Red Letter Event Planning — Real Chicagoland Weddings

Take a (Wedding) Chicago Gold Coast Tour

February 22, 2012 by Robyn@Redletter Leave a Comment

WALK CHICAGO’S GOLD COAST FOR YOUR WEDDING

For the engaged this Chicago Gold Coast Wedding Tour is a must for those looking for delicious treats, unique gowns, beautiful accessories and fun bridesmaid dresses.

First, fuel up for your day long shopping trip at Sprinkles cupcakes, check out their wedding cupcakes or treat yourself to your favorite flavor. Then head to Vera Wang , located at 945 Rush St. in Chicago. Just opened earlier this month it is the home of the classic and unique gowns that Vera Wang is known for. The salon is large and very private, so that you can try on dresses comfortably and without the prying eyes of strangers. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 312-379-5355.

Spring 2012 Vera Wang Wedding Dress

The second stop is B H L D N (pronounced Beholden). This store has two floors of wedding prettiness, you will find vintage style gowns, quirky headpieces, cool bow ties and even a whole room dedicated to less than ordinary decor. Prepare to spend at least 2 hours in this location looking over all of the items. B H L D N is located at 8 East Walton St., Chicago For dress appointments please call 312-573-2573.

Inside the B H L D N store

The third stop is the newly reopened Bella Bridesmaid. This store is dedicated to all things for the maids. The airy salon has comfy couches and racks of colorful and wearable bridesmaid dresses. Bella is located at 1 East Delaware, Suite 200 Chicago, IL. For appointments call 312-943-0344.

You can Find Lula Kate dresses like these at Bella Bridesmaids

Here is a simple map to help you on your journey!

Walk the Gold Coast for your Wedding

Till Next Time I Hope Your Next Special Event is a Red Letter Day!

Filed Under: Real Chicagoland Weddings, Wedding dresses, Wedding Events, Wedding Party, Wedding Planning Tagged With: bella bridesmaids, BHLDN, chicago gold coast, chicago wedding planning, Sprinkles cupcakes, vera wang

Red Letter Event Planning in the News

March 17, 2011 by Robyn@Redletter Leave a Comment

Since the beginning of the year it has been a whirlwind of public relations for Red Letter Event Planning. Here is what we have been up to- keep up with our day to day happenings, follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook

The Knot and Vintage Weddings for Leigh and Tom’s wedding

ChicagoStyle Weddings feature of Molly and Dan’s wedding

Fabulous Living regarding guest etiquette for Same Sex weddings

Make it Better North Shore Magazine tips for throwing a house party

Next week we will be participating in the Designers Challenge photoshoot for ChicagoStyle Wedding Magazine, with our beyond fantastic partners, DBY Invitations, Yanni Design Studio, The Baking Institute, TableScapes and BBJ Linen. We cannot wait to share what we all have come up and our beyond fabulous theme-hint think Royal but not Royal Wedding.

Also, we have recently partnered with some Chicago websites and magazines. Our focus is your Chicago wedding so we want to make sure you can find us in the best local resources. Check out our new ads on Chicago Wedding Venues and Wedding Guide Chicago. We also are advertisers on two same sex wedding websites SoYourEngayged and Equally Wed, we feel very strongly that everyone has the right to get married and deserves a “red letter day” for their wedding.

This coming Thursday, March 24 we will be at the Mid America Club Bridal Show -for those getting married, fellow vendors and those that just love weddings come and check out our booth. For anyone that signs up for an appointment with us at the show you will recieve a copy of the Brides Thank You Note Handbook, an indespensable resource for your engagement party, shower and wedding thank yous!

We hope you have enjoyed this update on all that is happening at Red Letter Event Planning, oh I almost forgot, we also revamped our website and this blog, let us know what you think of the new look!

Till next time I hope your next special event is a Red Letter Day

Filed Under: Real Chicagoland Weddings, Red Letter News Tagged With: Chicago, PR and Advertising, Red Letter Event Planning Wedding, Robyn Bruns, wedding

Walk down the aisle in style

January 23, 2011 by Robyn@Redletter 1 Comment

Bridestyle can be expressed in so many ways today we are featuring two Red Letter brides who defined their style in their wedding shoe choices. There is so much time dedicated to saying yes to the dress, but don’t forget about what your feet will be wearing as you walk down the aisle.

Camille, our Chicago Red Letter Event Planning bride is beautiful and stylish. Her main wedding color of deep plum was stunning and the contrast against her white ballgown were an exclamation point of elegance.

Photo: Cornerstone Photography

Molly, our suburban Red Letter Event Planning bride is fun and fearless with an effortless style. Her pink converse shoes have a great story to tell that you can read about here. Needless to say these shoes were very important and needed to have a feature role in the wedding. Her groom also got into the act and wore black converse shoes to match!

