Studio This Is and Bliss Weddings have worked together on a multitude of client weddings over the recent years – and each time we are continually inspired by the level of sheer talent and crazy creativity we see in one another {not to mention, we always have a b.l.a.s.t!}. So, when not too long ago, we were approached by said favorite photographer, Jeremy, to partner up without the common goal of a clients’ vision – instead on a collaboration that we all dreamed and directed ourselves – we were as giddy as Cinderella, upon introductions to her dreamy wish-granting Fairy God Mother. After a few brainstorming sessions, after a bit of visual and verbal banter we knew the direction we sought…an avant-garde interpretation of a bridal fairytale.
I initially want to start by giving you a sneak peak into this day-long photoshoot…Here, in some behind the scenes photos you can see our Dream Team composed of Jeremy Bustos and the Studio This Is gang, Jesse Deckard of Event Creative and Renny and I {hard?!} at work.
As one may have gathered by my lack of recent posts, I have been a bit absent from what is usually my free-time to share, dream and inspire…No fun! Early mornings and late nights are saturated with meetings, walk-throughs, conference calls, timelines, checklist and to-dos…
Although it is adding to my already numbingly busy schedule, Bliss Weddings was asked to be a part of a fantastic whirlwind of a project. Our favorite photographer, the insanely hip and talented Jeremy of Studio This Is, asked Renny and I along with the cities’ best designer, Jesse Deckard from Event Creative, to be a part of a photoshoot for the next issue of CS Brides. Jeremy, Jesse and Bliss often work together designing and capturing our clients events – but Jeremy has always wanted to work on a project together from conception and found this to the perfect opportunity.
While I’m dying to talk specifics, sharing plans, designs and details, I’d much rather share it in it’s entirety! To tide you over, here was the color board I put together to present to the gang featuring soft, springy, sorbet hues…my current obsession.
The shoot will take place in just over a week and I can barely contain my excitement! Stay tuned!
A favorite client of mine is having her wedding in a beautiful tented pavilion this summer. This bride has absolutely impeccable style and I am beyond thrilled to be working with her and her lovely family.
She initially came to me with a color pairing of emerald green + white (which you know I adore…so Kate Spade!) That said, there was a part of me that wanted to play around with ‘summertime’ a bit: take advantage of the bright, warm hues that are so seasonally inspiring…We swiftly came to a color story of peaches/apricots, coral/melon, creams and bright kelly greens.
She wants her design to feel a bit shabby chic, so we’re working with soft gauzy fabrics for the outdoor ceremony, eclectic vintage containers including cut crystal and milk glass to highlight guest tables and the inclusion of fresh summer fruits like peaches and apricots for added dimension and depth.
Attached is the inspiration board I put together for her day…Makes me shiver with anticipation of warmer temperatures and summer breezes!
The problem with many of the large, gorgeous churches and cathedrals in the city is that they host multiple weddings in addition to regular services and masses on any given weekend. Because of that, many have adopted a ‘no tossing’ policy, prohibiting guests to shower the newlyweds with petals, birdseed, fresh lavender {the scent alone is enough to help etch that moment in your memory!} or anything that leaves a mess.
Instead of foregoing the beautiful photo-op {or going for the expected bubbles or bells}, Why Not…have charming ribbon wands made – have ushers hand them out as guests exit the church and have them wave them enthusiastically as you make your grand exit.
This is a simple project that Renny and I have done countless times. Find yourself a bit crafty with some extra time on your hands? {We can’t possibly be talking about brides…who has extra time!} – thin dowel rods, strips of beautiful ribbons from here and a hot glue gun is all you need.
A traditional toss of feather-light confetti gets a modern update in a rainbow of colors…
Or Why Not…consider a cute {less eco friendly} balloon release post ceremony. Ask guests to make a wish or blessing in your honour as they daintily float out of sight.
So Why Not…add yet another fantastic layer of charm and drama to your grand exit with these simple ideas. And who wants rice stuck in their perfectly coiffed hairstyle, anyway?!
