0 In After The Wedding Is Over/ Flowers

How to Preserve the Bouquet After the Wedding is Over

When I got married over 12 years ago, wedding planning was a lot different. Wedding blogs weren’t really a thing yet. The only wedding shows you could attend took place in a banquet hall and were filled with cheesy DJs and big box bridal store fashions. Boy have things changed! Back then the ‘on trend’ way to preserve your wedding bouquet was to let the flowers dry out, then mix up this goo to spray them with, “preserving” them as a dusty, dried-up reminder of your wedding day. Even my wedding photos were before digital was really a thing so each frame of film was slightly precious. With digital, photographers are more free to shoot liberally and that includes getting gorgeous detail shots of things like the flowers that can be hung up as art long after the party is over. Another way you can have a keepsake of those gorgeous florals is with the ever growing trend of custom bouquet paintings.

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Bari J. is an artist that I have known of for many years, not from her bouquet paintings but because of her fabric designs. My mom is a quilter and passed on that love of sewing to me. From a young age, she taught me to sew. She made her own wedding dress so it only seemed natural that I do the same when I got married. When I’m looking for fun projects to sew, whether it is a pillow for the living room or a dress for my daughter, I love bright, bold fabrics. That is exactly what Bari J. designs. She is first and foremost a painter. It is from those paintings that her fabric designs are created. When I saw that she was also taking commissions for custom bouquet paintings I was so excited. Prices for these custom originals range from $225-$690 which is actually a great price for a custom piece of art.

 

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I love how gestural her brushstrokes are. She has also been working a lot with thick textures in her paintings too which are even more amazing. Her Instagram feed is a constant source of happiness.  Continue Reading →

0 In Engagement/ Styled Shoot

Styled shoot with a big surprise!

Real life couple, Hayley and Dillon pose in this beautiful California styled shoot from Elle Lily Photography and Videography. The invitations set the tone for the floral inspired shoot with hints of watercolor touches throughout. Hayley looks beautiful in her custom gown while Dillon is absolutely adorable in her leather bow tie and suspenders. Just the right mix of casual and elegant.

Elle Lily Photography and Videography

Elle Lily Photography and Videography

Elle Lily Photography and VideographyKeep reading after the jump for the big surprise! Continue Reading →

1 In Events/ Wedding Planning

5 Reasons You Wont Want To Miss Indie Wed

Some of the Indie Wed staff with rentals via A La Crate Vintage Rentals

Are you on the fence about whether you should attend Indie Wed? Are you thinking it is just another lame wedding show with pushy vendors? Are you wondering ‘What IS Indie Wed?’  Well fear not. Here are 5 reasons why this year’s Indie Wed event in Chicago is not to be missed.

1. The Coolest Vendors On The Planet

Okay so I may be a bit biased, but Indie Wed vendors tend to be some of the coolest folks around. With close to 100 vendors participating, you will have a huge variety of wedding pros in every category from cakes and catering to florals and fashion and beyond. Important to note is that these vendors (or ‘friendors’ as you will get to know them after working with them) have been thoughtfully curated from hundreds of applicants. The goals was to have a wide selection of styles and price ranges perfect for all tastes and budgets. The best part is that the vendors chosen represent the very best of small businesses in the area. By attending Indie Wed, you are helping to support a ton of amazing, independent business owners.

2. Live Music On All Three Floors

Yes, you read that right… THREE floors. So usually we have one stage on the first floor with a variety of performers throughout the day. Well that wasn’t good enough. This year we are multiplying that by 3. Each floor will have some sort of entertainment.

One the first floor, we will continue with our larger stage highlighting all our musicians. We have everything from loungey jazz & spanish guitars to brass bands and strings. In between acts, a DJ will be there to keep the party going.

The second floor will keep it a bit more intimate with our new ‘small acts’ area. During the day some of the smaller musical acts will play live for you. Again, a DJ will fill the down time with a variety of tunes.

On the third floor, our special themed lounge (see #5 below) will feature our favorite pop-twangers, Gussied playing sets on and off all day.

Continue Reading →

0 In Artist Spotlight/ Events/ Inspiration

Show Spotlight: Camp Indie Wed

Every year I hand off the 3rd floor lounge during our Chicago show to an area event stylist. In the past we’ve had a whiskey-inspired lounge, a vaudeville-themed soiree, and a Moroccan-meets-California hideaway. This year I am excited to share this year’s lounge: Camp Indie Wed. In order to get in the mood for the show, a select group of vendors went to camp where we worked on an amazing styled shoot (some of which you will see at Indie Wed. Here is a behind the scenes peek.

Camp Indie Wed. A BTS Film by LEAP Weddings. from Hi. We are LEAP Weddings. on Vimeo.

