Chicago Wedding Planner Five Grain Events

We've Moved!

2011-12-08T10:28:00.000-06:00

Five Grain Events has a newly re-designed website with blog incorporated! We are thrilled to show it off. If you're looking for new content, you can find it here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Joan, Sara, Lauren, and Shannon

Laura and Andy's Nautical Wedding in Connecticut 5.27.11

2011-11-09T13:20:00.001-06:00

Laura and I go way back. As juniors in college we ended up on the same Study Abroad program in Milan, Italy and had an amazing experience traveling all over Europe together. Since then, we've stayed in touch thanks to Laura's work schedule sending her to Chicago a couple times a year and her now husband, Andy, having grown up in the area. I was completely honored last spring when Laura asked me to help her out with the coordination side of things for her nautical-themed wedding over Memorial Day Weekend.

Laura and Andy decided to host their big day in Connecticut where the two of them had been living for the past few years. Since Laura's parents were out of town, they rented a gorgeous beach house in Norwalk, CT for the weekend so the ladies would have a place to hang out and get ready on wedding morning. You could not have asked for a better spot--tons of natural light and a view overlooking the water. While enjoying the view, Laura and her bridesmaids were prepped and pampered by the talented artists at Jennie Fresa Beauty Library.

Justin & Mary Photography

Meanwhile, the gents were hanging out at the hotel nearby. Andy wore this fabulous belt buckle to pay homage to the fact that the couple was moving to Austin, Texas immediately after their honeymoon. I'm sure he's fitting in well!!

Justin & Mary Photography

Laura's dress was absolutely stunning with applique flowers and a matching jacket for modesty during the ceremony. She was truly glowing!

Justin & Mary Photography

Before long it was time to head over to the ceremony, which was held at St. Philip Catholic Church in Norwalk. Laura and Andy were both incredibly calm--both just excited to be marrying their best friends. I think they both smiled through the entire ceremony!

Justin & Mary Photography

The photographers, Justin & Mary, have what they like to call "The 10 Minute Rule". Immediately after the ceremony, the couple takes ten minutes, just the two of them, with Justin and Mary. That way, those face-flushed, teary-eyed, "oh my gosh we're actually married", moments are captured without the chaos of family and friends' congratulations and stiff family portraits interrupting those feelings. I love the idea and think more photographers should take advantage. I mean, look at the pure emotion in these images!

Justin & Mary Photography

Laura's bouquet and all the florals from the wedding came from Stew Leonard's...a grocery store in town. These certainly don't look like your average grocery store blooms! That was my one disappointment during my trip out to Connecticut that I didn't get the chance to check out Stew's. I've heard it's an experience!

Justin & Mary Photography

Post-ceremony, the guests headed over to Wee Burn Beach Club for the reception. The club already had a nautical feel to it, but the couple's own special details, including handmade table runners "Captain" and "First Mate" signs for the bride and groom's chairs, and milk glass vases filled with yellow Billy Balls, really brought the whole look together.

Justin & Mary Photography

Laura's mom created this escort card display out of a cork board, batting, and the same fabric they used for the table runners. The cards were held in place by yellow map pins. Such a cute idea!

Justin & Mary Photography

While guests were mingling on the gorgeous patio, the bridal party got to take some group photos on the beach. You definitely can't replicate photos like these in Chicago! [clear]

Justin & Mary Photography

Before long the festivities had begun. The couple shared their first dance to the musical stylings of A Sound Choice by Groove Events, were toasted by loving friends and family, and ate their first meal as a married couple followed by tasty cupcakes from Cake Suite (Laura made all those adorable cupcake flags herself!).

Justin & Mary Photography

In addition to these fabulous photos by Justin & Mary, Laura and Andy were lucky enough to have their wedding day filmed by Red Shoe Film. Check out their wedding film, too!

Laura + Andy - Coming Soon Teaser from Brian Russell on Vimeo.

All in all it was a truly fantastic evening. Laura and Andy, I am so glad to have gotten the chance to work with you on such an important day in your lives. I hope you are enjoying Austin to the fullest!

Justin & Mary Photography

Laura & Andy's wedding was also featured on Style Me Pretty this fall! Check that out below.

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/10/21/rowayton-wedding-by-justin-mary/

Happy Anniversary, Kristen and Adam!

2011-11-07T09:15:00.000-06:00

A year ago yesterday, Kristen and Adam tied the knot at the Allerton Hotel, and then proceeded to have one of the wildest dance parties I've ever witnessed (they even pulled me on the dance floor a few times!).

I hope the two of you have spent the last 12 months having as much fun as you did that night!

Much love,

Joan

Elizabeth and Alex's Brunch Wedding at Chicago History Museum 05.01.11

2011-11-03T09:15:00.002-05:00

Elizabeth and Alex initially wanted to host their wedding at Elizabeth's parents' home on the North Shore, but when their list of their nearest and dearest began to exceed 150, they knew it just wasn't possible. Plus, with their guests coming from in from literally all over the world, they wanted to make sure everyone got to experience the best that Chicago has to offer. They decided, instead, to emulate the feeling of an at home event, with a morning wedding and brunch reception in the sun-soaked Chicago Room at the Chicago History Museum.

The morning began bright and early for the bride and her team. I met Elizabeth and her Maid of Honor, Brynne, at the Sofitel where Livia Caporale was hard at work on Elizabeth's hair and E's friend Kaylin was busy doing makeup.

Maypole Studios

The bride and groom shared their first look on the steps of Chicago History Museum. The weather was a total toss-up but it turned out to be a gorgeous sunny day. Everyone, especially the photographer, Bethany from Maypole Studios was thrilled with this serendipitous outcome. They took advantage of the sunshine indoors by signing their Ketubah in the new North & Clark Cafe.

Maypole Studios

While the room was changed over from ceremony to reception, delicious hors d'oeuvres were passed by Food for Thought staff and Larry King Orchestra provided a Bluegrass trio to play some tunes. During the last few minutes of cocktail hour, the musically-talented newlyweds (who met playing at a jam session in NYC) sat in with the trio and delighted the guests with a couple of their favorite Bluegrass numbers!

Maypole Studios

Brunch, which was served at long tables speckled with sweet terracotta pots and blue mason jars filled with mint, artichokes, and the most beautiful delicate early-spring blossoms created by Fleur, was where their homestyle vision really came to light. Following a plated salad, guests were each served a slice of quiche paired with a minted grape salad and potatoes along with traditional lox and bagels served family style. Guests ate and passed and chatted with family and friends--both old and brand new: exactly how the couple hoped the afternoon would be spent.

Maypole Studios

The toasts honoring Alex and Elizabeth were some of the best I have ever seen or heard. Elizabeth's parents wrote a rhyming poem that mentioned every single guest present at the wedding. Alex's brother, an accomplished singer, brought in his world-class barbershop quartet to dedicate a song to the couple. Even Alex's little niece got in on the action--she performed The Beatles' Love Me Do, with Alex backing up on the mandolin, for the crowd!

Maypole Studios

Brunch was over about 1:30pm and then it was time to party! Larry King Orchestra got the crowd up immediately--not an easy feat for a mid-afternoon reception--and the dance floor was packed until the bitter end. Guests were treated to one last surprise when Elizabeth's parents, who both play harmonica (aka blues harp), rocked out to a rendition of Walter's Boogie. It was almost too much to handle how ridiculously talented this crowd was!

Maypole Studios

Once their guests had said their goodbyes, Alex and Elizabeth freshened up and headed out for a final photo session with Maypole Studios. It was a nice perk of the morning event that they could take some time for some really relaxed photographs after the festivities had ended without worrying about a time crunch. Elizabeth's Caroline De Villo tea length eyelet dress looked just as beautiful as it had the moment she put it on.

Maypole Studios

It was such a pleasure working with this wonderful couple and their families on their unique and beautiful celebration. Congrats to you both!

E&A's wedding was also featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs this fall! Check that out below, and stay tuned for another feature in the next issue of Chicago Social Brides!

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2011/09/27/chicago-brunch-wedding/

Happy Anniversary, Stacey and Dave!

2011-10-31T09:15:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe it's been a year since Stacey and Dave's lovely wedding at the Westin O'Hare. I still remember like it was yesterday one of the sweetest moments I've ever seen at a wedding: Dave serenading Stacey and her dad for their Father-Daughter dance. So cute!

Congrats on making it through year #1 you two!

Much love,

Joan

Brook and Jesse's Farm Wedding at Heritage Prairie Farm 04.23.11

2011-10-26T09:15:00.002-05:00

On the cusp of Autumn, it's hard to remember WAY back to last spring when the warm breezes were only just beginning to make their way to the Midwest. Brook and Jesse were married at Heritage Prairie Farm on Easter Weekend this past April. It was a beautiful event filled with laughter and joy...and a couple power outages! Luckily this laid-back couple took it all in stride and were rewarded with their dream wedding!

The morning began with the ladies in the farm house, primping and preening before the festivities began. Hair and Makeup services were provided by some of my faves: Livia Caporale and Lillian Toma of Starlight. Rustic bouquets by Pollen and an invitation suite custom-created by Lily Red Studio really brought to life their farm chic concept.

james julius photography

Brook and Jesse decided to share a first look to take advantage of some of the fabulous outdoor settings on the farm. James Julius Photography was there to capture this intimate moment outside the farm house. I have to say, Jesse who was in the military, really keeps up the rough and tumble exterior. It made it all the more special to see emotional he got seeing his bride-to-be for the first time.

james julius photography

The crew headed out for some photos around the farm while Lauren and I got the ceremony and reception spaces ready. Brook and her sister had prepared the cutest DIY escort card set up featuring childhood photos of the bride and groom and table numbers supported on wine-cork stands. The table arrangements were the work of Heritage Prairie Farm staff and complimented Brook's burlap runners perfectly.

james julius photography

The one and only item Jesse requested for the wedding was that Guinness be served on tap. Despite major hurdles in the few days prior to the wedding, we made it happen! I learned more about how to set up a Guinness tap (which requires Nitrogen, in addition to CO2--didja know that??) than I ever thought I would. Guests definitely enjoyed this delicacy throughout the evening. :)

james julius photography

Soon it was time for the ceremony to begin. The floral geniuses at Heritage Prairie Farm created a stunning altar for the ceremony topped off by lights strung through the rafters and ferns around the barn perimeter. I swear it looked like something straight out of a fairy tale! As a nod to her cultural heritage, Brook placed Korean Wedding Ducks on the altar table representing the bride and groom.

james julius photography

The reception was held in a tent right next to the barn. Guests headed over and enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while Spencer from Style Matters DJs played some tunes. Dinner was served family style and featured locally-sourced ingredients: Watercress Salad, Braised Beef with Polenta and Micro Greens, Semi-boneless chicken breast with spinach and garlic mashed potatoes, and green & white asparagus. All delicious and beautifully presented. Dessert included cake and cupcakes from Sweet Dream Desserts.

james julius photography

Once the formalities had been completed it was time to party! And there was no shortage of things to do...there were folks getting crazy on the dance floor, guests in the photobooth provided by iDo Photobooths, and others roasting marshmallows for s'mores at the fire pit out back.

james julius photography

The coolest activity, however, was one that we weren't sure was going to be able to happen. All day it had been bright and sunny which was great, but also VERY breezy. At the end of the evening, HPMF offers wish lanterns for guests to send off into the night sky. With the wind going at the speed it had been, we weren't sure it would be safe since they are essentially lit on fire and had to be able to get enough altitude before starting to travel to make them feasible. Right around 10pm, the wind died down and our test lantern floated gracefully into the sky.

james julius photography

We invited all of Brook and Jesse's guests to come out and light their lanterns. It was a really magical way of including a physical manifestation of everyone's well wishes for the happy couple. I wonder what the bride and groom wished for?!

james julius photography

Thanks, you two, for including me as such a big part of your wedding planning process! It was a joy to see everything we worked so hard on come together flawlessly. I wish you both all the best in everything you've got planned for your future. xoxo

james julius photography

Happy Anniversary, Brittany and Dave!

