Real Wedding: Bonnie and Michael

PART ONE: Rehearsal Dinner

I worked on the design of this super cutie rehearsal dinner with Jesse Deckard of Botaicals, a branch of HM Designs last year. The entire weekend was planned at their estate in rural Wisconsin. Their classic red barn was used as the setting for this rustic chic evening - complete with hay bails, quilts, fresh yellow sunflowers, galvinized metal, gingham plaid, strung Italian lights, and custom barnwood bars. So so cute!







Event Planner - Lori Stephenson of Lola Event Productions

Real Wedding: Andrea and John

This is a gorgeaous wedding designed by Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs that took place last week at the newly renovated Blackstone Hotel here in Chicago. I am so in love with this hotel. Every corner of it is the perfect balace of modern (and quirky) mixed with uber traditional (you can't see the tounge and cheek floral patterned carpeting in this ornate ballroom in these pictures, but it certainly adds an unexpected punch of color to the space).

The centerpieces for this wedding blended so nicely with the existing decor. Jesse used silver gilded garden urns topped with precise pavés of open white roses as the central point of the design. Surrounding the arrangement was a trio of unique crystal globe candleholders elevated on shiny silver risers. Additionally flickering votive candles on the table top completed the look!

Real Wedding: Gemma and Stephen

I worked on the design of this wedding with Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs. This gorgeous event happened this past July at the historic University Club here in Chicago.

The ceremony and reception took place in the stunning Cathedral Hall, and the cocktail hour was held in the intimate and warm library. I love the gothic details that this venue provides as the backdrop. I mean, look at those stained glass windows, chandeliers, etc...yum!
Jesse enchanced this already beautiful space with loads of candles (down the aisle, on the existing fireplace mantle, and across the place card table.)

Each guest table was piled full of lush arrangements presented in elegant curved glass vases. Featured flowers included open purple iris, lush purple delphinium, and fluffy Dutch hydrangea. The addition of flickering candlelight and unexpected custom mirrored tabletops completed the look.


This is a perfectly unique look for an traditional yet urban wedding!

Real Wedding: Marian and Michael

This is a beautiful wedding that took place a few weeks ago at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art. I worked on this clean and almost zen design with Jesse of Botanicals.

Place Card Table Decor (loads of tall and thin birch logs anchored by piles of fresh dusky succulent blossoms):

Cocktail Table Decor (a single fragrant gardenia blossom nestled atop natural river rocks in a white ceremic dish - on of my favorite designs!):

Centerpiece Design #1 (a block of varied square glass vases filled with crystal clear water topped with floating candles surrounded by touches of offset fresh orchid blossoms):

Centerpiece Design #2 (Elevated vases soaring with leaning and integrated bundles of variegated alocasia leaves, Hawaiian dendrobium orchid sprays, and hanging amaranthus):





The tables were lined up down the main corridor of the museum which currently houses Olafur Eliasson colorful exhibit (which I have gone back multiple times to see)!

Photos by: Erica Barraca
Wedding Planner: Lauren Carter of LOLA Event Productions

Real Wedding: Joe and Tania

Congratulations to our friends Joe and Tania on their wedding! We attended their wonderful reception yesterday. It took place at the Oak Park Conservatory. The majority of the party was spent outside enjoying strawberry lemonade and cupcakes in the courtyard due to the perfect and dreamy weather. They both looked dashing, and the place was adorably decked out in Tania's carefully thought out details (and craft projects).











































We are so glad to have been part of your day. Thanks for having us!

Real Wedding: Samantha and Scott

I wanted to share some pictures that recently came in from the photographer of a wedding I helped design this past July. The couple's main concern was to keep their special day as 'green' as possible. We acheived this by adorning the various tables with loads of wooden boxes planted with colorful and seasonal plants. Following the wedding, each of these were donated (with the help of Chicago's Mayor's Office) to local senior homes. What a great way to celebrate while also giving back! The historic Field Museum housed this impressive and thoughtful event. I loved the combinations of soft lavender, deep purple, vibrant yellow, and (of course) rich greens! The selections of hand picked plants ranged from violets to ferns to lavender. Loads of flickering candlelight set the mood for this unique evening.






Event Planner: Lori Stephenson of LOLA Event Productions
Senior Designer: Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs
Photographer: Sarah Alair Photography

Real Wedding: Kate and Scott

Here are some lovely photos of a wedding I worked on with Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Design. It took place a couple months ago at the iconic Drake Hotel here in Chicago. The whole event was pulled together by the charming Lauren Carter of LOLA Event Productions.

A unique round topiary of fresh plums designed atop a gold guilded urn served the perfect focal point for the place card table:

This is the bridal toss bouquet - a smaller version of the exquisite bridal bouquet. A textural combination of golden ranunculus, fluffy lisianthus, open roses, lavender scabiosa (one of my favorites!!!), and unexpected chocolate brown fern curls.

The Grand Ballroom was done up in a soft and romantic combination of metallic gold and silver with accents of bold purple. Lacey textured lighting on the dance floor added to the moody atmosphere.

Each table was draped in platinum pintuck linens and surrounded by gold Versailles chairs complete with deep eggplant cushions and napkins. The centerpieces were a combination of both tall elevated arrangements as well as low and lush pieces. Featured flowers included fluffy hydrangea, open roses, wisps of delicate jasmine vine, and fresh clusters of black grapes. The designs were presented atop ornate gold gilded risers, and amber votive candles completed the look.


