Browsing Category

Events

1 In Events/ Lounge/ Wedding Planning

Prost! Visit the Wedtoberfest Wedding Lounge

If you don’t already have enough reasons to attend the upcoming 9th Annual Winter Indie Wed, let me give you one more!  As with year’s past, we’ve tasked one special Chicago event planner with transforming the entire 3rd floor of the Ravenswood Event Center into a lounge for attendees to relax in between visits with vendors below.  This year we are partnering with the Carlene Smith of Naturally Yours Events to create an elegant Wedtoberfest-themed lounge.

Interested?  Well, let me tell you more! Oktoberfest has come early this year at Indie Wed! The third floor has been reimagined into the chicest beer hall in the city, with a quirky and bright color palette that will combat any winter blues. Immerse yourself in a mix of hops and neon. Yup, I said neon! Take a peek at her lounge themed Pinterest board right here for some ideas you can swoon over.

Carlene has curated an incredible selection of vendors for you to experience this weekend. Atmosphere Events Group will help set the mood with lighting and decor while Relics Vintage Rentals showcases a warm and inviting tablescape. Nibble small bites paired with beer and beer cocktails, courtesy of FIG Catering. Sugar Fixe Patisserie will help you indulge your sweet tooth. Don’t miss the bespoke ceremony backdrop created by Black Candy Design. Paper Love Club has all the paper goods taken care of with their whimsical take of wedding invitations. Do a double take on the stunning floral arrangements created by The Striped Petal as they are all created from paper. Look your best with attire from The Groomsman Suit and make sure you say ‘beer cheese’ as photographer Ryan Moore Photography is on hand to capture the day. Last but not least, Gussied will get you up and moving as they play live music throughout the day.

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.

And if Wedtoberfest sounds a little familiar, that is because it is our sister show. Naturally Yours Events and Indie Wed, pair up every fall for a unique event that pairs wedding planning with the casual atmosphere of a beer fest. The Wedtoberfest lounge will give you a preview of the next event, coming in October of 2018.

 

 

February 1, 2018 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
0 In Events/ Lounge/ Show Spotlight

Let Love Bloom Wedding Lounge

If you don’t already have enough reasons to attend the upcoming 8th 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.  This year we are partnering with the wedding blogger collective Aisle Society to create a stunning lounge with the theme Let Love Bloom.

Interested?  Well, let me tell you more!

Winter might still be raging outside, but spring is in the air at Indie Wed! Follow the scent of flowers and freshly cut grass to the third floor, where Aisle Society and a select group of vendors will #LetLoveBloom. Under the direction of Heirloom Event Co., immerse yourself in a virtual garden to brighten up your day, with fresh greenery, and beautiful blossoms from Fifty Flowers. The perfect place to take a spring break, the lounge will also include rentals from Chicago Vintage Weddings, floral arrangements from Jill Christine Studio, sips and bites from Lula Cafe, and decadent desserts from Sugar Fixe Patisserie. Nika Vaughn Bridal Artists will be on hand to discuss all your beauty needs while Notable Nails will have a mini-manicure station set up from 11-3. Before you go, be sure to head over to our fun photo booth, sponsored by RED Weddings and Aisle Society, for a sunny selfie or two. The first 250 visitors to Aisle Society’s booth will receive a gorgeous Let Love Bloom tote!

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.
January 22, 2017 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
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 →

January 26, 2016 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
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 Paper, The 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!

January 18, 2016 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
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….

lounge-logo

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.
January 27, 2015 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1
0 In Events/ Fashion/ Uncategorized

More Pop-Up Vendor Previews!

By now you might have heard that Indie Wed is collaborating with Wed Altered to host its first-ever pop-up shop this September, bringing a variety of out-of-town independent bridal designers to Chicago for the first time. This is the third in our series of previews profiling our pop-up vendors.

Today: Rania Hatoum, Celia Grace, and Pure Magnolia. All three will have gowns available to try on and order at the pop-up September 27 and 28. Tickets are a mere $5 (to offset costs of dressing rooms and the venue) and include a complimentary drink. Purchase 3 or more tickets and they are only $4 a piece. To purchase tickets, visit the event page for more info.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Dora” by Rania Hatoum

 

Orlando-based Rania Hatoum‘s says her sophisticated designs are influenced by her cultural background (she’s half Chinese and half Egyptian) and her international point of view; she was raised in Hong Kong by parents who’ve worked in the apparel industry for more than 30 years. Rania’s tailored silhouettes and luxurious fabrics speak for themselves; her latest collection is focused on the use of luxurious laces sourced from Italy and France, Japanese pearls, and Swarovski crystals.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Rania Hatoum’s “Maria” dress

When Celia Grace founder Marcie Muehlke couldn’t find a wedding dress that matched her values of sustainability and human rights, she was inspired to travel the world to find ethical and highly skilled fabric and dress makers, and she ended up creating a line of wedding dresses made with eco silks under Fair Trade conditions. Her Massachusetts-based company works to promote its values by donating a water filter to a family in need in Cambodia with each dress sold.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Celia Grace’s “Marie” dress

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Lucille” by Celia Grace

 

Pure Magnolia was started in 2009 by Vancouver designer Patty Nayel, who wanted to give local and international brides an eco option for their wedding dress. Navel’s collection is made up of customizable dresses made from European laces, Indian silks, organic cottons, and vintage and recycled fabrics.

Scroll down for more dress photos, and stay tuned for more pop-up previews!

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Pure Magnolia’s ballerina gown

 

 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Pure Magnolia’s “winter lace” dress

September 9, 2014 By
Share Tweet Pin it +1