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Claire Pettibone – Spirit of the Night – Spring 2011 Collection

We visited couture bridal designer Claire Pettibone’s blog and found her “journey” leading up to New York’s Bridal Week October 21. Based on the exquisite photos of her inspirations, expect to see enchanting colors and mystical fairies for her Spring 2011 theme!

“I can’t remember a time before fairies. I would play for hours in the meadows and streams of my childhood, making dresses of leaves and petals for the sprites I imagined lived in the woods. One of my favorite childhood books was called The Fairy Circus, written in 1933. It had been my grandmother’s, then my mother’s, and now I am sharing it with my little Lorelei. The gorgeous illustrations of the fairy queen seemed so magical and luminous…just the way I imagine a bride to be on her wedding day.

Luminescent wings, drops of dew on a rose, the colorful glow of the sun dissolving into the moon. Glittering sequins, beads, pearls and crystals dazzle and sparkle. An ethereal wedding gown in moon-lit gold and spun silver, shimmers between reality and another world. Night settles in the forest, the moon rises, and the fairies come out to dance and play.” – Claire Pettibone

It’s all in the details…

ClairePettibone.com

Chicago Wedding Planners – Hope Wasserman Weis

At StrictlyWeddings.com, we love to highlight on occasion the talents of our wonderful wedding partners. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Chicago wedding planner Hope Wasserman Weis. Choosing a wedding planner is really the [second] most important decision made when planning your big day.

As one of her clients wrote: “I wanted a wedding planner who had exquisite taste, a meticulous attention to detail, but it was just as important to me that I found a planner who I  genuinely adored… Who had chemistry with us….who felt like she was part of our team and added her energy during cake tastings, invitation appointments and dress fitting! Hope Wasserman Weis is all of this and so much more.” That’s a testimony from the heart.

HWW Consulting is known for exquisite care, personal  service and flexibility to handle any facet of event planning. With valuable long-standing relationships with the best resources the city has to offer, from florists, entertainment and locations to photographers, videographers and design services, Hope is able to orchestrate any event beyond compare. Below are just a few photos that represent the depth of Hope’s work.

The Bride wore Boots

Our new Dallas photography partner, Thisbe Grace put together another bridal inspiration for StrictlyWeddings.com, this time, the bride wore boots (and an Oscar de la Renta gown).

Floral and Wedding Coordinator Jordan Payne of Jordan Payne Events

Paulina and Mike at the El Dorado in Cabo

We found this location breathtaking and the wedding photographer, Anna Kuperberg, did a fabulous job enticing us to want to catch a plane to Cabo immediately.

“Paulina was born in Mexico, and the wedding happened at a resort not far from where her mom currently lives. The El Dorado is a gorgeous venue, but I am told they don’t really do weddings (have only done three) so I’m not sure if I should include their link… although I really LOVED the El Dorado! It is one of the most beautiful places in Cabo.

This wedding had beautiful light all day long, everywhere I looked. And beautiful people, and a beautiful beach. I love small weddings like this (about 60 people), where everything is classy and elegant but not over the top. But mostly I love the people.”

Event Design - DazzleEm
Venue - El Dorado Golf and Beach Club
Flowers - Cabo Flowers
Cake - Sweet Dreams
Makeup - Julio from Senza
Dress - Monique Lhuillier
Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Featured Wedding and the Jersey Boys serenade

Not many brides can brag that they were serenaded by the Jersey Boys at their wedding reception, but for Chicago’s Jodi and Scott, they have the photos to tell the tale. Enjoy our latest featured wedding!

“Oh What a Night” – Featured Wedding: Jodi and Scott

Not many brides can brag that they were serenaded by the Jersey Boys at their wedding reception, but for Jodi and Scott, they have the photos to tell the tale.

Oh, what a night!

About 3/4 way into dinner, the Jersey Boys appeared and started their show with backup music provided by Ken Arlen Orchestra. Singing first to the bride, “My Eye’s Adored You” and then to the whole group. After several songs, everyone got up and joined on the dance floor. Everyone loved dancing to the songs! “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” ”My Eyes Adored You,” “Sherry,” ”Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Working My Way Back to You,” ”Who Loves You,” and of course, “Oh What a Night.”

The bride’s gown was by Ines Di Santo and her shoes by James Ciccotti.

Their story …

Scott and I were friends in high school, but did not date. After graduating, Scott went to the University of Michigan and I went to the University of Illinois. After college, both of us moved back to where we grew up. Scott was in medical school and I had just started teaching first grade. In the winter of 2007, we bumped into each other at a bar in Chicago. Shortly after, we started dating.

The engagement …

Scott loves architecture and had been asking to go to the top of the Sears Tower. One day, he called me to tell me he had won a raffle at the hospital to two tickets to the Sky Deck. When we got there, the Sky Deck was actually closed because they were constructing the new observation decks at the time. We ended up going to the 99th floor. We walked around for a bit and then Scott distracted me, and when I turned around he was down on one knee proposing!  Afterwards, we went for drinks at Rockit, the place where we met. He was smart and thought ahead for dinner, making several dinner reservations for that night and letting me pick where I wanted to go. We got engaged on May 2, 2009 at the top of the Sears Tower, (prior to the name change to Willis Tower) and married on June 12, 2010.

Wedding & Reception – Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
Design Team – Heffernan Morgan
Wedding Planner’s Name – Barbara Moss
Photographer – Jai Girard
Video – Larry Wayne

Honoring those we love and miss – Pink Inspiration

Our sincere thanks to Thisbe Grace Photography for compiling the lovely pink inspiration board honoring those in our hearts who are breast cancer survivors or who may have passed on.

Haute Weddings – A Bridal Affair – October 24

Seasonal Catering Choices

There is no rule that you have to have standard fare at your wedding when planning your wedding reception. Here are a few ideas to think on (and it’s a Monday and slow news day!)

For starters, a butternut squash or tomato basil soup instead of salad. Want both? Think smaller servings and add bell peppers, walnuts, cranberries or a smoke cheddar to your a salad of fresh greens.

For your main course, there’s certainly nothing wrong with the old standards of beef or chicken, but if you are going for a different flavor try rack of lamb or surprise your guests with individual Cornish game hens.

And fall vegetables can add a cornucopia of color to any plate, think steamed carrots, multi-colored squash, cauliflower and broccoli with small red potatoes.

For dessert, we’ve seen the trend of dessert bars in addition to the wedding cake. If you are looking to stray from tradition entirely, many brides are opting for pies, tarts or even cheesecake.

No matter which menu choices you make, there are no right or wrong choices. Whether you choose the traditional, seasonal favorites, or opt for the favorite comfort foods of the bride and groom, your reception menu will be delicious.

Photography: Butternut Squash soup MyRecipes.com; Dessert Bar Blue Plate Catering

Vintage Wedding Ideas – Stoneleigh Hotel Dallas

We ran across these Gatsbyish-type wedding photos taken at one of our partners, The Stoneleigh Hotel in Dallas. If you’ve never been to the Stoneleigh, it’s a wonderful step back into the time of Art Deco (and all that jazz!). A recent renovation and expansion has only made it that much better.

Photographer (and Styling): Lee Carter, Sakura Photo. Flowers: Brianne Denton, Blue Lotus Floral Design. Hair Stylist: Ryan Chambers. Makeup Artist: Jenny Torry, JTorry Makeup Artistry