Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Chicago at night...

What an amazing evening in the city of Chicago!
Photo was taken on The Riverwalk Terrace,
where my client hosted an amazing engagement party!

Photography by Gerber and Scarpelli

Friday, January 22, 2010

Jill and Drew...

were married on a warm summer day!
The bridesmaids wore metallic grey and carried vibrant flowers!
The reception was full of energy and life!



Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Kim and Mark...congratulations!

A wonderful photographer, Melissa and Josh Mitchell from Continuum Photography, blogged about one of my favorite clients from 2009.  They shared their experiences with the bride and groom and of course highlighted some of their favorite photos from the wedding.

Here are a few of my favorites...please check Continuum's blog for more photos of this beautiful wedding!  Melissa writes that their wedding day "was full of heart-felt moments and good times."  I could not agree more...Kim, Mark and their families were a delight to work with and their wedding was absolutely lovely!
















Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Thursday, January 14, 2010

A highlight Wedding from 2009...

A Beautiful Fall Wedding...

Details included custom favor boxes from BT Elements, Delicious toffee from Terry's Toffee, Custom Programs, Place Cards, Table Numbers and Menu Cards from Tying the Knot


Photos courtesy of Stephen Green Photography


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Hinsdale Wedding Walk



Tying the Knot launched their wedding planning services in 1999 but it was not until 2005 when we expanded and opened our adorable studio in downtown Hinsdale.  When we arrived in Hinsdale five years ago, my business partner and I were immdiately involved in the first annual Hinsdale Wedding Walk.    The Wedding Walk was a great opportunity to showcase our new studio and everything we had to offer. 

This years wedding walk is going to be another outstanding opportunity for brides to meet with expert wedding vendors, win fabulous raffle prizes and enjoy an afternoon in the beautiful downtown Hinsdale.

Expert Vendors include Classic Party Rentals, Toni's Bakery, Zazu Salon and Day Spa, Char Crews, Caffray Jewelers, Jane's Blue Iris, Francia Bridal Boutique, Sass N' Class, Viking Travel, Music by Design, Tying the Knot, Stephen Green Photography, Fred Astaire Dance Studio and The Trolley Car Company

We hope to see you on Sunday March 7th for an afternoon of wedding bliss!

If you can not attend this years Wedding Walk, please visit the Hinsdale Wedding Resource website to contact the expert vendors directly.  They would be happy to assist you in creating your beautiful wedding!

Monday, January 11, 2010

More information on Invitations...

A wedding invitation offers pertinent information to your guests regarding the ceremony and reception along with requesting imperative information for your wedding reception.  To assist in the invitation process further, I want to share more important invitation information...This information will assist you in  knowing your exact guest count...it is very important to ask the right questions from the beginning so unexpected guests do not attend your wedding reception. 

Item Number 1 - On the inner envelope (or the outer envelope if you do not have an inner envelope), please indicate who is invited to your wedding reception.  This is very important especially when you are not inviting kids.
A few examples:
Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Smith
Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Who is invited? Only the adults of the household

Outer: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Smith

Inner: Mr. and Mrs. Smith
and Family
Who is invited? The entire family at this household

Outer: Mr. Bradley Smith
Inner: Mr. Smith and Guest
Who is invited? Bradley and his date

Outer: Mr. Bradley Smith
Inner: Mr. Smith
Who is invited? Only Bradley

Item Number 2: Although you have now invited the right people from each household, we still need to have a double check system.  So, on your response card, please include the following statement: Number of persons attending.  This will give you advanced notice if the Smith's included their kids in their R.S.V.P. count even if the kids were not invited.
For example:
The favour of your reply is requested by the seventeenth of June
M__________________________
______ Number of persons attending
______ Not able to attend

Item Number 3: There is a growing trend with R.S.V.P.'s...many family and friends will not R.S.V.P. by the date that you request.  So what now?  Please begin by dividing the list by who invited the guests that have not responded.  From there, begin calling each guest to check if they are attending the reception.  I would not recommend assuming these guests are not attending; this can only lead to unexpected arrivals from guests you assumed were not coming. 

Item Number 4: There is also a growing trend towards last minute cancellations...to ensure you are not paying for uneaten meals, please tell your catering manager a lower guest count when she or he initially asks.  They will typically require a final guest count 3-5 days prior to the wedding.  At this point, lower your guest count by 5-7 guests but no more than 3% of your total count.  PLEASE remember to give an accurate count at least 24 hours prior to the wedding; the catering manager needs to know the EXACT count that will be attending.  The reception venue will be setting the tables based on your final numbers.  There will not be extra place settings at the tables unless requested.  Most venues will charge you for the extra place settings.  Unfortunately, there still may be no shows but please do not think about it or worry about it! 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  I am here to help!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Traditional Invitation Wording


Your beautiful Wedding Invitations have been selected and now you are working on your invitation wording.  You have spoken to all the important planning members and have decided that your wedding is a formal event hosted by the Parents of the Bride.  So you have decided that traditional invitation wording will work best for these beautiful invitations. 
So what is traditional invitation wording...