2011-10-25T13:16:00.000-05:00

Happiest (belated) Anniversary to Brittany and Dave who were married October 23rd, 2010. Their wedding was a blast and we feel honored to have been included.

Steve Matteo Photography

Cheers to many, many, more,

Joan

Happy Anniversary, Laura & Derek and Ayelet & Aaron!

2011-10-10T13:14:00.000-05:00

We are celebrating two anniversaries at Five Grain today :) Laura & Derek were married a year ago yesterday; and Ayelet & Aaron were our 10-10-10 couple last year!

We are so grateful that you chose Five Grain Events to help you out on your big day, and wish you every happiness as you enter Year #2 of marriage.

Dory L. Tuohey Photography

Stephen Green Photography

Much love,

Joan & Sara

Happy Anniversary, Kristen and Joe!

2011-09-19T11:45:00.000-05:00

Photo by Colin Lyons Photography

It was a year ago Saturday that Kristen and Joe tied the knot at St. Mike's in Old Town and then partied it up with 100 of their nearest and dearest at A New Leaf. We hope you had a fabulous anniversary celebration! Thanks for including Five Grain Events as a member of your vendor team :)

Lots of Love,

Joan

p.s. Check out their original blogpost here to relive their fabulous wedding day!

Indie Wed July 2011

2011-07-25T21:16:00.000-05:00

Last week I had the pleasure of presenting at the Indie Wed bridal show at Room 1520. It was so much fun to come up with my tablescape along with Suzy from Lily Red Studio and Kelly Marie from Fleur.

Our inspiration was 1950s elegance, and the concept was sparked by these adorable "Bride" and "Groom" champagne glasses I found at a thrift store. Isn't it fun how the littlest things can spark your imagination? I asked my mom about weddings she attended as a little girl, looked at photos from my grandparents' wedding (though that was in the 1940s), and Suzy did lots of online research. After all that we came up with a peachy-pink and white color scheme with silvery gray accents.

Here are some of the photos from our setup. Floral by Fleur, paper products by Lily Red Studio and all photos by Suzy of Lily Red Studio!

We wanted to simulate a different way of doing place cards, so Suzy tied tiny escort cards to the bottoms of wine glasses (more thrift store finds!). Half of the glasses were filled with stunning peony blooms and half I had filled with soy wax to make into candles*! Either way, it's a nice little favor for your guests.

*Check out Bright Endeavors where I had the glasses made into candles. It's a great organization that gives young mothers job training before helping them find more permanent job opportunities.

The gorgeous centerpiece that Kelly Marie made for us!

Suzy had the fabulous idea to add some tulle under the tablecloth as a nod to 1950s dresses. I LOVE how it turned out!

It's always so much fun to be able to go a little crazy on these stylized table setups. Even though it's not likely that anyone will actually pin tulle under each and every table at their wedding, we hope you'll take some of these ideas to use for your wedding!

Attn: Industry Colleagues!

2011-07-14T13:23:00.000-05:00

I think most of you know that Kelly Marie Uss and I are the hosts of the new Chicago chapter of Thursday Therapy, a monthly networking group for wedding professionals. We had our innaugural event on Thursday, June 30th at Hotel 71 and are so excited to share the images from Jaclyn Simpson Photography. Read the blog post on the Thursday Therapy site:

THURSDAY THERAPY JUNE RECAP

Here's how excited Kelly and I are to be hosting such a fantastic group of people:

Jaclyn Simpson Photography

As I mentioned, this is a monthly event so we'd love to see you at the next one! Register for it here or sign up for our email list here (on the right side of the page) to be notified of the future events.

Can't wait to connect!

Joan

Wendy and Rob's Spring Wedding at Danada House 04.23.11

2011-06-30T13:58:00.000-05:00

We have another fabulous wedding coordinated by Sara to share with you! See what she has to say about Wendy and Rob's wedding day below :)

When planning an April wedding Chicagoland, it's hard to predict what the weather will be like. When Rob and Wendy hired us for their April 23^rdnuptials, they were hoping to have an outdoor ceremony. Days before the wedding, the forecast looked bad: calling for rain and temperatures below 50. Not exactly the springtime event they'd imagined. But lo and behold, it turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day without a drop of rain in sight!! Wendy and Rob decided to have their ceremony indoors anyway, but the 60-degree temperatures made the perfect backdrop for their wedding.

Brian Kinyon Photography

The day started off with hair and makeup appointments for Wendy and her bridesmaids at Zazu Salon and Spa in Downtown Wheaton. Then, everyone was off to the Hyatt Lisle for final prep and a bit of relaxation before the festivities began. Photographer Brian Kinyon arrived at the hotel to capture the bridal party getting ready.


Brian Kinyon Photography

My assistant and I checked in on the bridal party at the hotel before heading over to Danada House to begin setting up for the ceremony and reception. Once the bridal party arrived, Brian captured Wendy and Rob's "first moment." The pictures turned out beautifully--they were so full of love and laughter. Wendy was a beautiful bride and the photographs really capture just how happy they were.

Brian Kinyon Photography

What a dress!!!

Brian Kinyon Photography

Bridal party pictures followed. The location was a fantastic backdrop for their photographs--loooove the picket fence!--and it was a great group.

Brian Kinyon Photography

Once guests arrived, and the ketubah was signed, the ceremony began in the Danada House Atrium. The large windows allowed guests to take in the scenery while experiencing Wendy and Rob’s meaningful ceremony.

Brian Kinyon Photography

The ceremony ended and guests roamed around the house while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres deliciously prepared by True Cuisine. Every other vendor with a free hand changed over the Atrium from the ceremony setup to a setting fit for dinner and dancing. Within an hour, guests re-entered the room for dinner. The Atrium looked stunning...if I do say so myself...thanks especially to the amazing view and the florals designed by Shamrock Gardens (who did the ceremony and personal flowers as well).

Brian Kinyon Photography

Between the first two courses, Wendy and Rob's friends and family gave heartfelt speeches. After the entrée and the "special dances", the dance floor opened and it was time for dessert! For Rob and Wendy’s dessert course, they decided to do something every girl dreams of…a cake buffet! The cakes were not only beautiful, but most importantly they were absolutely delicious!! Most of them were provided by The Artful Baker, with one from Rose’s Wheat Free bakery for their gluten-free guests.


Brian Kinyon Photography

The guests danced until midnight to a playlist put together by Rob and Wendy and operated by Jeff from Just Press Play. The day couldn’t have been more beautiful and the bride and groom were truly a joy to work with. I cherished every moment, and I wish Rob and Wendy all the best in their new life together!!

Happy Anniversary, Megan and Aaron!

2011-06-21T10:46:00.002-05:00

Laura Witherow Photography

A few days late, but still wishing Megan and Aaron the happiest of anniversaries!!

Much love,

Sara and Joan

Check out their Five Grain Events blog post here and their Style Me Pretty feature here

Emily and Tom's Refined Rustic Wedding at Galleria Marchetti 03.19.11

2011-06-02T09:16:00.000-05:00

Amanda Hein Photography

I believe it was sometime in February when Emily connected with me about coordinating her mid-March wedding. With just weeks before her big day, she and Tom were beginning to realize that they may need a bit of additional help bringing together all of their fantastic DIY projects. I was happy to oblige, especially given their dream-team of vendors including Fleur and Amanda Hein Photography, and both the ceremony and reception taking place at Galleria Marchetti--a location quite close to my own heart :)

The morning began with the ladies getting hair and makeup done at Emily and Tom's immaculate condo in the West Loop. The decor even matched her wedding colors! The light was perfect and Amanda expertly captured the details and activities of the day (though there was no hustle and bustle--it was one of the calmest wedding mornings I've been a part of!).

Amanda Hein Photography

Once the gals were dressed, they grabbed their adorable Fleur-designed pomanders (and Emily her lush peony and ranunculus bouquet) and headed out in their Windy City Trolley to meet up with the boys for photos around the city.

Amanda Hein Photography

The boys got dressed at Courtyard Marriott (there was no "getting ready" per se..dontcha just love men?) and walked to the Tribune Building for Emily and Tom's first look. The weather was about as flawless a spring day as you could ask for in March. Upper 50s and bright sunshine!

Amanda Hein Photography

I always love the first look! :)

Amanda Hein Photography

The portraits from this group were so much fun! Emily had asked her bridesmaids each to wear a different brightly-colored shoe and jewelry of the bridesmaid's choosing with their navy dresses. What an adorable look--love it against the red door!

Amanda Hein Photography

This was an especially good-looking bridal party, and they had a great rapport: the perfect combo for killer portraits :)

Amanda Hein Photography

Before long it was time to head to Galleria Marchetti for the ceremony. Fleur really outdid themselves, and GM has made some great upgrades (including ceiling draping) since I had my wedding there. The backdrop at the end of the aisle and the string lights were expertly installed by The Meetinghouse. I don't think the Pavillion has ever looked better!

Amanda Hein Photography

As guests began to arrive, friends and family added leaves to an painting of a tree which Emily and Tom used as a guest book (an etsy purchase I believe!).

Amanda Hein Photography

Female guests were each handed a pashmina scarf as they entered the room and were greeted by the sweet sounds of Amber, their singer and guitarist.

Amanda Hein Photography

It was finally go-time. The bridal party lined up and processed down the aisle for a beautiful and heart-warming ceremony.

Amanda Hein Photography

After the ceremony ended, it was time to party, and the wedding guests were eager to start! Cocktailing began in the Galleria Room while the Marchetti staff flipped the Pavillion in record time. More of Emily and Tom's amazing details appeared: mad-libs for the guests to give advice to the couple (designed, along with the invitations and all other paper products, by Emily's bridesmaid Stephanie!), chalkboard seating charts made of old barn windows, and reclaimed barn-wood bar menus (p.s. the bride is selling some of those handmade items, so comment if you're interested in purchasing them!).

Amanda Hein Photography

The Fleur aisle arrangements were re-purposed for the dinner tables, and a Meetinghouse lighting change made for a festive atmosphere.

