Five Grain Events http://fivegrainevents.com Collaborating with our clients to create events brimming with personalization, vibrancy, and panache! Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Lindsey and Jason’s Rockabilly Wedding at The Stan Mansion 08.13.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/lindsey-and-jasons-rockabilly-wedding-at-the-stan-mansion-08-13-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/lindsey-and-jasons-rockabilly-wedding-at-the-stan-mansion-08-13-11#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:00:58 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2466 I met Lindsey and her mom at the Indie Wed show last January.  They were both high energy, fun, and had a really clear idea about what they had in mind for Lindsey and Jason’s August wedding.  I was thrilled when they decided to book Five Grain Events on the spot!

Once their wedding day finally arrived, I was beyond excited to help them put together all the details they had worked on tirelessly.  The ladies got ready at the Palmer House Hilton where Sara Jean Stevens styled the bridesmaids in vintage pinup style and friend, Brenda Arlano, did their makeup.  Lindsey had gone up to Antje Kastner’s studio in Ravenswood earlier that morning for her hair appointment, so when I arrived everyone was already looking SO fabulous!

Lindsey and Jason chose to do their first look in the lobby of the historic Palmer House.  Steven Gross of Real Life Weddings and Melissa Martens of Fig Weddings captured this intimate moment between the two lovebirds (and we did our best to keep the onlookers out of their way).  Lindsey’s first dress of the day (yes, she had two) was the perfect compliment to the pinup style hair and makeup–and she got it from Kleinfeld’s!  What an experience! 

While rain had been predicted for the whole day, we had high hopes of a wrong forecast since we had woken up to sunny skies that morning.  Unfortunately, the downpour started just as the bridal party was stepping onto the trolley to head out for photos.  They were prepared with matching umbrellas and a few fun indoor photo locations, like Union Station!

Don’t you just love the bridesmaids’ attire?  They picked their own vintage-inspired black dresses and shoes in red, turquoise, and leopard-print.  Too fun!

The sunshine happily returned just as they were finishing their photo tour and they were able to get a few shots in front of the iconic Fireside Bowl.

Lindsey works in theatre and Jason is an artist, so there was no doubt that this wedding was going to have lots of amazing details.  Jason hand folded dozens and dozens of paper cranes in their wedding colors to create this mobile in the entrance way of The Stan Mansion. Pollen floral design created amazing bouquets for the bridesmaids using a combination of real florals and brooches that Lindsey had collected.  And instead of a traditional bouquet, Lindsey carried her family bible which had been adorned with ribbons, succulents, and flowers–it was a work of art!

As the ceremony start time drew near, Lindsey changed into her second dress, a more traditional gown that she’d kept as a surprise for Jason.  It was her way of maintaining the feeling of Jason seeing her for the first time walking down the aisle, while still not having to miss out on any of cocktail hour for photos!

Their marriage ceremony was incredibly personal.  The beautiful backdrop was designed by Lindsey and brought to life by the ever-talented Art of Imagination. Lindsey’s uncle, Len, officiated and they had close friends and family participate with readings.  They wrote their own vows, but also included traditional marriage vows as a token of history.   The couple offered their guests vintage handkerchiefs that Lindsey had collected to dry all the tears of joy.

The end of the ceremony led directly into cocktail hour.  Everyone loved taking advantage of The Traveling Photo Booth’s photo opp!

Following speeches, the delicious buffet was open.  Hearty Boys’ offerings included a mashed potato bar, slider station, and various salads.  Cupcakes and Cakeballs from Bleeding Heart Bakery rounded out the meal.

The rest of my evening was spent in awe of the incredible dancers spinning around the floor.  Dena from Toast and Jam made sure there was no shortage of fabulous tunes.  Lindsey and Jason, it was such a pleasure spending time with you both as you put together the final details from your wedding, and what a fantastic event it was!  Lots of love to you both as you build your lives together.

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/lindsey-and-jasons-rockabilly-wedding-at-the-stan-mansion-08-13-11/feed 0 Marisa and Justin’s Elegant and Lively Wedding at The Ritz 08.20.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/marisa-and-justin%e2%80%99s-elegant-and-lively-wedding-at-the-ritz-08-20-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/marisa-and-justin%e2%80%99s-elegant-and-lively-wedding-at-the-ritz-08-20-11#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:37 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2604 Marisa and Justin’s wedding was really unique for me in that I didn’t meet the couple until a few days before the big event! Marisa’s mom saw us in Daily Candy and booked us after a phone consultation. Marisa’s parents lived in Ohio and Marisa and Justin were currently living in Los Angeles.  They wouldn’t be in Chicago until the week of the wedding!  After many emails and phone conversations, I could tell that Marisa and Justin were going to be a dream to work with.  It was so nice to finally meet everyone in person when the time came!  I immediately felt at home with the two families and knew it was going to be an incredible wedding.

