Tying the Knot tours The Langham Chicago

New Chicago Hotel . New Client

Tying the Knot and The Langham Chicago!

Christine and I had the pleasure of touring the new Chicago Hotel, The Langham, opening Summer 2013 on Monday.  During our tour, we checked out renderings of the hotel along with a model hotel room; which has outstanding amenities that a hotel guest is going to LOVE! Next we were given the opportunity to take a hard hat tour through the first two floors of the hotel.  The Langham will be an amazing property for our clients, Chicago natives and out of town guests.

Check us out on the tour...we are in the ballroom!

Windows behind us face the River and State Street.

We are looking forward to working with our new client for their August Wedding at The Langham.

We are currently the first wedding on site and are honored to be part of the team.  

It is going to be a beautiful wedding in a stunning new hotel!

Gerber+Scarpelli Photography: Harley + Adam's Beautiful Country Club Wedding

Gerber+Scarpelli Photography: Harley + Adam's Beautiful Country Club Wedding: A couple weeks ago we got to work with an awesome couple, Harley and Adam! Harley got ready at her parents place in Hinsdale where Adam c...

Favors!

Wedding Favors

by Tying the Knot

It has been way too long since my last post...so I will start with an update: We have had a great 2012 wedding season so far; our season continues until early December.  We have worked at lots of outstanding venues over the course of the year...our clients weddings have taken place at urban Chicago locations like Salvage One, beautiful suburban venues like The Hyatt Lodge and even an outdoor tented event in Wisconsin. 

Typically I am posting stunning photos from our clients wedding...these posts will continue but for now I wanted to share a photo a few favor boxes we offer to our clients.  They are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes and are the perfect accent to any dining table.  They should be filled with something yummy that your wedding guests will rave about along with every other detail from your wedding day!

Stunning Wedding at The Peninsula...

Melissa and Joey

were married on Saturday, September 11, 2010

at the beautiful Notre Dame de Chicago.

They celebrated their marriage at the lovely Peninsula Chicago Hotel.

Photography by Vrai

Wedding designed by Brooke Righeimer from Tying the Knot

Stationery by Tying the Knot

All things wedding...

As a wedding planner, I typically love all things wedding...from movies to books to TV specials, we like to see how "Hollywood" depicts the planning process and the wedding itself.  Who could forget Father of the Bride or The Wedding Planner?!  Both classics with a different spin on what exactly the "wedding planner" takes care for the clients.  At a recent final meeting with one of my May clients, my client raved about a book series she is reading; Nora Roberts, The Bride Quartet.  She has read the first two books of the series and has absolutely loved them!  The story involves four childhood friends that own a wedding planning company together.  Each book highlights one of the four women, their love life and their career...Photographer, Florist, Caterer and Wedding Planner/Business Manager.  So to those that are not famliar with the book series, check it out!  It sounds like a great read especially now that we are in wedding season!  Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Penguin Group.

Spring is almost here...

It is almost the middle of March, High Wedding Season is almost upon us, the sun is trying to come out and I can only think about the wonderful outdoor venues that will host our client's upcoming weddings and pre-wedding festivities.  Outdoor venues in Chicago evoke instant character...there are not many places like Chicago where you can be sixteen floors up at the "Terrace at the Trump" enjoying a cocktail and delicious cuisine, surrounded by some of Chicago's most historic buildings. 

For the sports fans out there...the many rooftops of Wrigley Field are unique spaces that can host bachelor and bachelorette parties.  A rooftop offers a casual, fun environment where you can mingle with friends enjoying cocktails and great food while watching the famous Chicago Cubs.  These outstanding rooftops are located in classic three story buildings that have been renovated with decks and stadium seating looking out to one of the most famous ballparks in the country.  Once again, only in Chicago!

Photo of the Day

Most Chicagoans are wishing they were somewhere warm right now!

So I wanted to share a wonderful destination wedding moment...

As the bride, groom and their guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the beach,

a FABULOUS Mariachi band joined their celebration!  Everyone loved it!

Photography by Stephen Green Photography

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!

