Archive for the ‘Wedding Events’ Category

WALK CHICAGO’S GOLD COAST FOR YOUR WEDDING

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!

Let’s start off with a venue coordinator who is there making sure all things are good with the venue on the day of the event, while a wedding planner is there making sure all things are good, scratch that, all things are great with YOU on YOUR special day.

Your wedding planner will be with you constantly and can even be there for you while picking out the venue, as the venue coordinator only stays with their specific venue.  The venue coordinator won’t be with you while you’re getting ready or picking out flowers and colors schemes or during photographs if they are off site and if you change locations they definitely will not follow.

We, wedding planners, will look for the particulars in making sure that everything is set just the way you dreamed. While venue coordinators will focus on the logistics and making sure everything is operating smoothly with the venue.

The venue coordinator works directly for the venue and not for the bride and groom, while they will be there to assist you for certain things, your personal needs are not their main focus.

At our last wedding, our bride and groom were waiting to be introduced, when the bride needed to refresh her make up before their grand entrance. However, her make up bag was nowhere near the room they were hiding. Thankfully she had her wedding planners nearby. I was able to run out into the ballroom, locate her bag and bring it back to her without anyone even realizing. This is an example of something a wedding planner will do that a venue coordinator would not be able to.­­­­­­­­­­

Your wedding planner will work with you on all aspects of your wedding. From the flowers to the centerpieces to the cake and all the ins and outs that surround your dream day. Your venue coordinator, although helpful, will not be with you every step of the way with every aspect of your day. They won’t be there to assist you with understanding or negotiating the contracts you have with them or other vendors. An example we had at Red Letter Event Planning dealing with contract negotiation came from Robyn Bruns’ personal experience she had with one of her clients. The venue coordinator her bride was working with left the venue and a new coordinator took over. Robyn (of Red Letter Event Planning) explained, “She [new venue coordinator] claimed that having the cocktail hour in a separate room was not part of the contract and she needed to charge my client another $800–my client called me in tears, I called the venue coordinator and advocated for my client and she relented and did not charge the extra money for the separate space.  If the client had only been working with the venue coordinator she would have paid $800…”

So remember, if your location comes with a venue coordinator you cannot rely on them to be doing all the same things your wedding planner will be doing.

Picture Provided By WeddingBee.com

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

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

November 14 was the Kenilworth Club Bridal Fair, it was a wonderful afternoon with fantastic vendors and a great clientale.  If you missed it you really missed out, hear what some of the lovely brides to be had to say about their experience at the fair . 

Also we cannot enough of this dancing demo that was such a huge hit that afternoon.

Thanks to all of the vendors that participated.  Cannot wait to do another fair really soon.

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

In the next few weeks we will be featuring some of the fantastic vendors we have lined up for the Engaging High Tea Bridal Fair on November 14 at the Kenilworth Club.

Cacao (cocoa) Sweet and Treats bakery was started about a year ago after the owner; Candice was laid off from her job.  The downturn in the economy was her impetus to start her custom baking enterprise.  The results are delicious cupcakes, whoopee pies and the absolutely decadent cake truffles. Yes, I said “cake” truffles. 

Picture bite sized desserts with all the richness of your favorite truffle with the surprise of a moist cake inside. Candice’s creative offerings range from seasonal flavors such as pumpkin pie to more traditional ones like triple chocolate and red velvet.

Candice told us she didn’t so much learn to bake but instead as she worked in her grandmother’s and mother’s kitchen she just had an innate ability of mixing flour, sugar and of course chocolate into delicious sweets.

Cacao makes fantastic favors, they will search out the best packaging for your event, while matching your colors and theme perfectly.  The most popular favor which are 2 cake truffles costs $3 and comes fully assembled ready to go for your guests.  You can order Cacao items at their Etsy store.

At the bridal fair Cacao will have samples of all their delicious desserts beautifully displayed, like the pictures below.

A Cacao Sweets and Treats Display

Cake Truffle Pops

Tweet your name and email to @redletterevent  before November 5 to be entered into our drawing for 2 free tickets to the Bridal Fair.

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

Red Letter Event Planning in  partnership with the Kenilworth Club is hosting an “Engaging High Tea” Bridal Fair on November 14 from 11-3 pm. 

This isn’t your grandmothers high tea-  as a sponsor Grand Marnier will be creating a delicious “Teatini” for our participants!  It will be a fantastic, fall afternoon full of delectable tastings, stylish bridal fashion, entertaining live music and expert advice for all things wedding from the area’s most exclusive vendors. 

Over the next few weeks I will be writing about some of the ”engaging” vendors that will be in attendance as well as feature some of the great raffle prizes and swag bag items that will be offered. 

 Online registration is available at the Kenilworth Club website.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Brides Against Breast Cancer.

Red Letter Event Planning will be giving away a set of free tickets to 2 lucky brides or grooms to be. Send a direct  message via twitter to@redletterevent  to enter. Winners will be announced November 1.

In the meantime I hope your next special event is a Red Letter Day!