Photo: Rich Chapman Photographers

If you are thinking of expressing some excitement through your wedding shoes I have found some fantastic alternatives to basic white, three of my favorites are below. All of these shoes can be found on a great resource for shoe shopping endless.com

This shoe is pefect for an elegant affair with a pop of color, a traditional ball gown or a-line wedding dress would look beautiful with these shoes.

Charles by Charles David Frilly Peep Toe Pump

These are my personal favorite. This shoe is made for the bride that likes a lot of bling, a summertime wedding with a chiffon dress and these sparklers will light up the whole evening.

Kate Spade Charm Sandal

Outdoor wedding anyone? I am loving the colors and the energy of this shoe, any bride that chooses this for their wedding shoe has a fun attitude and will be dancing all night long.

Kate Spade Molly Peep Toe Pump

We want to know how you did or intend to express your bridestyle. Will it be with your shoes, another accessory or your dress. Leave us a comment or send us a message on Twitter or Facebook. We will feature some of your stories in our upcoming posts.

Till next time we hope your next special event is a Red Letter Day

Filed Under: Fashion, Favorite Vendors, Real Chicagoland Weddings, Wedding Planning

Six years ago we had the wedding we wanted

December 11, 2010 by Robyn@Redletter Leave a Comment

My husband and I are celebrating our anniversary today on a cruise to the Caribbean on celebrity cruise lines. I cannot believe it has been over 6 years since I said my own “I do’s”. Wedding styles have changed and trends have appeared and disappeared during that time. However what we did for our wedding is what every couple should do for theirs-WHATEVER THEY WANT.

The best advice I received during my wedding planning came from the priest that performed our ceremony, in our couples meeting he said the following regarding the planning of our big day “listen to everyone, tell them thanks and that you will consider their advice and then do whatever you want to do”.

We followed his philosophy and had the evening cocktail style reception with the amazing chocolate martini specialty drink, black and white bridesmaid dresses and a flower combo of Orchids and my birth flower the Chrysanthemum, and crystals. I could not have asked for a more beautiful ceremony setting than Faith, Hope and Charity and a reception at the Winnetka Community House. We loved our wedding.

When I decided to become a wedding planner I wanted to ensure my clients have the wedding they want. That is why my business mission is to create weddings that reflect the client’s personality and lifestyle. I never want a client to feel like they are being forced to do something because it is the latest trend or the “thing” to do. I want them to feel comfortable with all elements of their wedding so they can proudly say, “I did what I wanted for my wedding”

Till next time I hope your next special event is a Red Letter Day

Filed Under: Real Chicagoland Weddings, Wedding Events, Wedding Planning Tagged With: Anniversary, North Shore, Wedding Planning, Winnetka

A Thank You

November 3, 2010 by Robyn@Redletter Leave a Comment

I received this thank you note from a Mother of a Bride-I literally teared up as I read it. This makes all the hard work worthwhile. I worked on this wedding for over 1.5 years so I really got to know the family so this thank you means so much-her words cannot say it any better why I do what I do. Congratulations to Molly and Dan-we hope to share pictures from the wedding really soon.

Hi Robyn, I’m a little late with this, but I had 2 major events after the wedding and I was out of town for most of October. I want to thank you for everything you did to help make Molly’s wedding successful – And I definately consider it to be a success! I thank you for hooking us up with some quality vendors that I never would have gathered without you. We loved Rich, dj Mike was great, the flowers were beautiful and the linens were striking. Everyone loved the food, the music, the ambiance! I appreciated the counsel and the informed opinions that you shared with me about many things that I was unsure about.

Also, thank you for everything you did the weekend of the wedding. The room looked beautiful. I never could have done that on my own! Thanks to you everything went off without a hitch. I totally let you handle all the details and you totally took care of them. I never gave any of those details a thought and I was free to have a lot of fun during the whole day! This was a once in a lifetime deal for us – No mulligans – and we thank you sincerely for helping us host what several people said to me was the “best” wedding they had ever been to.

Many thanks and much appreciation,
Gail

Till next time I hope your next special event is a Red Letter Day

Filed Under: Real Chicagoland Weddings

A Night at the Aquarium

October 18, 2010 by Robyn@Redletter 2 Comments

Megan and David’s Labor Day weekend wedding in Chicago was a fantastic day. The venues of Second Unitarian Church and the Shedd Aquarium were perfect locations for this modern couple with a natural style.

Eco-friendly wedding stationery was important to Megan. Woman Craft created beautiful, herb scented, invitations, programs, table numbers and placecards. All handmade items that were made from recyclable papers reducing the carbon footprint of this wedding.