Chicago Welcome Bags...

What better way to welcome your Out of Town guests to Chicago than with a custom Welcome Bag...they can be filled with local treats and great amenities to make your friends and families stay more enjoyable.

Advise to Brides and Grooms:
-  Plan ahead

- Create a theme and select a minimum of five items
When considering which items to purchase...consider a few favorite categories: Chicago based?  Bride and Groom's Favorite things?  Supplies your guests may have forgotten?  Enjoyable Late Night Treats?

- Begin purchasing non-perishable items early

- Don't forget to include a note to your guests
If you are including pertinent information, please include the note on the outside of the bag!

- Call ahead to your Room Block Hotels to let them know the Welcome Bags are coming.  Decide whether they will be delivered directly to the room or passed out upon check-in.  Please note, a cost could be involved if you select to have the Welcome Bags delivered to the hotel

- Plan a Welcome Bag assembly day; it goes much quicker when you have help from your family and bridal party

- Schedule a delivery time...the hotel needs the welcome bags no later than the morning of check-in

We have created many Chicago based Welcome Bags for our clients...there are so many great local items that every wedding guest would enjoy: Garrett's Popcorn, Wrigley Gum, Ferrara Pan Candy, Jay's Potato Chips, Terry's Toffee...and more!

Holiday Engagements....

The holidays are upon us...what a wonderful time of year to get engaged!  I would love to hear your story...how did he propose?  How did he make one of the most special moments in your life unique?

Cocktails!

As I wrap my last Christmas present, a fabulous red tin filled with vodkas from around the world (my cousin's favorite liquor)...I think about all the wonderful signature drinks our clients have offered their guests in the past.  A signature drink is a fun way to incorporate one more detail into a bride and groom's special day.  The cocktail can be a new concoction or it can be just a new name for a classic cocktail.  This May, the Bride and Groom will be offering "The Great St. Tini" after the groom's last name...St. John.  A little detail that goes along way!  And don't forget about coordinating signage...it is a must! 

To get help you get started in your search for the perfect cocktail...check out Martha Stewart Weddings!  A ton of great cocktails to select from.

Jennifer and Kevin May 2009

One of my favorite venues in the city of Chicago is Cafe Brauer...there is something about its timeless elegance that compliments every wedding and their beautiful decor.  Jennifer and Kevin were fabulous clients and we loved every moment of planning their wedding with them.  So in the spirit of sharing more of our 2009 favorite weddings...I have created a photo collage of some of my favorite moments throughout the day.  Thank you to Stephen Green Photography for the beautiful photos!  Congratulations Jennifer and Kevin!

Carrie and Zach...October 2009

It was a slightly rainy day in October but that was not going to stop this fun loving couple from having the time of their lives.  They wanted a unique but still elegant venue to host their wedding reception and it was when we discovered the Wilder Mansion that we knew we had found it!  The mansion had recently been renovated when my client's booked the facilty so it was going to be something new and different for their wedding guests.  When we toured the space, I knew it was going to be a venue that I recommended on a regular basis. 

The Wilder Mansion was the perfect spot for Carrie and Zach's family and friends to celebrate their marriage.  The guests began their evening cocktailing and enjoying hors d'oeuvres on the first floor and patio...from there they were escorted upstairs for a sit down dinner.  Once dinner was complete, the party moved back downstairs for dancing and mingling amongst family and friends.  The mansion was once a home so the layout includes various sized rooms which adds a quaintness to the environment.  There was something for everyone to enjoy that evening!

A few photos from Carrie and Zach's wedding:

It's all about the unique touches...

Wedding season is almost over for Tying the Knot...now we are moving onto planning season...new ideas for our clients...we love the details...thinking about unique touches that transform a wedding to a "one of kind event"! One of our favorites for next year is our Garrett's Popcorn Station...what a yummy idea! We open the station right after dancing gets started...we create a lounge area around it and suddenly your guests are saying "wow, what a wedding...they have thought of everything!" And don't forget about the coordinating stationary elements from station signs, popcorn signage and popcorn bags!