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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 Contests & Giveaways

Enter to Win a Free Stylized Engagement Session

At the 2012 winter Indie Wed show, Tuan H. Bui Photographer and Naturally Yours Events  teamed up to offer one lucky couple a free stylized engagement shoot. The session included all the images, custom event stylizing, hair/makeup, and even a video from Bokeh Line.  Our winners, Chelle and Dave, were a blast to work with and the shoot  fit their fun and quirky relationship perfectly.  You can read all about their submission HERE.

 

blanket-fort-chicago

 

ENTER TO WIN A FREE STYLIZED ENGAGEMENT SESSION!

To enter, stop by Naturally Yours Events’ booth at Indie Wed on February 2nd. Or if you can’t make it to Indie Wed, you can enter HERE – contest closes Saturday, February 9th. We’re asking for the normal stuff – your names, wedding date, a way to contact you if you win, and we want to hear your love story (i.e. how you met, how’d you pop the question, or what’s the most unique/interesting thing about your relationship?). With this information we can really customize a unique engagement session to fit your style.

_MG_1400

 

We got to know Chelle and Dave and found that they are truly kids at heart. Many of their dates and most memorable moments (like when Chelle and Dave got stuck in the rain under a viaduct on their second date) involved picnicking near Lake Michigan. So, we took the idea of a picnic a step further as they built a “home” out of blankets, right off Lake Michigan complete with skyline views – and spaceship sheets!

_MG_1232 _MG_1371-Edit _MG_1471 _MG_6954 _MG_1419-Edit

 

Vendors for Chelle and Dave’s shoot:

coordination + styling: Naturally Yours Events // photography: Tuan H. Bui Photographer // videography: Bokeh Line // desserts: Fritz Pastry // hair + makeup: Saleha and Safaa with Alluring Artistry

 

Fine Print:

  • Enter to win by visiting Naturally Yours Events’ booth at Indie Wed on February 2nd or HERE
  • This contest closes February 9th
  • Winners will be announced by February 16th
  • Winners will meet with Sponsors by for their consultation session
  • Only one entry per couple
  • You must be 18 years or older and engaged to enter
  • You must not have booked your photographer or wedding planner yet (we don’t want to step on any toes)
  • You live in or near Chicago, or are willing to travel to Chicago for your engagement shoot
0 In Contests & Giveaways/ Decor/ Inspiration

Vote for Your Favorite Team – Inspired Creations Contest

If you followed our posts a month or so ago where we introduced you to our Inspired Creations Contest teams, then you would know what sort of talented folks we were working with.

Well the contest is complete, all of the concepts came to life at the most recent Indie Wed event, and now it is time to place your vote.  Each of the entries have been featured in full at the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog.  Please visit each link to see the entry in full.  To vote for your favorite, leave a comment on the EAD blog with the respective post.

Team #1
French Tea Party Dessert Table

Team #2
Belles & Gents Bar 

Team #3
The Ultimate Photo Booth

 

Team #4
Vintage Hot Air Balloon Inspired 

Team #5
Whimsical Salvage Chic Ceremony

 

Team #6
Cozy Winter Tabletop

 

When looking at all the entries in full, keep in mind that all the teams were assigned their locations and didn’t really have a say in where they could set up.  For some this meant dealing with things like vintage neon signs in the corner, or less than natural light.  Also, what you don’t see is that all the displays were created amongst 100+ other vendors’ booths with about over a thousand people walking around throughout the day.  Yet all the photos feel very calm, relaxed, and natural.  I think all the teams did a great job so show some love and vote for your favorite.

 


0 In Contests & Giveaways/ Flowers/ Photography

Chicago florist and photographer team up to celebrate your love story.

Well hello there! My name’s Janessa Knodt. I run a little floral endeavor called Forget Me Knodt.

I spend my days making lovely things like this:

Photo courtesy of Michael Rastall Photography

…and am always thrilled to be a part of joyful moments like this:

Photo courtesy of David Turner Photography

But enough about me. This post is really about you! And the fact that I’m part of a pretty fantastic giveaway that can greatly benefit you! Here’s the skinny:

I’ve teamed up with super-genius / super-sweet photographer Robert Johnson of Rojo Foto // Design to give Chicago couples a chance to win an amazing wedding package including full photography, plus all personals + ceremony florals, for FREE. It’s called the Love Never Fails Giveaway.

Pretty groovy, right?

All you have to do, basically, is tell us your love story. We’re reading through piles of them and will continue to accept submissions until midnight on February 29th. The winning couple will be announced on March 12th.

You can learn more and enter the contest by clicking here.

And please, spread the word! We LOVE a good love story, and can’t wait to hear yours!

0 In Contests & Giveaways/ Engagement

Win a FREE Stylized Engagement Shoot at Indie Wed!

Tuan H Bui Photographer and Carlene with Naturally Yours Events are collaborating on a contest for a FREE stylized engagement shoot. Tuan will do the shooting and Carlene will do the stylizing. This contest is packed full of awesome free stuff, like free makeup for the shoot and two deluxe prints made for the winners.

For more information and to enter – please visit Tuan’s blog to submit your info or you can meet Carlene at Indie Wed on January 28th and enter in person.

9 In Contests & Giveaways/ Events

Giveaway! (update)

Alright… how about a ticket giveaway.  I have a pack of four tickets for Indie Wed to give away that can be used for your betrothed, family, friends or anyone else you would want to bring along.

Attendees waiting for the opening of our summer show. Photo by Cage & Aquarium

In case you aren’t sure why you should come to Indie Wed, here are just a few reasons…

  • Held in the beautiful & amazing Ravenswood Event Center (with a huge collection of vintage and prestige cars on display)
  • Over 100 awesome independent vendors on two floors
  • Free workshops & lectures throughout the day on their own floor
  • Live musical performances all day long on the main stage
  • Six amazing caterers with samples galore
  • Beer & food pairings from Goose Island
  • Lots of sweets samples from local pastry superstars
  • Wandering models wearing the best in bridal couture
  • Swag bags for the first 50 people in line (1 per household)
  • Many vendors with wares for sale including jewelry, clothing, accessories and more
  • DJ’s rocking some tunes on both floors
  • Our Inspired Creations Contest featuring vignettes by teams of wedding pros
  • and much more to come.

So if you would like to win some tickets, just leave a comment below.  Tell us what you are most excited to see at Indie Wed.  Comment until the end of the day Friday and then we will randomly choose a winner to announce next week.  Good luck.

UPDATE:  The winner has been selected (using random.org) and we are pleased to announce that #5 Michelle is the winner.  Thanks to everyone who entered. ;)

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.