themselves. Thank you again Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Jewell Events Catering, A Stem Above, J. Brown Photography, Cage and Aquarium, Take the Cake, 4 Flashes Photobooths, Event Creative, Halls Rental and Windy City Linens.

We of course featured the official Clementine colors, which was so fun for spring! We wanted a casual, welcoming environment so we included all cocktail tables, high boys and two different lounge vignettes.

A Stem Above provided fresh, colorful flowers for all the cocktail tables, high boys and lounge sets.

Halls Rental provided all the tables, chairs and lounge peices and Event Creative added the pillow accents.

Take the Cake provided adorable mini cupcakes; a huge hit with the guests! Jewell Events Catering provided some amazing hors d’oeuvres; nobody went home hungry that’s for sure!

DJ Victor was spinning fun, up-beat, music all night long!

The party was supposed to end at 9:00 but this fun crowd stayed until 10:00! We practicaly had to kick them out! Melissa and I are right there in the middle having a blast with such a great group of people!

We can’t wait to have another kick off party next year!

For more photos please visit our facebook page!

Posted in accessories, bright, cake, Clementine, cocktail, color, cupcakes, details, floral, food, fun, lounge, music, party favors, sparkle, spring, style | No Comments »

Elegant Wedding at the Ivy Room

June 30th, 2010

Congratulations Christina and Ken!

This romantic couple had such a special and beautiful wedding day. They exchanged their vows standing beside their closest friends and family at St. James Chapel. The bride’s dress was absolutely stunning with layers and lace.

They were escorted to and from the ceremony and reception in a stylish Rolls Royce provided by Classic Chassis. The perfect touch for such an elegant wedding.

The Ivy Room was decked out in Navy, Lavender and Ivory. Lauren Petersen at Kehoe Designs created a warm envivorment using lush lounge vignettes, cocktail tables and tall Delano tables with bar stools; it looked spectacular. The guests really enjoyed the modern style and cocktail seating; it was very sleek and sophisticated. Christina and Ken chose to serve delicious action stations for dinner created by Emily Vandevender and Jewell Events Catering. The menu really fit the overall style of the event perfectly.

Le Sucre made this fabulous wedding cake. It is constructed by little individual cakes, enough for each guest to have their own. Christina and Ken even provided little to go cake boxes so guests could take their cakes home if desired. They were absolutely adorable and perfectly ideal for the grand finale after the amazing dinner.

Pops for Champagne has been a second home to the newly weds for years. They have seen Ava Logan perform live at Pops many times and asked her to sing at their wedding. Her voice, style and grace was such a lovely touch to the elegant atmosphere. Ava and her band fit into the overall look and feel of the wedding perfectly. Christina and Ken had been together for many years before tying the knot so they appropriately chose “At Last” by Etta James as their first dance.

They danced the night away and even served late night White Castle sliders – a huge hit! When the reception came to an end they of course went for drinks at Pops with an intimate group of friends. The perfect end to a truly wonderful wedding ceremony and celebration.

Clementine Custom Events was honored to be a part of such a special wedding and we had a wonderful time partnering with such fantastic vendors. We wish the newly weds all the best!

Photos courtesy of Fender and Donish Photography.

Posted in cake, Clementine, cocktail, color, details, environment, food, lounge, music, style, unique vendors, venue, wedding, wedding dinner | 1 Comment »

Raw Urban Space

February 24th, 2010

Last week my good friend Melissa and I went to an open house at Gallery 1028 and loved it. The space is perfect for any type of event because it truly is a blank canvas. The space features vintage wood floors, exposed brick walls and intricate beam detailing. The design concept ideas are endless. Calihan Catering is managing the space and every hors d’oeuvres and cocktail we tried was delicious.

Here are some great shots from the open house. All the decor was done by Studio AG (also known as Alice’s Garden), I think they did an amazing job. Everything from the lounge furniture to the chandeliers helped make the space feel modern and illuminating. Heather Parker Photography did a fantastic job at capturing the night with these great pictures.

I would certainly keep this space in mind for your next event. I just love how you can really transform the space into any style that fits your theme or personality. An added bonus: you know the food will be good coming from the professional kitchen of Calihan Catering.

If you were hosting an event here how would you decorate it?

Posted in bright, Clementine, details, lounge, style | 2 Comments »

What a View

January 7th, 2010

We are getting so much snow; it makes me want to just stay inside and look at it from the window. Even though it is so pretty it is really making me wish it was summer! To try and get me out of the January winter blues I decided to write about a great venue with a great view. The Affinia Hotel has a hot little roof top deck called the C-View. Great for cocktails in the summer after work. The Affinia Hotel has a great location at Superior and Michigan Ave.

This venue is also a great spot for an event or wedding. Just inside from the roof top deck is a great little bar lounge. The entire space is available to rent out for your private party.

This venue would be fantastic for a private event. They also have a wonderful restaurant on the first floor of the Affinia called C-House which has an award-winning chef. The entire restaurant can be rented for a private party.

Consider something a little different for your next event!