Amanda Hein Photography

Dinner flew by marked by speeches brimming with kind words and maybe a tear or two.

Amanda Hein Photography

I think one of my favorite moments of the whole evening was seeing Emily dance with her dad. You could just imagine the little girl dancing on her dad's toes...

Amanda Hein Photography

In a final grand gesture of wedding-awesomeness, Emily and Tom provided their guests with not only the decadent More Cupcakes, but also a fully color-coordinated candy bar and...wait for it...a HOT DOG CART!!

Amanda Hein Photography

The rest of the evening was filled with dancing, merriment, and a whole lotta love. Thanks to DJUj for the great MC-ing and fun music throughout the night.

Amanda Hein Photography

Emily and Tom, I feel so lucky to have played a part in your magnificent wedding. You were a joy to work with, and I wish you many, many years of martial bliss. Congratulations!

Amanda Hein Photography

My Other Gig

2011-05-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

How many people do you know who are actually working in the field they majored in during college? Of my closest friends I would say the rate is 50% or less—off the top of my head I can think of a Sociology Major (working in insurance), a Business Major (working in health care), and a Computer Sciences Major (working in marketing).

I actually have a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance. Even though my music degree doesn’t pay the bills, so to speak, I actually DO utilize my degree on a regular basis.

I sing with both a neighborhood choir (the Wicker Park Choral Singers) and the Chicago Symphony Chorus (CSC)—the chorus associated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra—and feel really lucky to get to use my instrument so often.

In April, the Grammy-award winning chorus (yes, we won a Grammy for Best Choral Performance, no each chorus-member doesn’t get our own statuette) traveled to NYC to sing at Carnegie Hall. It was an AMAZING experience, and I wanted to share a few pics from the trip here.

I got to stay with one of my best friends while I was there. She has a great apartment on the Upper West Side.

No big deal, just walked through Central Park on my way to rehearsal.

They weren’t barring entrance—just had some scaffolding up. Couldn’t resist the pic!

How many people get a chance to have this view of Carnegie Hall?? We rehearsed both Friday and Saturday afternoon before performing Verdi’s Otello and Berlioz’s Lelio (a companion piece to Symphonie Fantastique).

Todd Rosenberg Photography

We're ready to go on stage!

Todd Rosenberg Photography

Here we are performing Otello on Friday night. I am the 7^th person in from the left—third row.

Todd Rosenberg Photography

The Lelio on Saturday was really interesting…it was a performance piece and we sang much of it in the dark, reading our music from individual lights on our folders. Gerard Depardieu was the narrator.

I was lucky enough to have my own private cheering section at the second performance. My parents, husband, and in-laws all flew out from Chicago. My brother and his girlfriend who live in New Jersey, my aunt from Long Island, and my good friend Lauren and her boyfriend also came to see my debut! After the concert we went to Little Italy for an UNBELIEVABLY decadent and delicious family-style meal.

Yum!!!

Well, thanks for indulging me on a non-event-related topic. I just had to share this incredible experience with you.

Au revoir...

2011-05-06T07:46:00.000-05:00

Good morning blog fans! Sorry about the absence. I had hoped to have some fabulous posts ready for you while I was away but, alas, busy season got away from me.

So, I just popped in to bid you all a brief adieu because I'm off to...

:) We'll have so many things to talk about when I get back, including recaps of a few amazing weddings!

Have a great week!

Joan

Paula and Clayton's Winter Wedding at The Joffrey Ballet 02.26.11

2011-04-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

I know Clayton from my days as a 9-5er (seems so long ago, and yet it's been less than a year!!). He and Paula hired me last summer for their wedding at The Joffrey in February. They had selected their date based on the availability of St. Vincent De Paul. And can you blame them? The church is stunning!

Shane Welch Photography

Paula is a Type A personality, like me, which meant that I knew I had nothing to worry about in terms of having all the necessary information for the wedding day. It also meant that she and I were both slightly concerned about her ability to just relax and hand over the reins on wedding day. When I arrived in Paula's room at TheWit on the morning of her wedding, however, I was greeted by a supremely calm Paula! She was totally relaxed as her sister, Christine, worked on her hair and makeup. Thumbs up!

Shane Welch Photography

The guys were hanging out in Clayton's sister's room, so they were lucky enough to be joined by one of the three Flower Girls, Clayton's niece, Bailee. Poor little girl had a cold but did GREAT! She even sat still long enough for her mom and aunt to put curlers in her hair. :)

Shane Welch Photography

Before we knew it, it was time to get everybody dressed and out the door. The gentlemen took off first so they would have time for a short photo session with the photographer, Shane Welch. It was cold out but for February the weather was really cooperating! Plus snow photos look pretty cool.

Shane Welch Photography

After the guys headed north in the limo, Paula and her two bridesmaids got dressed. I love the intimacy of a bridal party made up of only family members. The wedding colors were black and white with pops of red. Bouquets from Belmonte's Florist and brought out the color beautifully--and the texture was great, too.

Shane Welch Photography

It all becomes real when you head to the ceremony!

Shane Welch Photography

Paula and Clayton's ceremony was co-officiated by a priest who is a friend of Clayton's family and Clayton's father, Randy, who is a Deacon. It made the grand space of St. Vincent's feel like home and a little less formal.

Shane Welch Photography

They're married!!

Shane Welch Photography

Post-Ceremony, the guest headed directly to The Joffrey for cocktails while the bridal party braved the cold for a few photo ops with Shane. They put the umbrellas and galoshes to good use!

Shane Welch Photography

The Joffrey only recently opened their rehearsal space to private events, and Paula and Clayton had the distinction of being the FIRST wedding in the space! It was gorgeous and a fantastic deal for a downtown wedding with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking State St., and Randolph.

Shane Welch Photography

The bridal party was announced into the room by the wonderful Laura from Toast & Jam DJs and then toasts began. Instead of floral centerpieces, Paula and her family created these vases bursting with red glittery poofs. Yea, I was skeptical on hearing the description as well, but in person they were the perfect accent to their chic winter wedding, don't you think??

Shane Welch Photography

There was definitely no shortage of food at this wedding! Five courses of amazing home-style Italian made their way out to guests in seemingly endless quantities. Thanks to Cuzzin's Catering for including us vendors in the delicious cuisine. After dinner we were treated to traditional Italian pastries by Cuzzin's and mini cupcakes by More.

Shane Welch Photography

The newlyweds kicked off the dancing with some impressive moves from their dance classes, complete with a dip.

Shane Welch Photography

After they were done, the room remained abuzz with guests talking, laughing, and dancing until the lights came up!

Shane Welch Photography

Paula and Clayton, it was such a pleasure to take part in your wedding day. You deserve all the happiness in the world! Can't wait to hang out now that we're neighbors in L-Square :-D

Shane Welch Photography

Speakeasy Soiree

2011-03-29T07:38:00.000-05:00

Hello blog fans! Sorry about the short absence but there have been some exciting things happening with Five Grain Events...more to come on all of that fun stuff over time :).

Meanwhile, Five Grain Events has a new addition! Lauren Boerman has joined the team and Sara and I are thrilled to have her. On the 15th I hosted a fun little wedding vendor get-together, and Lauren was nice enough to write up the blog post on it. See below for some photos of the event, courtesy of Lizz Sisson of Studio Starling, Suzy Rohan of Lily Red Studio, and 312photobooth.

Last week, Five Grain Events had the pleasure of being a part of Speakeasy Soiree--a prohibition-themed networking event for wedding professionals--at Jordan's Food of Distinction along with our friends from Fleur, Lily Red Studio, 312photobooth, Cacao Sweets & Treats, BBJ Linen, DJ Sasha Savic, and Studio Starling. We had a roaring good time!

Guests were greeted with the password to gain entry to the event.

Photo by Studio Starling

The invitations as well as all the collateral design pieces were created by Suzy of Lily Red Studio. They really helped to realize the 1920s theme.

Photo and Design by Lily Red Studio

JFOD was the perfect space for mixing and mingling--BBJ Linen was kind enough to provide the gorgeous eggplant linens.

Photo by Studio Starling

In the twenties, partygoers drank from teacups to conceal their illegal beverages. To keep with the theme everyone was encouraged to sip their Mint Juleps out of vintage teacups.

Photo by Studio Starling

The food looked and tasted fabulous. JFOD outdid themselves!

Photo by Studio Starling

Kelly Marie from Fleur provided beautiful white floral and feather centerpieces in mercury glass vases to accent JFOD's chic decor. The mercury glass votives enhanced the room's swanky feel. She even took lables off liquor bottles to hold a bloom or two on the highboys. Uugh, SO FUN!

Photos by Studio Starling

Cacao's sweets were to die for. Did they happen to eat dessert first in the twenties?

Photo by Studio Starling

Guests had a great time seeing old friends and meeting new... some even took the evening's theme to heart and dressed to impress.

Photo by Studio Starling

Ok, so we kind of cheated and had modern music, but DJ Sasha Savic's tunes definitely kept up the party atmosphere.

Photo by Studio Starling

Enjoying the company of some industry friends

Photo by Studio Starling

Everyone got into the fun of the photobooth with 20s-themed props. Tommy gun anyone?

Photo by Studio Starling

And of course the ladies of Five Grain Events hopped in to take some official company photos!

Photos from 312photobooth

It was a great night! Thanks to everyone who came out and made it a blast.

Gratitude

2011-03-05T09:00:00.174-06:00

I would wager that most successful entrepreneurs can pinpoint something specific that helped their business grow from an unpredictable start-up to a sustainable business.

Photo by Laura Witherow Photography

My "thing" is Kelly Marie Uss from Fleur. :) A year ago today Kelly and I met for lunch to get to know each other. I had heard great things about Fleur and so referred her to my October 10th wedding. That evening was the rehearsal for my first wedding as Five Grain Events.

Photo by Joe Gallo Photography

As we chatted I got to hear Kelly's story of how she started in the business--it was an incredibly easy conversation. All of a sudden I felt comfortable enough to ask her a question I hadn't had anyone to ask before...and then another...and then another. I walked away from our lunch armed with a list of fabulous vendors to meet with and a renewed feeling of confidence.

Photo by Dory Tuohey Photography

A few weeks later I got a great phone call--a bride looking for a day-of coordinator, referred by Kelly Marie. Megan ended up booking as did four other 2010 brides. Over half of my weddings in 2010 were with Fleur and from those 6 I have gotten 4 referrals--and it's only March.

Photo by Timothy Whaley Photography

I don't even want to try to quantify how much Kelly's referrals will mean for Five Grain Events. But I do want to say how much her encouragement and friendship has meant to me personally over the past year. As a new planner, Kelly helped me gain the confidence I needed to feel comfortable in my new role as an "expert in my field". (Ok, I still don't feel comfortable calling myself an EXPERT, but I'm getting there!).

Photo by Stephen Green Photography

Since I haven't been able to properly thank Kelly for everything she's done (what could I do? send flowers??) I thought this would be a way to commemorate the one-year mark of our great relationship.

