0 In Catering/ Chicago/ Events/ Food/ Sweets & Treats/ Wedding Planning

Craving A Sweet Table

Having A Sweet Table at a wedding is a simple and lovely way to add vintage inspired romance to the event, but many brides just don’t know where to start.

table

At a A Sweet Table, we have a huge collection of vintage cakes stands, antique silver trays, colored glass bowls and delicate china dessert plates. The best part is, we also bake everything and make it look and taste as good as the table that it all sits on.

We are in love with baking cakes and cookies and nothing makes us happier than thinking of the perfect details that can set your event apart from the rest. From bit size items to beautiful layer cakes, we can certainly satisfy your sweet tooth.

So if your dreaming of A Sweet Table at your wedding, leave all the preparations to us!

Post by: A Sweet Table

www.ASweetTable.com

December 5, 2011 By
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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

December 5, 2011 By
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0 In Catering/ Decor/ Eco-Friendly/ Reception

The Great Outdoors

As we head into the darkness of winter us Chicagoans agree on one thing – summer is one of the greatest things about living here. It gives us a chance to explore neighborhoods, enjoy the lake, and take a breath of fresh (not frigid) air. Unfortunately if you want to enjoy the outdoors on your wedding day, you are often limited to pictures on the lakefront or trying desperately to find a venue with outdoor space. However if you happen to have a backyard, try going it on your own. This is not as daunting as a task as it would seem. At many venues you’re bringing in (via rental company) all of the tables/chairs anyway so the cost will be the same. Figuring out rentals, with or without the help of your caterer, is not that difficult and suddenly you have a free venue where you can party all night.

Here are some of the advantages to having a wedding at home (and how our clients implemented them into their events):

♥ DIY Decoration– although, in theory, you can do this at a venue when the venue is your home it is much easier. You can set things up long before the event and don’t have to worry about cleaning everything up at the end of the night.

♥ Use the money you saved on the venue for things that are more important to you – whether that’s a kick-ass band, locally sourced food, decadent offerings, or really nice wine.

♥ Get “outdoorsy” with it. Embrace the casual atmosphere with a casual menu, simple place settings, and Ball jar glasses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

♥ Provide your own food/beverages. You may decide to do everything yourself, make it a potluck, or just bring in some of your favorite homemade items and have a caterer take care of the main meal. At many venues this would be restricted or illegal (food items need to be prepared in a commercial kitchen), but having the event at home allows you to do this.

♥ Being comfortable. Get ready with your bridesmaids in your own room, take photos with your hubby on your stairs, and always know where to find the bathroom/water/a bobby pin.

Post by FIG Catering

Photos by

Edyta Szyszlo Photography/www.edytaszyzlo.com

and Sheila Barabad

December 2, 2011 By
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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 Design, Image Icon Photography, Pemberley Events, 11 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.

 

December 2, 2011 By
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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.

December 1, 2011 By
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3 In Chicago/ Decor/ Flowers

It’s certainly a pleasure to meet you!

 

Simply put, all of us at Fleur are jumping up & down at the honor of participating in Indie Wed!

(Above photos credited to Simply Jessie)

 

Fleur is a floral boutique in the heart of the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago.  We’re open to the public for lovely clusters of blooms, deliveries & darling gifts (many made locally!).  In addition to our storefront, we offer custom wedding services for your floral needs.

(Above photos credited to Jennifer Kathryn Photography)

 Painting, printmaking & art history backgrounds have allowed us to develop a lovely rapport with blushing blossoms and design.  Our inspiration is pulled from watercolors, Dutch Impressionism, texture and, of course, nature.  It’s thrilling to working with seasonal blooms in both tailored and whimsical compositions, creating an ambience for your day that you’ll always remember.

(Above photo credited to Jamie Hartley Photography)

 

Delight, joy and romance are just a few of the accessories we use when designing your wedding. Whether your theme is simplicity and elegance or rustic and lush we will create a scene to transform the common day into one of pure charm and love.

Be sure to stop by our booth, we’re teaming with Greatest Expectations & creating something warm & magical!  Can’t wait to see you there!!!

xoxo!

December 1, 2011 By
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0 In Flowers

Beautiful Painting, Beautiful People

I really and truly love all of the vendors I get the chance to work with.  Never have I been in an industry where everyone is so helpful, generous, talented and basically good people.  Since I work at home solo, getting to work outside the “office” with others that completely enhance my work day is incredibly gratifying.  With this being said, Maureen and Kevin’s painting is finished!  Check out this loveliness…


Don’t you just love these colors!


And now the two people that made this painting possible….and I’m not talking about the bride and groom.  Because Maureen and Kevin booked their painting with me after their wedding, I had to rely on their vendors for the details.  Lucky for me, I was able to work with florist Megan Musschoot of Pistil and Vine and Darcy Demmel of  Darcy Demmel Photography. 

If you haven’t stopped into Pistil and Vine yet, go!  Megan has a lovely store front with a vine covered ceiling that transports you into a wonderland of sweet smells, products and, of course, flowers galore!  Though her shop and talent are fabulous, I really cannot say enough about her as a person.  She is so sweet and kind-hearted that you feel an instant connection with her.  There are a couple of projects we have in the making, so this certainly isn’t the last time you’ll be hearing about Megan. 

But wait, there’s more

November 30, 2011 By
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