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

Emma Ann
to
Jacob George Smith

Saturday, the ninth of July
Two thousand and ten
at three o'clock in the afternoon
Old St. Patricks Church
711 West Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois

Questions?  Please let me know.

Photo courtesy of Checkerboard.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Invitations...

Wedding invitations come in all sorts of shapes and sizes...they can be colorful or traditional...whimsical or classic...casual or elegant...the choices are unlimited!  Typically wedding invitations are the first items your guests will be receiving to your upcoming nuptials so remember they should set the tone for your event.  They should give your guests a sneak peak to what is to come. 

If you are ready to start shopping for invitations, here are few questions to ask yourself before walking into a stationery store and a few helpful hints:

- How many households are you mailing invitations to?
It is very expensive to order more invitations so get the quantity right on the initial order.

- What is your invitation budget?  On average, we tell our clients $10 per set.  A set includes an invitation, reception card, response card, response envelope and an outer envelope with return address.  Invitations can cost much more than the average but it is a great starting point.  Items that increase an invitation cost are paper quality, multiple paper layers, accents such as ribbon, printing method, etc.

- Discuss with your Fiancé prior to the meeting about the wording for your invitation.  An invitation invites your guests to your wedding but the question is...who is inviting your guests?  The Bride's Parents?  Both sets of Parents?  Just the Bride and Groom?  Or everyone?  Traditionally the person(s) inviting is the person(s) paying for the wedding but contemporary weddings are evolving from years past so traditional invitation etiquette does not always fit in today's society.  So it is important to discuss the wording with the important planning members prior to ordering so the right choice is made. 

- What additional information do you want to tell your guests?  Do you have room blocks set-up?  Is there guest transportation?  Is there a helpful map or directions to the ceremony and reception? 

- When finalizing your response card wording, remember to think about your dinner reception...are you offering a choice entrée?  Do you need to ask about dietary restrictions?  Are kid's invited?  Is your single friend invited with a guest?  A great item to include on the response card is "number of persons attending." 

- Always receive a proof for every piece

- Stationery stores have different lead times for invitation orders...I would recommend to start thinking about your invitations 5 to 6 months prior to the wedding. 

- Invitations are mailed, according to traditional ettiquette, 6-8 weeks prior to the wedding.  If your wedding is a destination or holiday weekend wedding and you have not mailed Save the Dates, I would recommend 10 weeks prior to the wedding.

A few collections that we carry are: Checkerboard, BT Elements, Monique Lhuillier, Encore Studios, Carlson Craft, McPhersons, Paper Duvet, and more!

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Have fun!  Enjoy the process!  Mailing your invitations is an unbelievable feeling...it makes everything that you have planned and worked on for months the ultimate reality that the big day is just around the corner!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Tastings

Busy day at the studio today...met with a great organization this morning, Hinsdale Wedding Resource...plans are underway for the 6th annual Hinsdale Wedding Walk.  My afternoon was spent brainstorming for my 2010 clients...my main concentration was on food...creating a unique menu beginning with passed hors d'oeuvres and ending with an elaborate sweets station/favor station.  So with food on the brain...I looked back at one of our beauitful summer weddings catered by Entertaining Company for inspiration. 

Photos courtesy of Stephen Green Photography.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Vintage/Retro Ideas...

Happy New Year!  Congratulations to the newly engaged brides and grooms! 

As I kick off the New Year...I am back from vacation and working on design ideas for my 2010 clients.  Ideas stem from all sorts of places...so remember to look around wherever you are...your home, local restaurants, your favorite movies, childhood memories, hobbies, etc...

Today, I was researching vintage/retro ideas...bringing "old school" back.  Vintage ideas are fun and unique touches that tell wedding guests a little bit about the personalities of the bride and groom.  When adding non-traditional details to a ceremony and reception, add them where they make sense...is it a whimsical add-on, a retro stylish touch, or maybe a little vintage romance!  It should exude a feeling that you want the guests to experience.

A few fun ones from The Knot....

Photos have been borrowed from The Knot and are courtesy of the following photographers Brooke Mayo Photography, Azul Photography, Katie Lewis Photography, David Hill, Monika Broz and David Mielcarek, James Tongol