Marisa and Justin chose the Ritz Carlton as their venue for the reception. The ladies started off the day getting their hair done at Salon Buzz and had the lovely Renee Snell come to the hotel to do their makeup.  Everyone looked stunning and Marisa’s Oscar de la Renta dress was absolutely to die for.

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

While the ladies were “beautifying”, the men were hanging out a few floors down in one of the Ritz’s meeting rooms. I love these photos because they are all trying to look so serious when I’m sure moments before they were laughing and goofing off.

Michael Wilson Photography

Finally, it was time to head to St. James Chapel. The chapel is located on top of the Archdiocese of Chicago and just recently became available for weddings. It is small and intimate which was perfect for the occasion. Marisa and Justin’s photographer, Michael Wilson, did a spectacular job of capturing everyone in this beautiful space.

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

The ceremony flowed right into cocktails back at the Ritz but we managed to squeeze in a few photos of the newlyweds and their bridal party before heading to the party.

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

And then it was time for the reception!  Kehoe Designs provided all of the incredible décor and floral for the day. The Ritz was kind enough to find the couple an amazing ice sculpture with their initials, which also served as a vessel for serving signature cocktails.

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Marisa and Justin’s first dance had everyone wiping away tears – it was clear this couple is so in love.  After a delicious meal (and cupcakes!) everyone moved to the dance floor. Gentlemen of Leisure had the party going all night (and then some!).  They really put on a show!

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Michael Wilson Photography

Marisa and Justin’s wedding was one for the books. The party continued well into the night and I don’t think I have ever witnessed so much dancing at a wedding!  It was truly a joy to be part of their day. Thank you so much to Marisa, Justin, and their parents and siblings for making me feel like part of the family!

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/marisa-and-justin%e2%80%99s-elegant-and-lively-wedding-at-the-ritz-08-20-11/feed 0 Heather and Rayan’s Purple and Gold Wedding at the Peninsula 08.06.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/heather-and-rayans-purple-and-gold-wedding-at-the-peninsula-08-06-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/heather-and-rayans-purple-and-gold-wedding-at-the-peninsula-08-06-11#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:00:30 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2419 Heather and Rayan have the cutest “how did you meet?” story I’ve ever heard!  The two both lived in the Gold Coast and rode the same bus to work every day.  Rayan noticed Heather, but was too shy to say hello.  After months and months of seeing one another daily, Rayan finally got up the courage to ask Heather to lunch.  That lunch turned into more dates, and now here they are, a happily married couple!  I absolutely love hearing the back story behind our couples and how they got together.  It just makes the wedding day that much more special to be a part of.

Heather and her bridesmaids began the day at Charles Ifergan Salon. Even though it is walking distance from The Peninsula, I picked Heather up after her appointment was over.  I couldn’t let her risk her beautiful hair in the August heat and humidity!  Once the ladies were all back at the hotel, Mike from Timothy Whaley & Associates, arrived to photograph the getting ready process.  Heather had selected deep purple one-shoulder dresses for her bridesmaids to wear which complimented her spaghetti strap fit and flare gown perfectly.

Before long (and after a celebratory glass of bubbly) it was time to head over to Assumption for the ceremony.  The girls stepped into the limo provided by Royalty Limousines and arrived in no time.  Their beautiful Catholic ceremony was officiated by Father John Guiney who knew Heather from her elementary school days.  It made everything all-the-more meaningful.  All the lush purple florals were provided by Natural Beauties.

After their ribbon send-off, the bridal party headed to some Chicago landmarks (including the bus stop where they first met!).  It was Lollapalooza weekend, so traffic was a concern, but luckily they had plenty of time scheduled in between their 1pm ceremony and 6pm reception.

While they were being photographed from every angle, my assistant and I had headed to The Peninsula to begin setting up for the reception.  Heather used her crafting skills to put together “Mr. & Mrs.” signs for the backs of their chairs, which featured the Fleur-de-Lis, a theme that she carried throughout the day.  As a nod to his Indian heritage, Heather and Rayan chose cakes with a henna design along the bottom, and The Peninsula’s pastry chef executed them perfectly.  Natural Beauties provided vases filled with orchids as stands for each of the cakes.

