frankly speaking

I attended Bizbash (great event magazine and website) ’s expo yesterday. Last year, I was nominated and won Best Event for Corporation or Association at the first annual BizBash Awards for Chicago.  I didn’t have anything enter this year, as there is no wedding category. (Damn).  It was a great way to reconnect with many of my Chicago contacts and meet a few ones.  In addition it enables me to see the latest products and services from vendors, as well as hit a few Educational Sessions. I attended the one’s highlighting the latests trends.  One in Catering, and the other on Decor.  Got some really neat ideas.  The coolest thing I found was a new way to serve an Hors’ deourve.  It is a take off on the “push up” we loved as kids.. but this plastic vessel is filled with mousse.  Stefani showed this, filled with a lovely peach mousse. I think you could go either sweet or savory.. LOVED this idea.  I filled my green expo bag with lots of goodies and giveaways.  Again, this one day conference was worth my time.  Can’t wait for next years.  It is always this week, and happens right before my annual August Vegas trip for Shawn’s Bday (which isnt happening this year, due to he recoop on the broken knee).Â

Fun Couple!  Electic color palette of Red and Aqua, against an ivory backgroud.  All candlelit Ceremony. Centerpieces of all red flowers in a trio of angled oversized martini glass shaped vases.�

This one of the weddings I have been working for the past 14 months that I have been antipicating, and now it is all a beautiful memory, for Heidi and Carl, their amazing families and all the vendors who I partnered with to make this dream come true.  Photos off my camera phone don’t do this justice! 

As the Guests arrived at the wedding passing a large oversized wedding Invitation with white roses and then and entered thru arbored archways of curly willow, white orchids and roses.  As they walked thru the ceremony, they entered a garden.  The aisle was a meandering path that started with a garden gate and plants.  The aisle was aligned with 14 foot trees that had garlands of white orchids, hanging crystals and and other flowers.  The path of the aisle, was lit with a tree pattern.  Our “Z” motif that was present on everything I could brand was handpainted on the aisle cloth.  Strings played “Somewhere in Time”, the perfect song to set the tone of the romantic garden brought indoors as the bridesmaids made their entrance.  After a lovely ceremony Guests went to the French room with had hundreds of white roses… everywhere.  Guests enjoyed Peking Duck and Seafood stations as well as a lovely selection of passed appetizers.  White Furniture Groupings accented the room, and were used by the guests to relax and enjoy. 

After cocktails Guests were invited back into dinner.  The Gold Coast room was the transformed to vibrant colors of Orange and Purple, accented with a bit of green and yellow, and accessorized in Black. 

After Intros and the Drake’s Famous Champagne Parade, Guests Enjoyed dinner

Appetizer

Lobster, Bay Scallop, and Rock Shrimp Wrapped in Tarragon Pasta with Sauce Americain and Yellow Tomato Coulis

Salad

Romaine Lettuces, Marinated Tomatoes, Brioche Soldiers and Parmesean Tuille, Dressed Tableside with Traditonal Ceasar

Intermezzo

Trio of Mango, Raspberry and Champagne Sorbets garnished with frozen grapes and fresh mint

Entree

Duet of Herb Crusted Filet Mignon with Goat Cheese Medallion and Pan Seared Butter Fish

Savoyard Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus and Petite Carrots

 

Dessert

The Wedding Cake

Hazelnut Buttercake with Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse and Praline Buttercream

Vanilla Cheesecake and Rich Chocolate Fudge Cake with Raspberry Conserve

White Buttermilk Cake with Old Fashion Buttercream

Served with Berries and Creme A L’Angliase

Fresh Sliced Fruit and Seasonal Berries

Saboyan and Chocolate Sauces

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Heidi and Carl’s Favorite Cookies

Coffee and Tea with Whipped Cream, Chocolate Shavings Sprinkles, Cinnamon Sticks, Orange and Lemon Zest

 

I provided Flip Flops for the ladies to “dance the night away in”.  At Midnight the Party Continued in the Drake Room. I created a lounge, repurposing the furniture I rented, and the guest enjoyed Chicago Hot Dogs and Sliders.  I dimmed the lights in the room, and lit the dimmed chandeliers that changed color ever couple of minutes.   They partied till 2am.

An Amazing Wedding for such an awesome couple.  Their guests will be talking about this for years!

