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0 In Eco-Friendly/ Events/ Fashion/ Uncategorized

Indie Wed Pop-Up: A Wed Altered Bridal Shop

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. So we thought we’d preview some of the designers and goodies that will be for sale! Starting this week, we’ll do a regular post profiling our pop-up vendors.

Today: Janay A HandmadeThe Cotton Bride, and Deborah Lindquist. All three of these designers 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.

Janay Mallela, the design force behind Kansas City-based Janay A Handmade, is passionate about sustainability; many her dresses are made from organic cottons and hemp-silk blends. Her silhouettes are organic too, evoking natural shapes like flowers and flowing water. 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Willow” by Janay A Handmade

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Janay A’s “Yarrow” dress

 

 

Los Angeles designer Deborah Lindquist has been working with environmentally conscious fabrics for more than three decades; her gowns incorporate a mix of a mix of recycled, sustainable, and organic fabrics. But the details–oh, the details. Just check out the embellishment on her blush “Rose” dress.

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Rose” by Deborah Lindquist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

Deborah Lindquist’s “Cinderella” gown

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

“Valerie” by the Cotton Bride

 

 

 

Long Island City label The Cotton Bride started designing wedding gowns in cotton because designer Chris Kole thought they would be more comfortable that way. But vegan brides didn’t take long to catch on to the idea, and now Cotton Bride is known for sustainable, breathable, and beautiful cotton lace and textured cotton dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indie Wed Pop-Up Shop

The Cotton Bride’s “Harper” dress

Stay tuned for more pop-up previews!

1 In Events/ Lounge

The Cirque de l’Amour Wedding Lounge

If you don’t already have enough reasons to attend the upcoming 5th 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 planner (and Indie Wed alum) Carlene from Naturally Yours Events to plan this year’s lounge.  After some serious brainstorming, we are excited to introduce….

Cirque de l'Amour Wedding Lounge at Indie Wed Wedding Show & Market

Interested?  Well let me tell you more!

Inspired by an era where Vaudeville shows and carnivals provided entertainment and glamour, Carlene with Naturally Yours Events is bringing all the romance and whimsy of a vintage circus to Indie Wed! Imagine relaxing under the big top of twinkling cafe lights and ruffled parasols or cozying up with a craft cocktail on a vintage settee. Enjoy performances that will spark wonder and music that will whisk you away to a Parisian jazz lounge. Sample circus themed bites and decadent sweets before puckering up in a handmade kissing booth. Casually chat will vendors and other guests or test your skills at our carnival inspired games to win some prizes for your big day! Best yet, all these vendors are committed to being eco-friendly both professionally and personally. This lounge is a perfect retreat for both guys and gals to relax, meet cool vendors, and be inspired.

To entice you just a bit more, here is a list of the amazing vendors who will be participating in the lounge.  Many of them also have booths on the first and second floors as well (denoted by *).

Art of Imagination will magically transform the 3rd floor space with beautiful draping and lighting, utilizing the eclectic bunch of parasols from Bella UmbrellaFab Flora* will add a touch of romance with textured florals in burgundy and blush. Vintage couches, settees, trunks, and gorgeous furniture will be provided by Shadowbox Dreams Vintage RentalsNimblewell* will work with Luscious Layers Bakery* in providing rustic crates and vintage platters for all their yummy baked goods to sample. What would a carnival be without cotton candy? Our friends at Spin-Spun will be whipping up their all natural cotton candy to enjoy. FIG Catering is working on a menu that is sure to dazzle and will be providing the perfect libations for this soiree. We heard a rumor of craft cocktails! Fumee Gypsy Project will be on stage and Doodle Booth* will be providing hand drawn caricatures. Vaudezilla will dazzle and delight guests with vintage inspired can can performances.  Cage and Aquarium* will put together the perfect playlist while our performers are on break. Paper Stories is designing all the signage and paper goods to pull in all the details, while Tuan H. Bui Photographer captures some amazing photos to document our fantastic lounge. Don’t forget to hop behind the kissing booth and say hello to the gal who put this all together, Carlene of Naturally Yours Events.

So if that doesn’t sweeten the pot 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.
6 In Contests & Giveaways/ Events

How About A Giveaway?

The Summer Indie Wed is officially less than two weeks away!  Eeek.  I always get excited and nervous at the same time.  Just like a real wedding.  Well, almost.  Anyway, in honor of our impending big event, I’ve decided to do something special.Summer 2013 postcard front

If you haven’t bought your tickets to Indie Wed yet (what are you waiting for?) then perhaps this little giveaway will be perfect for you.  I’m giving away a handful of tickets to some lucky folks.  Just enter using one of the three methods listed… comment below, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.  Easy as pie!  Mmmm. Pie!  One person will win a tw0-pack of tickets and another winner will win a four-pack of tickets.  Perfect for bringing your betrothed and maybe even a few besties too.

Enter now through Wednesday the 17th.  Winners will be announced and notified at the end of the week.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

0 In Chicago/ Events

Tickets on Sale

In case you are new to Indie Wed, tickets are on sale for our next event, less than a month away.  As always ticket prices include admission to the best independent wedding show in the area (or country if you ask me!).  With admission you get to experience nearly 100 amazing vendors on two floors of the wonderful wedding venue (and art gallery) Zhou B Art Center.  Nibble on all sorts of goodies from the caterers and pastry chefs, sample beer and cocktails from others.  Try on wedding gowns… or bow ties.  Pick out jewelry and invitations.  Test out your dance moves to the DJ’s and live bands.  And overall, have a great time while planning your wedding.