Photo by Stephen Green Photography

I hope that one day I can be as inspiring to a newcomer in the wedding industry as Fleur has been to me. And in the meantime I'm happy just to be collaborating with another fantastically fabulous Logan Square wedding vendor! <3

Five Grain Events has been published!

2011-03-02T09:00:00.002-06:00

Check out some tips Five Grain Events submitted to Brides Chicago on what should be included in out of town welcome bags...

Brides.com

Cool People (Places) Volume XVIII: Greenhouse Loft

2011-02-16T09:00:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite Chicago venues for a smaller soiree is West Loop Studio. Featuring light wood floors, and an airy and warm feel...it's the perfect location to mimic the idea of having a wedding at your own home--but without all the cleanup. :) In fact, it was featured here as one of my original "cool people" posts last summer. That's why I was shocked to learn that beginning in November 2011, West Loop Studio will be closing its doors. But fear not! Something even better is on the horizon...

Greenhouse Loft is a brand new event space run by Steve Ewert and Jamie Kelter of West Loop Studio-fame. The new space will be housed inside the Green Exchange, a Platinum LEED certified retail/office building in the Logan Square neighborhood. Greenhouse Loft is currently in the build-out phase, but will have such incredible features as a green roof, solar thermal panels, and even a "green escalator" that will have occupancy sensors to use 30% less energy than a traditional one!

Of course, eco-friendly is important, but I'm sure what you're thinking is: "what does this place look like??"

Check out some of these renderings to see what's in store. Even if it didn't have the LEED certification, this would be an absolutely stunning venue to host a wedding or event.

The outside of the Green Exchange:


Greenhouse Loft

Inside the event space...floor to ceiling windows. You can see why it's called "The Greenhouse".

Greenhouse Loft

This is the garden your guests will overlook from the glass room...sigh...


Greenhouse Loft

If you want to take a look at the space in person, they are beginning tours in the spring! Greenhouse Loft is the perfect setting for the eco-chic bride. Contact Jamie for more info.

Cool People Volume XVII: Pollen

2011-02-10T09:00:00.001-06:00

I am very excited that in a few weeks I get to attend a workshop put on by the Chicago Green Wedding Alliance. It is geared specifically toward planners and is going to give me the tools to help my clients create "greener" weddings. Given the timing, I thought this is the perfect opportunity to introduce Lynn Fosbender, who is a founding member of the CGWA!

Pollen

Lynn and I were introduced by Jamie Kelter who is the venue manager at West Loop Studio, a photo studio and event space. (Jamie is also working on a new exciting venue--post to come shortly...stay tuned!). Lynn started Pollen a couple years ago after spending time working with other florists. With her background in horticulture and brilliant personality (stop blushing, Lynn!) it was the perfect time to launch out on her own.

Pollen...photo by Matushek Photography

What's really exciting, though, is that over the last several months Pollen has been transitioning to become a strictly eco-friendly florist. What does that mean, exactly? Lynn wrote a great post on just that subject...I've excerpted a bit below, but make sure to read her whole post here:

-Designing in water, not floral foam
-Working with sustainably grown flowers
-Working with the seasons
-Considering the life of the centerpiece after the event
-Supporting the community
-Working to reduce, reuse, and recycle

Pollen

If you are looking for a florist who can do absolutely beautiful work, while still maintaining a green focus, you should definitely give Pollen a call. And if you're just looking for a really talented floral designer...well you should head over to Pollen as well!

Pollen

Pollen is working on a Five Grain Events wedding at the end of April, so you'll get to see her work on the blog sometime this spring (gosh, that seems so far away, doesn't it??). Can't wait!

Kristen and Adam's Chic Downtown Wedding at The Allerton

2011-02-08T08:59:00.000-06:00

Kristen and Adam's wedding was the last hurrah for the Five Grain Events 2010 wedding season--and it couldn't have been a more perfect ending. The day began with hair and makeup in a bright and sunny suite at The Allerton Hotel. Kristen had her four bridesmaids with her (including her 9-month pregnant cousin, Katie, who looked absolutely FABULOUS!). When she put on her incredible wedding gown, the gasps and the giggles said it all. :)

Timothy Whaley Photography

The ladies got to choose their own red shoes to go with their black bridesmaid dresses. SO FUN!

Timothy Whaley Photography

I always love the contrast between where the ladies get ready for the wedding and where the guys do. As long as there is beer and TV, the fellas never seem to mind. ;)

Timothy Whaley Photography

Kristen and Adam chose to do a first look so that they could get some great photos outside at the Museum Campus prior to the ceremony. Lucky for us, the other ballroom at The Allerton was not in use so they shared their private moment there.

Timothy Whaley Photography

While the bridal party was off on their photo shoot with Jeannette and Lisa from Timothy Whaley Photography; my assistant, Sara, and I were setting up for the ceremony and reception.

Timothy Whaley Photography

Kelly Marie Uss from Fleur once again created a gorgeous floral look for Kristen and Adam's black, white, and red color scheme, and Kristen's mom took on all the paper products. It was a wonderful group effort!

Timothy Whaley Photography

Before long, the bridal party had returned to The Allerton and it was time for the ceremony. They included traditions from both Jewish and Christian services and Kristen's cousin, Dan, officiated. It was really personalized--I absolutely ADORED the readings they selected.

Timothy Whaley Photography

The guests filed out of the ballroom where the ceremony had taken place so that The Allerton's staff could flip the room. Fleur's centerpieces were stunningly simple against the backdrop of the funky carpet and ornate stone windows of the old "Tip Top Tap".

Timothy Whaley Photography

Kristen and Adam's sisters served as Maid of Honor and Best Woman respectively. After K&A's first dance they gave heartwarming speeches, regaling all the guests with stories of the couple's relationship.

Timothy Whaley Photography

Dinner passed by quickly in order to get to Kristen's favorite part of the night--DANCING! I don't think I've ever seen anyone so excited to dance as Kristen was when she ran onto the dance floor for the Bridal Party dance to Outkast's Hey Ya. The enthusiasm was shared by Kristen and Adam's friends and family. Noah (aka DJ Weaponry) from Style Matters did a great job of keeping the party going the whole night.

Timothy Whaley Photography

The desert buffet was opened at 10pm--cupcakes and mini dulce de leche cakes from Bombon--and by 10:10 the spread was COMPLETELY GONE! I've never seen anything like it! I had to go begging guests to give up their sweets so I could make sure Kristen and Adam got one for themselves :)

It was a really wonderful evening and everyone walked away with smiles on their faces. Kristen and Adam, it was an absolute pleasure working with both of you! Let's stay in touch. :)

Stacey and Dave's Personalized Wedding at the Westin O'Hare 10.30.10

2011-01-12T09:15:00.003-06:00

Happy 2011! It feels great to be back to blogging weddings after several weeks off for holiday fun. Don't get me wrong--I loved spending time with friends and family, sleeping in, and eating myself silly; but there's something so refreshing about getting refocused and re-energized at the start of a new year.

I was introduced to Stacey and her mom, Linda, just a few months prior to their late-October wedding by Kelly Marie Uss of Fleur. Stacey and her (now) husband Dave met many years ago as campers at a summer camp, but their love blossomed when they returned later in life as counselors. Anyone who has attended camp knows that by the end of the summer everyone feels like family! Stacey and Dave wanted to mimic that feeling on their wedding day and so chose to have both their ceremony and reception at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont where their guests could all stay and be together for the whole weekend.

The day began with the ladies getting their hair and makeup done in a big suite at the Westin. They had plenty of food, good music, mimosas, and lots of memories to share. The stylists from The Best and Teddie Kossof were already hard at work by the time I arrived. Mike and Salvador from Timothy Whaley & Associates did a great job capturing all the events of the day.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

In the meantime, Dave and his groomsmen were in a separate room, doing the usual guy things...I believe poker, football, and beer were involved (in no particular order).

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Since they were having an evening wedding, the morning preparations were relatively relaxed. Once "go time" hit, though we all bustled about to get ready for Stacey and Dave's first look. The guys' and girls' rooms were several floors apart so I spent a lot of time riding the elevators upstairs and downstairs delivering messages, pinning boutonnieres, and tightening corsets.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Dave wanted to make sure their first meeting was completely private, so Stacey and Dave saw each other for the first time alongside of the hotel where none of their arriving family would be able to sneak a peek.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

After the soon-to-be married couple shared their private moment, they joined the rest of their bridal party out in front of the hotel for portraits and some family pictures indoors. (Don't let the gorgeous light fool you--it was quite chilly and windy outside! Not for the faint of heart.).

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Stacey and Dave invited their immediate families to join them as they signed their ketubah prior to the wedding ceremony. As a nod to the place they met and later fell in love, they asked their camp director and his wife to sign the ketubah as witnesses and their children were the flower girl and ring bearer. The group sang and said prayers over the couple wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Meanwhile, guests had begun to arrive. The guest book featured engagement photos of Stacey and Dave. Surrounding the book we set up portraits of their parents and grandparents on their wedding days. Inside the ballroom the ceremony was lit with candles. Floral pieces (created by the ever-wonderful Fleur) that would later be re-purposed as table centerpieces lined the aisle. Stacey asked that the room be set up with more chairs per row than usual so that it was wider than it was long. The resulting atmosphere was more intimate than grand.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

The ceremony was brief yet meaningful. Rather than performing the traditional version of the Jewish custom of circling, Stacey circled Dave 3 times, Dave circled Stacey 3 times, and then the couple circled one another. They also shared the cup of wine with their whole family rather than only between the two of them. I love seeing the way couples choose to personalize their ceremonies!

Timothy Whaley & Associates

After the ceremony, everyone was ready to party! The newly married couple slipped away for a few minutes alone while the rest of the guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers just outside the ballroom. Inside the room was being changed over from ceremony to reception. Once it was ready everyone headed back inside for cake cutting and the first dance. The dance floor was alive from before the first course was even served thanks to their fabulous band, Great Life Music.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

The grandfathers of the Bride and Groom gave blessings before dinner was served. Dave's grandfather is deaf so he signed the Hamotzi and Kiddush while Stacey's grandfather spoke them. Stacey's dad and sister and Dave's brother all gave heartfelt and well-spoken toasts.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

One of the sweetest things I've ever seen at a wedding was Stacey and her dad's father-daughter dance. Dave played guitar and sang while the band backed him up on "You Look Wonderful Tonight". I don't think there was a dry eye in the house!

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Stacey and Dave were among the first of their friends to be married, and it was clear that all of their guests were incredibly excited for this event! I don't think I saw an empty dance floor until midnight.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

If you are debating whether or not to do a bouquet toss at your wedding, my advice would be to ask yourself this question: will there be a battle for the bouquet? If the answer is yes then it is clear that you should, indeed, do the toss! Luckily, that turned out to be the case here. :)

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Stacey and Dave, you were both a joy to work with. It always makes me feel like I did my job when the bride and groom (and their parents!) can just let loose and have a great time--and you all definitely did. Mazel Tov--I wish you all the joy you shared on your wedding day and a thousand times more in your lifetime together.

