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Featured Wedding | Mike & Christen | Wedding Chicago Style

The oh so fab photographer Jai Girard, our Chicago StrictlyWeddings.com partner, sent us this wedding (and others to come soon) that is truly wonderful! We love Jai’s dramatic photos and how she captures her bride and groom is so many fun and creative ways.

Our bride and groom, Christen and Mike, met through a mutual friend and there first official date was the following night … love at first sight? Mike proposed to Christen atop a cliff overlooking the desolate Papkolea Green Sand Beach on the Big Island (Hawaii). A very rare type of beach, its unique olive green sand is made of a smi-precious stone eroded by the ocean and crushed into fine sand. Mike surprised Christen after a 3 mile hike through volcanic rock to get there.

Fun to know…Christen’s something old was a beautiful diamond that she won at the grand opening of a department store. Her parents had placed in on a ring setting that she was allowed to wear to church until she was old enough. By then, it was dated so it was put away in her mom’s jewelry box. Come her wedding day, her parents surprised her with her “old” diamond in a new beautiful necklace.

Ceremony: St. Hyacinth Basilica
Reception: The Blackstone Hotel
Wedding Gown: Lazaro
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Flowers: A Stem Above
Cake: Take the Cake
Entertainment: Bradley Young Orchestra
Rings: Harry Winston

Chicago Featured Wedding: Sweethearts Forever

Many thanks to Chicago photographer Jai Girard for sharing these beautiful photos. They are so Jai … we just love her style.

Chris and I are high school sweethearts who dated for ten years before getting married. On a romantic trip to Las Vegas, Chris popped the question at the Venetian hotel. He took me by surprise when he brought a huge assortment of pastries up to our room, with one special box put aside. Inside? A chocolate torte (my favorite!) with a diamond ring.

As Ohio natives who have lived in Chicago for some time, we wanted our guests to enjoy the glamour and excitement of a Chicago wedding. We began planning an intimate wedding, selecting the Ritz Carlton hotel as an elegant backdrop for the reception. I did not use a wedding planner – who needs one when they’ve been dreaming of their wedding and all the details for this many years?

The ceremony was held at Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue. Afterwards, guests gathered in the Terrace of the Ritz Carlton for cocktails and the Dining Room for dinner. I wanted the wedding to embody modern elegance and romance, with a touch of sparkle. Jessica Griffin from Botanicals was able to meld my ideas into beautiful floral creations, which accented the rooms’ natural sophistication. Her selections far exceeded my expectations. One of the most unique elements of our wedding was the all-vegetarian fare. As a vegetarian couple, it meant a great deal to us to serve vegetarian food. Ours was the first such wedding hosted at the Ritz and they did a fabulous job! The festivities began with house-made deep-dish pizzas to keep with the Chicago theme. Chef created unique and delicious entrees and an ice cream sundae station (along with wedding cake) were served as sweet treats later in the night.

We will be forever indebted to our wonderful photographer, Jai Girard, who not only captured precious moments, but did so with exquisite elegance and beauty. We will treasure the images for years to come. A thank you to our family and friends is also in order – it would not have been the same without them!

Bridal Gown: Kenneth Pool with Swarovski crystal buttons added down the back. I tried on over 100 gowns before I found this one!
Headpiece & Shoes:  the Left Bank
Photographer: Jai Girard
Wedding Ceremony: Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago
Wedding Reception: The Ritz Carlton, Chicago
Florist:  Botanicals
Bridal Party Hair: Ginger Damato
Bridal Party Makeup: Wendy Woodside, Wendy City Faces
Bridesmaids’ Attire: Bella Bridesmaid
Music: Cagen Music, Incognito
Cake: Sarah’s Pastries & Candies

Featured Chicago Wedding: Together…from the first moment

When Jasmine planned for the trip to her best friend’s birthday, she didn’t have romance on her mind. Yet, that night she met Danny. Instant connection! The next day when she drove home, she called her friend to gossip about the weekend and Danny grabbed the phone and they ended up talking all night.

They were together over two years before Danny proposed. Danny thought the only appropriate way to propose to an angel was to take her up into the clouds. So he booked a helicopter tour of the Windy City. After the helicopter landed, Danny went around to help Jasmine out, and got onto one knee, pulled out the engagement ring and Jasmine said yes before he even uttered a word.

Jasmine wanted to create a romantic feminine style without being obvious. A cream palette kept everything soft and ethereal. She loved having the bridesmaids in cream with the contrasting purple flowers. The hints of purple added to the romantic feminine look.

The Elysian Hotel was the reception location. The bride fell in love at a glance! Every room was more beautiful than the next. And then she entered the ballroom and saw the chandeliers and the balcony – it was perfect. Jasmine mentioned to the manager that she wanted to get married outdoors in a park and she told her about Washington Square Park two blocks away. Mom and daughter walked over to the park with the fountain and the flowers and just fell in love again!

When asked what they thought was the best part of their wedding, they answered:

“…that moment we clasped hands and had the wreath of orchids around our shoulders, speaking our vows face to face holding back the tears…the best part of our wedding was being in our own world for that moment in time.”

