Sweetchic Events

Style Me Pretty: A Secret Loft Garden

2011-05-25T11:15:00.000-05:00

Ahhh!! It’s been sooo difficult to contain my excitement about our photoshoot that is featured today on Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog!

Back in the winter, I had lunch with Grace from Vale of Enna Floral Design and photographer Kenny Nakai, who had recently moved into their fabulous new studio space in Lincoln Park. Uhm, hello-what-a-perfect-place-for-a-photoshoot!! There are a ton of pics in the SMP feature and even more eye-candy in the Gallery, but here’s one that’s not in there:

Grace and I, tired and happy after hours of tweaking and perfecting :)

Here is probably one of my favorite shots. I am OBSESSED with the hanging mirrored table number!

I can’t even explain how tricky these bubble shots were to pull off!! But I saw it in my head and was determined to bring it to life. It involved me standing on a tall chair, ungracefully huffing and puffing, while Grace fanned the bubbles in the right direction, all while Kenny snapped a million shots! But totally worth it :)

Another one of my favorite details were the mirrored escort cards in the glass globe holders with a dainty ranunculous bud.

What do you think, friends?!

Images by Nakai Photography.
Event Design & Styling by Sweetchic Events
Florals by Vale of Enna
Draping by Art of Imagination
Food by Pure Kitchen Catering
Calligraphy by Write by Mike

Venue Spotlight: The Newberry Library

2011-01-18T10:00:00.000-06:00

I am super excited that one of my 2012 couples just booked one of my favorite venues, The Newberry Library as their wedding venue! It was a tough choice, and it came down to the Private Dining Rooms of Spiaggia and Fulton’s on the River. In the end, the uniqueness of the Newberry won out!

I first heard about The Newbery Library when I read The Time Traveler’s Wife (one of my favorite books) a few years ago! It also happens to be an amazing wedding venue… one that is booked solid up to 14+ months in advance! So if you love this place, be prepared to wait (or get lucky).

Why is it so popular? Well, first and foremost, it is a gorgeous library and you get the place all to yourselves for six hours. The $6,000 rental fee is fairly reasonable for downtown Chicago (ok, it’s still a lot…), especially when you consider that it includes all the tables, opera chairs, a parking lot, and you have the freedom to bring in any caterer (with the appropriate licenses and insurance) and can purchase your own liquor. It is also across the street from the lovely Washington Square Park where you can have your ceremony (a separate permit must be obtained through the Chicago Park District).

A ceremony across the street at Washington Square Park.

Ruggles Hall (check out those Opera Chairs!!)

All images above by Second Print Productions, from one of my favorite 2009 weddings!

Any Newberry brides out there?

Wedding Eye Candy

2010-09-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

I’m headed to Hawaii today for 8 days of blissful vacation and to attend a friend’s destination wedding! We have been looking forward to this trip for months, so I am SO excited! Not to mention… I need a break! Wedding season is exhausting :)

But before I leave, I thought I’d leave you with some wedding eye-candy: here are a few teaser pics from my last two weddings (taken by yours truly, obviously)! Stay tuned for pro pics later this month…

Dana & Steve, September 5, 2010, University Club of Chicago

Kelley & Mike, September 11, 2010, Chicago Botanic Gardens

I’ll be back soon with some pictures from Hawaii!

Tuesday’s Tablescape: Drama in Aubergine & Chartreuse

2010-02-16T11:32:00.001-06:00

First of all, what is aubergine? It’s French for eggplant, as in the vegetable and color!

Today’s tablescape inspiration is full of DRAMA! I love the use of the vibrant jewel tones and the lighting, lighting, lighting! I know manzanita branch centerpieces have been done to death, but when done right, I still can’t help but love them! Especially here with the fluffy rose pomanders and crystals, nestled in a lush arrangement at the base.

And how gorgeous is this venue? Wedding at the Skirball Cultural Center in LA and photographed by Joy Marie Photography

Via Junebug Weddings

Indie Wed: A Unique Wedding Show

2010-01-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

Are you going?

I am so looking forward to Indie Wed on January 30th! According to their site:

“On January 30th 2010, Chicago will be the location for a unique wedding event. The event, called Indie Wed will be the first of its kind in the Midwest, bringing together local vendors with a twist. Indie Wed caters to unconventional couples who are taking a more modern, edgy, or eco-friendly approach to their special day as well as the more conservative couples who simply want to add some special touches. The event will highlight the work of local independent designers specializing in various wedding related fields including stationery, cakes & pastries, fashion, catering, floral design and photography”

Saturday, January 30th, 2010
from 11am-5pm
at the Showroom at the Ravenswood Event Center
4025 N. Ravenswood Ave
Chicago Illinois

Click HERE to pre-order tickets, and HERE for the list of participating vendors! Hope to see you there…

We have moved!

2010-01-07T13:24:00.002-06:00

Please check out our new home at www.sweetchicevents.com/blog

Introducing: Sweetchic’s New Website & Blog

2010-01-05T09:22:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year, everyone!

We are SO excited to announce that Sweetchicevents.com and our blog have undergone a MAJOR overhaul! Our old site was a flash-based website through Bludomain, and while that served us very well for a year and a half, it was time for an upgrade! Our new html site now has an entirely new look and feel with the help of web designer, Lauren of Goodspark. And did you notice that Sweetchic’s logo also received a little love?

Our new blog has been integrated into the website itself, and is located sweetchicevents.com/blog/

Please be sure to change your RSS feed, Google reader, or whatever you use…

Soooo… whaddya think?!

Happy Holidays from Sweetchic!

2009-12-24T11:48:00.001-06:00

Happy Holidays dear readers and friends of Sweetchic! It has been a wonderful year, and I’m off for an 8-day vacation to ESPANA with my husband and family tomorrow! Email access will be sporadic if at all, so hopefully you’ll understand :) I’ll be back in January with pictures galore!

I am so excited for 2010! Here are just a few of the things Sweetchic has in store for the new year:

- NEW website and blog launching in January!
- NEW branding! (keeping my logo and my fun colors… but with a twist!)
- New Marketing collateral, fun fun!
- More consistent blogging (I promise!) and bringing it to a more personal level, and hopefully interesting to you readers :)
- A Silent Auction for charity!
- Attending the Eventology conference in Indy, and the ABC conference in Phoenix

… and of course, weddings, weddings, WEDDINGS!

Above is a close-up of the diviiiiinnee letterpress cards I sent out this season (in my colors, no less! :) They are courtesy of lovely Etsy seller, Ruby Press, who kindly customized them to my liking. The luxurious paper, the vibrant color, and the amazing press… ooh la la!!

May your holidays be filled with family, friends, and much JOY!

Cheers,

Charlene

Venue Spotlight: theWit Hotel

2009-12-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding my next featured venue, theWit Hotel, and after a recent site visit, I’d have to say that buzz is well deserved! Everything about this hotel is super modern, sleek, and chic! theWit is located next to the Chicago Theater (as evidenced by the picture below) and the rest of the theater district and some fabulous State Street shopping.

Carasco Photography

Above two images: Ashley Portraits

Ballrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and great views are not as easy to find as you may think!

theWit is also home to new Chicago hotspot, Roof, aka a fab rooftop bar. Check out all the Yelp reviews.

A hotel with a private movie theater? Yes, please! Imagine a bride and her ladies getting ready in their suite upstairs while the groom and his entourage take over this theater and catch a game (or whatever) since we all know it takes the gents less time to get ready :)

Swanky lobby

The lovely Library area

Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up to this view (in this cozy bed)?

See more hotel pictures here.

Capacity for seated dinner: 200 with full-size stage and dance floor
Capacity for cocktail reception: 400
Ceremony space: Yes, up to 300
Package starting price: $155.00**
Food & Beverage minimum: $24,000.00 for a Saturday, $20,000 for Friday or Sunday.
No Room Rental or Ceremony Fees

**Includes Cocktail Hour on ROOF

Additional options:
- AfterParty on ROOF
- Brunch in Library Space
- Party in the Theater

Chicago Weddingbee Holiday Party

2009-12-22T11:22:00.001-06:00

Back in 2006 - 2007 when I was planning my own wedding, I was thrilled to blog as Mrs.Emerald, the first Chicago “Bee” on the fabulous site, Weddingbee, which has exploded in popularity over the years. We have since expanded our numbers to include 11 Chicago-area Bees, so I decided to invite everyone over (sans significant others) for our first annual Holiday Party! To make it quick and easy, I asked everyone to bring a drink, hors d’oeuvres or dessert… and the result was an 8 foot long spread of sparking wine, quiche, shrimp puffs, sushi, bruschetta, cookies, cream puffs and cake galore! And thanks Quiche for the lovely calla lilies :)

Thanks Heather, aka Snappy, for taking the pictures below with her new DSLR!

Cutting into my Kahlua cake and topped with fresh whipped cream… so easy to make, and so deeeelicious to eat. Let me know if anyone is interested in the recipe! :)

Had to get a picture of snap-happy-Snappy!

From L-R, Powderpuff, Stiletto, Quiche, Emerald, Snapdragon, Nacho, Mascara, and Parfait
Missing from our Chicago contingent: Jasmine, Radish, and Peacock (who almost came, but instead gave birth to baby Eloise 24 hours after our party!)

Thanks ladies for a fabulous evening! It sounds crazy, but Weddingbee really changed my life, and I now have such a wonderful network of amazing women (and a few men) who I would never have met otherwise!

Kids + Stuffed Animals Down the Aisle

2009-12-17T14:28:00.001-06:00

I just saw this image on The Bride’s Cafe and had to share… how cute is this flower girl carrying a stuffed doggie down the aisle in her basket? It just goes to show that that a flower girl does NOT have to do anything with flowers and will still be oh-so-adorable. Simple is good :)

Photo by Jonathan Canlas (who shoots in film!!)