Timothy Whaley & Associates

Happy Birthday Five Grain Events!

2011-01-07T09:34:00.000-06:00


Source

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Five Grain Events becoming an official business (or so says the State of Illinois) :)

It's hard to believe that one year ago I wrote this blog entry. Since then so much has happened! Here's a brief list of Five Grain Events' accomplishments this year:

-Got a dedicated phone number {773-359-3106}, email address {joan at fivegrainevents dot com}, website, facebook page, and twitter handle for FGE

-Brought on an associate planner, Sara

-Blogged 16 "cool people" posts and met about a gazillion more that are still on my list to write about

-Left my full-time job (whoah!)

-Hosted a Tweet-Up for other vendors in the industry

-Was featured on Simply Jessie Photography's blog about business owners (a two-parter! Part 1, Part 2)

-Was published on Style Me Pretty for Megan and Aaron's wedding (thanks to the gorgeous work or Fleur and Laura Witherow)

-Wrote an article on how to select the perfect venue for ChicagoWeddingVenues.com

-Successfully planned/coordinated 11 events in 2010 (and blogged about many of them--still two more to come) and booked over 20 weddings for 2010/11/12

I could never have done all this without the support and love I got from all of you! I can't thank you enough for helping me make my dreams come true.

Here's to an even more exciting 2011!

Love, love, love,

Joan

Choosing the right venue

2010-12-16T09:00:00.001-06:00

I recently wrote an article on the importance of choosing the right wedding venue for a great website called Chicago Wedding Venues. This site offers photos submitted by some of the city's best photographers of wedding venues in the Chicago area (city and suburbs). How many of us have been turned off by the website photos of a certain venue only to visit in person and be wowed? If you're in the market for your ideal wedding venue, definitely check the site out!

You can read my original article here on the site, or see below. I hope you find it helpful! What are some of your favorite venues in the Chicagoland area?

The Importance of Choosing the Right Venue

After selecting your life partner, your choice of venue is the most important decision you’ll make during the wedding planning process! The venue defines your event style: formal or casual; soft and romantic, or bright and cheerful. It will even determine how well your other vendors can do their jobs: the lighting affects your photographer, your band or DJ will thank you if your dance floor is placed among your tables instead of at the far end of the room, etc. Once you have the perfect venue the stage is set for all of your other planning decisions. I’ve included here the major aspects you should consider as you begin your search.

Budget Don’t just compare rental fee to rental fee—consider what is included. Some venues come with tables and chairs for your use while others include the use of the space only. Those rental items certainly add up, so make sure you’ve gotten the whole story.

Capacity It is equally as uncomfortable to have one hundred guests seated in a ballroom intended for five hundred as it is to try to squeeze 300 guests into a room with the capacity for 250. All venues have a max capacity that they will likely have on their website or in their information packets, but one of my favorite questions to ask a venue coordinator is what their ideal number of guests is in a room—enough to fill the space but not feel crowded. Before you begin with the search have a good idea of your invitation list (and remember to account for the 10-25% of your list that will decline).

Logistics If you plan to be married at a location other than the reception venue, think about how your guests will get from one place to another—will you provide transport or are you expecting your guests to drive themselves? If you are holding the ceremony on-site, will it be outside? If so, have a contingency plan in place ahead of time that the venue staff, your caterer, and all others involved are comfortable with. Plan to hold the ceremony in the same room as the reception? Make certain you have a place for your guests to have cocktails while the room setup is changed over.

Style As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, your venue sets the tone for your event. If you have always wanted “country chic,” dragging hay bales into the Marriott Grand Ballroom won’t do the trick. The same goes for trying to create a romantic and opulent feel with the stark clean lines of the Art Institute Modern Wing. Let the space guide the décor—don’t force it!

Feel Don’t ignore that little voice in your head! If your gut tells you “this place is the one,” go for it! At this point in your planning almost nothing is set in stone, so allow yourself the luxury of changing your original ideas about wedding date, guest count, and style to match with your dream venue.

CHARACTERISTICS TO AVOID

Aside from these categories, there are some other characteristics to avoid in a venue as you are learning about each venue. I am personally not a fan of the venues where multiple events will be taking place at once. No matter what the catering manager says, you CAN hear the music from the other party, and it is incredibly awkward when your soft-spoken grandmother begins her pre-dinner blessing while Get Low is blasting from the other room.

Read reviews of the venue on Yelp, Wedding Wire, and other rating sites. If you see couples talking about hidden fees or impossible-to-deal-with venue contacts it may not be worth the trouble. By discounting both the highest and lowest rated reviews you should be able to get a pretty good read on the average couple’s experience.

Finally, as important as it is to use a good feeling to allow yourself to choose a venue you might not have otherwise, if you get a bad vibe from a venue, head the other way! Instincts can be a powerful indicator of the way you’ll feel spending one of life’s most important days there.

TOP 5 QUESTIONS

Below is a list of some of the questions I hear a lot from clients as we enter the venue selection process.

1. What is included? This can vary greatly from place to place. Make sure you get a complete list of everything the venue has for your use so you can take stock of what you’ll have to bring in.

2. How long will we have to set up? Most venues allow you an hour or two on either end of your rental period for setup and tear down. Anything beyond that can cost extra. These details should be listed in either their information sheets or on the contract.

3. Where will my guests park? If your venue is in the city parking can be a major factor in your guests’ experience at your wedding. If there is not a lot specifically intended for the venue, ask about valet or nearby lots that can be rented.

4. Are there any rules applying to my on-site ceremony? Some venues have rules about use of candles, where food or beverage can be consumed, or even whether or not religious ceremonies are allowed! If you plan to hold your ceremony on-site, ask these questions first. You wouldn’t want to be surprised after it is too late.

5. Does the venue keep a preferred vendor list? If you have your heart set on a specific cake vendor, florist, or caterer, ask if the venue has any mandates about who is allowed to work in their space.

TOP 3 VENUES

It is so tough to decide on a favorite when each venue seems to be “perfect” for a different couple. I’ve given my favorites here in three categories:

Traditional and Romantic: Any of the Chicago Cultural Center’s three spaces are perfect for creating a classically beautiful wedding environment. You can’t go wrong with the ornate ceilings, Tiffany Domes, and cultural significance (it was formerly the Chicago Public Library) of this stunning space. Plus, its central location means your guests are within walking distance of many of Chicago’s major attractions like the Art Institute, Millennium Park, and Symphony Center.

Funky and Eclectic: You won’t have to worry about anyone calling your wedding “ho hum” if you host it at Salvage One! Your guests will spend the cocktail hour wandering amongst Salvage One’s architectural salvage and furniture finds (they can even purchase something if they fall in love with it!). Or, on a nice day send them out to mingle in the courtyard with the bathtub waterfall and altar surrounded by a moat. The upstairs holds the band or dj, dining tables, and one of the largest bars you’ll find this side of Clark Street. Just before wedding day, walk around the store with Salvage One staff so they can move your favorite pieces up as part of a lounge setup!

Natural Beauty: Garfield Park Conservatory is a natural haven on the west side of Chicago. Your guests get to enter through a tropical rainforest as they head into the reception room inside the conservatory. In the summer, ceremonies are hosted on the Blue Stone Patio just outside of the desert exhibit and overlooking a grassy knoll. And, any areas of the conservatory they missed going to and from your wedding sites guests can explore throughout the evening. Lower your wedding’s carbon footprint by encouraging guests to arrive by public transit—Garfield Park Conservatory is just steps away from the Green Line’s Conservatory/Central Park stop!

Brittany and Dave's Classic Wedding at the Odyssey Country Club 10.23.10

2010-12-09T09:00:00.001-06:00

Brittany and Dave's wedding was definitely one of the most entertaining weddings I had the pleasure of being a part of last year. I knew the bride and groom from college, but interestingly enough, they were referred to me by my downstairs neighbor (thanks Todd!) without him even knowing the connection! Britt and Dave wanted a great big party for a wedding reception and that's definitely what they got, as I'm sure you'll see from the photos, all courtesy of Steve Matteo Photography.

I met the ladies at their suite at the Holiday Inn bright and early on Saturday morning as they were beginning to trickle in from their hair appointments at D'Marie Salon in Frankfort. The lovely Tiffany Berry of Flawless by Tiffany got to work on Brittany's makeup while the bridesmaids got to work on their mimosas. :)

Steve Matteo Photography

Unfortunately the weather forecast was not looking good. It had been pouring all morning and there was no sign of it letting up! Luckily Britt's step-mom, Karen, was prepared with several large umbrellas and galoshes for Brittany.

Steve Matteo Photography

Before long, the flowers had arrived and it was time to get dressed! Brittany's gown was a lovely silk shantung with a few crystals for accent--so simple and beautiful. The Bridesmaids donned elegant long navy dresses while the Maid of Honor (Britt's twin sister, Ashley) wore the same dress in a deep purple which matched the sash on Brittany's dress. The four lady ushers wore purple dresses of their own choosing. The Enchanted Florist did an amazing job with some of the most vibrant blues and purples I've ever seen featured in the bouquets.

Steve Matteo Photography

Meanwhile Dave and his groomsmen were getting ready at Dave's parents' house nearby. While the ladies had been up since the crack of dawn for hair, make-up, and prep; I'm pretty sure the guys spent 95% of the time sitting and drinking and about 10 minutes on the "getting ready" part. It always cracks me up how quickly a groom can get ready for one of the most important days of his life!

Steve Matteo Photography

Much to our surprise and contrary to all weather reports, the clouds broke and they were able to fit in a few outdoor shots before the ceremony. I love this one of the guys with their beer bottles!

Steve Matteo Photography

Brittany and Dave had a lovely nuptial mass at the beautiful and modern St. Stephen's Catholic Church. They did a wonderful job of incorporating family members into the ceremony and making sure everyone felt included.

Steve Matteo Photography

Post-ceremony, as soon as family photos were done, it was time to party! The bridal party hopped on a limo bus for a few photos while Sara and I headed over to the Odyssey Country Club to set up. The couple definitely put their personal touches on every part of the day. They had a slideshow of photos from infancy to current times going in one corner of the room, little after-dinner mints placed on each table for their guests' enjoyment, and bottles of wine as their alternative to a guest book! As big oenophiles, they chose to put out 10 bottles (one for each of the first 10 years of marriage) for guests to sign. Now for each anniversary they will get to relive their special day by reading the notes and messages from their friends and family.

Steve Matteo Photography

Britt and Dave kicked off the evening by cutting their DELICIOUS, and I mean delicious, cake from Creative Cakes. They were good...no cake smashing, just enjoyment.