Because of the long break between ceremony and reception, Heather and Rayan were able to schedule a bit of downtime for themselves as well!  Once they returned from photos, the bride and groom went up to their room for some well-deserved relaxation before the rest of the festivities began.

Cocktail hour was held on the gorgeous Terrace which boasts some of the most beautiful views of Michigan Avenue.  It was a warm but not-too-hot August evening, and all the guests enjoyed their time in the fresh air.  String Theory by Style Matters provided the background music for the lovely setting.

I was warned ahead of time that Rayan is not a dancer, and that the first dance would be the only time I saw him spinning around the floor.  In order to give him the confidence he needed even to participate in that portion of the evening, the couple took dance lessons and learned a routine.  I’m not talking about one or two lessons, either:  Rayan and Heather took DOZENS of lessons before wedding day, yet Rayan was still pretty nervous before he was announced into the room that day.  Once the music started, you’d never have known it!  They flowed effortlessly around the floor to Everything by Michael Bublé.

After the first dance, the nerves disappeared and everyone had a great time.  There were heart-felt speeches, a delicious meal presented by The Peninsula, and a full dance floor (complete with a limbo competition) presided over by Spencer of Style Matters.

As a parting gift to their guests, Heather and Rayan had a truffle tower specially created for them by Katherine Anne Confections. There were adorable take-home boxes, but I’m not sure how many candies were actually left by the end of the night since they were so tasty!

Sending my best wishes to both of you for a wonderful first year of marriage and beyond!

 

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/heather-and-rayans-purple-and-gold-wedding-at-the-peninsula-08-06-11/feed 3 Molly and Marc’s Spunky and Sultry Wedding at the Hyatt 07.30.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/molly-and-marcs-spunky-and-sultry-wedding-at-the-hyatt-07-30-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/molly-and-marcs-spunky-and-sultry-wedding-at-the-hyatt-07-30-11#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:41 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2371 Molly and Marc have to be one of the most unabashedly passionate couples I’ve ever met.  From the first time we got together for coffee, Molly absolutely lit up when she started talking about Marc–and when I met Marc a few months later, that same glow appeared on his face every time he caught Molly’s eye.  Their summer wedding was all about celebrating the two of them–and all the personalization was well worth the effort!

Through a connection at The Hyatt, Molly and the girls got ready to start the day at one of the biggest and most beautiful suites I’ve ever stepped foot in!  This place was larger than my apartment.  Plenty of room to hang out and relax while Suzy and her crew from Hairspray Revolution prettied them up.  Molly’s bridesmaids wore the most adorable off-the-rack dresses with polka dot sequins.  How cute is that?

Marc is a very tall and tough-looking guy, so it was really sweet to see him getting quite emotional upon seeing Molly for the first time–especially in view of their bridal party and families!

Despite the heat, the couple took some photos along the Mag Mile.  They couldn’t pass up the chance for a photo opp with the glamorous Marilyn, which had been revealed just a month before!

 

The bridal party headed back to The Hyatt to cool off and get ready for the Ketubah signing.  According to Jewish tradition, this is the moment of actual marriage and clearly it was all feeling very real to Molly!

Molly and Marc are HUGE Beatles fans.  In fact, they postponed departing for their honeymoon by a day so that they could see Paul McCartney play at Wrigley Field!  It was only logical, then, that they chose Beatles tunes to play all the different bridal party members down the aisle.  Katherine Andrick String Ensembles did a great job with this out-of-the box request.  The most fitting, of course, was When I’m 64 which played while Molly’s parents walked–both of whom were 64 years old!

Their ceremony in the Crystal Ballroom had one of the most stunning backdrops I’ve ever seen–overlooking the Chicago River and Wrigley Building.  The folks at The Hyatt told us that many couples choose to close the curtains for the ceremony portion, but I am so glad Molly and Marc decided to let all that gorgeous natural light stream in (and I’m sure Bethany of Maypole Studios was as well!).  The chuppah and floral decor were the work of Two Georges Floral.

Once the ceremony was over, the group was ready to party!  The ballroom was changed over from ceremony and reception while guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers (including Chicago-style hotdogs and mini Italian Beefs!) in the West Tower lobby.  Once everyone was seated for dinner Molly and Marc revealed the surprise of the century.  Instead of a traditional first dance, Hilary Barry of Chicago Verge Dance Theatre choreographed a routine for them to Michael Jackson’s Rock With You. They were absolutely amazing and I felt so special being one of the VERY select few who knew what they had planned!

