Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

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

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.