Renner_Bonilla_GlenAbogPhotography_megandavid0157_low

Programs from Woman Craft

After a very personal ceremony at 2^nd Unitarian church in Lincoln Park

185 guests were shuttled to the Shedd Aquarium in the heart of the Chicago Museum Campus. Using shuttle buses for the guests was not only a convenience but also prevented 70+ extra cars from being on the road during a busy holiday weekend another eco-friendly touch by the bride and groom.

Wedding guests were wowed by the whales, dolphins and sea lions in the Ocenarium during cocktail hour.

At 8 pm everyone was led into the Caribbean Reef room for dinner where guests dined along side inhabitants of the reef including a green turtle, stingrays and parrot fish.

Each table was elegantly pinspotted by Frost Lighting to show off the gorgeous Ivory Contour tablecloths and Federal Blue Shantung runners and napkins from BBJ Linen and the hydrangea centerpiece designed by Anthony Gowder Designs. Tucked inside the gracefully folded napkin was the menu for the evening and a charity favor card.

The Main Foyer hosted dancing and a delicious cupcake display by Bleeding Heart Bakery. Guests could choose to eat their chococlate peanut butter, sangria, pink lemonade or corn dog cupcakes or take home their dessert delights in specially designed boxes.

The night took an unexpected turn when following the traditional dances the bride changed from her long, elegant wedding gown into a dress that has to be described as whimsical, beautiful and made for dancing. The couple then treated their guests to a specially choreographed cha-cha followed by an invitation for everyone to make their way to the aquarium’s terrace to watch the final fireworks for the year from Navy Pier. The celebration continued throughout the night with the wonderful sounds from the Chicago Groove Collective.

A special thank you to Glen Abog for sharing all of these gorgeous pictures.

Thank you to Megan and David for allowing Red Letter Event Planning to be part of your day. May you have a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness.

Till next time I hope your next special event is a Red Letter Day

Filed Under: Favorite Vendors, Real Chicagoland Weddings, Wedding Planning

Leigh and Tom’s Real Wedding

July 16, 2010 by Robyn@Redletter Leave a Comment

The Cuneo Museum and Gardens in Vernon Hills was the scene of Leigh and Tom’s early 20th century styled wedding reception.

When we started working with Leigh over a year ago, a constant theme came up, she wanted to highlight the character of the museum namely the gorgeous gardens and the historic significance of the location. In the end we accomplished both of her wishes.

This back in time feel was introduced as guests entered the great hall of the museum, where they picked up escort cards featuring Chicago landmarks, these beautiful handmade cards set the tone for the vintage inspired décor

During cocktail hour a cigar roller demonstrated the time honored tradition of leaf rolling, and provided an interesting and unique keepsake for the guests.

After cocktail hour guests were directed into a beautifully transformed tent. Centerpieces resembling hanging baskets brought the garden inside as they towered from each ivory clothed table.

A stunning light pattern coated the walls of the tent creating an intimate feeling as dinner was served on beautiful gold rimmed china.

Red Letter Event Planning was pleased to work wtih the vendors that made the day so special Imaginative Studios, George Street Video, Event Creative, Tablescapes, Oak Mill Bakery and Kenmare Catering

Pictures are copyrighted by Gina DeConti/Imaginative Studios, Inc.

Congratulations to Leigh and Tom and may they have love, laughter and happiness for the rest of their lives!

Till next time I hope your next special event is a “Red Letter Day!”

Filed Under: Real Chicagoland Weddings, Wedding Planning Tagged With: Cuneo Museum, Red Letter Event Planning Wedding

Pheba and Jojy’s wedding kicks off wedding season

May 4, 2010 by Robyn@Redletter Leave a Comment

Our first wedding of the season was March 20th. The day dawned gray and snowy but the wedding color combinations of fuchsia, coral and peach brightened up the day!

We are excited to share the pictures from the big day courtesy of Dave Price Photography and Video. The 500+ guests attended the ceremony at Christian Life Church in Mt. Prospect followed by a delicious meal at Bristol Courts Banquets.

Instead of using hundreds of escort cards the lovely ceremony program did double duty as it included all the information about the ceremony and the seating chart. It was a sweet keepsake for the guests, some of which traveled all the way from India.

The beautiful bride, Pheba wore a delicate ivory and silver sari for the ceremony and then changed into a stunning fuschia reception sari. The brides and bridesmaids saris all were handmade in India.

The coral and fuschia blended’ beautifully with the bouquets made by Pam at North Suburban Florist.

Pheba had this to say of Red Letter Event Planning“Thank you so much for all your dedication and hardwork. You kept me calm and helped my family and I immensly. Thank you so much for making our day so special!”

This wedding was a wonderful celebration of faith and love.