 

Heidi’s Wedding Weekend offiicially kicked off with a Bridesmaids luncheon that I designed.  It was at the Signature Room at the 95th.  Since she is not a fan of pink I went with summer colors of green, yellow and orange, with a touch of purple.  Lunch began with Mimosas and passed Noshes.  The girls then took their place at the lavish Lunch Table.  Yellow chair covers with Apple Green Ties, and flowers shaped in all things “girl”.. purses, shoes, and dress forms.  Each maid received a broche of the First Name intial that I repurposed on the back on their bouqets ont the wedding day.  It was cleverly pinned to the lush Midori Ribbon that was on the napkin.  Great Menu Cards, Framed placecards and glittered bon bons completed each setting. I worked with the 95th Chef and Pastry Chef to come up with a menu that was not in their usual offerings (This happens alot, me thinking out of the box).  Lunch was a trio of Summer Soups, a crisp Caesar Salad with Prawns. It ended with a dessert I hear nobody wanted to ruin.. “Raspberry Mousse ala Jimmy Choo”.  It was a perfect afternoon that started the excitement of the weekend.

 

Saturday July 3rd, I did a lovely wedding for a great couple at the Chicago History Museum.  The weather totally cooperated, and we were able to enjoy the ceremony and cocktail hour outside on the Museum’s Plaza.  The sun was going down, so by the time we started, the majority of the plaza was shaded.

Decor was simple, as the couple’s tastes were.  A trio of Large beer stein shaped vases held white and purple cymbidium orchieds, suspended in water.  The other centerpieces were very organic, using garden roses, and orchids, and lot of interesting greens.  Sorry, I forgot to take pics of the reception… I get so busy concentrating on the client, I forget! We used Gun Metal Grey Bengaline tablecloths and napkins, and simple ivory gardend folding chairs. 

As with any client, I personalize the wedding. The menu was a smattering of the couple’s favorites.  And, yes, there was no wedding cake. They werent into it, so my suggestion was a plate of sweets to each table.  Also, we passed mini ice cream cones, a perfect touch for a summer evening.  

Chilled Hors d’oeuvres

 

Mini Fish Tacos with Queso Fresco, Shredded Cabbage, Salsa

and a Lime Sour Cream

Sliced Tenderloin on Crostini with Horseradish Aïoli and Micro

Greens

 

 

Selection to Include Traditional Deviled Eggs with Three Different

Fillings to Include Classic Egg Mixture, Pesto Filling and Chipoltle

Flavored Filling

Dinner Menu

Served over Organic Mesclun Greens, Kallas Farm Honeycomb,

Marcona Almonds and Tangerine Essence

 

 

 

Assorted Bread Basket

To Include Pumpernickel Onion, Multigrain, Pretzel and Rosemary

Olive Oil and Flatbread with Sweet Butter

Served with a Red Potato Hash with Colorful Tear Drop Tomatoes,

Grilled Pencil Asparagus, Crispy Leek Straws and a Lemon Garlic

Parsley Sauce

 

Vegetarian Option

Presented with Sweet Corn Flan, Grape Tomato Ragout, Madras

Curry Emulsion and Micro Greens

Displayed on White Rectangular Plates at Each Table

Selection to Include S’mores, Chocolate Tartlets with Fresh

Raspberries, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Mini Strawberry Shortcakes

and Mini Apple Tartlets with Little American Flags

Miniature Almond Espresso Cones Filled with Chocolate, Vanilla, or

Chocolate

 

The guests danced the night away and partied like rockstars.  A perfect night for such an ideally matched Couple! 

 

I was so excited to receive an invitation from Elizabeth Grace Stationers to an event for event planners this lovely summer evening. (Ok, it’s not officially summer till Sunday).  It was nice to finally see her shop. This boutique, in the heart of Lincoln Park on Clark Street just near Arlington is so charming. Not only does owner Laura Manteuffel carry an awesome selection of wedding invites (many I do and many I don’t) but a fab selection of cards and “irresistables”.   We noshed on Summer Appetizers from Chef Seth David Roth, and makeovers were available courtesy of celebrity Make up artist Darcy McGrath (who I was thrilled to get reaquainted with).   My dear friend Elissa from Rick Aguilar Studios captured the evening on film.  It was great to see some familiar faces, as well as meet some new ones.  And they served my favorite summer cocktail.  Moscato di Asti.  Shawn and I call it “Kool Aid for Adults”.  We enjoy this awesome Italian wine on the balcony at home on a hot summer night.  I had a Bellini before I knew that had the Asti.   We all were given an incredible swag bag filled with lots of neat stuff.  It was just was so nice visit with so many nice people.   For more information www.elizabethgrace.com