Steve Matteo Photography

We all enjoyed a family style dinner and heard toasts from the Fathers of the bride and groom as well as Maid of Honor, Ashley, and Dave's Best Man, (Dave's brother) Brian. As soon as dinner was over it was like a gun shot went off. Everyone hit the dance floor and it was packed immediately and for the rest of the night. Matt from Electric Blue Entertainment kept the party alive and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely! There may have even been an icing or two (or twenty?) Hilarious. My favorite kind of wedding :)

Steve Matteo Photography

Now just in case my flowing prose didn't describe how much fun was had at their wedding, I've included a short video clip for you to watch. Brittany and Dave rented flip cams from Story Mix Media. As part of the package, post-wedding they shipped back the cams and Story Mix edited all the footage and put it together in this montage for them. So cool, right?

Brittany and Dave, I enjoyed every minute--of working with you for your wedding. Cheers to you both, and all the best for a lifetime of love and happiness!

Steve Matteo Photography

Cool People Volume XVI: Avery House

2010-12-01T09:00:00.002-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of having dinner with an amazing group of folks. The get-together was the brain-child of the lovely bride and groom, Amy and Matt, and the purpose was simply to get their "dream team" (aka wedding vendors) together prior to their May wedding so that by the time the big day rolled around we'd all feel like a family. And clearly, it worked! Amy and Matt really have compiled a fabulous team to bring together on their wedding day. I've already featured some of them on the blog here: Elan from I Do Films was there (here's my post about I Do), Dena from Toast & Jam came (here's my post about T&J), and Matt and Stevi from Avery House. And here's my...oh wait! I haven't featured Avery House yet! So here we go :)

Matt and Stevi were some of the first people I heard about in the industry but it actually took the middle of this summer before I was able to meet Stevi in person (and I didn't meet Matt until last night!!). As Stevi and I were having breakfast together in August, I was struck with how incredibly humble she was, and yet SO passionate about the work she and Matt do. You should have seen her eyes lighting up when she was describing a service trip to Mexico they were organizing with other photographers.

Honestly, their photos could be straight out of a magazine. They are constantly looking for new inspiration and developing their skills and style by putting together test shoots. Just recently they moved into a new studio along with I Do Films to build, in my humble opinion, one of the most amazing partnerships in all of wedding-dom! If a picture's worth a thousand words, I'd say Avery House's are probably worth a million, so I'd better show you some pics before this post gets way to long...


Avery House

Make sure you look into their website and blog for all their latest work. You won't be disappointed!

Ayelet and Aaron's Romantic Wedding at the Chicago Cultural Center 10.10.10

2010-11-23T08:55:00.000-06:00

Ayelet and Aaron booked Five Grain Events well in advance of their October wedding, but with good reason! Their selected date, 10.10.10 was not only a very popular wedding date, but it was the Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend as well as the day of the Chicago Marathon. There were certainly some interesting logistical issues, but luckily everything turned out beautifully for their fall-toned celebration.

It was wonderful to spend the day with two very talented photographers: Lisa Green and her assistant, Meg. All photos below should be credited to Stephen Green Photography.

The ladies started the day with hair and makeup in a huge suite at the Hard Rock Hotel. Hair and makeup were provided by Ginger Damato and Cynde Hoffman respectively. It was so much fun to see each bridesmaid transformed. As it turned out, the hairstyle Ayelet chose to wear for the day looked very similar to the way her mom wore her hair on her wedding day!

Stephen Green Photography

After Ayelet and Aaron shared their First Look in a quiet corner of the Hard Rock Hotel, the bridal party walked over to Millennium Park for some photos. With all the leftover marathon spectators on top of the fact that it was an unseasonably warm day I don't think I've ever heard so many hoots and hollers congratulating the bridal party :). The golden fall foliage was the perfect color compliment to the pumpkin-colored bridesmaid dresses and beautiful bouquets created by Fleur.

Stephen Green Photography

The Bedecken and Ketubah Signing were held in the presence of Ayelet and Aaron's families. Ayelt and Aaron had their Ketubah created during a trip they took to Israel and it was signed by the Rabbi and witnesses from Aaron and Ayelet's family. The Bedecken is a ritual based on a Jewish tradition which requires that the groom see the bride before the ceremony and cover her face with the veil. This custom dates back to the Biblical episode in which Jacob was deceived into marrying Leah instead of his chosen bride, Rachel, because she was hidden behind the veil. Aaron did the honors just before the bridal party lined up for the processional.

Stephen Green Photography

Finally it was time for the ceremony to begin. Both the ceremony and reception were held in the Chicago Cultural Center's GAR Hall. It is an incredibly grand room with ornate ceilings and huge picture windows overlooking Michigan Avenue. The aisle was lined with candles and Art of Imagination created the fabric chuppah and all the draping, giving the space a very romantic feel.

Stephen Green Photography

After a big "Mazel Tov!" guests headed out to the Rotunda for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while GAR Hall was changed over for dinner. The delicious food was created by Shallots Bistro Catering and I just have to point out the beautiful arrangement Fleur made for the place card table featuring branches, leaves, and even pomegranates and grapes!

Stephen Green Photography

When everyone re-entered, GAR Hall had been transformed! Candles illuminated every corner of the room and Entourage was already playing up a storm. The dance floor was quickly filled and continued to be throughout the night as guests sat down to enjoy each course and returned immediately for more dancing. Instead of a traditional head table, Ayelet and Aaron hosted their immediate family and their significant others at a Feast Table. The rest of their guests sat at tables named after places they've traveled together!

Stephen Green Photography

An extra special part of this wedding was that I've known the bride's sister, Sharon, since I was in high school. So hearing the speech she and Ayelet's other sister, Karen, gave was especially touching.

Stephen Green Photography

One of the most fun traditions of a Jewish wedding is the dancing of the Hora, and this may well have been the best one I've seen. I don't think ANYONE sat out! It was amazing. When the bride and groom were lifted onto the chairs, Ayelet looked like she was having the time of her life, while Aaron appeared terrified. Hopefully he's recovered since then ;).

Stephen Green Photography

The party continued until the clock struck midnight. Everyone left with a smile on their face (and maybe a cupcake to go!). Ayelet and Aaron, thank you so much for including me on your special day. It was a joy to see how wonderfully you compliment one another. I wish all the best to you for the future. Mazel Tov!

Stephen Green Photography

Cool People (Places) Volume XV: Architectural Artifacts

2010-11-16T09:15:00.001-06:00

It seems like many couples these days are looking for an alternative event space for their wedding. Even though banquet halls, hotels, and country clubs will always be popular given their convenience, I find that many clients come to me looking for that je ne sais quoi that will make their wedding an unforgettable experience.

On the north side of the city exists such a venue. Architectural Artifacts is, by day, an architectural salvage store--you can find all kinds of furniture, artwork, and interesting lighting fixtures there! By night (or shall I say by weekend), the Atrium at Architectural Artifacts hosts fantastic weddings and other events. I had the opportunity to meet with their venue coordinator, Marie, a few months ago and she showed me around the space.

If you are looking for an interesting backdrop to your outdoor ceremony, this is the place...behind the building is this gorgeous courtyard with columns and light posts galore!


Olivia Leigh Photographie

After the ceremony, bring your guests inside among various unique objets d'art (I don't know what is with my French kick today!) for an incredible multi-level party atmosphere.

Bella Pictures

Jeremy Lawson Photography

What I especially love about the space are all the nooks and crannies your guests will be able to explore! Check out Atrium Events if you're in the market for a very cool venue--and tell Marie I sent you. :)

Kristen and Joe's Urban Wedding at A New Leaf 9.17.10

2010-11-09T10:27:00.000-06:00

When Kristen and Joe contacted me early this summer about coordinating their wedding, I couldn't have been more excited! They were planning a beautiful mid-September wedding with 100 of their nearest and dearest at one of the most dramatic Catholic Churches in the city followed by a reception at the oh-so-hip A New Leaf. I waited on pins and needles after our meeting hoping they would hire me, and to my great joy they did!

I'm so pleased to show you some photos from their wonderful aubergine and apple (dontcha just love the names of linens?) colored wedding. All photos courtesy of Colin Lyons Photography.

The ladies got ready in a sun-soaked suite at the vintage Belden-Stratford Hotel. Rochelle and Rebecca from Sonia Roselli worked hard all morning on the ladies' hair and makeup. I have to say that Kristen looked ABSOLUTELY stunning--the best version of herself!

Colin Lyons Photography

Kristen and Joe elected to do a First Look in Lincoln Park, just across the street from the hotel. They took advantage of the hours prior to the ceremony to take photos with the whole bridal party. The weather was perfect, though I think some of my favorite shots were the ones taken inside at the Art Institute!

Colin Lyons Photography

Kristen and Joe were married at St. Michael's of Old Town, a stunning and historic Catholic Church just a few blocks from A New Leaf. Since there was virtually no travel time required, they invited their guests to spend the "Catholic Wedding Gap" following the ceremony at Perennial, a clean and modern restaurant across the street from the reception. They had reserved a trolley to shuttle guests to and from the ceremony, but the weather was so beautiful that many chose to walk!

Colin Lyons Photography

While their guests were mingling across the street, the bridal party took the opportunity to grab some photos in all of A New Leaf's different and interesting spaces. PLUS, Kristen and Joe had an amazing Photo Wall* made for their reception so of course they had to get the first crack at that!

Colin Lyons Photography

*Shameless plug: Five Grain Events is now the proud owner of that photo wall, so if you are interested in renting it for your wedding or event contact me here or here!

Once their friends and relatives arrived the party began! As they walked in they were greeted by passed hors d'oeuvres and Kristen and Joe's signature cocktail (the Bollini-tini--too cute, right??) catered by Food for Thought and music by Toast and Jam. A New Leaf's unique layout allowed for guests to flow freely between the two floors and the charming courtyard.

Colin Lyons Photography

Dinner was served at stations while Kristen and Joe's honor attendants and Joe's dad made speeches. No offense intended toward Paul or Richard, but Shieva's Maid of Honor speech was one of the best I've EVER heard...and in my business you get to hear a lot of these :)


Colin Lyons Photography

The rest of the evening was spent dancing, eating cupcakes from Molly's (yum!), drinking, and just having an overall great time. Kristen and Joe did have an AMAZING Tipsy Cake creation to represent Joe's Alma Mater, Notre Dame but wedding guests didn't get to sample that until the following day when Kristen and Joe hosted a Notre Dame football game party and served it to those present.


Colin Lyons Photography

Kristen and Joe, I wish you all the happiness in the world. So many congratulations and thanks for allowing me to be a part of your day!

Colin Lyons Photography

Laura and Derek's Wedding 10.9.10

2010-10-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday Five Grain Associate Consultant Sara had the opportunity to work with a WONDERFUL couple. Here is Sara's recap of the day's events...

Laura and Derek couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day or a more beautiful wedding! They chose to get married on October 9th in Northwest Indiana (where they both grew up) and ended up with a perfect 80-degree Indian Summer day. The ceremony was held at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Merrillville, IN. The church was beautifully decorated by Kelly of Fleur and the personal flowers were stunning! Their lovely ceremony was captured gracefully by their photographer, Dory L. Touhey, and videographer, Jon Romashko.

After the ceremony, the wedding party loaded into a limo and rode to Chicago to take photos by the lakeshore while my assistant Shannon and I drove to the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster, IN to oversee set up of the reception.