I love this photo and this idea because it reminds me of my own wedding back in 2007 when I gave my young flower girl and ring bearer teddy bears to carry down the aisle. She was also supposed to ring a bell with her free hand, but she felt more secure holding hands with her big brother :) And the ring bearer-bear was holding a tiny pillow with fake rings attached!

Photo by Dennis Lee

Did you have kids involved in your wedding, and what did they carry down the aisle?

DIFFA: More Tablescape Inspiration!

2009-12-11T16:20:00.001-06:00

I just realized that I never finished posting the pictures that I took from the DIFFA event a few weeks ago! So let’s round out the work week with some visual fabulousness…

I love everything about this tablescape, especially the simplicity of it! There isn’t anything here someone couldn’t replicate themselves on a budget… amazing what simple topiaries and baskets of fresh apples can do!

Yes, that is a giant Benjamin Moore paint can! Someone was very creative, and this display is oh, so cute!

Did you know that cobalt blue will look amazing with fuchsia and orange? Why yes it will!

This display screams “rustic with a modern twist!!!” to me!

If I was a little girl, I would want my birthday party hosted under this tent, with those yummy cupcakes (see below)!

The tablescape itself was not very inspiring, but the hanging chandelier made entirely of PAPER CLIPS certainly was! I can’t imagine how much time this took…

Adore the multiple vessels each with a different flower…

Manzanitas are still hot stuff…

Have a fabulous weekend and stay warm!

Kehoe+Olivia Leigh+Smitten Boutique

2009-12-01T10:37:00.001-06:00

= FABULOUS EVENING of Creativity, Cupcakes & Champagne!

Venue Spotlight: Trump Int’l Hotel & Tower

2009-11-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

My job allows me to visit some of the most fabulous venues in Chicago… and I thought I’d start sharing them with you!

Chicago recently received a shiny new skyscraper to add it its world famous skyline: Trump International Hotel & Tower. This hotel is the epitome of contemporary luxury and elegance, and the Grand Ballroom is equally spectacular.

{Above images courtesy of Rosalind Wedding; Wedding Consultant: Engaging Events by Ali)

Capacity for seated dinner: 269
Capacity for cocktail reception: 269
Ceremony space: Skyline Room (up to 175 capacity, theater style)
Package starting price: $220 per person (+ tax & gratuity)
Food & Beverage minimum: Yes, may vary depending on day/season, inquire with contact below

Unique attributes: Everywhere you turn, this hotel has STUNNING wrap-around city views! Everything is simply first class: the food, the service, the attention to detail, and of course, the space. Did you expect any less from The Donald?! I especially like that the furnishings are modern, and the decor neutral – perfect to dress up any way you please!

Address: 401 N. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Contact: Aristene Aurand
Phone number: 312.588.8062
Email: aaurand {at} trumphotels.com

DIFFA: Tablescape Inspiration

2009-11-16T13:31:00.001-06:00

A friend and (former client!) recently invited me to check out the DIFFA Dining by Design event at the Merchandise Mart with her. DIFFA stands for Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids. According to their website, “DIFFA’s Dining By Design brings together the best talents in the design world to create breathtaking three-dimensional dining installations. This unique fundraiser on behalf of DIFFA/Chicago has raised more than $5.5 million since the event’s inception, and returns to Chicago every November at the celebrated Merchandise Mart.” Apparently, part of the fundraiser is that bidders can bid to actually DINE at one of these magnificent tables! Love it!

This amazing event was right up my alley: it just OOZED fabulous tablescape inspiration! There were so many, I may just have to break this into two posts full of eye-candy. I wish I had kept track of the designers (sorry!) but there were SO many!!

I just love the yellow Billy Buttons combined with the green moss.

I would LOVE one of those lighting installations in my dining room! Also digging the purple and yellow color scheme in the background.

Organic wood table top, green spider mums, a very Zen feel… not sure about the beta fish in the glass vases though!

The place settings here are absolutely exquisite (hard to see) and I adore the two-toned purple and fuchsia glassware!

Sexy lounge areas, the fuchsia and black is so dramatic!

I’m normally not a big fan of ALL rose centerpieces, but when done in a dramatic long row like this, it makes for a very striking centerpiece. Imagine some long feasting tables with these arrangements! Divine…

To be continued…

Sylvia Weinstock: The Importance of Wedding Cake

2009-11-13T10:11:00.002-06:00

One of the presenters I was most excited to see was Sylvia Weinstock! THE Sylvia Weinstock! She is a wiry, spunky, practical lady… it’s too bad she didn’t bring some cake for us to try. Or hand out some sugar flowers… would that have been asking too much?! haha, j/k.

She took us through some of her favorite cakes over the years, the inspiration for some of them, as well as the difficulties of shipping her cakes around the world. Why (in her opinion) is wedding cake so important? Because cutting the cake is often the first thing a newly married couple does together to celebrate their marriage. So cake shouldn’t be an afterthought!

When asked about the whole cupcakes-replacing-wedding-cake trend, she responded along the lines of, “Cupcakes are not elegant. A bride wears a long white dress. She is setting a formal tone, and cupcakes are not formal.” (So lesson learned: never ask Sylvia Weinstock for a cupcake cake!)

And when asked, “How do you get the tops off of those REALLY tall cakes?” She replied, “You have the banquet captain stand on a ladder and make a really big SHOW of it! It’s entertainment!”

And by the way, if you are ever lucky enough to get a slice of her cake, save the sugar flower!! If kept clean and dry, it will supposedly last forever. It’s hard to believe, but each of her meticulously crafted sugar flowers is anatomically correct!!

Anyways, what is a post about Sylvia Weinstock without some cake p0rn? Her cakes are seriously over-the-top masterpieces! I wish I could find pictures of the cakes she actually talked about, but alas, I guess those were the more obscure cakes that were not splashed across the blogosphere!

(Sorry for lack of photo credits, I found these same images on multiple sites!)

Peggy Post: Advice for Peaceful Planning

2009-11-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

I am back from two intense days at my very first Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Conference! It was inspiring and invigorating, and I am SO excited to take what I learned and make 2010 one heckuva fabulous year!

One of the highlights of the conference was keynote speaker and etiquette guru, Peggy Post, great granddaughter-in-law of Emily Post, THE original etiquette expert. Peggy now serves as the spokesperson for the Emily Post Institute.

Photo by Kurt Ackerman

She was literally 20 feet in front of me, how cool is that?!

Her topic focused on Peaceful Wedding Planning, and she really drove home a few key points (excuse me for the obvious paraphrasing below). You would think that much of this is common sense, but I’m sure we can all attest to the lack of good manners in the world these days! We’re all guilty of it too at times… and could use a reminder!

“
What is etiquette? Etiquette helps us figure out solutions to situations. It is more than table manners, it is what we do in life. Etiquette is simply how persons lives touch one another's.

Etiquette is about three main principles, and how we live the principles:

- Consideration
- Respect – interest in others as they are
- Honesty – sincere, truthful and tactful

Consider these ‘guidelines’, not ‘rules’, as they are fluid and ever-changing. ”

Peggy’s advice to handle wedding conflict:

“Compromise. Listen with an open mind and love every idea for 5 minutes as you allow others to voice their suggestions.”

I really thought this was a great tip: love every idea for 5 minutes. Haven’t we all been in the situation where two people are at odds and one person immediately shoots down the others’ idea? This is especially pertinent in the world of wedding planning when say, the bride wants one thing, and her fiance/mother/father want another thing. This could potentially lead to WWIII in some situations. Instead, Peggy suggests,

- Stay Calm
- Listen
- Stick with the facts
- Don’t get personal!
- Propose a solution
- Be willing to negotiate

And on another note… YES, in this age of technology, a hand-written THANK YOU CARD is still pertinent! Don’t just email/Facebook/Twitter your Thank You! Because Peggy said so :)

What a great speaker! My only regret was not bringing her book for her to sign afterwards!!

Married: John & Vida – June 27, 2009 {Pt 3}

2009-10-21T10:00:00.002-05:00

The Reception

John and Vida’s reception was abound with details and surprises that I can’t wait to share with you! Vida was a very detail-oriented and hands-on bride, which just thrilled me to bits!

One of my very favorite elements of the entire wedding was this escort card table (it took forever to set up!) Check out the succulent TREE that Vida found, it’s just AMAZING!

Those little black and white vessels are mini rock vases that Vida purchased from Thailand which that we filled with green kermit mums.

One of my favorite ways of adding visual interest to a reception room is mixing round tables with long “feasting” tables, as they are called. It worked perfectly in this space!

Their cityscape monogram on the wall. Initially this was to be projected on the dance floor, but after conferring with the lighting technician, we made the last minute decision to put it on the wall for more dramatic effect. People were taking pictures in front of it all night!

Let me tell you a little secret: There was NO florist involved in any of the centerpieces! Vida pre-assembled these very Zen centerpiece trays beforehand (notice the shells!), and then on the wedding day we laid them out, along with the fresh orchid blooms, driftwood branches, more shells, monstera leaves, trailing rocks.

I love the choice of modern stemware!

I love the simplicity of this shot.

They had an abundant food spread, including:

1. Sushi station with maki rolls and nigiri, made on-site by a sushi chef!
2. Thai food station provided by Vida’s parents, who own The Thai Grill in Edgwater (it’s delish!)
3. Continental station with carved beef tenderloin and miso glazed salmon
4. Thai dessert station
5. Ice cream sundae bar!

You better believe their guests were happy (and impressed!)!!

Sushi was definitely THE most popular station, the line was long the entire time! I was thrilled to snag a few pieces, hehe :)

Vida’s gorgeous yellow diamond rings

The Thai dessert table – those little things that look like mini peppers and fruits are actually mung bean desserts!

The beautiful tradition of Thai fruit carving… so intricate!

