Fun!

Every Rose...

How amazingly beautiful is this bouquet!?!? I don't typically care for gerber daisies (I think those are gerber daisies in there), but the combination of the deep red with the soft apricot looks gorgeous paired with the dusky sage eucalyptus. Plus, the whole photograph is really done well - what a stylish bride!

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

Cake!

How stunning is this cake!?! I love the classic white frosted cake covered in unexpected drapings of nude colored fondant. Plus, the styling in this photo is gorgeous - so simple and elegant with the white cake stand, the apricot toned wall with white moldings, and the clean white table.

Flower-less

I am a flower girl through and through...but I started broadening my horizons when I saw this beaut. This elegant and glamorous bouquet of feathers is by Emplume. I especially love the rich camel and cinnamon tones of this particular textural collection against the soft ivory dress. They custom make each order and will ship it to you! I think this is a perfect solution if you want a bouquet that you can save for years to come (please I am begging you - don't try and preserve fresh flowers - there are very few that actually work).

Citrus Season

We got an unwelcome blanket of heavy and wet snow over night last night. Winter isn't quite over yet. This amazing party setting from Style Me Pretty though is one of my favorites that I have ever seen. The lush orange grove is such a romantic setting for a casual gathering. I love the colors on the tabletop, the mismatched chairs, and the bride's antique dress. Maybe I will scrape off my car, head to the store, and buy a big bag of juicy oranges to try and recreate this feel in my heated loft.

Just What I Needed

It has gotten absolutely FRIGID outside, but seeing this tablescape on Style Me Pretty is just what the doctor ordered to get me up and moving today. I mean, it is UNbelievable! It is quite possibly one of my favorite settings that I have ever seen.


Chandeliers hanging from a trellis of grapevine (!) - are you kidding me! Plus the long wood tables, the cornflower blue runner, and the pop of contrasting color in the petite flower arrangements. Perfection really.

Elegant Centerpiece

I wanted to feature this picture not only because of how sweet the shared look between the bride and her father is, but because of the beautiful centerpieces. They are so simple (tall crisp white gladiolas casually bursting from a glass cylinder vase), yet are unexpectedly impact-ful. Gladiolas are extremely inexpensive - and many time thought of and old fashion funeral flowers. This use of them though shines a whole new light on this summer bloom. They come in a ton of different colors, and they (apparently) allow you to create a tall elevated arrangement without the high price tag! Plus I particularly love them against the gorgeous sky blue ballroom walls!

Just Like A Dream

This wedding was just featured on Style Me Pretty today (more details featured on their site). Seeing this setting made my heart skip a beat. I am so so in love with the gorgeous design that Jess Flood Event Design of California put together. It is soft, romantic, elegant, and classic.

Woodland Tablescape

I love love love this tablescape. I adore the soft and serene color scheme - and check out how cute the birds perches in the branches are. Plus, the vases are short enough and the branches spare enough that you can still see the people across from you with ease! I think this is the epitome of casual elegance.


Picture from Martha Stewart.

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

A Blissful Congratulations!

I want to take this post to send out a most thrilled and sincere congratulations to one of my best friend's new career move. Kara Hillier Superfine was my colleague at Botanicals as one of their Senior Wedding Designers, and she is now joining forces with Renny Pederson, one of the top wedding planners in Chicago. Kara is officially the Senior Wedding & Event Design Consultant for Bliss Weddings and Events. She is an incredible planner; she is passionate about detail; she has an eye for perfection; and she is one of the most stylish, eloquent, and hard working women I know. This seems like such a perfect fit, and I am so proud of her. Felicitations!

Kara has a blog that she has wrote more about this new adventure as well as previous posts about weddings and events she has worked on. Be sure to check it out: The Art of The Occasion.

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.

Peaches and Cream

I am so so in love with the pictures that were posted on Style Me Pretty a couple days ago of a setting created by Carter & Cook Events (check out their website - they have a wonderfully creative portfolio).

Many of the elements are exactly what I would dream of on a table for a dinner party or wedding. I love these soft tones that are both romantic and timeless. The dark wood opera chairs contrast so nicely against the soft milky peach hues. The use of fruit as well as just touches of individual impressive blooms (those dahlias are to-die-for) are a great way to save some money. Plus, I have to point out the touches of vintage silver (from the flatware to the candlesticks) that elevate the event from casual to glamorous! The natural setting does not hurt either...






The credits for this beautiful setting:
Tablescape Designers: Carter & Cook Event Company / Photographer: Sean Walker Photography / Florist: Red Floral Designs / Stationary: Posh Paperie / Rentals: Table, linen, Versailles Chairs, Classic Party Rentals / Location: Mission Gorge State Park, San Diego CA