Bride: Jasmine Alvarado-Paxson
Groom: Daniel Paxson
Date of Wedding: 9-18-10
Venue: Washington Square Park
Reception: The Elysian Hotel
Photographer: Lex Alexander
Planner: BCR Events
Floral/Décor Designer: Kehoe Designs
Bridal gown: Anne Barge

Chicago Featured Wedding – Abby & Chad

Chad and I met the summer entering our freshmen year at the University of Illinois. My first cousin, Jeff, who is like a brother to both of us introduced us. Though the story did not unfold that quickly. While we instantly became the closest of friends, our first kiss was 2 years later, at his sister’s wedding, and that’s an entirely different story on its own. From that point on, our relationship evolved into what it is today. Best friends that are more into each other today than ever before…gotta love it.

The day he popped the question was the most perfect day. I became a bit suspicious as Chad asked me to take the day off work – something we don’t ordinarily do – but deep down I thought he would wait until his place sold. We went to lunch at Fred’s on top of Barney’s. He didn’t seem nervous or anything so I thought this was his way of making me think we were getting engaged to throw me off.

After lunch we walked around the cold city, stopped by the Drake hotel (the location of our first kiss), and went back to my apartment. Unbeknown to me he’d picked up a red rose at the Drake. He gave me the flower and, as I turned around to reach for a vase, Chad said, “I have something else for you too.” I turned around to this gorgeous super sparkly ring and my incredible husband down on his knee. If that wasn’t enough, he had planned an engagement party for me at my favorite restaurant, Rosebud Prime, with 60 of our closest friends and family.

We took a “mini-moon” at the St. Regis in Punta Minta Mexico. It was so perfect and relaxing. We rarely stopped speaking about our most perfect wedding weekend. We plan to honeymoon in the summer - Biking Tuscany…we both love activities.

Wedding Gown – Vwidon By Carla and Kenneth (a local chicago designer)
Wedding Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaid Dresses – Jenny Yoo
Wedding & Reception – The Standard Club
Floral & Event Design – Heffernan Morgan Ronsley
Wedding Planner – Randy Schuster and Kim Schwartz (my Mother – a total rock star!
Entertainment – Larry King Orchestra
Cake – Take the Cake
Hair – Aaron Scott
Makeup – Stella Mikhal
Videography – idofilms
Photography – Jai Girard

Featured Wedding – Alyson & Daniel

Our Chicago photography partner, Jai Girard, who’s supplied so many of our wonderful featured weddings, has added a new favorite.

From our bride … “Daniel and I both went to Indiana University. We met when I was A Freshman, yet didn’t started dating until my Sophomore year. I always knew that Daniel was the one because he always went over and beyond with me on everything. For example, a few weeks into dating, he surprised me outside my college class with a Starbucks in hand and a ride home during a rainstorm.

We began planning our wedding long before we were engaged, always knowing it was going to happen eventually. Our ceremony was the most amazing part of our wedding because of the tradition of being married by the same rabbi as my parents in the same spot 30 years later. The Willow Tree served as the Chuppah and it was the most magical and beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Everything about the day was absolutely incredible, and perfect. We could have done without the major rainstorm, but everyone was too busy dancing the night away to notice!”

Dress Designer –  Amsale
Floral Designer –  ArtQuest in Highwood, IL
Shoes – Manolo Blahnik
Photography – Jai Girard
Venue – Ceremony was at the bride’s Grandparent’s backyard in Highland Park, IL underneath the same willow tree that her parent’s were married 30 years before.
Reception – Chicago Botanic Gardens at the McGinley Pavillion
Catering – Chicago Botanic Gardens catered the event
Entertainment – Dan Hayes Band
Wedding Planner – Lindsay Stein Cohen at Designer Events Chicago
Cake – Rolf’s Patisserie

Featured Wedding in Milwaukee – Love on the Waterfront

“Daniel and I met at Camp Interlaken, in Eagle River Wisconsin.  After many years of going to camp and having numerous friends in common, our paths finally crossed.  I was immediately certain that I had found my match.  We became engaged 6+ years after we had met and we began planning our wedding,” said bride Abby.

Since the couple met on Lake Finely and Abby grew up on Lake Michigan, being married at the Milwaukee Art Museum, which is on the lake, was an easy decision for them.  “We chose The Ken Arlen Band, because we feel strongly that a really good band can make or break the evening, and in our opinion, Ken Arlen helped to make our wedding a great success.  He was great to work with and very generous in sharing his stage, while Daniel played his guitar solo. We chose KingenSmith for photography, because they have a special eye in constructing each picture, as it tells its story.  They are easy to work with and have a very calming demeanor on the wedding day.  They seemed to catch every important aspect of our special event,” Abby noted.

“Kehoe Designs was our first and only choice for floral, lighting and décor.  After sitting down with Tom Kehoe & Jamey Harding, for a short, relaxed conversation they were able to translate our thoughts and provide an elegantly decorated venue on the night of our wedding.  Kehoe Designs sends in an “army” of set up people, who work discreetly, carefully and efficiently.

