In preparation of a client wedding this weekend, I found myself daydreaming about the couples’ inspiration: Nantucket. They have been visiting the island for years and have infused their wedding day with touches and stylings reminiscent of their countless memories.
Despite my years of pleading and bargaining, I have yet to make it out there to experience the charm first hand. I know…I know…WHAT?!! Everyone who has been can’t believe that I not only haven’t been once…but more so that I don’t go on a regular basis…
I am obsessed with {what I imagine} Nantucket to be:
Worn buildings, stately light houses and gnarly brick walkways.
Casual feasts…of the freshest kind.
Ocean views, sprawling lawns, harbors and boats galore.
Original preppy style…{never trendy!}
Weathered accessories inside and out.
Beautiful beaches with fresh sea air and patchy dune grass.
Until a proper visit…I’ll just have to keep dreaming…Sniff, Sniff.
I couldn’t help but go gaga for this wedding I stumbled across in the galleries of Style Me Pretty. The style is so simple, slightly rustic and plenty romantic. The touches seem perfectly appropriate for the outdoor setting.
They clearly took cue from the setting. An old and gnarly tree was the simple backdrop for the ceremony.
I love the dusty saffron patterned linens paired with the whitewashed iron furniture for the cocktail hour hosted in the gravel clearing.
But…it is this brilliant {and brave!} table layout that I just can’t get over!! The smooth, graceful curve the hugely exaggerated table. The setting. Dining amongst the elements, nestled in between hedges and trees, illuminated by rustic twinklelights. SO special! SO unique.
The romantic glow of the illuminated trees adds such natural drama to the setting.
As summer begins it’s gentle descent into fall…I feel the desperate urge to resist with all my might. I adore this summery board of strawberries and gingham found on Snippet and Ink and so love daydreaming about what this summer has been and what it still may have in store for us sun-worshipers.
I am currently working with a darling bride to plan her early spring wedding next year. It’s taking place at a brand spankin’ new venue, Bridgeport Art Center. To say I’m IN LOVE with the space is a massive understatement – we already have two client weddings booked here.
The setting is gorgeous – raw but polished and warm. Exposed brick walls meet timber beams and soaring original skylights. Countless windows allow for unparalleled views of the skyline {a benefit of being in…well…Bridgeport!}
Here are a couple of images of the newly finished space:
{Obsessed with the natural runway/aisle!}
I am seriously loving the opportunity to play around with different styles and color palettes that would do a proper job of showcasing the beautiful backdrop of the venue.
Tomorrow, my darling bride and I begin the decor process and I have put together this inspiration board to use as a planning tool:
The bride loves the setting and wants to enhance it with a gorgeous palette of saffron/mango, rich ocean/teal, dusty greys and white. She loves vintage, eclectic touches, rustic but refined details and a warm and celebratory feeling.
Can’t wait to see how this continues to take shape!
{PS: Loving dreaming about what we’re going to do with the fabulous 80 passenger open-air freight elevator that takes guests up to the event space…a specialty bar and chandeliers will only be the start of it!}
Heading to one of my favorite venues, the Chicago Botanic Gardens for a few meetings in preparation of an upcoming wedding. Today is SUCH a gorgeous day…perfect for wandering the gardens! {We should be so lucky with weather like this for J&L’s September celebration!}
Recent bride, Rebecca, and her planning-partner-in-crime sister, Jordan, were one of my absolute favorite clients to date. These sisters have such an impeccable style, fun and hilarious personalities and a marvelous grasp on reality. After spending the weekend with their friends and family, I could clearly see where they get it!
Rebecca and her sweet-as-pie husband Dan’s wedding is currently featured in Brides Chicago and I’m thrilled to share some of the gorgeous photos taken by favorites Stevi and Matt of Avery House.
While Rebecca and Dan live in Chicago, they chose the brides’ hometown of Bloomington Illinois to host their wedding weekend. Rebecca loved the idea of having her wedding at the country club where she grew up.
Here was an early inspiration board I created, before things evolved just a bit:
We ended up selecting a soft palette of creams, champagnes and golds accented with victorian blue, and a tonal highlight of peachy apricot {instead of the pinks}.
Here are a handful more images of the dreamy day:
The bride got ready in her childhood home {although her fabulous {and just a hint overly ambitious!} mother was in the middle of a major home renovation…that said – it certainly made for plenty of room for hair and make-up without much furniture!}
Rebecca rode to the ceremony with her parents and sister, Jordan.
The maids carried charming bouquets of garden roses and peonies. They were the perfect pairing against their dusty victorian blue dresses.
The happy couple, newly crowned man and wife!
The day was absolutely saturated with moisture. It rained forcefully from sun-up to sun-down, with just a few breaks that allowed for some photos on the golf course. The weather never once put a damper on the newlyweds’ moods…they were floating on air all day.
Obsessed with this pic.
Guests cocktailed under the protection of a tent overlooking the verdant golf course.
Everyone moved inside for dinner, where candelabras and white peonies dressed each table.
All printables were created by one of my favorite stationers, Jenna of Clementine Ink.
Stud.
Guests moved back outside for dessert and dancing, as the rain finally lost it’s determination.
The weekend was such a reflection of Rebecca’s hard work. To speak of it visually, it was warm, sophisticated, charming, romantic, classically current with a hint of prep. To speak of it emotionally, the wedding day was such a celebration of two people that were so clearly meant to be.