No ordinary white, 3-tiered cake for J & V! Say hello to Monkey the pug, and yes, he is holding a shell in his mouth. This is the dog they eventually plan to get, and his/her name will be Monkey!

*ouch*

There were a number of wonderful toasts

They didn’t want a traditional slideshow, so they found a company in Singapore that made an animated version of their love story, and interwove photos into the mix. It was definitely a unique twist!

Instead of a first dance, they had a first song! John used to sing, so when he busted out his guitar, it seemed fitting… although the guests were surprised when Vida chimed in with a duet! What did they sing? A love balled wasn’t their style, so John re-wrote the lyrics to “So I married my dream girl” (aka the free credit report jingle!). LUV it.

Dance floor was packed, of course

Success!

John and Vida, we were so thrilled to help make your wedding day a fabulous and memorable celebration! Thanks for letting us be a part of it!

Photographer: SecondPrint Productions
Venue: EnVent
Ceremony Musicians: Opus Focus
DJ: DJ Jay
Florist (Personal Flowers only): Vale of Enna
Lighting/Draping: Chicago Lighting Design
Linens: Chaircovers by Sylwia
Continental Catering: Catering by Michaels
Sushi Station: Thalia Spice
Thai Station: The Thai Grill
Pug cake: Tipsycake
Fruit carvings: Bree’s Basket
Vida’s Makeup: Beautiful Yu
Equipment Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Staffing: Service is Us

Married: John & Vida – June 27, 2009 {Pt 2}

2009-10-16T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Ceremonies

So where were we? It was 3pm, John and Vida had just finished their photo session and arrived at the venue, Envent, to get ready for their Chinese Tea Ceremony. Vida is Thai/Chinese, so she paid homage to her Thai heritage by wearing a beautiful, traditional Thai silk dress. Tea was poured and they served it to their parents and relatives as a sign of respect. In return, they received blessings from their elders along with red envelopes filled with money and gold jewelry. For many Chinese who uphold traditional beliefs, this is when the actual marriage takes place, and you are not technically married until you partake in this particular tea ceremony.

{Note that the bride serves tea to the male elder and the groom serves to the female elder}

Then it was time for Vida to change back into her white wedding gown and get ready for the Western-style ceremony.

Their beautiful ceremony programs, notice their monogram subtly embossed in the bottom left hand corner.

Vida asked both of her parents to escort her down the aisle, one of my very favorite ways of honoring both parents who raised her.

Now I’d like to highlight a part of their ceremony that was truly unique. Vida and John opted not to have a traditional bridal party (too many friends, couldn’t decide who to include?!). So we brainstormed on how we could incorporate the special people in their lives. We played around with a few ideas, but ultimately came up with a Candle Lighting Ceremony. This is not your typical Unity Candle lighting!

First, both of their mothers came up and lit two taper candles (using a pre-lit votive) and then lit the large center candle which was in the shape of a lotus blossom.

Lighting the lotus blossom…

Then the mothers handed the tapers to two of John and Vida’s friends who then lit the next pillar candles.

And then they handed the tapers off to the next pair of friends…

Who then did the same…

And the end result was a gorgeous candle-lit tablescape representing their family and friends. Meaningful and perfect!

John and Vida wrote their own vows, which I always highly recommend! Their vows were both touching and brought many of the ladies to tears (myself included!)

There was no ring bearer, so they asked two of their closes friends to hold the rings in a special vessel (see, didn’t I say that Vida loves shells?)

I love this shot… a stolen kiss as the officiant signs the marriage license.

To be continued…

All images by SecondPrint Productions.

Married: John & Vida – June 27, 2009 {Part 1}

2009-10-15T11:27:00.001-05:00

I have been so antsy to feature the wedding of my dear friends, John and Vida, I’m so excited to finally have my little hands on their pictures!! I have known John for over a decade now… we met in the cornfields of Champaign (aka the University of Illinois) and have managed to remain friends throughout the years. I always thought that perhaps John would be a “bachelor for life", but after he introduced our circle of friends to Vida, I knew that that title was on its way out…

Vida has a thing for sea shells. So he popped the question July 4th weekend of 2008 by tucking a gorgeous canary yellow diamond ring into a sea shell, proposing, and then whisking her off to a weekend beach getaway… so Vida could collect more shells :)

Their wedding was one of the most intense weddings I have produced to date, with a whopping 22 different vendors! FYI, a wedding typically averages about a dozen vendors. But it was certainly the most rewarding in terms of the final outcome… happy couple, happy guests, and fabulous wedding!

All images by one of my favorite photographers, Albert of Second Print Productions. Not much need for captions in this series below… the pictures speak for themselves!

I am a wee bit obsessed with Vida’s bouquet, by Grace of Vale of Enna. Hydrangea, cymbidium orchids, succulents, lotus pods and fiddlehead ferns. And the perfect shape and size. Le sigh…

Vida looks stunning, and so happy!

While John looks pensive…

Their first look at Vida’s parents’ home

That’s my wedding veil that Vida borrowed, and it looks very precarious in this shot… but I love it!

Hellooo, gorgeous!

More of Grace’s handiwork

Vida wanted some whimsical balloon shots…

And they turned out so cute!

Where in the world are they? Their venue, Envent, was in a warehouse district with some large silos… urban chic!

To be continued…

Win a Kate Spade Handbag!

2009-10-01T10:01:00.001-05:00

My philosophy is, a girl can never have enough purses! And this one that’s on the line is simply drool-worthy. Roomy AND red, my favorite color… enter here to win (click the link)!

Wishpot and Avelle the New Bag Borrow Steal (think Sex in the City) have teamed up to bring you our latest giveaway. Enter to win this fabulous fun red kate spade Designer Handbag! Retail value $429

Here’s how to enter:

Tell us or show us what you want to carry in your Avelle Designer Bag!
(Your fave accessories, your pets, your dreams, the kitchen sink and more….)

Tell : get 1 entry
for each response here, on Avelle FB Fan Page, or on Twitter RT #Avelle

Show: get 2 entries
post a pic of what you want to carry on Avelle FB Fan Page, or on Twitter

Share: Get 3 entries
sign up at Avelle, follow Avelle on Twitter or blog about this giveaway

Be sure to leave a comment on the Wishpot Blog with what you did. Giveaway lasts one week. We will draw a winner on Monday Oct 5^th. Good Luck!

Beautiful Invitations by Junefille

2009-09-29T12:04:00.001-05:00

Today, I asked my friend and wedding stationer extraordinaire, Franchec of Junefille, to share some of their recent work, along with some background and insight into each piece. Fran and I met in the Corporate world a while back, but quickly learned that we both led secret double lives in the wedding world :)

(Commentary below by Fran from Junefille)

We set out to find a way to combine Cynthia's youthful presence along with her mother’s traditional view on her daughter’s special event. By focusing on her favorite color, using filigre and a crystal brooch, we were able to give Cynthia an invitation that embraced the young woman she was becoming with a punch of color that kept it her personal style.

Maria and Nathan wanted a unique twist on traditional invites. We suggested peacock feathers for a chic pop of color. The result is a vibrant look with a classic presentation.

When we first met Sara and Jonathan, they made sure to explain the importance of blending their cultures while still maintaining a modern appeal. The use of cherry blossoms symbolized Sara’s Chinese culture with a modern twist.

This image above illustrates the many ways couples can add special details to their invites with monogrammed belly bands.

The use of floral imagery was very important for this romantic themed wedding. The theme was carried out through all of wedding stationary, down to the elegance with the font treatments.

If you are looking for custom wedding invitations, don’t hesitate to contact Junefille… Their work is stunning, and they will collaborate with you to design invitations that your guests will actually want to KEEP!

Favorite Wedding-Related Reads

2009-09-04T14:11:00.001-05:00

Print out this Borders coupon and get yourself 40% off list price of a book!

In store only and it expires on Monday 9/7, so hurry hurry. Looks like you need to sign up for a Borders Rewards Membership, but that literally took me a minute last time, so no biggie!

Here are some of my favorite wedding-related recommendations…

The Knot Book of Wedding Lists: Offers some fantastic tips for brides-to-be’s.

Fete: The Wedding Experience: Hello, wedding porn at its finest!! Inspiring weddings and great advice by NYC planner extraordinaire, Jung Lee.

Colin Cowie Chic: Fabulous inspiration by THE Colin Cowie…

Wedding Etiquette: And we can’t forget Peggy Post. While its often said that “anything goes” for wedding these days, we can’t just throw away ALL the rules! There are still some niceties and considerations that are just considered good wedding etiquette!

Any recommendations to add?

Chicago Weddings: Making it Legal

2009-08-14T13:15:00.001-05:00

There are so many fun aspects to planning your fabulous wedding, that sometimes the process of actually getting your marriage license gets overshadowed. But definitely don’t forget about this important step!

Below is a map of Chicago area counties… get your license in the county where your wedding is taking place, and NOT where you live! For example, if you live in downtown Chicago (Cook County), but are getting married in the suburb of Oak Brook, be sure to go to the DuPage County Clerk’s office to obtain your license. And yes, this means you will probably need to take a day off to go there since the DuPage County Clerk’s office does not have evening or weekend hours…

(Source)

Since many of my clients are getting married in the City of Chicago, here are some Cook County tips:

Eligibility:
- be 18 years of age or older
- be of opposite sex
- not be blood relatives

Application Process:
- Couples must appear together at one of the Cook County Clerk's six locations
- Fill out and sign a marriage license application
- Present valid identification with proof of age
- The marriage license fee is $40, to be paid at the time of application by cash or debit card

Additional Information:
- License is issued while you wait
- License is effective the following calendar day after they are issued
- License is valid for 60 days
- License is effective only in Chicago and suburban Cook County
- And lastly, no medical or blood tests are needed

Please be sure to visit the official Cook County Clerk’s Office website for complete details on applying for your marriage license. (I didn’t cover the info on underage marriages or recently divorced applicants!),

Here are additional links with information on where/how to obtain your marriage license in other Chicago-area counties:
- DuPage County
- Lake County
- McHenry County
- Kane County
- Will County

Have a fabulous weekend!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary Nina & Justin!