Even though we knew exactly what to expect that evening, when we entered the room (for our private viewing) it actually took my breath away. We also worked with Reva Nathan, as our wedding planner.  It couldn’t have worked out better for us both.  Reva is amazingly organized and kept us on track during our planning.  Reva and her staff were inconspicuous, but ever-present on the entire wedding day, beginning with setup, throughout the ceremony and into the evening.  We feel so lucky to have been able to work with all of these professionals.  They were our “Dream Team” and helped us create a special night, we’ll remember always,” said Abby

Couple: Abby Grossman & Daniel Bilsy
Wedding Date: September 11, 2010
Décor: Kehoe Designs
Consultant: Reva Nathan
Venue/Location: Milwaukee Art Museum
Photographer:  KingenSmith
Band: Ken Arlen

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

Featured Wedding: Painting Chi-Town Red

“Shannon arrived in a stunning long red coat to our first meeting and just as the color suggests, I quickly learned that she was a beautifully strong and passionate person. Red is her favorite color and she wished for her wedding to read bold, saturated and inviting. Shannon also wanted to incorporate her playful personality into the design, so we made sure to include some thoughtful quirky accents, such as feathers and whimsical black and white patterns,” said Jamey Harding, Kehoe Designs Event Producer.

Incorporating Dean’s traditional Greek heritage was also important to the couple, so they were married in St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church. Shannon’s delightful bouquet featured a collar of fuchsia gloriosa lilies, dahlias, a variety of orchids and roses in deep red and fuchsia tones, plus a touch of exhilarating black feathers. Deans boutonnière consisted of an orchid, fuchsia gloriosa lily, black feather and since his father was unable to attend the wedding, they attached a locket with a photo of his parents. This way, although not present in body, they were close to his heart throughout the entire day.

After the ceremony guests were whisked away to a dreamy red and fuchsia wonderland at the W Chicago Lakeshore. ”We chose the W because it is the only Chicago hotel that is both a part of the city and on the lake. We wanted out of town guests to enjoy some of what makes Chicago special: the city and the beautiful lake front, in the ’360 Room’ you can enjoy both at the same time,” said bride Shannon.

“I went with Kehoe Designs because Sarah at the W said they were the best,” noted Shannon. A fanciful illuminated red spandex place card table hosted a collection of intriguing black and white vases with a beautiful design of complementing red and fuchsia floral. A breathtaking ceiling treatment draped over the dining area for ultimate impact. Beautiful low centerpieces incorporated saturated tones of red and fuchsia seasonal floral, within a collection of various square glass vases.

All in all Shannon and Dean enjoyed a beautiful day filled with love, whimsy and glamour to embark upon their new lives together.

Couple: Shannon Roberts & Dean George

Wedding Date: July 17, 2010

Décor: Kehoe Designs, Jamey Harding

Ceremony: St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church

Reception: W Lakeshore

Photographer: Studio This Is, Jeremy Bustos

Dress: Amsale

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Source: Kehoe Designs

“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

Featured Wedding – Samantha & Paul – Party in the house!

This gorgeous black and white themed wedding came to us courtesy of the photographer and the entertainer, so if it’s heavy on the entertainment end, it just goes to show you how fun a wedding party can be when you just let the professionals do their thing! But before the party even began, Samantha and Paul celebrated their vows with elegance and style.

Chicago Event Planner Randy Schuster worked closely with the families to create an atmosphere of Romantic Elegance. The entire ballroom was illuminated by candlelight as The Bradley Young Monte Carlo Strings ushered guests into the pre-ceremony with exquisite music from The Great American Songbook by composers such as Gershwin, Porter, Arlen, Rogers and Hart, and Kern.

(Wedding gown – Monique Lhuillier)

The cocktail hour was fabulous, with delectable hors de oeuvres and toe tapping music by the Bradley Young Jazz Ensemble. Then the guests were ready to PARTY!

“This was a vibrant, audacious, amazing, crazy, outta control Chicago Wedding Celebration that reached a literal fever pitch of excitement when the bride and groom, their parents, wedding parties and families all joined The Bradley Young Orchestra ON STAGE for the last hour of the party, dancing, jumping, and singing along with the band and our outrageous vocalists!,” says Eddie Victorian of Bradley Young Entertainment. (And if a sentence like that is anything like the reception, whew, no wonder there was energy to burn!).

The dancing continued until 2 am! Motown classics, 70s and 80s hits, and new music by Lady GaGa, Usher, Coldplay, Ray La Montaigne, Kee$ha, Taio Cruz, and of course the famous “Bradley Young Endless Hora” kept the guests blood PUMPIN’! No body wanted to leave! Having the stage filled with family and guests sharing the spotlight with our performers is something we never forget! We all had a BLAST!

Couple’s Names: Samantha Storch & Paul Jackson
Wedding Date: 06/19/2010
City: Chicago
Photographer: KingenSmith
Event Planner: Randy Schuster & Associates, Erin McDonald
Entertainment Bradley Young Entertainment