Dancing was high priority for these two, so immediately after their first dance and before dinner began they invited everyone onto the dance floor to party with the unparallelled Maggie Speaks.

During the delicious meal prepared by The Hyatt, Molly and Marc were toasted by various family members.  As a sweet treat at the end of the evening, guests were served both wedding cake and Taffy Apples, handmade by the mother of the bride–yum!

As a part of the photo package, Maypole Studios provided a photobooth setup with props and a guest book.  All of Molly and Marc’s friends had a blast playing around with the differents hats, moustaches, and other costumes resulting in some AMAZING photos!

The whole evening was filled with so much love and joy, I really felt lucky to have been a part of it!  I think I’ll end with this amazing short film by Jeremy of 3 line 9 productions which truly captures the essence of Molly and Marc’s amazing day.

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/molly-and-marcs-spunky-and-sultry-wedding-at-the-hyatt-07-30-11/feed 0 Maria and Tim’s Summertime Nuptials at Rolling Green Country Club 07.09.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/maria-and-tims-summertime-nuptials-at-rolling-green-country-club-07-09-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/maria-and-tims-summertime-nuptials-at-rolling-green-country-club-07-09-11#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:25:29 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2309 When I first met Maria last year, I knew she was going to be an fabulous bride to work with – she clearly had an eye for detail and knew exactly what she wanted in her big day. I love a bride with a vision!

We began Maria and Tim’s festivities at Maria’s parents’ house to get ready. Tim’s daughter, Michelle, who served as Maria’s maid of honor, joined us for hair and make up. I adored her purple gown. It was one bridesmaid dress she will definitely be able to wear again.

I loved Maria’s choice in her intricately beaded dress. She looked absolutely stunning. Vivid Floral provided all of the beautiful flowers for the day.

After getting ready, it was off to St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge . Maria chose to ride to the ceremony with her father in a vintage Bentley from Classic Chassis.  The private car ride provided Maria some quiet time with her dad before the craziness of the day really set in.

The ceremony was a traditional Catholic mass and I loved that Maria and Tim chose to honor both of Tim’s kids by having them as their bridal party. Choice Music Chicago provided incredible vocals and music, which really added to the beautiful ceremony.

After the ceremony, the couple went to Rolling Green Country Club for pictures on their beautiful grounds. Jennifer Kathryn Photography captured their newlywed glow perfectly!

And then the party got started! There was plenty of food and dessert for guests to enjoy. It was a sweet tooth’s dream with Italian cookies galore from Rolf’s Patisserie and Il Giardino del Dolce–my favorite!–, wedding cake from Amy Beck Cake Design and a gelato cart from Via Gelato. Everybody was on the dance floor boogy-ing to the tunes of Ron Bedal Orchestra while taking periodic breaks for ice cream–the perfect treat for cooling off on a warm summer night.

Maria, Tim, and their families warmed my heart with their kindness and obvious love for one another. I had such a wonderful time being a part of their day and can’t thank them enough for choosing to include me!

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/maria-and-tims-summertime-nuptials-at-rolling-green-country-club-07-09-11/feed 0 Mahera and Taha’s Indian Wedding at Navy Pier 07.16.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/mahera-and-tahas-indian-wedding-at-navy-pier-07-16-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/mahera-and-tahas-indian-wedding-at-navy-pier-07-16-11#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:00:39 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2164 Mahera and Taha’s wedding reception was an absolutely stunning affair!  It was held at Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom (the easternmost point in Chicago, I believe) with a color scheme of royal blue and gold.  Because this was a Muslim wedding, their ceremony was held on a different date (Mahera and I are friends so I was lucky enough to get to attend several of the functions).  Their July 16th event was STRICTLY about the celebration–and boy did they celebrate!

Mahera and Taha wanted to combine both traditional and American elements into their reception.  Before the photos began on reception day, they shared a first look expertly captured by Amna Siddiqui.  While, of course, traditional white wedding dresses are beautiful, Mahera truly looked like a princess in her lehenga of deep blues and greens–absolutely dripping in gold beading and jewelry.  The mehendi on her hands and feet complimented the look.