The ballroom looked unbelievable: Kelly truly outdid herself!! The centerpieces beautifully complemented the ivory tablecloths and chocolate chair covers.

After their photo adventure, the bridal party arrived and the festivities began! The cocktail hour featured passed hors d’oeuvres and was followed by a delicious dinner catered by the Center for Visual and Performing Arts. After dinner and some heartfelt speeches Lori Shane and the Mix started the night off right and kept the party going until the clock struck midnight.

Laura and Derek’s friends and family lovingly baked (!) hundreds of cookies of all kinds which guests took home as favors--though many were consumed before the end of the night :) . The photo booth from Magnolia Photo Booth Co., which came equipped with TONS of props, was a huge hit among the silly and serious crowd alike!

Laura and Derek were so much fun to work with. They had a fabulous day surrounded by their amazing friends and family and I feel really lucky to have been a part of it. Congrats, you two!! ~Sara

All images courtesy of Dory L. Tuohey Photography

Cool People Volume XIV: Steve Koo Photography

2010-10-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

Those of you who are twitter-ers (tweeters?) can understand how it might be difficult to pinpoint the exact moment you were connected to someone on twitter. A couple of months ago via a series of back and forth tweets and re-tweets, Steve Koo, of Steve Koo Photography, and I set a date for coffee. :) I had heard great things about him--and his wife and I share a mutual friend!--so I knew it was time we met in person.

We got together at a cute coffee shop in Lincoln Square called Cafe Neo and just...well...chatted! We talked weddings, of course, but also discussed the perils of home ownership, both of our semi-recent marriages, and "the biz". Steve struck me as being extremely REAL. Photography is truly his passion and it is reflected in both his work (absolutely amazing photos) and the way he talks about his clients. He doesn't mind doing two weddings in a row because, well, he loves what he does! That's the recipe for a really dedicated photographer if you ask me.

Here are a few of his photos...but be sure to check out both his website and blog for more.

Courtesy of Steve Koo Photography

Cool People Volume XIII: Hullabaloo Photo

2010-09-27T11:15:00.000-05:00

My next featured Cool Person is Anna from Hullabaloo Photo. Anna is by far one of the kindest and most caring people I've ever met and I feel extremely lucky that I've gotten a chance to get to know her. Anna was another gal I met at one of the Fast Track photographer meetings and we got to catch up one-on-one a few weeks ago. One of the first things I noticed about Anna's photos is how skilled she is at capturing the emotion of the couples and families in her photos. Anna started her career as a nurse, which makes sense for her nurturing personality, but after a series of personal events, she decided her heart wasn't in it any longer. Lucky for us, her heart WAS in photography! :) Anna takes the time to really get to know and connect with her couples, so you can be assured that she'll capture your love honestly. Plus, I don't know anyone who hasn't felt immediately at ease with her upon first meeting. Nothing makes for better photos than a relaxed subject. :)

But enough jabbering--since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few of Hullabaloo's most recent. Be sure to check out the website and Hullabaloo's blog for more!

Courtesy of Hullabaloo Photo

Cool People Volume XII

2010-09-22T11:15:00.000-05:00

Since, as I explained last post, I'm way behind on my posts, I can no longer legitimately call these "Cool People I met this week". So, we're just going to leave that part out and continue with this fun series!

Katie and Jessica, Blue Plate. I met Katie for the first time at an industry event early this summer and thought it would be a good idea to take the opportunity to get to know Blue Plate a little better! Katie recommended that I meet with both her and her colleague Jessica who works on many of the weddings. Blue Plate is one of the most established caterers in all of Chicago; they all types of events and even have permanent locations at a few venues in Chicago (CSO for one). It was really interesting to hear Katie and Jessica tell me about how each event is completely custom--there are no standard menus! So, if you and your fiance want a Chinese-French fusion menu, the Blue Plate chefs will be hard at work to figure out the best way to create it. :) Their delicious food is prepared using as much local produce as possible--another great selling point for those "green" brides and grooms out there!

Before I sign off, I thought you'd like to see a couple drool-worthy photos of Blue Plate's delicious cuisine.

Catering by Blue Plate

If you're interested in a fantastic caterer for your next wedding or event, make sure you look into Blue Plate!

Save the Date!

2010-09-20T11:15:00.000-05:00

Um....hi blog fans...{smiles sheepishly}...today marks the inexcusable ONE MONTH absence from blogging. I could give you a list of reasons why I haven't had the time, but I won't bore you with the "coulda, woulda, shouldas" and instead launch right into a post I've been excited about for a while!

Amy and Matt are getting married next May up in Lake Geneva. When we first met, they had already taken photos using Amy's mom's wedding dress and needed someone to design their save-the-dates around these photos. Of course, I knew the perfect person for the job! I've talked about how awesome Suzy from Lily Red Design is on the blog before (here) and Amy and Matt agreed.

Here are a couple photos that Suzy took (Lily Red is both a photo and design studio). Let me know what you think!

Courtesy of Lily Red Design

Aren't they adorable? I can't wait to tell you more about Amy and Matt's wedding as we get closer. Thanks, Suzy, for creating such fun save-the-dates!

Guest Post: My Wedding Day Regret

2010-08-20T15:41:00.000-05:00

My good friend, Ariane Fisher, who runs Story Mix Media with her husband, Mike, was kind enough to write this post about why she regrets not hiring a coordinator for her own wedding in 1999...read on to see why it is, indeed, worth the money!

I was married over 11 years ago (where does the time fly?) on a picture perfect May day. We had a short 7 month whirlwind engagement packed with a lot of DIY projects. Both my husband and I are type A personalities and wanted to do as much as we could to put our budget toward items of major significance - a live band, top shelf liquor, hall - man what a party!. In retrospect it seems crazy what we pulled off ourselves- invitations, built a website (remember this was 1999), made my own dress (didn't know how to sew!), and made the cake.

So, what was my big regret? Shoulder strap came off while I walked down the aisle? Invitation had the wrong date? Cake had clumps of baking powder? Nope, the big regret was not having a day-of-coordinator to make sure everything went smoothly. Let me tell you what happened.

Since we were so keen on doing as much as possible ourselves we never seriously considered hiring a wedding planner or coordinator. Hey, we worked at a major corporation and my fiance had everything planned out in Microsoft Project. What could go wrong?

We had about a 5 hour window between the end of our ceremony and the start of the reception. Of course there were still some tasks that needed to be taken care of in between - specifically creating the table cards. We had some last minute changes in the seating plan due to some surprise late responses.

One of my bridesmaids promised to use her calligraphy skills for this task - during the time before the reception. So, we spent 2 hours getting photographed and assumed everything was taken care of. When we arrived at the hotel where the guests were staying to say hi and grab some food, we noticed my bridesmaid and maid of honor weren't there. No big deal, they'll show up soon I thought. About an hour before the reception they still hadn't arrived and we had no way of getting in touch with them since neither had a cell phone (seems like the stone ages doesn't it?). In case you are thinking she was diligently working on the table cards, my husband had the seating chart in his pocket! Long story short, we ended up 15 minutes late for our own reception and had guests waiting to find out what table they were at!

I wish that was the only snafu during the day. Our videographer (otherwise known as my maid of honor) ended up taking only about 5 minutes of footage at the reception (ironic since I now own a company which creates online photo and video wedding products), the late night snacks we paid extra for (our reception went until 1am) ended up in the lobby where nobody knew to get them, and a handful of other small things that I wish I hadn't had to deal with.

After spending so much time and effort to put together my dream wedding it would have been nice to relax and enjoy the day, instead of coordinating last minute details. Don't get me wrong, I still had a fantastic time at my wedding, how could I not with a live bar band? But, it would have been well worth the money to have a professional coordinator like Five Grain Events make everything go smoothly.

Planning a wedding is a lot of work, stress, and costs a lot of money. Not hiring a day of coordinator seems like a great way to meet your budget, but in the end you can't compare the benefits of knowing everything is in good hands so you can really appreciate and enjoy the biggest day of your life.

Wedding gifts for the couple who has everything

2010-08-09T12:21:00.000-05:00

Despite the 90+ degree weather, we know that when August appears, fall is just around the corner! At least in the midwest, Wedding Season: Part Two starts just about this time, so I thought we'd discuss...THE REGISTRY.

It's funny because wedding guests seem to have very strong feelings one way or another about a gift registry. They never buy from the registry or they always do. I have to say I'm in the usually camp. :) I'm ok with going off-registry, but only for the right reasons. A major warning signal is when I hear comments like, "I looked on their registry and didn't like anything on it, so I'm buying them something better." Um...if your tastes don't match up, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN PICK SOMETHING OUT THEY WILL LIKE??? I digress...

But what about when you don't have a choice? By the time you get around to buying a gift, there are two items left: a $1,500 couch or a single oven mitt. Or, as is the case with some couples, they just don't have a registry. Hmm...

Here are a few of my "go to" ideas for when a gift registry just isn't an option (and brides-to-be take note, too, some good ideas for alternative registries follow!).

Art Museum Gift Shop
The Art Institute of Chicago gift shop has some of the most beautiful home decor and serving pieces I've ever come across, and I've included a few samples here. Warning: only go this route if you feel confident you understand the couple's style well enough to pick out something they would like!

Art Institute of Chicago Museum Shop

Honeymoon Help
Everyone wants to have the honeymoon of their dreams, but sometimes pocketbooks don't allow it! A great surprise for a couple would be to arrive at their hotel greeted by a bonus massage or delicious dinner on your tab. There are honeymoon registries that couples can sign up for which allow them to actually write out the wish-list for honeymoon activities. Then, guests can just sign up for a specific item to purchase for you. (Brides and grooms, honeymoon gifts are the easiest thank you notes to write!). The two I've had experience with are honeyfund.com and honeyluna.com.

Honeyfund.com

Charitable Donation

justgive.org

A wonderful way to honor the couple who has everything is via a donation to their favorite charity. Through the I Do Foundation or JustGive.org, the couple can actually register for the charities they want their guests to give to! If they haven't done the work for you, you can do a little reconnaissance to figure out what their favorite charity is and make a donation in the couple's honor. Another great option is a new non-profit called Wish Upon a Wedding which provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances.

www.wishuponawedding.org

Of course, these are only a few options of ideas for going off of the registry...what is your favorite "go to" wedding gift?

Megan and Aaron's Wedding 06.19.10

2010-08-01T19:56:00.000-05:00

Five Grain Events coordinated a fantastic wedding at Salvage One in June. My colleague, Sara, was lead coordinator so I've asked her to describe their gorgeous wedding here. Luckily we have Laura Witherow Photography's stunning photos to help tell the story :)

Megan and Aaron wanted their wedding to be an incredibly fun garden party, and that is exactly what they had. June 19th was hot, hot, HOT; but the evening was beautiful and their guests danced until midnight! They were such a fun couple and it was definitely reflected in their day. They had a large bridal party (9 on each side!!) who were all of the same mindset. It was destined to be a blast :).