Photos by my dear friend Erica Baracca.

Real Wedding: Victoria and J.P.

This is another gorgeous wedding designed by the creative Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs and the wonderful Renny Pedersen of Bliss Weddings and Events, who carefully planned all the elegant details of this cold winter day!

The design for this wedding was glamorous in so many ways. Each table featured a flared silver riser vase bursting with kinetic curly willow branch. The branches were then detailed with individual blossoms plucked from fragrant stems of white garden stock. I love how the light seemingly dances from table to table as it hits the fluffy blooms throughout the room. Flickering candlelight completed the look adding warmth and ambiance to each table.
















































The reception took place at one of my absolute favorite places - the historic Chicago Cultural Center. The glistening mosaics covering the walls and ceilings of this space are jaw-droppingly beautiful, and to sit and have dinner under the gigantic Tiffany dome is magical. The building was dedicated in 1897 and was the first home to the Chicago Public Library. Now days, not only can you rent the space out for a wedding or event, it is also used for public speaking occurrences, art showings, and various other exhibits. This is at the top of my list for tourists in Chicago to visit (looking out those window you get one of the best views of Millennium Park).

These beautiful shots were taken by Artisan Events here in Chicago.

Real Wedding: Sabine and Greg II

The reception for this exquisite wedding took place at the Armour House at the Lake Forest Academy. This incredible estate was designed and built in the beginning of the century and has beautiful architectural details throughout the building. Plus, two million dollars was put into the landscaping at that time, so needless to say - the grounds are stunning!




































This couple chose the perfect combination of traditional elements mixed with modern touches. Their place card table is one of my all time favorites. Peonies are so beautiful in early summer, and we simply bunched them up here in various white ceramic containers to let their natural beauty be the focus.

The guest tables were draped in a luxurious green damask linen. The flowers were designed as a tight and compact pavé atop a custom mirrored cube. And the sparkling crystal cut votive candles completed the look (seeing the reflection of their flicker in the mirrored container was gorgeous!).

Decor by Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs
Wedding Consultant - Renny Pedersen

Real Wedding: Sabine and Greg I

This is a gorgeous wedding that I worked on that took place at the couple's summer home in Lake Forest, IL. They live most of the year in Germany so they hired the wonderful Renny Pedersen of Bliss Weddings and Events to pull together all of the amazing details of their vision. The fresh flowers were designed by myself and Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs.
















The ceremony was framed by two enormous focal arrangements designed in rusted garden urns. These lush collections of flowers included fluffy Dutch hydreangea, bright fuchsia peonies, green jasmine vine, hanging amaranthus, garden roses, and tons of unique foliages. Additionally, each white chair down the aisle was adorned with a textural pomander of coordinating flowers tied to the chair by ivory satin ribbons.

This backyard setting is SO dreamy. I love the way the full trees create romantic shadows over the area and how the antique water fountain is the perfect focal point!

The reception is gorgeous as well, so more to come...

Fun and Fancy

This is a wedding that I found on the Snippet and Ink blog.  They got the photos from Gertrude and Mabel.  I just absolutely love love love everything about this party.  It is a rehearsal dinner that is so much fun.  They went casual in terms of the feel of the event (from the location to the food to the dress), but this couple thought of every detail - customized napkins, customized wooden ice cream spoons, bags filled with ingredients for an individual s'more, etc...plus the pop of red is so fresh and vibrant.

Real Wedding: Candance and Justice III

Here are the last few images that I am going to show for this wedding. A ton of time and thought went into each one of these designs to make them just right! The tables featuring scarlett red linens were adorned with a pair of tall vases each topped with a pavé of open red roses and soaring tropical hanging heliconia. The head table was finished with additional low vases of rich red roses. Each bold Orange table was adorned with a dense burst of mokara orchids finished with individual sleek calla lilies swooping down around the vase. Finally, the fuchsia pink tables were topped with a dramatic display of fluffy hydrangea, garlands of mokara orchids, and touches of whimsical gloriosa lilies. These displays aren't for everyone, but were perfect for this dramatic and romantic couple!

Photography: Studio This Is
Wedding Planner: Lori Stephenson of Lola Event Productions
Event Designer: Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs

Real Wedding: Candance and Justice II

Here are a few more images from this amazingly unique wedding. The place cards were each placed on individual chartreuse green anthurium blossoms that were 'growing' from a water filled acrylic table layered with natural river rocks and floating candles. The reception was completely saturated in bold hues of crimson red, vibrant orange, and striking fuchsia. Each table featured two highly textured linens luxuriously draped over them and were tied up with sparkling gold tassels for that perfect finishing touch. More to come on the guest table decor!
















































Photography: Studio This Is
Wedding Planner: Lori Stephenson of Lola Event Productions
Event Designer: Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs

Real Wedding: Candance and Justice I

This is a wedding I worked on that took place last August at the Chicago Illuminating Company. Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs was the talented head designer, and Lori Stephenson of LOLA Event Productions was the Wedding Planner.
















































These amazingly artistic photographs were taken by "Studio This Is". They are my absolute favorite photographers right now. The images appear as a high end fashion shoots instead of the traditional wedding poses and settings. They truely have fun with and love what they do (which always produces better results).