2009-07-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations Nina and Justin on your First Anniversary! I hope it has been a wonderful, exciting year full of new experiences :)

See more pictures from their fabulous wedding by clicking: here (all images by Dave Won)

An Entrance to Remember!

2009-07-22T15:29:00.001-05:00

I just have to share this awesome video posted by Weddingbee’s Mrs. Shortcake! Check out this amazing wedding processional… It put a HUGE grin on my face and I can’t imagine the joy that the guests must have felt witnessing this spectacle!

I’ve been to/planned a lot of weddings, but I’ll admit, this is something that has never crossed my mind! But I imagine that this entrance is completely in tune with the personality of the couple. And their friends must be a super fun(ky) group to be willing to dance along to the couple’s request!

It’s a bit lengthy, but the exuberance of the bridal party keeps it fun and upbeat. I don’t think this would be appreciated (or allowed) at every church, so be sure to check before you plan your own dance down the aisle. In fact, I personally think this would be best reserved for a non-church ceremony. Now I just have to find the riiiight couple to plant this seed in their mind… hehe just kidding!

If I Could Do It Again: The Color Scheme

2009-07-20T14:23:00.001-05:00

My apologies, I didn’t mean to abandon my “If I Could Do It Again” series… it was just a temporary pause, I promise! In case you missed it - If I Could Do It Again - here is my dream venue and my dream photographer(s).

Now where was I…? The color scheme - a super important decision for sure! I am absolutely SMITTEN with aubergine aka “eggplant”, not to be mistaken with a royal purple-y/grape! I would pair the aubergine with small accents of fuchsia, large splashes of marigold yellow, lots of moss green and with gray serving as my “neutral.”

If you are looking for a cool site to help you pull together color palettes like the one above, check out ColourLovers.com. Click on Palettes –> Create New, and then have some fun!

What is your color scheme… or if you are married like myself, what would you choose now?

Maylene’s Senior Pictures by Laurie Peacock

2009-07-02T14:59:00.001-05:00

This is not wedding related, but I am so excited to share my sister Maylene’s fab senior pictures by wedding photographer extraordinaire, Laurie Peacock.

Last summer, Maylene took the standard posed senior pictures by the studio dictated by her high school… you know, the ones where they make you fold your hands under your chin. They were generic and no fun (not to mention expensive to order!) so I told her to hold off – I would find her a kickass photographer to take some REAL pictures!

This fall, Maylene is heading to the University of Illinois Champaign – Urbana… my old alma matter, my old stomping grounds. I am so excited for her – more excited than SHE is – but that’s just because she doesn’t know what’s in store for her these next four years! I have to say that my family and I will miss her sorely, and my parents will finally be empty-nesters!

For more pictures, visit Laurie’s blog!

Don’t you wish YOUR senior pictures looked this good?! I certainly do!! I’m in the hands-folded-under-chin camp myself… I can’t recommend Laurie enough! Gift the senior in YOUR life with some amazing pictures!

Married: Maria & James - April 4, 2009

2009-07-01T11:58:00.001-05:00

Last November, my friends James and Maria asked me to step in and help them plan their upcoming wedding. With 6 months left, they still needed a florist, DJ, linens, and lighting! Of course I gladly agreed – James and I have been friends ever since we were mere kids in high school – so it meant a lot to me to see them through this exciting time.

All eye candy below courtesy of Millicent Wong Photography.

Maria was stunning in her Vera Wang gown and simple drop veil…

James and Maria taking pictures downtown

Outside the MCA

I adore this next series of ceremony shots - you can just SEE the love in their eyes!

The draping behind the alter just happened to match their wedding colors!

I love this shot of James’ young nephew! Priceless…

The reception was held in the lovely pavilion at Meson Sabika in Naperville.Tapas, yum!

The draping and chandeliers get me all giddy…

To honor their elders, James and Maria took part in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

Maria wore a gorgeous red Qua and they served tea to their parents and in return received gold jewelry and lucky red envelopes.

Their delicious cake was from Whole Foods! Who knew that WF could do wedding cakes?!

Their “cardbox” was actually a vase encircled with a ring of flowers on the top. The vase and the flowers were large and tall enough to make it difficult for people to reach in and snatch anything… (not that they would of course, but you never know…). Half of their centerpieces were glass apothecary jars filled with moss, anemones, tulips, and more… I wish we had pictures of their other centerpieces which were simple, low rounds full of lush blooms in a similar color scheme!

Oh lighting, how I love thee, you can transform a room!

The yummy purple and gold candy bar! No surprise, this was a HUGE hit with the young AND old!

Candy bar duty… I kept those containers full for as long as possible (not long)
The best thing about having an April wedding? Peonies, of course! Just kidding…

Congratulations, my dear friends! Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

Ceremony: Gary Church, Wheaton
Ceremony Musicians: String Theory Trio
DJ: Chris of Spin Productions
Florist: Petal Play, Lemont
Lighting/Draping: Art of Imagination
Linens: Chaircovers by Sylwia
Photographer: Milly Wong
Reception: Meson Sabika

At Last: Custom Shoes by Nina

2009-06-22T15:43:00.001-05:00

Believe it or not, when I planned my own wedding, I spent more time trying to find “THE SHOES” than “THE DRESS”! Odd as it may sound, I know I am definitely not the only bride who had a hard time finding the perfect pair of heels for my trip down the aisle. I lusted after some Manolos, Jimmy Choos, or Louboutins, but knew that realistically, they were not in the budget!

These are the Nina heels that I ended up wearing (from DSW)… I think they were the 4th or 5th pair I purchased (and returned) on my shoe quest. They were nice, but I definitely “settled” because I couldn’t find what I was looking for. And not to mention, slingbacks always tend to slide off my heel and I end up stepping on the straps…

Now if only Nina offered custom shoes back then!! I might have paid the $200 price tag for the perfect pair of shoes… Visit the Nina website and have some fun!

They currently offer 3 styles, and your choice of heel height and multiple color combinations:

Electra

Paladin

Culver

You can choose your color in 3 different areas: upper, heel and bow:

And considering how hard it is to determine actual colors on your computer monitor, it would definitely be wise to order their mini swatch book for $9.95, which is applied to your order later on if you decide to buy them.

What combination would I pick now? I would choose the Electra with the 3.25” heel in gold royal satin with a red rouge satin bow!

What combination would you pick??

Visit the Nina site to design your custom shoes!

Blog Love: my DIY wedding day

2009-06-18T15:53:00.001-05:00

I just heard about the cutest new DIY wedding blog, my DIY wedding day from the editors of WeddingChannel.com! Its relatively new, so the archive isn’t huge yet, but there is so much potential! Readers can also submit their own DIY projects, which is part of the fun. Definitely check it out and submit your own DIY goodness (and let me know when you do!)

Featured projects that were super cute:

Flowerbed centerpieces and favors

Personalized stir sticks

Paper boutonniers

What do you think?!

Married: Lei Lei & Steven!

2009-06-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Lei Lei and Steven are high-school sweethearts who have been dating for over 10 years, many of which were spent long-distance! One of my favorite moments of the wedding was during Lei Lei’s father’s toast, when he apologized for chasing Steven out of their house when they were just teenagers, hehehe. Their lovely ceremony was held at Bond Chapel on the University of Chicago campus (Steven is alum!), a picturesque chapel tucked in the heart of U of C with beautiful stained glass windows. Their lunchtime reception was hosted at Wildfire Restaurant downtown, so you can be sure the food was FAN-tastic! Perk: Since the restaurant does not open for lunch, we had the entire place to ourselves! Perk #2: vendors got to eat filet mignon too :) And on a side-note, their staff was top-notch!

Lei Lei found me over a year ago through Weddingbee, and she was the first bride to ever book me without having ever met me! Thanks for the trust and vote of confidence, Lei Lei! And without a doubt, this was the most relaxed and easy going wedding I have coordinated to date! Thanks, Lei Lei and Steven for being such a joy to send down the aisle!

The wedding was captured on film (errr, jpeg?) by the fabulous Laurie Peacock and her awesome second shooter, Steve Koo. Enjoy!

Cute & comfy red shoes, and Lei Lei’s gorgeous Alvina Valenta lace gown!

About to see each other for the first time in their wedding finery…

Their first look… *tap tap*!

This picture gets me all misty eyed…

Adorable details - She SEWED her ceremony programs!

“WE DID IT!!”

Do you see the way they look at each other?! *le sigh*

The reason why all brides & grooms should pay attention to their footwear!

Do you see what we worked into their reception itinerary?? Update their Facebook status!
Gotta love it!!

For some entertainment, they played the shoe game (more info about that another day), which was a HUGE HIT!

They also set up a MAC photobooth and some hilarious props (another hit with the guests!).

It was obvious that Lei Lei’s bridesmaids ADORED her!

Now you may wonder, “Do people actually dance at a lunchtime wedding?” Uhm, YES, THEY DO! These guests knew how to get down, and even Lei Lei’s 11 yr old sister had some MOVES!

Pooped, but happy and married!

Ceremony: Bond Chapel
Reception: Wildfire Restaurant
Photographer: Laurie Peacock
Videographer: Jeff Manimbo
Flowers: GnG Designs
Cake: Sugar Syndicate
Stationery: Lei Lei!

New Blog Opportunity for Sweetchic Events!