Camp is in session at this year’s Indie Wed! Make it a point to climb the stairs to the third floor of the show to meet our exclusive Indie Wed vendors who will bring you right back to your best summer camp memories. Boutique planning and styling company Anticipation Events has curated the chicest campground in the city. Follow the trail signs to meet all of the counselors you’ll need to plan your big day. Chow down in the mess hall with treats from Feast & Imbibe and Elysia Root Cakes and drink some grown up Bug Juice courtesy of Thalia Hall Chicago’s new offsite beverage catering team, The Juice Box. Circle round the campfire for a sing-a-long with Gussied Band and say hello to the team who will capture your best memories: Jeremy Lawson Photography andLEAP Weddings. Spend some time in Arts & Crafts and meet EVR PaperThe Foxglove Studio and relax while the team from Debra Petrielli Freelance Hair & Make-up Artists creates the perfect braid at our camp “Braid Bar.” Don’t miss a minute of #CampIndieWed at Ravenswood Event Center on February 6!

1 In Artist Spotlight/ Chicago/ Jewelry

Artist Spotlight: Mineralogy

At Indie Wed, I am always excited to get in contact with people I’ve never met or businesses I’ve never heard of.  I think it is what keeps Indie Wed fresh and exciting.  Well today I got an email from a lovely gal Theresa, a Chicago based jeweler and I must say… I am totally obsessed with her company, Mineralogy!

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These are some of the prettiest rings I have seen in a while and would make a perfect engagement ring for the most unique bride. The work feels very raw, like it was just plucked right from the quarry, with perfectly imperfect diamond alternatives incased in hammered metal.  Mineralogy makes rings, necklaces, earrings and even wall hangings, with subdued colors and just enough sparkle.  According to their blog, apparently they are also delving into the world of “fine jewelry, diamonds, and custom engagement rings”.

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Can you believe that little crown ring? Isn’t it just the sweetest thing ever? Pieces start at $50 and can be purchased through their Etsy shop or directly through their website. Have a peek. Any one of her pieces would be perfect for the modern bride!  What is your favorite piece?

1 In Events/ Inspiration/ Lounge/ Wedding Planning

Moroccan Daydream Wedding Lounge

If you don’t already have enough reasons to attend the upcoming 6th Annual Winter Indie Wed, let me give you one more!  Similar to last year’s event we will be transforming the entire 3rd floor of the Ravenswood Event Center into a lounge for attendees to relax in between visits with vendors below.  I asked local event stylist (and Indie Wed alum) Katie Jayne from Jayne Weddings to plan this year’s lounge.  After some serious brainstorming, we are excited to introduce….

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Interested?  Well let me tell you more!

Inspired by a 1970’s California-meets-Morocco vibe, Katie is bringing the warmth and radiance of the sun to Indie Wed! Experience a state of zen while sipping on bright libations in our mystically alluring Moroccan cabana. Treat yourself to our complementary manicures and massages. Nibble on global themed fair while listening to some relaxing melodies. Catch up with friends or capture the moment in our photo booth. Soak in the good vibes and plentiful inspiration provided by the unique wedding vendors. Yes this is a wedding show, but the 3rd floor will be the perfect oasis for you and your love to unwind from all that wedding planning.

 

To entice you just a bit more, here is a list of the amazing vendors who will be participating in the lounge.

Under the careful stylings of Jayne Weddings, Art of Imagination will magically transform the 3rd floor space with a beautifully draped cabana, lighting and over 900 feet of tissue paper swag crafted by Jayne Weddings.  Katie from Jayne will also have a boho tablescape as inspiration to help anchor the room.  Bowery & Bash, Chicago Farm Tables, Chicago Vintage Weddings and Re:Find Joy will be providing vintage rugs, gorgeous furniture and details for the space while Ultrapom will bring the sexy to the lounge with their sequin linens and gold poufs.  The Foxglove Studio will adorn the space with lush florals in vibrant colors along with making floral crowns you will see on the wandering models.  Paper Stories is designing all the signage and paper goods while Julia Franzosa captures some amazing photos throughout the day.  Elysia Root Cakes will have a sublime Moroccan inspired cake on display.  If you are hungry, The Publican/Publican Quality Meats will have a tasting menu that is sure to dazzle and will be providing the perfect libations for this fete.  Have a sweet tooth?  Blackdog Gelato can sweeten you up with their tasty gelato cookie sandwiches.  After noshing, head over to the Smilebooth photo booth to snap a few pictures or get inspired to move with the playlist provided by Cage and Aquarium.  And if all that doesn’t get your relaxed enough, Spa In Your Space will be providing free mini-manis and massages from 11-3.

So if that doesn’t get you in the mood even more, I don’t know what will.  This year’s show is going to be amazing and this will be just one more reason you will be glad you came.  Tickets are on sale now.  Visit here to get yours while they are still available.