This weekend was fantastic. I had a gorgeous client wedding on Friday, leaving me with two full days of summer sun to do as I pleased. Hooray!
After a dreamy day at the beach yesterday, today I was feeling a bit thrifty and decided to pop over to the Randolph Street Market, as The Man sweated it out on the golf course. I returned home with just a few goodies – insanely gorgeous antique earrings, solid copper somethings that I will use as drinks glasses, and lovely vintage fabrics that I’ll use to recover a chair from a previous trip…And yet, I still left with a feeling of unsatisfied wanting. Here are just a few loves, left behind:
A massive crown that stirred a bit of an obsession.
Gorgeous blue skies made the iron shelves and wardrobes blindingly charming.
Worn fabrics from all over the world.
Charming vintage sports pieces – cute for a little boys room or the man cave downstairs {neither of which are necessary yet in this household…}
Gorgeous grey weathered chairs and a chaise.
A dusty, however still dazzling oversized sconce.
Jewels, jewels and more jewels!
And an incredibly special find…a trophy circa 1921 from the country club where I grew up {and got married!} Love. Love. Love!!
Be sure to check it out – Saturdays and Sundays at the end of each month.
Perhaps you recognize this gorgeous photo from our Reveal Collaboration photoshoot? Well, we were all absolutely thrilled when Chicago Style Weddings Magazine caught sight of the photos and wanted to use one on their cover! The current issue is now on stands and can also be viewed online.
Tonight I had the unexpected freedom of a cancelled meeting, paired with an unlikely breezy and crisp July evening {The Man was out at the Cubs game}. My grill was beckoning, but I didn’t feel like a heavy meal {still recovering from the non-stop indulgence of my weekend away!}.
I decided to try something new…
I chopped a colorful red onion and got it started in my le creuset on a medium flame.
Meanwhile, I reduced a bit of aged balsamic vinegar so that it intensified the sweetness and cut the sour, a touch.
After the onions were on their way to being nice and caramelized, I added the syrupy balsamic along with a couple of {pre-cooked, lower-in-fat} crumbled pieces of bacon. {I imagine legit bacon, given the opportunity, would render nicely before the onions for even more deliciousness…}
I added just a bit more balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, then removed the pot from the flame.
Next I had a pre-washed head of romaine lettuce. I sliced it straight down the middle and drizzled just a bit of extra virgin olive oil to the sliced edges before adding loads of fresh cracked pepper and a generous amount of sea salt. I threw the romaine halves face down on the eager grill and let them cook freely for just a bit.
When there seemed to be gorgeous action on the grill, I removed the decently charred lettuce heads and brought them back inside where I topped them with the balsamic onion/bacon mixture and salty salty English stilton bits.
A glass of wine, a back-issue of House Beautiful and a remarkable hearty salad on the balcony was just what the doctor ordered.
Many of you know of my serious obsession with The Elysian. The glamorous boutique hotel has truly nailed every detail.
The hotel’s decor has a classic, refined sophistication while still feeling utterly current and on trend.
The ballroom, albeit frustratingly quaint {read: too small for most of my clients’ weddings}, is elegantly appointed with graphite grey walls, antiqued mirrors and bright white molding.
When it comes to service for overnight guests {countless clients have decided to make The Elysian their wedding weekend home} the attention to detail continues to surpass most any other high end hotel.
The restaurant, Ria, was named best new restaurant, shortly after its opening {and is perfect for an unforgettable post-wedding brunch}. Balsan is a chic place to grab a quick brunch, light supper or late night bites – whether seated at the white marble-topped raw bar or tucked away in an intimate booth.
The staff – from the head valet to the catering managers – is not only pleasant and helpful but genuinely available to assist in relaxed and subtle manner. It seriously feels as though they take pleasure in our every request!
I thought I was intimately familiar with all that the hotel had to offer…that is until the spa and health club director invited me to experience the Elysian Spa. With my schedule packed with appointments, weddings, and paperwork, I can barely find the time to grocery shop, let alone carve out time for indulgent spa time…
But, when the opportunity was presented…I cleared my schedule…immediately.
I like to think that I’ve had exposure to many lovely spas and treatments over the years and would be able to provide constructive feedback, as requested. However, I’m quite certain that my experience at the Elysian Spa could not be beat.
The Spa lobby is glitzy, in a bright and peaceful way. The lounges are fully stocked with items that go well beyond necessity.
The soaking tub is perfect for relaxing before or after your services. The sauna or steam room really do encourage the art of decompressing.
And the services…My massage was quite simply put, The Best I’ve Had.
The Spa staff was approachable, expertly knowledgeable, kind and welcoming.
A visit to the Elysian Spa is perfect for pre-wedding beauty services {treat your girls to mani’s and pedi’s after a light lunch buffet arranged on the private pool deck}, a treat to yourself after a hard week {a major project is finally complete, hooray!}, or a relaxing respite for your over-shopped tootsies {Oak Street is just around the corner…troubs!}.
Just make sure to schedule enough time to take full advantage of all that the serene spa setting has to offer {including darling gifts and beauty products to take home with you!}…then make your way downstairs for a cocktail or the profiteroles!
Melissa and the Elysian Gang – thank you from the bottom of my {wonderfully pampered} heart.