2009-06-08T12:33:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, I was super excited when I was personally contacted by the site director of TheKnot.com. He offered me the opportunity to blog for their new Chicago Wedding Blog on their recently launched microsite, Chicago.weddings.com. I’m happy to announce that the blog went live this past weekend! Currently I am the only blogger (guinea pig!), and of course you’ll notice that the blog content is being pulled from this Sweetchic Events blog, but eventually they plan on adding more bloggers from other vendor categories. Stay tuned and wish me luck (coming up with good, consistent content is hard)! And check out the rest of the site – there is a wealth of information there!

Giveaway for a Deserving Chicago Couple!

2009-06-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

{Photo courtesy of Slack Photography}

Do you know of a wonderful, engaged couple that has recently encountered some hard times in the midst of planning their Chicago wedding? Perhaps one of them was recently laid off, or there are some other extenuating circumstances that are making it difficult for them to handle all of the (numerous) wedding expenses…

Send them our way, we want to help! Led by Thomas of Slack Photography, a few Chicago-based wedding vendors and myself have teamed up to offer our services at no charge to one deserving couple. What’s on the line:

Photography by Slack Photography
Videography by Kiwimonkie Films
Day-of Event Management by Sweetchic Events
Personal flowers by Kio Kreations

Requirements: The wedding must be taking place in Chicago/surrounding suburbs and in 2009 - we are hoping to help a couple in more immediate need!

How to apply: Send an email to slackphoto@hotmail.com with your story and why you need our help, along with a picture of you and your fiancé/fiancée. (You can also submit an application on behalf of a deserving couple.)

Deadline: None… we’ll accept applications until we find the right couple, but we don’t think this will take long! So get writing… and we’ll announce the winning couple when we find them!

The nitty gritty: The winning couple will ultimately be chosen by Slack Photography, and they may receive ALL or a PORTION of the above mentioned services, depending on the availability of the vendors. Participating vendors will do our best to accommodate the couple, and at the very least they will receive complimentary wedding photography by Slack Photography.

Good luck, and please pass this exciting opportunity along!!

A New Headshot!

2009-06-02T09:00:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend at the wedding of clients Lei Lei and Steven (more about them later when I have some pictures to share!), I had the pleasure of working with awesome photographers Laurie Peacock and her second shooter, Steve Koo. They rocked it, and I can’t wait to see the results!

Steve arrived at the reception first to capture the detail shots, and I had a minute to pose for a quick picture. Lo and behold, I have a new headshot! Thanks, Steve!

{Image courtesy of Steve Koo}

Inspiration Board How-To

2009-06-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered how people put together those awesome inspiration boards that you see ALL OVER the internet, and yet, you literally have no idea how to create one yourself? (I admit, I didn’t know either!)

Well here’s an easy-peasy way that requires NO knowledge of Photoshop or any other graphics program:

Helloooo MosaicMaker!

You can link images from other sites, or you can upload your own images (you need to register to upload, but it’s easy and free!). You can even order your end collage as prints. They give you a variety of layouts to choose from, such as:

Square Tiles

Thin vertical frames

4 x 4 with large center

I decided to have some fun with images from my own wedding… Images all courtesy of the awesome, Dennis Lee!

Ahh, the memories…

What do YOU use to create your inspiration boards? I’d love to hear about some more (easy) options!

JCrew’s Fall 2009 Preview!

2009-05-29T12:16:00.001-05:00

JCrew Strikes Again…. I can barely contain my longing for some of these fabulous frocks! Bridesmaid or no bridesmaid, I would love to add these to my wardrobe (I would if I could… but I can’t). It looks like some dresses are already available, while others you may have to wait until the fall (hence, “Fall Preview”). Hrmm, and it looks like a few of these are mixed in from past seasons as well…

Here are some of the standouts!

I <3 chiffon

Perfect for a summer wedding!

The subtle sweetheart neckline and seaming is lovely… and I’m really feeling that shade of green!

My absolute favorite, the pleating detail is just exquisite!

For the relaxed, beachy bride.

That lace panel in the back is SO HOT, I could totally see this as a bride’s reception dress. And I love that this is also available in black!

*swoon* Click on over to JCrew to see the rest! Which is your favorite??

Father of the Bride Woes

2009-05-26T16:36:00.001-05:00

No surprise, I am a big fan of the Weddingbee message boards – they are chock full of interesting tidbits and provide a truly helpful network of readers. I recently caught a post where a reader shared her FATHER’S new blog that he recently started in order to document his own perspective during his daughter’s wedding planning process. The title of the blog is called, “Poor Wedding Dad”. No fancy-schmancy layout, no pretty pictures, this is the most basic of basic-looking blogs. And yet…

HI-LA-RIOUS!

OMG, I really hope this dad continues to update, because this is definitely an untapped blog market! And it really works because he is such a witty writer. Check it out and show this dad some love!

Are You Funky?

2009-05-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

There are a ton of websites out there that let you manipulate your pictures, but I had some fun with BeFunky.com this morning! Upload your fave picture, try out some of the effects, and then save the image. Just think of all the fun wedding-related uses for your new images! Save-the-date cards, on your wedding website, table numbers, thank-you cards… the list goes on!

Here is the original jpeg that I uploaded:

Sunburst Effect

Charcola

Inkify

Patriotic

What are some other cool websites like this? Have you tried the RATERBATER yet?! An oldie but a goodie…

If I Could Do It Again: The Photographer

2009-05-18T14:39:00.001-05:00

{Disclaimer: Being a wedding planner, I see so many options, ideas, venues, vendors, etc., that I never knew existed when I planned my own wedding a few years ago. So I’m going to have a little fun with a series called, “If I Could Do it Again” and plan my dream wedding… if I could do it again!}

Wonderful, I’ve got my dream venue! What’s next? Generally, I recommend to my clients that they start their photographer hunt as soon as they’ve secured their date and venue. I’ll follow my own advice :) Now personally, this is a toughie! There is a serious abundance of FANTASTIC photographers in the Chicago area. Yay for options! Yikes for decisions, decisions, decisions… (and I know there are a TON of amazing photographers all over the country, but gotta represent Chicago here!)

While I want a modern, chic, whimsical wedding, I want my pictures to be forever classic and utterly romantic. Enter - Dean Thorsen of Thorsen Photography. I don’t know how much more “classic” you can get. See for yourself:

Dean photographed the amazing wedding of my former clients, Natalie and Jake last September. Natalie is fellow Weddingbee blogger, Mrs. Peacock! This one below is probably one of my favorite pictures of all time!

Perfection.

Ohhh, but do I have to pick just ONE photographer?! For my fantasy wedding, I’d like three, please!

Hellooo Olivia Leigh Photographie… so fresh and vibrant with a heavy dose of fun and a splash of vintage.

Now if you don’t mind, I’d also like a rock star at my wedding… Kenny Kim is a photography ROCK STAR! He is globetrotter these days, shooting high-profile and destination weddings galore; I just love the sophisticated and editorial look of his work! Check out the amazing photos from a wedding he recently shot – the groom is Yul Kwon, winner of Survivor: The Cook Islands!

Now, if budget were no issue, who would YOU hire?!

Next: Google Has a Sense of Humor

2009-05-15T14:55:00.001-05:00

{This is completely random, but it amused me to no end, so I just had to share! Has everyone else seen this already?}

Thanks to Nicole of Making it Lovely, I just discovered the niftiest function in Google Reader! When you install the “NEXT” bookmark, it allows you to read all of your subscribed blogs in their original format! And then as you keep clicking “next”, it takes you to the next unread post and marks them as read. BRILLIANT! Go to Google Reader –> Settings –> Goodies

But after I clicked through all of my unread posts, this is what Google told me:

Nice.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire Sweetchic Events

2009-05-15T11:48:00.001-05:00

10. At Sweetchic, we understand that STDs are a good thing.

9. Because the only chargers your fiancé knows attach to his cell phone.

8. We help keep the “party” in “bridal party.”

7. We’ll make your rehearsal run more smoothly than a George Clooney casino
heist.

6. When it comes to troubleshooting, we’re locked, loaded, and ready to fire.

5. Ivory and cream aren’t even in the same family. We get that.

4. We hold advanced degrees in aisle runner placement.

3. Your bustle, our hustle. It’s a match made in heaven!

2. “Details” is our middle name. (Yeah, we were teased a lot as kids.)

1. Spreadsheets make us hot.

{This is originally from my website, but I thought I’d put it here for those who haven’t seen it.}

HAPPY FRIDAY!

If I Could Do It Again: The Venue

2009-05-13T12:27:00.001-05:00

Being a wedding planner, I see so many options, ideas, venues, vendors, etc., that I never knew existed when I planned my own wedding a few years ago. So I’m going to have a little fun with a series called, “If I Could Do it Again” and plan my dream wedding… if I could do it again! Not that my wedding day wasn’t the best day of my life – because it absolutely was! But knowing what I know now, I would plan a completely different affair. And keep in mind, this is with an imaginary budget of… oh wait, there IS NO budget, this is my new DREAM wedding so let’s go nuts! haha. But I will do my best to keep this concentrated on mostly Chicago vendors since they are my bread and butter, despite the abundance of fabulous vendors from all over the country (have you checked out WeddingbeePRO lately?!)

Let’s get started! We’ve set a date - May 15, 2010! Why May? Peonies! Ranunculous! Tulips! Need I say more? (I was super disappointed when my florist told me that I couldn’t get those for my REAL September wedding)

So for my first installment, I present to you, my dream venue:

Chicago Illuminating Company

So modern, so chic, so light and airy… the perfect space for my fake wedding of 150 guests. There are three distinct areas for 1) the ceremony 2) cocktail hour 3) dinner, as well a bit of outdoor space for those who need to take a little breather. When I went to visit the raw space for the first time the other day, I was blown away (I can’t wait to actually plan a wedding here!)

An un-assuming building on the south-side of Chicago with endless possibilities on the inside! This building dates back the early 1900’s and was a power plant/warehouse in its former life.

