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Featured Wedding – Parisian Elegance

Chicago Wedding Planner Hope Weis shared this beautiful wedding with us and the couples very charming romance. As worldwide travelers, both in business and pleasure, theirs is a love that reaches across continents.

“I am an Interior Designer. I worked at Ligne Roset for sometime, and this was where Dan and I first met. He came in to the showroom on a sunny afternoon in June, 2007 and there was an immediate attraction.

Nothing happened for a few months, just a few emails exchanged about various ways we could add some interesting pieces to his condo but he continued to pop into the showroom from time to time. In August ’07, he visited the showroom just a day or so after he’d returned from a trip to Turkey. Since Dan and I had already casually talked about my background (Lebanese/American) he thought I’d like to hear about his adventures in the Mideast and how he really enjoyed the culture.

Next thing I knew, he invited me to join him for dinner to share more stories. After drinks at one of our favorite Chicago spots – NoMi, and dinner at another favorite place, RL, there was an incredible energy between us.

What really made our relationship so special was that we both shared many things in common, such as traveling, food, cooking, art, design, and culture. Dan truly embraced my background and upbringing and was eager to learn more about my family and culture. Although I was born in the US, I have lived all over the world and at the time, had just settled back into Chicago after moving here from Dubai.

Since my family lived in Beirut, Lebanon, Dan decided to visit Beirut to meet my immediate family. In Nov ’08, we traveled to Beirut and they instantly fell in love with Dan’s charming personality and gentle demeanor. Upon returning to Chicago, Dan suggested we start “looking” for engagement rings.

In late February ’09, Dan surprised me with tickets to Paris in the spring. We were going to stay at the renowned Bristol Hotel, one of the most glamorous hotels in Paris! I had a feeling something was going to happen…

On April 18th ’09, Dan took me out to dinner at our favorite restaurant in Paris, Restaurant Laurent – an upscale, historic, traditional Parisian restaurant, set in the most beautiful gardens of the Champs-Elysées. After an incredible meal, we took a walk through small side streets and made our way back to the Bristol. The Bristol has one of the most stunning courtyards with a beautiful fountain in the center. We went back to the courtyard that evening and this is where Dan proposed to me.

Once we returned to Chicago, wedding planning commenced and since the theme of our wedding was Parisian elegance and glamour, we set our hearts on the Peninsula hotel for our venue.

Our wedding was a perfect blend of Parisian glamour and elegance. We had family and friends attend from near and far, and couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to symbolize our commitment and love for one another.

Wedding of Sowsan Simon & Dan  Schulte
Peninsula Hotel, Chicago – inspired by the  couples trips to Paris
Don Cagen Orchestra & Lebanese dancers and drummers – as a nod to the brides heritage
Photography: Phil  Farber / Photo Images, Inc.
Flowers: Heffernan Morgan Designs – using Antique hydrangeas, orchids & roses
Cake: Le Royale Icing
Invitations/Menus/Place Cards: Elizabeth Grace
Chairs & Chargers: Classic Party Rentals
Lighting: Frost Lighting
Linen: Cloth  Connection
Bridal Gown: Reem Acra Gown & Veil from Belle Vie Bridal Couture
Bridesmaids: Vera Wang
Wedding Planner: Hope Weis Consulting

18 Comments on “Featured Wedding – Parisian Elegance”

• Heidi March 1st, 2011 5:40 pm

  So stunning!!

• Abby February 24th, 2011 9:33 pm

  I love everything about this wedding!! All of these weddings on this site are amazing-

• Hope Weis February 21st, 2011 1:48 pm

  It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share this gorgeous wedding! Thank you Strictly Weddings!!
  Hope Weis
  Hope Weis Consulting

• Elle February 20th, 2011 3:13 pm

  Beautiful Couple-so classy! Love everything about this wedding! Enjoy coming to this site to “day” dream!

• Susan February 15th, 2011 9:26 pm

  I look at this site a lot to get inspiration for Daughter’s that are both getting married at the same time-WOW too much but we are doing it. Pray for us all, and I adore these Photos for this wedding!!!

• Britt February 15th, 2011 10:59 am

  Love the floral in this wedding-also the shoes are so me:) Have to have a pair-thanks for sharing this beautiful wedding!!

• Thisbe February 13th, 2011 10:45 am

  Kudos to this group of vendors, for a beautiful wedding…

• KK February 12th, 2011 8:54 pm

  What a wonderful Note from the Bride. We so have enjoyed all the comments we have received from all over. You are a beautiful Bride and Photos to last a lifetime. Congrats on being a soon to be mother, and may you have many more dreams come your way.

• Sowsan Simon February 10th, 2011 4:17 pm

  I can’t stop coming back to look at this beautiful article and photos! I’m beaming!! It all went by so quickly, I can’t believe it’s already been a little over a year. And now with a little bundle of joy on the way, I couldn’t feel more blessed. Thanks to everyone (Hope, Phil, Don Cagen, Laura @ Elizabeth Grace, Heffernan Morgan, etc.) that was involved in making our dream wedding a reality. @Don Cagen-you & your band were phenomenal!

• Laura February 10th, 2011 11:18 am

  We love all of our Brides, and we love this site- and this fabulous wedding…

• Scott February 10th, 2011 11:15 am

  Beautiful Wedding!! Hats off to Photo Images for a job well done…

• Loree February 9th, 2011 7:42 pm

  I work for a wonderful Bridal Salon, and these weddings that you show on this site-are like out of a magazine-we all here at work cannot believe there is a site like this to enjoy-and drool over- Oh yes, beautiful Bride and we love the gown-and love all the Photography!!!!!

• Rena February 9th, 2011 1:25 pm

  Phil Farber’s work is amazing-looks like a good time had by all:)

• Don Cagen February 9th, 2011 12:37 pm

  A truly amazing wedding that I will never forget. Sowsan and Dan were so fun to work with. The party was rockin’! Congrats to all of the creative professionals who helped realize Sowsan’s vision.
  Don Cagen

• Heidi February 9th, 2011 7:40 am

  Love this wedding-and could not take my eyes off the beautiful CAKE-very creative!!!

• Alison February 8th, 2011 11:36 pm

  The Wedding is simply stunning-Kudos to all-The Floral Rocks!!

• Hope Weis February 8th, 2011 4:00 pm

  Thanks to a fabulous team of professionals that created an amazing evening for Sowsan & Dan. The love story continues….

• Liz February 8th, 2011 2:48 pm

  Great Story-Love it all!!!

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