Both the ceremony and reception were held at Salvage One, an incredible event space with TONS of character located in the West Town neighborhood. Megan and Aaron saw each other for the first time dressed in their wedding regalia at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Chicago before heading to Salvage One for photos outside.

Their outdoor ceremony was simple and beautiful--and the Rabbi kept the guests entertained in the heat. The flowers and chuppah were created by the ever-more-talented Fleur, and were absolutely stunning (my favorite was her bouquet).

As soon as the ceremony was over, the party began! During the extended cocktail hour downstairs, my assistant and I put the finishing touches on the reception area upstairs. Kim and her team from Limelight set up the food stations to be ready as soon as the hungry guests arrived. Megan and Aaron chose to do themed small plate stations, going with the party atmosphere, and the food looked and tasted amazing!

During the reception there were heartfelt speeches from the family as well as the bride and groom. The band, Josh and the Empty Pockets, kept the dance floor hoppin' throughout the night. At the end of the evening, the guests left with a very useful favor: a bottle of hot sauce.

It was an amazing wedding and a memorable evening. Congratulations Megan and Aaron!

All pictures courtesy of Laura Witherow Photography.

Tweet-Up Photos

2010-07-25T22:46:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much to all the fabulous wedding vendors who came to our tweet-up last week. It was great to finally put faces to the twitter handles I communicate with so often :) All photo credits go to the oh-so-talented Otto Rascon of Otto Rascon Photography. Thank you, Otto!

The tweet-up was held at the gorgeous Elate Restaurant in the Hotel Felix. We were so lucky that Elate agreed to donate both the space and the delicious savory hors d'oeuvres!

Keiko Kubo donated this beautiful Ikebana floral arrangement. Isn't it lovely?

In addition to the Elate apps, we were lucky enough to have Candice Hunsiger of Cacao Bakery (see also the Five Grain post about her here) provide Rising Moon beer cupcakes, caramel pistachio brownies, cheesecake pops, and cake truffles for our enjoyment. Sooooo yummy!

My partner-in-crime, Maureen of Bon Moment, did SO MUCH for this event. She created all the branding materials, the signage, and came up with the name. She even made individual name tags for everyone attending! Here's a photo of me trying to do my part to make 'em look organized on the table :)

...and Maureen lookin' pretty by the window

I'm certain that everyone connected with at least one new person, so I'd call it a success just based on that: but it was a lot of fun, too! (By the way, whoever came up with the mojito idea, it went viral. I think everyone I saw had one in their hand!)

Thank you, again, so much to Otto for taking such great photos of this event. Can't wait to do it again!

Cheers,

Joan

Cool People I Met This Week. Volume XI

2010-07-18T22:46:00.000-05:00

It was so great meeting so many wonderful folks at the tweet-up on Thursday! Can't wait to blog about that and share the photos. In the meantime, here are some more cool people you should get to know...

1) Kristin, Prairie Production. I think most of us have seen those gorgeous photos of weddings taking place in the oh-so-chic venue: a blank canvas that has been transformed into a magical space. Prairie production IS that space. Featuring a wall of windows, light gray floors, white walls and lovely white paper lanterns; it was originally intended (and is still used) as a photography studio. It would be perfect for the couple who wants a minimalist look, or is an ideal backdrop for those who want to add more color and detail. It's located on Randolph so is in a really great location for any guests you have staying in the city! If you're looking for a venue for your next event--wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate event, make sure to look into Prairie Production.

Prairie Production via Fresh Appetizers

Prairie Production via Wedding Mapper

2) Jamie, West Loop Studio. Like Prairie Production, West Loop Studio doubles as a photography studio. It's really conveniently located (in the west loop, of course!) and is a very hip loft space ideal for parties of about 100. It's got great original wood floors, white walls and high ceilings. Although it's a big open space, there are areas in the room easily dedicated for ceremony, cocktails, dinner, and dancing. If you book West Loop Studios to do your photography as well, you can utilize their back room as a photobooth--they have some of their best images framed on the wall for inspiration to get silly :) See the below photos but also make an appointment to view the space with Jamie. She's a great gal to know and has lots of wonderful ideas for transforming WLS into the perfect space for your event.

West Loop Studio

3) Natalie, Hello Darling. Natalie and my good friend, Kelly Marie, from Fleur teamed up recently to create Darling Fleur, a floral design class. I'd been interested in meeting with her for a while (based on Amanda Hein's recommendation) but seeing photos from their amazing class was just the kick-in-the-bottom I needed :). I met with Natalie in her studio and while she showed me photos of her beautiful work we talked about our histories and similarities (we're both singers! I'm trying to convince her to join my choir, Wicker Park Choral Singers; she lives in Oak Park and I grew up there, etc.). Her style leans toward Old Hollywood (hence the business name, i.e. "Oh, helloooo, dah-ling") and runs the gamut between lavish and minimalist. As you're figuring out your floral needs, definitely look into Hello Darling (oh, and say hello to Natalie for me while you're there!).

Hello Darling

Cheers!

Joan

Tweet-Up Last Call

2010-07-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

Last call for any wedding vendors wanting to attend our Tweet-Up on Thursday from 4-7pm at Elate Restaurant at the Hotel Felix.

Please rsvp either via twtvite or by email to me: joan at fivegrainevents dot com. Tweet about us if you are so inclined using the hashtag #chiwedcocktail.

Twitter Handles NOT required to attend :)

More info is below! Hope to see you there!

Cool People I Met This Week. Volume X

2010-07-05T10:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Independence Day, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your long weekends--I sure did. But back in the saddle now with some wonderful vendors you should get to know...

1) Peggy Erickson-Lambert and Bill Lambert of Lambert Letterpress/ Erickson Design. I met Bill at one of the first networking events I attended in early spring and it took us quite a while to find a time to meet! Peggy and Bill are a husband and wife team who create beautiful and unique event paper products. I use that terminology rather than invitations because Peggy and Bill have the philosophy that your wedding or event should have a cohesive feel: from the save-the-dates all the way to the escort cards at the event. Erickson Design can create these products in any price range. Whether you're looking for a simple panel card invitation or a luxe letterpress invitation suite, I would definitely check out Erickson Design and Lambert Letterpress! A few samples are below, or have a look at their websites. Lambert/ Erickson

Erickson Design

2) Esther, Scarlet Petal. The story of how I connected with Esther is pretty funny. I was first referred to her by Amanda Hein several months ago but it was taking a long time to make my way down the list, so I had yet to contact her. Then at the end of May as I was preparing to leave my full-time job, a coworker told me that his wife had some ideas of a few people to connect with, one of whom was the daughter of a friend who had a "pretty successful" floral business. I think you can guess where this was going :). Once I figured out that the Esther to whom I was supposed to mention that "Aunt Jan" said hello was the same as the Esther of Scarlet Petal I reached out pretty quickly. We met in Scalet Petal's studio space near one of Chicago's largest floral markets. I learned that Scarlet Petal focuses exclusively on weddings to make sure they can give each bride and groom the special attention needed. Their style runs somewhere between modern and traditional, but I'd just call it "stunning" :). Here are a couple images of Scarlet Petal's work, but there are many more beautiful examples on their website.

via Scarlet Petal

3) Candice from (Cacao) Sweets & Treats. Some days, it just really hits me that I'm in the right business. When Candice emailed me to see if she could bring by some of her delicious baked items to try and then potentially introduce to clients, I had to think about it really hard before I gave my answer: YESPLEASE!HOWSOONCANYOUGETHERE?NOMNOMNOM. And that was all before I actually tasted her to-die-for sweets. She has some incredibly delicious and creative flavors for her desserts, including lemon and sea salt brownies, mini chocolate Merlot cupcakes, and lavender cake truffles. All are beautifully presented and she can either create displays for your event or package them individually in custom boxes for your guests to take away at the end of the evening. Her skills would be perfectly put to use for either your actual big day or any of the events leading up to or following it: showers, rehearsal dinners, day-after brunches (she does muffins, too!). Definitely give Candice a shout if you need a sugar fix at your next event!

***It's not possible for these photos to do justice to how yummy these things are...I'd just order a batch to try for yourself***

via (Cacao) sweets & treats

Simply Jessie Blog Post

2010-06-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

As promised...here are links to the Simply Jessie blog posts that I was being photographed for while writing the last cool people post. Did I look happy enough? :)

http://tiny.cc/FiveGrainPart1

http://tiny.cc/FiveGrainPart2

I realized that I facebooked and twittered about these but never posted as I promised. So thought this would be a good opportunity to remind all of you to friend me on facebook...

http://www.facebook.com/fivegrainevents

...and become a fan (or "like" FGE or whatever it's called!)...

http://www.facebook.com/fivegraineventsfans

...and follow us on twitter.

@fivegrainevents

Just want to make sure all y'all stay in touch w/ all the comings and goings of Five Grain Events.

Lots of blog posts coming this week. Busy, busy!

Joan

Designer Gown

2010-06-24T09:56:00.000-05:00

After attending my friend Jane's wedding (yes, ATTENDING!!) a couple weeks ago, I was absolutely blown away by the beauty of her gown. Of course, all wedding gowns are beautiful (or we'll say most!) but Jane's was special. Jane designed her own wedding gown with the help of a couture bridal shop in Evanston called Dame Couture.

I thought other brides-to-be might be interested in the process of creating one's own gown, so I asked Jane a few questions about the process. Before we get started, here's a teaser of Jane's dress (all photos by my talented friend, Ellie Papke):

1) What made you decide to have your dress made instead of buying it at a store?
I searched for months for a wedding dress. I was being extremely picky about what I wanted and simply couldn't find my "dream dress." Finally, I found what I considered to be "the dress." It was a Melissa Sweet dress, which was perfect...except for the price tag. I couldn't justify spending so much money on a dress that I wear only once. So, I researched wedding dress designers in Chicago. I visited three wedding designers and felt the most comfortable and confident with Holly Greenhagen from Dame Couture in Evanston.

2) Was it much more expensive than buying a gown?
Price-wise, my dress was very reasonable! For the materials and details of what I wanted, the price was incredible compared to what I would have paid if I had gone with the Melissa Sweet version.

3) Did you know exactly what you wanted, or did the designer help you create it?
I had an idea of what I wanted since I had already fallen in love with the Melissa Sweet dress. Along the way, Holly and I made small changes to the dress to accommodate my style and body. The designer definitely helped me decide on what would look best.

4) What was your favorite part of the dress?
My favorite part of the dress was that it was ME in every way. I helped decide on every color (there are actually quite a few shades of ivory to choose from!!), every pattern, every cut, every detail, etc. I made my dream dress that fit me perfectly!

5) What's your advice to someone who is considering having her dress made but isn't sure?
If you're willing to put the time and effort into making your wedding dress, then having your dress made is totally worth it. Be prepared to be a part of the entire process!

I did get to speak with Holly briefly when I let her know I was planning to do this post. She's really great and I strongly recommend contacting Dame Couture if you're considering having your dress made.

And now for a little more eye candy :)