All Posts By

Kelly

0 In Eco-Friendly/ Wedding Planning

Meet Naturally Your Events!

A little bit about my company: Naturally Yours Events is an eco-chic wedding and event planning company committed to planning events that are unique, stress free, and absolutely fun. No matter what your style or budget or where you are in the planning process, we will take the time to get to know you to ensure your special day is everything you’ve dreamed of.

A little bit about me: I started planning events at a very young age, with most of them being birthday parties and huge trips to the theater. In college, my love and talent for planning landed me a job at a photography studio in Michigan where I was their Day of Coordinator. After planning many weddings in Michigan, I am thrilled to be off on my own here in Chicago. Being a part of Indie Wed this year is so exciting for me. In fact, my first taste of Chicago’s wedding industry was at Indie Wed. I found the experience to be fantastic fun and a ton of inspiration. Can’t wait to see you all at the show!

Carlene Smith, Owner and Event Planner, Naturally Yours Events

Web: www.naturallyyoursevents.com
Email: carlene[at]naturallyyoursevents.com
Phone: 312-752-5890
Blog: www.naturallyyoursevents.com/blog


0 In Flowers/ Inspiration/ Website/ Wedding Planning

A Painting with a Plan

There are so many great people that go into making a bouquet painting, and Sarah and Ernest’s is no exception.  Even though I am the only one creating the actual painting, there is a whole team responsible for what comes out on the canvas.  The most important part in Sarah and Ernest’s creation is the gracious referral from team leader Hilary Schwartz of Estera Events.

If there’s any part of a wedding that I recommend the most (besides a fabulous florist), it is hiring a planner.  I can’t imagine relying on a family friend or, heaven forbid, my mom, to make sure everything is in tip top shape the day of my hypothetical wedding.  Put it all in the hands of the professional and let the guests enjoy.  I’ve played the part of the consultant before, and there is nothing like the joy you feel when you bring complete calm and assurance over what can be the most important and stressful day in a couple’s life.  Hilary is one of those people that easily makes you feel this peace when you are in her presence….imagine what she could do for your wedding day!

 

1.  How long have you been in business?

I started Estera Events in February of 2010, after working the previous 9 years as both an Interior Designer and Floral Designer.

2.  Toot your own horn….what’s your specialty?

Given my background, I love to help my clients create a conceptual direction for their event that suits their personalities and budget. We are involved in every single element to ensure a cohesive vision. We also design and produce details for the bride such as personalized Welcome Bags for the guests, innovative Escort Card displays and unique Place Setting embellishments at the table.

3.  What would be your dream event creation?

My dream isn’t so much for a particular event; rather, I am excited about fulfilling my dream of increasing Estera Events’ presence on the West Coast. Ultimately, I’d also like to do more exotic destination weddings–especially during Chicago winters!

4.  Wedding trend you love and one you’d like to see disappear?

I love the return to traditional details such as the ‘send off’ at the end of the evening. As far as a trend I’d like to see disappear–well, I have an aversion to tented escort cards. We always try to push the boundaries and make things a bit more interesting for our couples.

5.  Craziest request you’ve had?

We’re currently working with a bride who has requested a ‘Tennessee Circus, Betty Paige meets Mumford and Sons’ theme for her wedding next year. Sounds crazy – but we love it!!

6.  What do you like about working in the wedding industry?

Aside from designing and creating the quintessential wedding day for a couple, I really appreciate the camaraderie among the vendors in this industry. It’s refreshing to be surrounded by so many talented and supportive individuals.

7.   When you are not working, what are you up to?

When am I not working! I have to admit, I love my job and don’t feel like it’s all work! When I do take time off, however, I enjoy traveling – particularly to the Bed and Breakfast owned by my family in Missouri (Inn at Clover Hill).

8.  Anything new and exciting coming up that we should know about? (either professionally or personally)

Stay tuned for a Valentine’s Day event in late January, an exclusive dinner party in February, and not to mention all of our fabulous 2012 weddings!

 Thank you so much Hilary!!!  Eeee!  I can’t wait to see what Estera Events has in store for 2012!  Be sure to visit her at www.EsteraEvents.com.

And now for the painting update….

There are more to come…..

~Loreen

www.ReenieRose.com

3 In Contests & Giveaways/ Food/ Inspiration/ Reception/ Sweets & Treats

Meet the Teams – Inspired Creations Contest part 6

Welcome to the last installment of our ‘Meet the Teams’ series.  Out of all the wonderful proposals, we selected six teams of wedding pros to recreate their concepts live at the Winter Indie Wed.