 

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Got a call yesterday from Esquire Magazine.  The guy wanted to know if I was familiar with the magazine. Duh, Have subscribed to it for 20 years plus!  Actually was reading the June/July issue w/ Tom Cruise on the cover that morning while sitting on the balcony having coffee. They were looking for a male Wedding Consultant to assist with answering a question from a reader for the Answer Fella column.  It was about the duties of a best man.  Look for it in late summer early fall!  (they couldn’t give me an exact issue).  Stay tuned!�

In 2006, The Early Show flew in Debbie Turner to interview me about Dogs in weddings.  They heard that I was a huge fan of this, and just done another dog wedding attendant.  and —actually had our own dog as ringbearer at our wedding. One of my favorite Pet Boutiques, Barker and Meowsky,  (A Paw Firm), will be holding a doggie fashion show of wedding fashions on Saturday.  They are located at 1003 W Armitage.  For more information, www.barkerandmeowsky.com  or 773-868-0200.  We just picked up an awesome rain coat for Fenwick here a month or so back.  They have the latest and greatest in everything Dog. (and cat). And.. this is where we found the black tie collar that Fenwick wore at our wedding.

I was so excited when I heard that the Chicago History Musuem www.chicagohm.org,  was going to do an exhibition of vintage wedding and newer wedding gowns and accessories. It immediately took me back about 12 years, when the Hellenic Musuem asked me to spearhead their exhibithon “Threads of Tradition:The Wedding which I did with my team Madelaine Gelis, Olga Garafoulis Maria Gepphert, and Kathy Kalasperis Smith.  We asked for local Greek Othodox Church members to send in family wedding gowns, veils, Stephana (the crowns used in a Greek Orthodox Wedding service) and  photos of from their families. The installation took abot a month, and it was amazing.  I learned that ladies had very small waists back then, and some gowns could not even fit on dress forms we used.

Anyway, CHM has done an amazing job with this. I breezed through the exhibit, but will go back when I have more time.  I am plannng a local ABC meeting for our members here in September. It will be an afternoon meeting. For more info contact our State Coordinator Judy Alden at judyalden@aol.com, or on our local website at www.abcillinois.com  Gowns and things from as early as 1850 are on display.  AND, kudos to CHM, for including a same sex wedding.  I had planned on taking photos to post of the gowns, but the Security Guard was watching too close, so this pic  took from the door. You will have to see it fro yourself!

The event was really nice.  They cleverly gave Four of my favorite Caterers each a room, and they themed food and decor to “Something Old, New, Borrowed or Blue”.  Highlights were:

Food For Thought: Something Blue.  Tiffany Blue Food Stations with large bows, that were also used in the seating areas.  Great Blue themed Sodas and lollipops.  Didnt get to their food station as the line was Long.

Blue Plate: Something Borrowed. Interesting decor, like the borrowed it.  Great caprese salads, and Beet Cupcakes.  The Panna Cotta was nice too!

Bergoff : Something New.  Did all Local Flavors and Gluten Free options including a Gluten Free/Dairy Free Pizza, Asparagus soup and cigars, and Vegan and Gluten Free cupcakes of Strawberry, Chocolate Smore, Red Velvet and Carrot.  Decor was very “green” using lost of vegetables in a acylic table.

Taste America: Something Old.  The Steak Diane Sliders were incredible. I admit, I had two.  The Shrimp dish was also a wow.  They had some sweets as well, but I passed as I did on the rest of the desserts, but always curious what they showing  Decor was Black and white with huge towering palms.  (hmmm I wonder if the borrowed this idea from me, I have done this at the Drake before) and male staffers were dressed in white cocktail jackets ala Bogart, and ladies dressed in black w/ black gloves.

Great music filled the room from the girls I love at Toast and Jam.

They have done a full catalog of the exhibit, but gift shop was closed. Next time. Enjoyed myself  And yes,  did do an industry thing on a Wednesday.  Note: Date night was rescheduled for tonight.

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I was featured.. here is the link.  Thanks guys!

 

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