The bridal party wandered all around the Pier taking photos (Mahera and Taha had the luxury of riding on a golf cart).  When you choose such an iconic spot for your wedding, there’s no need to rent transportation:  so many great photo spots are available to you!

Next up was cocktail hour–or, I should say, “mocktail” hour.  Since there weren’t any actual libations served at the event, the Navy Pier Catering staff created a delicious drink called a “Maha-tini” that was served in addition to lassi–a traditional yogurt-based drink.  Both were DELICIOUS, and helped to cut some of the spiciness from the plethora of amazing dishes India House brought in to serve before the dinner portion began.

Upon entering the ballroom, guests were awed by the sheer grandeur of the space!  The tall domed ceiling and view of the lake are unmatched by any other venue in the city.  The tables were named after famous landmarks in their respective home cities:  New York and Chicago.  Behind Mahera and Taha’s sweetheart table was a gorgeous backdrop, complete with chandeliers, created by the talented Sid of Precision Sound and Lighting.  Poonam Creations provided the floral design, linens, and chairs fit for royalty.

One of the traditional elements Taha and Mahera included in their reception was the honoring of their relatives.  Before the bridal party was announced in, all of their aunts, uncles, and cousins were promenaded into the room to “We Are Family”!  They carried flags representing the countries they came from which included India, Pakistan, England, and others.  It was really a wonderful way to showcase all of their relatives who had traveled from so far away to celebrate this wonderful occasion.

The bridal party danced in first and then waited at the end of the red carpet to welcome in the stars for the evening:  Mahera and Taha!

Rather than the standard method of having the DJ emcee the reception, there was a special guest master of ceremonies for this event:  Mahera’s brother, Abeezer!  Apparently he does this for lots of friends and family and he did a great job!  With all of his quips and skits, the evening flowed more like an awards show than a wedding reception.

One of the (many) special elements that evening, was the Bollywood dance that a group of Mahera’s girlfriends choreographed and performed for the couple!  I had the privilege of seeing the instructional videos for the dance moves via you tube ahead of time, and let me tell you–they weren’t easy!  These girls did an incredible job, and Mahera and Taha even joined in at the end!

 

One of the perks of having your reception at Navy Pier on a summer Saturday?  Fireworks!  It almost felt like their own private display, and was the perfect break between dinner and dancing.

Once back inside, Sachin of Sounds by Sachin got the dancing music rolling and we started one of my favorite parts of the evening:  Dandiya Sticks! Probably 100 of these were handed out to the guests and we all circled up.  Here is the Wikipedia explanation, since they can articulate the process much better than I can:

In Dandiya Raas men and women dance in two circles, with sticks in their hands. In the old times Raas did not involve much singing, just the beat of Dhol was enough. “Dandiya” or sticks, are about 18″ long. Each dancer holds two, although some times when they are short on Dandiya they will use just one in right hand. Generally, in a four beat rhythm, opposite sides hit the sticks at the same time, creating a nice sound. One circle goes clockwise and another counter clockwise. In the west, people don’t form full circles, but instead often form rows.

It was a great time and the perfect way to get everybody on the dance floor moving around.

The rest of the evening was spent dancing, celebrating, and munching on the delicious desserts which included wedding cake and pastries from Central Continental as well as a chocolate fountain that India House provided.

Mahera and Taha, I hope you enjoyed your last hurrah in Chicago before the big move to NYC!  Lots of love to you both, and thanks for letting me be a part of it all!

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/mahera-and-tahas-indian-wedding-at-navy-pier-07-16-11/feed 1 Molly and Marc, Chicago, IL http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/molly-and-marc-chicago-il http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/molly-and-marc-chicago-il#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:25:14 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2160
“If you are looking for an extremely capable wedding planner with a fantastic personality, your search will most definitely end with Joan of Five Grain Events. 

We hired Joan as our day-of coordinator for our wedding last July, and we could not be happier with our choice. Joan is well organized, knowledgeable, proactive, funny and sweet as can be. I stood up in many weddings before my own, and I’ve seen firsthand just how difficult some planners can be to work with. Joan was just the opposite. She certainly crossed all of her T’s and dotted her I’s, but she was also funny, warm and a pleasure to be around. For a bride, a wedding day can be quite stressful, but because of Joan’s hard work behind the scenes, the day was perfect!

Joan’s services are also quite reasonably priced. We only used her “day-of” services, but that included so much more than getting everything set the day of the wedding. She suggested vendors, met with us a couple times before the wedding, as well as answered many phone calls and emails. She also contacted the entire bridal party a couple weeks before the wedding, to let them know how everything would be playing out during the wedding weekend. She ran our rehearsal, and coordinated all of our vendors to make the actual wedding day seamless.

