frankly speaking

The 9th annual NICE awards were held on Tuesday night.  The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond was the spot.  The committee did a wonderful job keeping the whole gambling theme in perfect design, while Horseshoe’s staff pulled out all the stops.  The menu consisted of a BLT Salad, a duet of filet and chicken (It was so much I couldn’t finish) and a perfect chocolate mousse cake for dessert.  I again, for the 8th time, was honored with wining this category.  I think this now brings my total NICE awards in various categories to 17 wins, and 19 nods.  I am always very humbled and honored to be recognized.

Everyone uses the words “simple but elegant”.  But this weekend’s wedding was that to a t.  I was flattered to be asked for the 2nd time to coordinate a bride’s wedding for the 2nd time. After she hired me for just information and referral, since it was a small and intimate affair, the bride then realized, if you are having 30 or 300, weddings are lot of work for the busy professional.  So I was brought on board to complete the tasks. 

WIth a guest of about 35, the couple exchanged vows at Bond Chapel, which is in the middle of the Quad of the University of Chicago.  From here, guests were transported (pretty much all of them) by trolley  to the Four Seasons, where a lovely dinner with great background music was enjoyed.  Stunning large raised centerpieces of peonies, lillies, roses and orchids complimented each guest table.  Personalized menus and godiva chocolate favors accented the simple tablescapes. As one guest put it, “It was just a lovely sophisticated evening, that totally represented the couple.    …. Mission accomplished. This is exactly what I aim to do at every wedding I produce. Have the wedding reflect the couple’s style. 

Tonight I did an awesome wedding for 2 great guys.  Needless to say, this hits home when I see 2 guys making a formal commitment to each other.  And the room was filled with male couples, and singles too, in addition to family and friends there to celebrate with guys.  Their style is alot like mine personally so t was easy!  We decided on a palette of Brown and light Blue.  This was done on their stunning layered invitations and linen in the room. I did a row of blue cloths w/ brown napkins,and row of the reverse throughout the room.  The cake was stacked blue gift boxes with a brown Bow  The flowers, in wroth iron pedestals were filled with blue Hydrangea and white tulips.  After a very moving ceremony, complete with every guest holding a candle and acknowledging Jeff and Brian’s marriage, guest enjoyed a tableside choice of salmon or Beef, complete with asparagus and polenta.  The dance floor was packed all night. 

Once again, Macy’s State Street Store was filled with flowers for their annual flower show. 

While in Vegas, look what I found! 

While in California for the Inland Empire ABC Meeting last week, my host John Goolsby arranged for me to tour Pelican Hill, a new venue.  WOW.  They have an entire “Wedding Mansion” that hosts weddings. From the picturesque and breathtaking outdoor ceremony site, to the Brides Room, which is a small home in itself (Complete w/ shampoo bowl) to the wondeful ballroom, it’s like having your wedding a California Mansion.  A snapped a few photos, but for more info www.pelicanhill.com

I had to share with you photos I took of the hotel I stayed at and that hosted the ABC Meeting I spoke at last week.  So much history.  I actually took a historical tour.  It was built in phases, and wings kept getting added. Different architects were used each time, so the styles changed, even so when new addiitons were built as a new floor on top of the old.  The owner, was very eclectic and collected alot of “Stuff”, that he got all over the world.  The hotel is filled with all of these cool things, from furntiure, to a bell collection, to stained glass to “object de art”.  My room was huge. Had vaulted ceilings and a fire place (wasn’t working held plants).  I learned that Richard Nixon was married in suite there.  They have a “President’s Lounge” that holds portraits of all the US Presidents that stayed there.  It has it’s own chapel.  The owner bought this incredible altar from a family’s Private estate in Mexico.  It now is used to celebrate over 400 weddings per year.  What a change from the usual High Rise Hotel I am used to staying at.  for more info

www.missioninn.com