This is the middle room, perfect for cocktail hour. Then we’ll transform the room during dinner hour with a white, glossy dance floor (hot!), lounge furniture and a new lighting scheme. Yes, you must bring in an additional dance floor despite the gorgeous hardwood floors…

The HUGE built-in bar with marble subway tile. I especially love the drum lampshades overhead, so dramatic!

The back room where guests will be seated for dinner. We’ll do a combination of square and long 8’ rectangular tables. Bring on the drama! (FYI Those back windows have recently been changed to a frosted glass so that you don’t look out onto industrial nothingness.)

Don’t forget the upstairs nook… can we say, VIP room?!

Chicago Illuminating Company Rental Fee: $7500 for a Saturday evening) . All images from here.

Although I do have to mention my runner up venue:

The Chicago Botanic Gardens. I love love love flowers, and the thought of a spring wedding surrounded by flowers just makes me giddy.

A unique ceremony set-up in the English Walled Garden.
(Rental fee: $2000 for a Saturday evening, May – Dec)

A gorgeous evening reception at McGinley Pavillion
(Rental fee: $7000 for a Saturday evening, May – Dec)

Source

A girl can dream, right? :) What is YOUR dream venue?

Keep Your Wedding Cake and Eat It Too!

2009-05-06T10:00:00.001-05:00

On the topic of cake…

There are generally two schools of thought when it comes to what couples should do with the top tier of their wedding cake:

A) Freeze it! You should definitely (attempt) to eat it on your one-year anniversary!

OR

B) Don’t bother… cut it and serve it to your guests. Why not get a fresh replica made for your anniversary from the same bakery?

I like to suggest an alternative to my couples… before you relegate your top tier to the depths of your freezer, cut it into 12 smaller slices and individually wrap and freeze them. That way you can take out a slice on each montha-versary (or whenever you feel like some cake!) and enjoy a sweet reminder from your wedding day. If you can’t get 12 slices from your topper – no worries – eat a slice every other month! :)

How to handle your wedding cake:

1) If possible, have a trusted friend or family member take the tope tier of your cake home with them. Since hopefully, you will be on your honeymoon, it would be great if they could take of these next steps for you!
2) Remove any fresh flowers (call me Captain Obvious, but I’ve heard stories…)
3) Cut the cake into 12 yummy slices (or however many you can get out of the tier)
4) Wrap each slice in three to four layers of plastic wrap. Top each piece off with a layer of foil for good measure.
5) Place the slices in a Ziploc freezer bag and into the freezer they go!
6) When you want to eat a slice, defrost at room temp and enjoy!

Our delicious cake from Rolf’s Patisserie in Lincolnwood.

What was left of our cake one year later (yeah, kinda mangled…). Vanilla chiffon with raspberry mousse, cream cheese filling and butter cream frosting… It was SO good, even after one whole year!

Bakery Spotlight: Luscious Layers

2009-05-05T09:51:00.002-05:00

Some people are not big on cake… but in my opinion, no wedding is complete without CAKE! So I have made it my mission to scope out the best bakeries in Chicago… enter Luscious Layers, a new bakery that just opened in Bucktown. The husband and wife team of Ashley and Kile, are adorable and SO passionate about what they do. Ashley is the baking brawn and Kile is the graphic mastermind (check out their awesome website!) I read about them in Daily Candy and immediately called to set up a tasting.

Their tastings are $25 (and so worth it), although if you book with them, that $25 goes towards the cost of your cake. You get to choose 4 delicious cake combos, and let me tell you they have some INSANELY unique flavors! How often can you find lavender, margarita, or pistachio cake? Or if you have a special flavor request, they can accommodate at no extra charge! Check out my goodies:

Clockwise from top left: Coffee cake with mocha mousse, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, champagne cake with strawberries and whipped cream, and green tea cake with green tea whipped cream and cream cheese frosting.

The winner? Green tea cake! I LOVE green tea ice cream, and I LOVE cake, so hands down my fave. Yeaaap, wipe that drool, hehe.

After the tasting, you get to talk about the design of the cake. That’s where Kile’s graphic design background comes into play – he comes up with “stencils”, which are essentially different mock-ups. He will work with you until the design is exactly as you imagine it to be! In my case, I requested an imaginary Eiffel Tower themed cake as my hubby and I got engaged there in 2006!

Go visit them at 2315 N. Damen. And better yet… pick up a cupcake for $1. Yes. ONE DOLLAR CUPCAKES! (only when you pick them up from the bakery case).

A Fun Photo for your Friday

2009-05-01T16:28:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday! It has been a dreary week in Chicago, so to bring you some wedding-related cheer, here is a fun picture I just saw on Relentless Bride’s fab site that totally made me smile!

Source

So brilliant! I’m sure this shot is deceptively simple… to capture this so perfectly is no easy feat! That’s why they get paid the big bucks :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sweetchic Events Blog Gets a Facelift!

2009-04-30T16:48:00.004-05:00

So remember when last Friday, I mentioned that my blog was undergoing an aesthetic overhaul? Well, within one short week of contacting Ellie of Rainy Day Templates, my blog has a new face! Remember my old, generic look? zZzZzzzz… So much white space!

It’s certainly eye-catching and vibrant now, eh? ;) And why all the polka dots? I just love ‘em, that’s why. There is something so sweet and kinda retro about polka dots! And I especially love the fact that I can now post BIG pictures!

I am not tech-savvy at all, so it was such a relief to work with Ellie… She made the process quick and painless, and managed my barrage of emails! I am so grateful that she took on my project considering the fact that she is moving to a new state next week!

Also, I need to give a shoutout to my friend Virginia of Tissue Blossom Designs (aka fellow Weddingbee blogger Mrs. Plumeria) who created my logo, and essentially, my branding!

So now… I vow to blog consistently!

I <3 Bee Kim, Modern Bride Trendsetter!

2009-04-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

I’m sure everyone in the Wedding Blogosphere knows by now that the fabulous Bee Kim has been named one of Modern Bride’s 25 Trendsetters of 2009! I was so excited I seriously *squealed* when I read her announcement on Weddingbee! I had to run out and pick up my very own copy of the June/July issue. How right the editors are when they say that the chosen pros have “transformed the way we marry.” I’d like to talk about the personal impact Bee and Weddingbee have had on my own planning process… and life after the wedding!

When I stumbled upon Bee’s Xanga blog in 2005, I was no where near engaged, but I was a devoted reader regardless of that minor detail (haha). When she launched Weddingbee in 2006, I was H.O.O.K.E.D! I already had a personal blog, but decided to branch out and start another one in June 2006 with the sole hope of eventually being chosen as a Weddingbee blogger after I got engaged (still didn’t know when THAT was gonna happen at the time, but wanted to ready the blog anyways…)

Fast forward to October 2006 – finally engaged – let the wedding blogging commence! I still have the email I received from Bee on 11/27/06 where she said, “I’d like to welcome you to join the Weddingbee team!” Now THAT was definitely a major squeal-worthy moment! (Of course the mister had no idea what I was squealing about, and what Bees had to do with Weddings…)

Bee has been an inspiration to me for the nearly 4 years that I have been following her. She has made such a huge impact on the wedding industry, and I’m sure will continue to rock the blog(s) for years to come. Through Weddingbee, I have made so many new friends from all over the country, and I can’t imagine my life now without this close-knit network! I was especially excited to meet Bee last November when the hubby and I took a trip to NYC for our first wedding anniversary. I won’t lie, meeting Bee and some of the other ladies of WB was one of the big reasons I chose NYC as our vacay-destination :)

Yeah, she may look all prim and proper in the MB feature… but Bee knows how to have fun!

I <3 these gals!
Top: Lovebird, Dahlia, Bell pepper, Cupcake, Caramel
Bottom: Snowpea, Emerald, BEE!, Onion, Peony

Our New Home, Sweet Home

2009-04-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

Ok, so this is not wedding-related, but I promised some pictures of our new home. We moved in approximately 2 months ago, but we already feel pretty settled and very comfortable in our new nest! We are in the heart of Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood with tons of yummy restaurants within walking distance (too bad we’re majorly cutting back on eating out these days…)

The outside, we are on the third floor so we get tons of light, you’ll see!

Living room/Dining room – BEFORE
(this is the actual picture from the online listing we saw before we even went to see the place)

Living room/Dining room – AFTER
Pale gray with a bold splash of cyan.

The dining room is my second favorite room in the place! Hanging those photos required a great deal of math and they STILL aren’t quite right…

I am obsessed with these Lola benches from Z Gallerie, so they deserve a close-up :)

Kitchen – BEFORE

Kitchen – AFTER. I love the 8-foot long island! We’d like to add a white subway tile backsplash at some point.

Hallway (exciting, huh? But it gives you an idea of the layout)

2nd bedroom – aka Sweetchic Events Corporate Office. The bland white walls will be receiving a shot of aqua paint in the near future!

Master bath… that Marimekko shower curtain was just one of those things I HAD to have, hehe.

Master bedroom – BEFORE. A white box.

Master bedroom – AFTER
That patterned wall was a labor of love... each square was painstakingly created with painters table and painted over in white paint. And I love having a chandelier... it feels so extravagant :)

Still on the MBR TO DO List:
- Window treatments
- Artwork on the walls
- New bedside table and lamps

Thanks for taking a tour!

Blogging Tips from a Wedding Pro

2009-04-24T12:00:00.002-05:00

Liene must have seen my last post on Feb 20 about bringing her Blogging Bootcamp to Chicago, because this past Tuesday I had the privilege of learning from one of the best in the wedding biz, Liene Stevens of Blue Orchid Designs, aka The Smart Planner. She knows what she is talking about, and I truly admire her and her success at such a young age (she’s younger than me!!). I hope she hosts another workshop series about being a better wedding planner – I would be ALL over that! I have so much to learn…

Anyway, I can’t give away all the strategy she shared with us since people are paying good money for her blogging advice, but the one thing she engrained in my mind is that “consistency is key.” So obvious and yet… that, my friends, has been the downfall of my little blog!