Joan is AMAZING, and you would be lucky to have her with you on (and before) your special day!”

 

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/molly-and-marc-chicago-il/feed 0 SMP Illinois Welcomes Our Advertisers http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/smp-illinois-welcomes-our-advertisers http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/smp-illinois-welcomes-our-advertisers#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:02:32 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2155 Why hello there! Fancy seeing you around on a Saturday morning! Although we typically put our weekly pretty parade on hold during the weekend, we just had to introduce a few of our newest SMP Family members, making this Saturday in Illinois that much prettier. And boy do we have a lineup of lovelies for you to meet! So join me in giving Robyn Rachel Photography, Five Grain Events and Fragrant Design the warmest of SMP welcomes!

To view the rest of the feature, click here to go to Style Me Pretty Illinois.

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/smp-illinois-welcomes-our-advertisers/feed 0 Allison and Mark’s Lovely Wedding at Galleria Marchetti 07.03.11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/allison-and-marks-lovely-wedding-at-galleria-marchetti-07-03-11 http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/allison-and-marks-lovely-wedding-at-galleria-marchetti-07-03-11#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:12:23 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2015 Allison and I go way back–I think we met in 2nd or 3rd grade attending Hebrew School together in the suburbs of Chicago.  That’s why I was so thrilled when she emailed to let me know she was getting married at one of my favorite venues in the city, Galleria Marchetti, and asked me to be a part of it!

Allison and Mark’s wedding day began at the Hyatt Regency. The beautiful suite was abuzz with the ladies of the bridal party getting dressed, chatting, and taking turns getting makeup done by Alexandra Andrade and hair by Salon Soca. Their gorgeous bouquets by Dilly Lily perfectly matched the stunning one-shoulder bridesmaid dresses.

Allison and Mark shared their first look along the Chicago River, just outside the hotel.  For 4th of July weekend, it was a beautifully breezy day, and not too hot.  Mother Nature was definitely on our side that day!

Once the bride and groom had taken a few shots, Mike Scarpelli of Gerber + Scarpelli rounded up the whole bridal party to take some group pictures around the city.  Allison and Mark had given the bridesmaids and groomsmen Ray Ban sunglasses as gifts–and they modeled them in a few pics–such a cute idea!

The ceremony was held in Galleria Marchetti’s courtyard.  It’s hard to believe that this urban oasis is plopped right in the midst of a very populated area of Chicago, and just off the highway!   Mark’s mentor, Judge William Bauer, officiated the personalized ceremony which included elements of both of their cultural and religious backgrounds.

 

Dilly Lily’s centerpieces were perfectly matched to Galleria Marchetti’s slightly rustic feel.  They used a combination of hydrangea, orchids, and branches to dress up the simple white linens.  I also adored their escort card table arrangement (nicely accenting the table cards created by Elizabeth Grace).  Don’t forget that the little details in a reception really do make a difference!

 

Allison and Mark’s friends and family gave some very touching speeches.  I love hearing the “behind-the-scenes” quips on the bride and groom!

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple served their favorite flavors of Molly’s Cupcakes. Mark’s dad built a tier in their wedding colors to display them.

Allison and Mark chose an AMAZING band for, in my opinion, the best part of the evening:  dancing!  Becca Kaufman Orchestra really brought the house down until the clock struck midnight.

What a fun-filled day!  Congrats to Allison and Mark on an incredible wedding and beautiful future together.

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/blog/allison-and-marks-lovely-wedding-at-galleria-marchetti-07-03-11/feed 0 Amy & Matt’s Lake Geneva Wedding http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/amy-matts-lake-geneva-wedding http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/amy-matts-lake-geneva-wedding#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:18:11 +0000 joan http://fivegrainevents.com/?p=2058 Yesterday, we featured the sweet wedding film of Amy & Matt…well, today I have their beautiful wedding images to share with you….their special day was captured by the wife and husband team, Stevi & Matt of Averyhouse Photography…..their work is OMG Gorgeous!!! I’m seriously loving Amy’s red shoes and all the bridesmaids dresses…let’s check it all out….Enjoy!!

To view the rest of the feature, click here to go to The Bride’s Cafe.

]]> http://fivegrainevents.com/applause/amy-matts-lake-geneva-wedding/feed 0