The last team I want to share with you includes some total wedding rock stars, just like all the other teams!

Courtney Callahan PaperFleurSimply Jessie Photography & SQN Events have partnered up to bring us a concept they are calling the “Belles & Gents Bar”.  Imagine a relaxed, old-fashioned styled, co-ed bar where guests can chat it up while sipping on some refreshing libations.  A rustic wood bar will hold a bevy of sweets &  handcrafted beers just for starters.  What a fun idea for a wedding reception.  I could see this at a variety of locations from a backyard fete to a gallery soiree.

via Green Wedding Shoes

For a sneak peek at their gallery of inspirations, they created a pinterest page filled with all sorts of eye-candy.  Take a look.

4 In Contests & Giveaways/ Inspiration/ Sweets & Treats

Meet the Teams – Inspired Creations Contest part 5

In another installment of our ‘meet the teams’ posts, this is our fifth superstar team who will be competing in our live Inspired Creations Contest at the Winter Indie Wed.  

 

This team consists of an amazing roundup of talent.
Julia Franzosa Photography
Naturally Yours Events
Mignonette Bridal
Luscious Layers

For their inspiration, they looked to a French countryside tea party and will be creating a sweets table to fit the theme.  Yum!  (I am hoping this involves French Macarons – if so, please save me one, ladies)  Actually I think they are going for a more rustic, textured vibe which I think will be just lovely.  Here are some of their great inspiration images for reference.
Doesn’t this look lovely?  I can’t wait to see what they do in person!
0 In Decor/ Flowers/ Inspiration/ Website

A Blumen Bouquet Painting

It’s been gloomy all weekend, but I’ve found it to be the perfect weather to put up my Christmas decorations and start another painting.

You’ll remember the beautiful bouquet that Blumen created for Sarah and Ernest’s fall wedding that Estera Events coordinated….

 

Welp, Sarah and Ernest have chosen a composition…and I love it!

Isn’t this a lovely representation of Sarah’s bouquet….especially in a 20 x 20 inch format?

 

 

Lots of great updates to come about this one….

Cheers!

~Loreen

www.ReenieRose.com

0 In Contests & Giveaways/ Inspiration

Meet the Teams – Inspired Creations Contest part 4

I hope you have been getting excited about all the teams we’ve introduced you to for the first ever LIVE Inspired Creations Contest.  These are going to be a nice addition to the 100+ amazing vendors who will be showing at the event.

Our fourth team consists of a super group of the following wedding vendors:  Petal Play DesignImage Icon PhotographyPemberley Events11 Eureka Boutique.  They have come up with a lovely little concept titled “Love, Up In The Air”.  Now get those thoughts of George Clooney out of your head because this is a different “Up In The Air”.

Their table setting & chuppah are inspired by a photo they found of a couple in a hot air balloon.  They are also working on a few other surprises which I wont give away just yet.  You will have to come to the show to see for yourself!  For now I’ll leave you with the inspiration board they submitted.

 

4 In Cinematography/ Photography/ Uncategorized

WHAT IS “INDIE” ANYWAY?

by Tom Buttaccio | XO Pictures

XO Pictures is an “INDIE” film studio, run by my wife, Jenny, and I. After a few people we recently spoke with asked us what “INDIE” really meant, I decided to Vlog on the idea of – – – “INDIE.” Check it out…

* * * UPDATE (for those who care to go a bit deeper into some film theory):

Even though Alfred Hitchcock was part of the monstrous Hollywood Studio System, he stands out as unique and extremely original.  He was indeed a true “AUTEUR,” and always found a way to put himself into his films (both figuratively and literally). His fingerprint is left on all the films that he created. The idea that Hitchcock was actually an “INDIE,” though, is actually quite a stretch. I simply used Hitchcock because his name and films are recognizable. For those who might care, film directors like François Truffaut or Jean-Luc Godard would have been even better examples of “INDIES.” The correlation between “INDIE” and “AUTEUR” that I was tryng to make was that of artistic integrity and “voice.”

To grasp the idea of “INDIE” even better, one can look to the world of music for examples of thousands of musicians who became fed up with huge corporations telling artists what their art should sound like. Anyway -the idea that the “INDIVIDUAL” can flourish without necessarily needing to be part of a large, over-controlling system…this is the “INDIE” idea.