Summer 2013 postcard front

photography by Amanda Megan Miller

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62 In Contests & Giveaways/ Events

Giveaway: Martha Stewart’s Wedding Party

For those of you who haven’t gotten your fill of wedding shows yet this season, one show we are excited about is the upcoming Martha Stewart’s Wedding Party.  When the folks at Martha Stewart contacted me asking if I’d like to host a giveaway for tickets, I didn’t hesitate.  (I also have a special freebie for everyone at the bottom of this post).

Love her or hate her, Martha Stewart has helped to shape the way we view crafts, our home, our businesses and even weddings.  When planning my wedding back in 2004, before the height of the wedding blog boom, Martha Stewart Weddings was the closest thing I could find that focused on a more creative approach to weddings.  Several years ago while in NYC, I even had the chance to meet Martha Stewart… okay, actually she was walking into the David Letterman studios to tape an appearance and I was outside waiting for tickets to a later show and I started screaming “I Love You” like a giddy school girl.  I’m sure she heard me though!  Even now, when I have a tough business decision to make my husband often says… “What would Martha do?” (do they make a little bracelet for that? WWMD).

Photo by Allan Zepeda

I’ve known about the annual MS Wedding Party event in NYC for a while because Indie Wed alum, The Blooming Quill is their go-to calligraphy vendor.  This year they are bringing the show to Chicago featuring 60 vendors with about 10 or so of them, being Indie Wed vendors.  However this event is very different than Indie Wed.  They have limited the vendors in each category to just a few making it more intimate. It is also a “luxury” bridal show so you can cross off the more budget friendly options.  Does this mean you shouldn’t go?  Heck no.  Just because you might have a more DIY or budget-conscious event doesn’t mean you can’t splurge in one or two areas.  Sometimes it is good to attend different events because you never know what you’ll find.  The show is on Sunday, March 10th from 10am – 3pm.  Basic tickets are $65 / single and $110 / couple which includes a swag bag.  There is also a VIP option too.  Don’t have $110 to shell out for an afternoon of wedding planning with your sweetie?  Don’t worry… I have some tickets to giveaway!

Martha Stewart's Wedding Party Giveaway

In addition to all the vendors there will be a roster of presenters with various breakout sessions including Martha’s right hand gal Darcey Miller and Indie Wed’s fave friend, Ami Price from Elizabeth Anne Designs.  There is a destination and honeymoon lounge too.  Plus I’ll be there taking tons of photos (and notes) – Say hi if you see me!

Panel of Event Experts
Darcy Miller, Editorial Director, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Celebrations Expert
Ami Price, Executive Editor & Publisher, Elizabeth Anne Designs
Meghan Andalman, Lovebird Events, Event Planning
Rishi Patel, HMR Design Group, Floral Design
Sarah Levy, Pastry Chef & Food Consultant, S. Levy Foods
Sacha Krasney, Be U Brides Stationery Design

Intimate Break-Out Sessions with your Favorite Vendors
Claudia Hanlin, Wedding Library “Throwing a Million Dollar Wedding”
Sarah Levy, S. Levy Foods “The Dish on Wedding Food”
Ami Price, Elizabeth Anne Designs “Inspiration to Implementation”
Richi Patel, HMR Design Group “Wedding Floral Design”
Elena Grapsas, Ultimate Bride “Trends in Bridal Fashion”

Photo by Allan Zepeda

The best part… I have enough tickets for FIVE lucky couples.  That is $550 in free tickets. How awesome.  To be considered, just post a comment below by Wednesday at noon.  A that point, I’ll select 5 people at random who will each win a pair of tickets to Sunday’s show.  Please include your email address so I can reach you.

If you aren’t one of the lucky ones to win free tickets, I do have a special little freebie for everyone.  Starting tonight you can download a FREE digital version for the iPad of the spring edition of Martha Stewart Weddings (which doesn’t even hit the stands till March 4th).  This offer will be active for 1 month.  Just follow this link and use the code GCmCDN.  Just look at that cake!

0 In Events/ Wedding Planning

Bridal Bootcamp at Mignonette

Now that Indie Wed is over and you narrowed down your list of potential vendors, perhaps you are looking for some more advice….

A group of Indie Wed alums along with some other local vendors are participating in a Bridal Bootcamp.  The day is chock full of great advice and tips for the bride to be, in a more intimate setting.  Space is limited so sign up soon.  Tickets are $25 per person.

Here’s the day…

11:00am-11:20am
Bananas, Apples and Pears, Oh No!
Finding the Best Fit for Your Shape

11:20am-11:40am
Those Mason Jars Cost HOW MUCH?!
Planning a Realistic Budget for YOUR Wedding

11:40am-12:00pm
But I Look Funny When I Smile!
Working With Your Photographer To Look Picture Perfect

12:00pm-12:30pm
A Foodie’s Dilemma
Using Your Personal Taste To Create A Unique Wedding Menu

12:30pm-12:50pm
Story & Imagination
Planning the Wedding of Your Dreams

12:50pm-1:10pm
Please Don’t Stop The Music
How To Pick The Right DJ and Honor Your Musical Tastes At The Same Time!

1:10pm-1:30pm
Blossoming Possibilities
Why Picking Seasonal, Local Flora is the Smart
and GREEN Way To Go

1:30pm-1:50pm
Orange You Glad I Said Hello
Save the Dates and Invitation Etiquette, simplified

1:50pm-3:00pm
Meet & Greet with Vendors

 There are some wonderful local vendors participating so please check out this event.  It is organized by Mignonette Bridal & Citygirl Weddings & Events.

0 In Events/ Music & Entertainment

Live Music at Indie Wed

As we continue to entice you with all the fun things going on at this year’s Indie Wed, here is a list of the scheduled performances for the day.

On the First Floor Main Stage there will be a variety of great musical performances mixed in between live DJ’s on both the first and second floors. As you go about your day, make sure you stop by to listen to these great acts.

photos by Studio Starling (left), Cage & Aquarium (right)