So, starting next week, I am going to commit to three posts a week, and we’ll see how that goes. And with some major help from my friend Ellie of Rainy Day Templates, there will also be an aesthetic overhaul in the near future. I can’t wait to debut my new look! Stay tuned…

By the way, you might be wondering why I am back on Blogger (sorry, I know I keep flip flopping, blogger, xanga, and now blogger), but it’s because I’ve discovered Windows Live Writer! This will make blogging SO. MUCH. EASIER!!

Lastly, after learning about the value of Twitter in the wedding industry, I’ve hopped on the Twitter-wagon, follow me!!

Me, Liene, and Natalie

M.I.A...

2009-02-20T10:37:00.001-06:00

Wow, someone needs to slap my wrists for being such a sporadic blogger! Oops... well, let's just say that I've had a lot going on these past two months! We closed on our new condo a weeks ago, and it's been a frantic rush to pack, buy new furniture, fix up and clean up the new place, clean up the old place... you get the idea. All this on top of work, planning multiple weddings for multiple clients, meeting with potential new clients, and life. But moving day is bright and early tomorrow at 9am! Of course it's just our luck that there is a prediction for 4 - 8 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow morning. Fan-freakin-tastic. At least we hired movers and they are tougher than we are, heh heh. That also means we have to protect our flooring... eeks.

Believe it or not, in honor of our new condo and upcoming move, Oprah decided to offer us a 20% off coupon to everything in the Container Store!! WOW, how did she know?! Love her...hehe j/k. Go here for the link to the coupon, good until March 1. I dunno about you, but I me some Container Store, I just wish it wasn't so expensive! This coupon should help.

I should mention something our fabulous new place!! It's a 2 bedroom-2 bath, 1300 sq.foot condo in Chicago's Little Italy. I can't wait to post some pics once we are moved in and decorated! I have been obsessed with our decor recently and reading design blogs up to wazoo.

Anyways, give me another two or three weeks to settle in, and I'll do my best to be a better blogger. Liene from The Smart Blogger needs to bring her Blogging Bootcamp to Chicago STAT!

Have a great weekend, all!

10 First Dances

2009-01-21T13:39:00.000-06:00

Seeing our new President and his beautiful First Lady take the stage for their "first dance" last night at the Neighborhood Ball made me a bit misty-eyed. It almost felt like I, as a viewer, was intruding on a sweet, private moment. I also loved that Beyonce got a bit emotional during her serenade. Then I saw on Good Morning America that they had to dance at all TEN balls that they attended... and they certainly looked tired by the end of the night!

I couldn't help but think that they looked like a bride and groom taking their first dance at their wedding... Michelle in her fabulous, one-of-a-kind ivory silk chiffon gown created by 26 year old Taiwanese (!!) designer, Jason Wu... and President Obama looking dapper in white tie and tuxedo by Chicago-based designer, Hart Schaffner Marx.

Source

According to WSJ, Michelle's dress will be donated to the Smithsonian, and will never be replicated, at least not by the designer himself! I imagine that copy-cat versions will be available to the masses soon enough by brands such as ABS Schwartz. Maybe not a bad thing for brides who love Michelle's look and want to achieve it for less than a couture price!

Source

Engagement Ring Fun!

2008-12-21T14:02:00.000-06:00

It is a ridiculous -3° with -30° windchill outside here in Chicago. The perfect opportunity to snuggle up at home... and whip out my Canon PS SD750 for some ring shot fun, thanks to a series of great tips from WeddingbeePro, Anne Ruthmann! If you haven't already, you should definitely check out her post about How to Take Amazing Engagement and Wedding Ring Photos. When previously attempting my own ring shots, I always made the mistake of keeping the ring on my finger. That's no-no #1! Here's a brief overview of her tips, but definitely read her post for full details:

1. Take Off Your Ring
2. Find a Cool Background or Set Up
3. Find Good Light
4. Set it up
5. Set Your Camera to Macro Mode
6. Get Closer
7. Just Shoot It
8. Edit
9. Share it with the World!

In my excitement to shoot, I missed her helpful tip (#4) about different ways to keep the ring standing up with tape or glue dots. So most of my shots are of the ring lying down and now I am too lazy (and cold) to set everything up again. I also couldn't fully follow tip #6 about having the ring take up no less than HALF the LCD screen. Everytime I tried that, it got too blurry! But I can't wait to play with more ideas when the inspiration hits.

The ring sitting in a gorgeous flowering kale, leftover from last weekends wedding.

Inside the flap of my LV, yummy raspberry suede.

The same shot in B&W... it plays up the vintage quality of the ring, no?

On top of a peacock feather, leftover from Adrienne & Tedd's wedding.

The mister suggested this shot... love it! That's one of our framed wedding photos.

Your turn!

A Serious Case of Closet Envy

2008-12-21T13:53:00.000-06:00

I know this has absolutely nothing to do with weddings, but I just had to post pics of this beyond fabulous closet belonging to Nicole Balch, posted on her charming blog, Making it Lovely.

Nicole's closet layout, its actually a freestanding wardrobe piece from IKEA.

Did I mention my closet envy?? Sooo many purdy patterns, dresses and the SHOES!! Accessories!!

Le sigh! I am so inspired...

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

2008-12-18T10:13:00.000-06:00

Well lookie here! The other day I received an advance issue of the Brides Chicago magazine, Spring/Summer edition...

And as I flipped through my wedding p*rn, my mouth dropped WIDE open when I landed on page 130 and saw some really familar pictures...

Let's have a closer look, shall we?

It's Natalie & Jake, my couple who got married on September 6 at Cafe Brauer, with a gorgeous three-page spread! Natalie is also fellow Weddingbee blogger, Mrs. Peacock.

I'm so excited for them. What an amazing way to remember their wedding in 5, 10... 20 years! Forever in print!

Oh, and how/why did I get an advance issue of the magazine in the first place? My first piece of real (teeny, tiny) advertising... yeah, it's small.

There I am!

Adrienne & Tedd, 10.18.08

2008-12-16T10:09:00.000-06:00

When Adrienne first contacted me back in May regarding assistance for her October wedding, I instinctively knew that she was someone I would like. Sometimes you can just tell based on a person's email "voice". So when we sat down for our initial consultation, it was no surprise that we hit it off. And since this is a bizarrely small world, it turned out that I already knew her fiance Tedd from back in the day (1998, to be exact!) That one big link led to multiple other little coincidences that made our newfound client/planner relationship seem like kismet. Since then, 100+ emails later, lunch dates, brunch dates, and dinner dates with our husbands (post-wedding, of course), she is much more than just my client! I look forward to many future dinners.

They have so many gorgeous pictures by their photographer, Thomas Slack, it was difficult for me to pick and choose my favorites... so I'm throwing in a ton! They had a very limited amount of time before their ceremony to take pictures, but you would never know it by the number of fabulous shots Thomas captured during their brief romp through Evanston (very appropriate since they met at Northwestern University).

Adrienne is too cute!

Heading to meet her groom for the first time

A heckuvagoodlookingcouple!

Let me just pause, and tell you that Adrienne MADE the bridesmaids dresses! She was definitely the most ambitious bride I have ever met! Especially considering she is an attorney...

This was my first time in Alice Millar chapel, and the stained glass was amazing...

TA-DA! Beaming from ear to ear! This picture is so classic.

The vibrant, jewel-toned lighting was one of my very favorite elements, and was a perfect compliment to their peacock feather theme

Their cake was DEE-LISH!

The fun guestbook I made for them in action

Popcorn favors from Garrett's

And as always, my handsome and supportive right hand man... thanks, babe!

Church: Alice Millar Chapel
Venue: Women's Club of Evanston
Photographer: Slack Photography
Lighting: Art of Imagination
Catering: Blue Plate
Cake: Take the Cake
Stationery: Sweet Paper Studio
Florist: Anna Held Flower Shop
Makeup: Sonia Roselli

Relocating My Blog!

2008-12-15T21:36:00.002-06:00

My blog has a new home!

www.xanga.com/sweetchicevents

I realized that the reason I dreaded updating my blog so much was because I disliked Blogger in general. I mean, who wants to upload their pictures in backwards order?! It's so... counterintuitive and required way too much thought.

So I decided to go back to my "roots"... back to Xanga! My very first blog back in 2002 was on Xanga, and then in 2006 I started Xanga blog #2 which I hoped would get me chosen for Weddingbee (which it did!), and here we are at account #3! I haven't figure out how to "pretty it up" with a custom header like the one on my Blogger account, but I'll figure it out eventually...

Hopefully, I will be motivated to update more often... please follow me there!!
(BTW, if you've got me linked on your blog, please remember to change it, thanks!)

Natalie & Jake, 09.06.08

2008-11-10T20:24:00.010-06:00

(Uhmm, has it really been a month since my last post?! Bad blogger!)

Today I want to showcase the stunning wedding of Natalie and Jake. Some of you may recognize Natalie as my fellow Weddingbee blogger, Mrs. Peacock! I was absolutely ecstatic when she asked me to coordinate her wedding, because I knew how much thought and effort she put into all the details. I had no doubt that everything would be picture perfect, and I have two full DVDs of amazing photos from Dean Thorsen to prove it!

They are a good looking couple, no? Natalie was breathtaking in her Vera Wang, and I loved that Jake kept it classic with the bow-tie! Not every guy can pull that off.

Gorgeous in every way. I adore her organic bouquet... unfortunately it went missing by the end of the night. We wonder if someone walked off with it (who would DO that??)

There are no words for this picture.

The day was overcast, but the weather held! Check out the perfect Chicago skyline...