{photo credits} ribbon wands by artisan events. confetti from braedon flynn photography. balloon release by olivia leigh
Renny and I are beyond honoured that Bliss was {again!!} recognized by real brides as one of the best wedding planning firms!
On top of that fun news, we just got our spankin new glossy coffee-table books: The Knot Ultimate Wedding Lookbook {find it here} that features copious inspirational wedding images, helping brides with color selection, style navigation and much more! Flipping through the pretty pages, Renny and I noticed that we both have past client events that are showcased!
I love love love it when I have the opportunity to work with clients that come to me looking for major guidance and direction with color composition. To my delight, I have had a few recent lovelies that have allowed me to play with color combinations – with just a hint of direction – granting me the freedom to play…
Here, for a spring client that hoped for a collection of colors that read soft, pretty and slightly unexpected, I played around with dusty peaches and apricots, pairing it with grays and graphites and grounded it with an accent of richer navy.
As the snow continues to dust our layers of packed powder, here in Chicago, this board helps me to keep the faith…
I had the absolute pleasure of working with the most gorgeous couple for their unique {and shall we say unexpected?!} winter wedding in December.
Nadere and Jeff were engaged only a handful of months before their wedding day – the two have been together for ages and knew they didn’t want a long engagement. They also acknowledged early on that they wanted the wedding to be less about the spotlight, the show and teeny tiny details, but more about a celebration of the clear and complete love they share. When one jokingly suggested they should host a surprise wedding, they both giggled at the thought. And then they stepped back, individually, and let the ‘silly’ idea sink in a bit. They were sold.
With only their parents, their best man and matron of honour in the know, Nadere and Jeff began the preparations for the surprise of a lifetime. Under the false pretense that the couple was going to get married privately in the Caribbean this coming spring, they decided to host an “engagement party” for all friends and family to locally share in the excitement of their future nuptials…
It was an icy, wintery Chicago day – but the sun was shining as the couple shared their ‘first meeting’ in their cozy room with a view, at Trump.
The couple dressed in their wedding attire for their first meeting, but had to change into cocktail attire before leaving their hotel room in case anyone were to spot them en route to the venue.
Dressed and ready {wedding dress sneakily in tow} , the couple made their way over to Prairie Productions.
Midway through the cocktail hour, we discretely stole the bride, groom and family away to prepare for the ceremony. The charming grandfather of the groom addressed guests with what started as a lovely toast to the couple…but swiftly changed gears as he clued everyone in on the big secret. Simultaneously, the curtains were drawn to reveal a second room, lit by dancing candlelight and set for a wedding ceremony.
What started as confusion, progressed momentarily with caution, and then rapidly morphed to disbelief and sheer enthusiastic excitement. Guests charged the ceremony area like bulls gunning for the red cape.
A glammed-up Olga clearly couldn’t contain her excitement, either.
The dapper officiant was a long time friend of the groom, able to provide insightfully heartfelt and honest touching words about Nadere and Jeff {artfully wedged in between witty cracks}.
The dazzling ceremony lasted less than 30 minutes and had guests riveted and beaming with excitement the whole time.
Mazel mazel.
After the ceremony, guests were ushered back to the foyer for a second cocktail hour {fun or trouble?!} as we all pitched in to transform the ceremony room into the simple and elegant reception. The lovely Amy of Blumen had perfectly chic collections of monogfloral bundles of white flowers including lisianthus {above}, orchids and roses detailing the varied white linen-clad dinner tables.
The sweet-as-pie matron of honour {and owner of the fabulously popular neighborhood hotspot – and personal fav – Gemini Bistro!} was beyond thrilled to finally speak openly about the true excitement she had to suppress during her months of secrecy.
To call the love and adoration, between Nadere and Jeff, evident, is quite the understatement. It simply radiates off each of them!
The night continued to buzz with excitement, guests danced and danced and danced and danced {to the fantastic sounds of Front of House} and this couple will certainly live happily ever after…
Nadere and Jeff: Thank you for letting me in on your little {big} secret – it was a blast from start to finish.
