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

Back In The Swing

I worked a day at Botanicals (the event design firm that I worked at for many years) again this week. It was so great to be around fresh flowers again!


This particular picture of these amazing hand-tied bouquets caught my eye. I LOVE garden roses, and these pink and peach ones are incredible! I also love them in combination with the whimsical yellow billy balls and wispy jasmine vines. I am a sucker for gobs of texture and sobet-ish color palates - so this is right up my alley. Yummy.

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: 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.

Peacock-palooza

I worked on this event a few months ago here in Chicago when I was with Botanicals. It was a wonderful success, as all the top wedding planners in the city were invited as the guests. The Ivy Room and Blue Plate Catering were the gracious hosts, and we designed the transformation of the space's lovely yet blank canvas!

I worked with both the lovely Kara Superfine and Jesse Deckard on the design of this unique event. We started off using a cool jewel-toned peacock feather as our inspiration. Jesse came up with the idea to create the gigantic orbs of actual feathers to hang from the ceiling above each and every table. The tables themselves were custom made of white lacquered wood complete with a platinum inlay (and were surrounded by acrylic ghost chairs...swoon!). The centerpieces were kept low to not obstruct the guests' view across the table, and were designed of a lush mass of fresh chartreuse viburnum and deep dark purple sweet pea designed in a white lacquered box. Warm candlelight completed each tablescape.

Additionally, a series of lounge settings were placed in front of each window bay creating intimate areas to enjoy a drink and good conversation. Each setting was made up of sleek yet comfortable white furniture, a white rug and a white square coffee table finished with a layer of horizontal peacock feathers carefully placed under the top glass. Completing each lounge was a dramatic display of deep blue taffeta curtains pulled back to perfectly frame a sparkling chandelier.

We are honored that Illinois Meetings + Events Magazine actually chose one of the photos as the cover shot for the current issue!

{all photos by Jai Girard}

Real Wedding: Patty and Ron

This is a wedding I worked on last year that took place at the Hotel 71 in Chicago. The best part about this ballroom is the spectacular views that you get from all sides. (Plus, it played its part as Batman's apartment in 'The Dark Knight'!)
































The first picture is of the place card table which was such a beautifully classic design with a modern twist. For the guest tables - we custom designed all the chic mirrored containers that the elegant spheres of white roses are set on. They perfectly imitate the mirrored columns that exist around the room, plus they add that much more interest with all the reflections of the skyscrapers, other tables, and flickering candlelight. That with the combination of crisp white table linens with the soft apple green seat cushions and napkins completes one of my favorite events of last year!

Wedding Design by Jesse Deckard of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs

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.

Toast, Taste, and Tour II

Here are the last few shots to share from Sunday's Toast, Taste, and Tour bridal event. This dinner table and cocktail table shown above were set up to show off what would be a lovely match with the rest of the event. These seasonal French tulips are SO beautiful right now - and check out those huge succulent blossoms down at the base of the flared crystal vase!  The smaller wooden box is packed full of fragrant peach hyacinth blossoms - one of my favorites!
































The custom canopy was covered in rich gold and dusky nile blue damask fabric which went so beautiful with the touches of gold (from the amazing chandeliers {thanks to Frost Lighting} as well as the urns and the rental dishes).  The featured flowers were all in tones of soft peach flowers. These amazing focal pieces placed at the end of the aisle featured so many beautiful flowers including open champagne roses, apricot parrot tulips, cognac anthurium, peach amaryllis, and garden stock. Love!

















Photos by Erica Barraca
Decor by Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs

Event Coordination by Kara Underwood of Magnificent Milestones

Toast, Taste, and Tour I

These are the first of some images that I wanted to share from an event I worked on this past weekend. I designed the following with the wonderful Kara Superfine of Botanicals, a branch of HM Designs for the Toast, Taste, and Tour bridal event put on by the adorable Kara Underwood of Magnificent Milestones.

It was a progressive event that took brides on a trolley led tour through four of Chicago's best venues. Our designs were featured in the historic Cafe Brauer in Lincoln Park Zoo. The event had a great turn out for a cold Sunday morning, and they were all happy to warm up while enjoying the delicious treats from The Entertaining Company (the white hot chocolate finished with a chocolate dipped marshmallow detailed with a bit of edible gold leaf was my personal favorite!).

These are some of the bouquets we made for the event. Each one was designed in a different style and color palette - to appeal to every taste! This first one of various tones of white, ivory, silver, and taupe was so elegant. Silver brunia berries and dusty miller foliage perfectly accented the open garden roses. The stems were gathered and bound in luxurious taupe velvet.
















This one is a vivid combination of rich raspberry and bold orange tones. Cattleya orchid blossoms and ruffly spray roses were combined with gloriosa lilies, ranunculus, and fresh kumquots (!). The bouquet was detailed with glossy green coffee foliage and coordinating satin ribbons.
















I loved every one of these bouquets - from the open peach amaryllis; to the fluffy white peonies; to the cascading and unusual anthurium; to the highly textural green collection of succulants, maidenhair fern, lotus pods, and cymbidium orchids!
















More to come on this fun afternoon!
Photos by Erica Baracca.

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...