Natalie has undeniably great taste and style... She let all her bridesmaids pick out a Simple Silhouettes dress in Aubergine in the silhouette of their choice. They ended up with three different styles, and I especially love the one with the ruffled collar!

Now let's talk about some of the details, which I had so much fun setting up!

The Great Hall of Cafe Brauer. We filled the place with candles!

Natalie and her mom collected tons of milk glass vessels, which their florist filled with beautiful, loose arrangements.

Natalie made these "cootie catchers" which were actually her menus. (Didn't everyone make these in grade school? I certainly did!) Clever!

One of my very favorite elements - the escort card arrangement. Natalie's dad made the wooden boxes, and they even grew their own moss! Garden stakes were used to hold the escort cards in place.

Moss letters hung on the back of their chairs.

Photobooth, which came with a guy to man the station.

The Kolo scrapbook album for the photobooth pictures.

The candy buffet was a big hit!

Guests digging in. I tried to encourage everyone to take as much as they could possibly take. There was so. much. candy!! (I especially enjoyed the Swedish Fish =)

And finally, this picture just makes me swoon! There is something so glamorous and romantic about it... If I were Natalie and Jake, I would totally blow this up, and display it in a place of honor!

Thanks Natalie and Jake, for letting me part of your most wonderful day!!

Photographer: Thorsen Photography
Videography: Rusty Dog Films

Florist: Petal Play Design

Caterer: Calihan Catering

Band: Colby Beserra

Photobooth: Photobooth Express

Rebecca & Brian 05.10.08

2008-10-09T11:57:00.018-05:00

What can I say about my very first "official" clients, and how much I appreciate them trusting me to help them plan their fabulous, downtown affair. Becca and Brian are truly a gracious and considerate couple, and such a joy to work with for 6+ months. Becca especially, is so cute, and I love that she always sends card for every possible occassion. (I even got a card for the "birth" of Sweetchic Events =)

I've been just itching to share their images, and finally, I can!

The University Club... members only! (unless you have a sponsor, which they did)

I'm no super-crafter by any means, but I was proud of these little suckers =)

I *heart* ranunculous.

The entourage.

Yes, there was a stuffed bear in the billiards room...

This picture is so dreamy... *le sigh!*

Their flowers were truly swoon-worthy, by Vale of Enna.

Cathedral Hall... is this like Hogwarts, or what?

Becca had a REALLY long aisle in which to make her grand entrance.

In a word, stunning.

Navigating the bustle... so cute!

Portraits in Millenium Park. Don't be fooled, it was chilly in May!

The famous Chicago Cloud Gate, aka "The Bean."

Then we transitioned to a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.

Meanwhile, fast and furious, we turned Cathedral Hall for the reception. The lighting made such an impact, especially when it got dark!

Becca really wanted a delicate, floral lace pattern on the cake, but the baker wasn't sure if he could replicate the look she wanted. Luckily I found some fondant molds online and had them rush-shipped to the venue, 2 days before the wedding!

I. Love. Gobos. Note the tall water-filled vases lining the front of the head-table... recycled aisle decor from the ceremony. The colorful things floating at the top are mokara orchid blossoms topped with a floating candle.

They had a choreographed first dance. And when it was over...

We got an extra special performance from the Bridal Party, lip-synching to "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch." Becca plotted and schemed with them, so it was a complete surprise for Brian!

Later, THE BEST wedding slideshow ever. Except it wasn't a slideshow. One of their groomsmen is an animator for Pixar. Need I say more? Well, I will anyways... animated video with a professional voice-over, AND a hysterical script. It. Was. Awesome!!

The party was going strong at 12:30am, and the dance floor still packed. I nearly had to (politely) push guests out the door, as the venue needed the room cleared to set up for Mother's Day brunch the next morning. Clearly, it was a memorable night for all!

What made their wedding truly special were all the "unique" elements... from the Tea Ceremony, to the surprise performance, to the best wedding non-slideshow ever. Thanks Becca & Brian!

Venue: University Club of Chicago
Photography: SecondPrint Productions
Florals: Vale of Enna
DJ: Sound Entertainment
Lighting: Frost Lighting

Weekend DIY for Adrienne & Tedd

2008-10-05T21:41:00.005-05:00

These days, my opportunities for some DIY-fun are few and far between. So I gladly volunteered to take over some projects for my clients, Adrienne and Tedd. Before I get into my goodies, let me just show you their fantabulous invitation suite, designed by Phyllis of Sweet Paper Studio, and painstakingly Gocco'ed by Adrienne. (What's a Gocco? See here) I absolutely LOVE the peacock feather theme and the jewel-tones (you can be sure we're gonna have some fun with lighting!!)

Actually, I must give credit where credit is due - the map was designed by Tedd's twin brother Todd!

Note their subtle monogram, "at", tucked into the peacock feather... genius!

I helped Gocco these feathers... my first ever Gocco experience.

And now for my Sunday accomplishments! These guestbook boards were made by following Mrs. Cupcake's awesome step-by-step instructions, thanks Cupcake! They were easy-peasy, albeit time-consuming (simply ironing the ivory fabric took almost an hour!). I incorporated the color scheme with my ribbon choices. Unfortunately I couldn't find the perfect emerald green, so I had to make do with the pale green. Luckily it still "goes", and I managed to find coordinating thumb tacks to keep the ribbon in place.

There will be Hawaii and Chicago postcards for guests to sign/write messages on and tuck into the message boards. Why Hawaii? Because Adrienne is from Hawaii, lucky girl!

Since they will have about 140 guests, I decided to make two boards in order to accomodate all of the 4" x 6" postcards. I am really excited by the two easels I found to hold them up. :) I also wrapped some Sharpies in coordinating ribbon (not shown)... Yes, I think I was having a bit too much fun today!

My trip to Target netted me most of the items needed for their bathroom baskets. Does anyone else love the travel size section as much as I do?!

For the gents, a slightly smaller basket with a first-aid kit, Alleve, Tums, cough drops, Q-tips, Shout wipes, lint roller, Scope, dental floss, and contact solution.

The ladies have everything mentioned above along with some uhm, feminine products, hair ties, hair spray, clear nail polish, nail files, safety pins, and maybe a few other items I can't remember. Both baskets will also have mints.

TADA! And I replaced the generic IKEA bow with matching blue and purple ribbon =)

Stay tuned... Next weekend I tackle their Out-of-Town baskets!

Repeat After Me:

2008-09-30T14:17:00.003-05:00

Sweetchic = Sweet · SHEEEEEK

Please forgive me if I sound a wee bit picky! But it's a tiny dagger in my heart every time I hear, "Oh, cool, Sweet CHICK events!" Even by those in the wedding industry who I was SURE would know how to pronounce the word "chic". Perhaps its the combination of the two words that throws people off... ?

Ahh well. When I picked Sweetchic Events, the Mister warned me that this would be the case, but I was adamant. Apparently this is one of the few times he can say, "I told you so!" haha. But I wouldn't change my business name for anything!

Nina & Justin 7.26.08

2008-09-30T11:09:00.010-05:00

I was lucky to meet Nina through my friend (and uber-talented invitation designer) Sarah of Truly Smitten. Nina is an absolute sweetheart, and together, Nina and Justin are such an easy-going and fun-loving couple. Not to mention their bridal party certainly knew how to ham it up for the camera! She had a classic and elegant vision for her wedding that I couldn't wait to bring to life... imagine a color palette of ivory, champagne and blush pink with black accents... crystals everywhere... oh, just see for yourself!

Nina - I'm so glad we'll be neighbors soon!

Could she be anymore gorgeous?

Hams, I tell you!

Looks like Justin has just been handed a life sentence, hehe :)

The perfect summer day

Loved the draped tent!

Nina taking her first peek in the reception tent...

Yes, they had fireworks! These were no dinky ones either...

A good time for all... and time for Charlene to head home!

Venue: Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Photography: David Won
Florals: Vale of Enna
All Things Paper: Truly Smitten
Makeup: BeautifulYu

Six Months Late, but Finally, a Blog!

2008-09-29T11:38:00.005-05:00

Helloooo!

Wow, my blogging skills are rusty after nearly a year-long hiatus. I used to be a dedicated blogger, both on a personal level, and also proudly for Weddingbee (the BEST wedding blog, evah!) during the last 9 months of my wedding planning. Over the past year, life got busy and blogging fell off the priority list. But here I am, attempting to get back on the saddle, and hoping to find my blogging "voice" yet again.

This past April, I hung up my (imaginary) shingle and started my own wedding and event planning company, Sweetchic Events, Inc. Was I one of those brides who LOVED planning her wedding SO much that I just couldn't let go? No, not exactly. In fact, this new profession of mine has been years in the making. I have been obsessed with weddings for as long as I can remember ("obsessed" is a strong word... but sadly accurate, haha) and was one of the dorks in high school who hung out in the library, secretly flipping through the wedding mags. And this was before the explosion of all the fantastic newer wedding "porn" (Martha Stewart Weddings, anyone?), so I was limited to Brides and Modern Bride.

Anyways, I digress... back in college I began coordinating large-scale events and was instantly hooked! Oh, how I loved the nit-picky details and logistics! Budgets, and time-lines and vendors, oh my! Seeing an event through from start-to-finish, and the end result of my creative vision was a major source of pride. Junior year, it dawned on me that there was a clear outlet for my two passions, and I soon interned for a wedding planner and eventually received my designation as Professional Bridal Consultant™ with the Association of Bridal Consultants back in 2005. But it wasn't until this year when I finally got up the nerve to follow my dreams (while keeping the day job, for now), and VOILA! Helloooo Sweetchic Events, Inc.!

And to break up the text-iness of this post, I leave you with a picture from the day I married the love of my life! I couldn't do this without him... his love, his support, his muscle, and his unwaivering confidence in my abilities.

Join me for the ride!