frankly speaking

Laura and Steve were married at Holy Name Cathedral and guests celebrated their marriage at the Gold Coast Room of the Drake Hotel.  The Hollywood Glam Feel they wanted was obvious.  I used a whole look of the 30′s using tones of Black, Ivorys and Creams.  Towering centerpieces of White French Tulips and Palms in black vases adorned the tables.  Gold Burst Chargers, and Gold Flatware adorned the guest tables. The Wedding party was seated in a structure over the Head Table complete with black Chandeliers. 

I attended the debut of the new styles of Chameleon Chairs last week.  They were cleverly showcased as a runway fashion show.  Now, we have HUNDREDS of choices… This will be the new look in Events in 2010!

Jennifer and Nicholas were married on October 17th.  This Hyde Park Couple exchanged vows and rings at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Hyde Park.  To fill the gap of time, I arranged a city bus tour for the guests. Jennifer and Nick personalized this by having the tour go by some “famous” family landmarks in Hyde Park.  From here, guests were taken downtown to the Cultural Center where the Celebration Continued. 

Tonight I attended my monthly Catering Executives Club of American Meeting at the new Trader Vic’s.  The original location for many years was in the lower level of the Palmer House.  It opened at it’s new location, in Newbury Plaza, 1030 North State about a year ago.  This space was previously home to Memories of China in the 80′s and most recent “Palette”. 

Food was good. We started with a variety of passed appetizers including Crab Ragoon and Sushi.  This was nicely washed down with Mai Tai’s!  Dinner started witha Salad of Mixed Greens, Baby Mozzarella, Watermelon with a Balsamic Vinaiagrette.  Next course was a Miso Sea bass with Miso Orange Glaze, asian greens, shitake mushroonms and jasmine rice.  Main course was a Pork Chop with BBQ Hawaiian Pineapple with Maui Onion Marmalade and Mashed potatoes.  Dessert was a coconut Snowball of vanilla ice cream. 

Enjoyable evening! (as usual).

I was thrilled to be invited last week to the preview party of Sarah Levy’s new book Sweetness.  Sarah is the owner of Sarah’s Pastries on Oak Street, and a location in Macy’s on State Street.  Sarah has created awesome wedding cakes for so many of  my clients.  Her shop on Oak is a delightful place to stop for coffee (outside seating available in season) and one of her delicous sweets.  Also, has awesome candy, perfect for that hard to find Hostess gift.  www. sarahscandies.com

The Illinois Members of the Association of Bridal Consutlants had their monthly meeting at N9NE Steakhouse in Chicago.  After some networking over wine and passed HD’s (mini potato pancakes with a variety of cavier was my fav) and tour of the space, including Ghost Bar upstair, we enjoyed  wondeful dinner.  They offered a choice of Filet, Chicken and Fish.  After a lovely salad entrees came with sides of Mashed Potatoes and vegetables served Family style.  Dessert was a choice of a wonderful take off on Chocolate Mousse or a Pecan bar. 

We had a wondeful presentation about Social Networking via the internet. I learned alot about Linked In.. something I joined but never kept on.  Needless to say, I finished my profile, connected with the numerous people who want to be part of my network, and got recommends of my services from others.  So now something else to moniter!

N9NE offers a wonderful networking event the first Wednesday of the month.  All are invited for passed HD’s and cocktails.  If you would like your business to have a table to display, you are able to do that free of charge.. This sounds like a great way to meet others, and potentially new business. For more info you can contact Julie at N9NE.  www.N9NE.com

This weekend’s wedding was the Trump.  It was just amazing.  We picked some of the coolest Music for the ceremony.  As you know for me, it’a all about making it personal, so the Bride’s Processional was “Clocks” by Coldplay, and the Recessional was “Sweet Child O’ MIne” by Guns and Roses, one of the grooms favorites.  Hearing these on Keyboard and Sax was amazing. 

The Groom cried when he saw the bride at the “first glance” that I arranged prior to pics.  Yes, I teared up as well, seeing such emotion.�
The Decor of the room was simple and elegant. We chose a mono-botanical centerpiece of the seasons best in fall colors.   Bubble Bowl vases of Roses, Tulips, Cockcomb, and orchids filled the room in hues of reds, yellows, golds, marroons and oranges.  The house linens and chairs were perfect.  Simple and Elegant.   I like to take the large pillar in the room and use it as decor. I had it lit in Amber, with a branch pattern.  In keeping with the bride and groom’s playful personalites, metal boxes of Personalized M and M’s with couples face were keepsakes of the evening for the guests.  The bride surprised the groom with a groom’s cake of one of the Transformers. 

Another magical night……………..

After the most reschedules in a long time, I had lunch with Beth Heller from Harry Caray’s.  I’ve known Beth for a long time,and was thrilled when she referred me to her sister in law Jaime to design and coordinate her wedding. 

I had lunch today with Beth at their Kinzie Street Location. I have referred several of my clients there for Rehearsal Dinners.  I learned that most of their spaces have space for private events of all sizes.  Their new Lombard location can host a large wedding the room is so big.  They also offer off premise catering as well. I had the pleasure of using them several times in the past, and have always been pleased with food and service. 

I had a wonderful polenta with mushrooms,and the “Dutchie” salad of mixed greens, candied nuts, blue cheese, apples and lovely walnute viniagrette.  We then shared a slice of Key Lime Pie for dessert. It was great to catch up with Beth professionally and personally.  For more info www.harrycarays.com

I had a wonderful wedding this past wedding.  Greek Orthodox Ceremony at St. Andrew’s a block from the studio.  Bride was not Greek so the program explained all the ritual. The priests did the ceremonty part in English, and part in Greek.  I skipped floral on the altar, since the altar is so beautiful, and with the wedding party standing on it, you don’t need it.  I had the motif that we used throughout the wedding on their aisle runner.  

The reception was at the Hotel Intercontinental.  After a cocktail hour complete with Greek Station featuring Flaming Saganaki,  Moussaka, and Lamb, a raw bar with crab legs and shrimp, Martini’s and other Libations, the Guests moved into the Grand Ballroom.  Again, their monogram was front and center on the dance floor, as well as on the menus and favors.  Both Greek and American Music was danced to well past midnight.