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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