A beautiful couple, Yui and Bill, hired me to help plan their wedding in mere months. The bride had visions of her ceremony in a lush, outdoor setting, while they both wanted the reception to feel cool and contemporary – leading us to choose The Ivy Room, as the setting for both the ceremony and reception.
We enlisted fab photogs Dana and Spencer of Dana Rossini Photography to capture their day…here are a few of the artful images, showcasing their chic and modern urban wedding.
Dana and Spencer had a blast scouting unique and special locations for the hours we allowed for photos around the city, prior to the ceremony.
A fun spin around town also happened prior to the wedding…not quite married yet!
The groom was sure to tailor his attire to his typical taste…tough guy.
The bride was sure to tailor her ensamb to her taste…sky-high heals were a must!
The early evening ceremony took place in the charming courtyard of the Ivy Room. The bride, from Bangkok, wanted to incorporate traditional elements of her heritage so the ceremony was a beyond beautiful combination of both Thai and Western traditions.
{all floral and decor provided by the lovely renee of kehoe designs}
Dressed in custom traditional Thai for the ceremony, the bride and groom said their vows as the early fall breeze just barely made itself known.
Monks from the couples’ temple ensured the ceremony was incredibly memorable.
A lengthy, but special, shell ceremony encouraged participation for all guests during the ceremony by pouring holy water from beautiful conch shells over the couples’ hands and passing along their individualized well wishes for the bride and groom.
Guests moved inside for the chic, lounge-style reception. A combination of seating styles featured varied lounge vignettes, custom leather tall tables and cocktail tables to inspire movement and a true party atmosphere.
Cool blue and purple hues saturated the room for a surprising contrast from the garden-like ceremony.
Clean arrangements of lilies and orchids subtly enhanced the setting.
The brides background continued to play into the evening through simple and small details. Here, a VIP lounge was a respite home-base for the bride and groom.
While a delish popcorn bar was set-up for late night bites inside the ballroom, we had individual bags of the gourmet goodness bagged for guests to take on their way out.
{all food and beverage provided by melissa and the fabulous blue plate catering team}
In addition to the savory saltiness, it was important that there were lovely sweet treats for guests to indulge in, in between dances.
The couple beamed with love and appreciation for one another and for the gorgeous day they shared with their closest friends and family. I had TOO much fun working with Yui and Bill and miss them terribly!
Wonderful photographer, Becky Hill, recently told me that a wedding we did together this summer was featured on Elizabeth Anne Design’s blog and I wanted to share a few of the images as a way to inspire us to keep the faith this chilly winter weekend…summer will in fact make it’s way back to us, and it is so very worth the wait!
The sunny August day could not have been more picturesque – it was a day that girls dream of from early ages when the only weddings attended were hosted in the backyard in honour of favorite stuffed animals. Chelsea and I worked together to design a wedding that was simple, elegant, refined and sophisticated. A romantic and classic color palette of creams, ivories and champagnes were subtly highlighted with dusty antique pinks.
The traditional ceremony took place at the charming neighborhood church, St. Mikes in Old Town. With a bit of time between the ceremony and reception, the bridal party and Becky toured the city in search of beautiful photo ops – copious to be had.
The bride and groom were among the first to arrive at Hinsdale Golf Club for just a few moments to themselves before the celebration continued in the formal gardens.
The gorgeous ring {on loan from her jeweler} was just the perfect shade of soft pink.
The dinner and dancing was held in the beautiful dining room overlooking the verdant golf course.
A trio of centerpiece designs {by great friend and designer extraordinaire, David Gould} enhanced guest tables around the room. Here, a low silver-footed bowl hosted abundant collections of open roses, spray roses and hydrangea. Understated hints of seeded eucalyptus added a bit of depth and texture.
The cake was created by local bakery Toni’s Sweets, and accented with silk ribbons and crystal brooches.
Chelsea and Adam started the evening off with a first dance to the sexy Sade song, By Your Side. {Music provided by Mary from Toast and Jam}.
It was a pleasure to work with such a beautiful couple in such a lovely setting…Many happy years, Chelsea and Adam!
