Summer Lovin’

This image was so inspiring to me…so encompassing of my vision of the essence of summer.
{Sigh…}  But who in the wedding world has summers like these?!  I am nutty busy with a great client wedding this weekend – with an immense amount of details and scheduled events for their intimate guest list of 350 of their closest friends!
Happy Summer.
{image credit} image found on flickr – lily of the valley 

Call Me Crazy…Pale Bridesmaid Dresses are Chic!

I know, I know…It’s all about the bride!  However, I think it is absolutely unexpected and ultra-modern to dress your pals in barely-hued bridesmaid dresses.

I absolutely love that the maids wore a truer white, and the bride selected a gown that was a whisper warmer in color.  
Varying the look and style of each dress allows your girls to feel more comfortable and confident…who knows, perhaps they’ll actually wear their dress again!  {unheard of!}
Pale nude tones are still fashionably – and flattering!
Set yourself apart by requesting that your ladies wear short dresses.
Tiring of the typical sage green bridesmaid dress?  Be bold by dressing your girls in the softest, palest tones!
{image credits} 1&2 from martha stewart.  3 unknown source.  4 from giaconali photography

Happy Wedding Day!

Off to a client wedding at Cafe Brauer…  Today is a gorgeous Chicago day – weather brides dream about!  It will be perfect for their outdoor ceremony!
I hope you all enjoy the weekend!
Xx.
Kara
{image credit} image taken from house beautiful

Dads Rule!

Happy Father’s Day!

I hope all the dads out there {new and old!} have a wonderful day…Today we celebrate YOU!

To my Daddio:  I’m so glad we get to celebrate together today!  Here’s to a wonderful year filled with health and happiness!  I love you SO much!

Love,
K

CS Bliss!

The new issue of CS Brides is available!  Brides and the bridal industry, alike, go bananas over the chic, glossy pages of the publication.

In addition to a beautiful Bliss feature from a wedding Renny did last year, a past client wedding of mine {back from my Botanicals Days} is also featured in this issue!

That said, what I really want to share is the new Bliss Ad from the photoshoot Renny and I did back in February with Artisan Events.  Cutie.  Give you one guess what our inspiration was??

Have a great weekend, enjoy the new issue!  {Either online or in hand!}

Real Event…For Your Perfect Picnic!

I had the most charming and special event this weekend.  A client hired me to help design and plan her daughters first bridal shower at the Wit Hotel.  The mother of the bride is beyond sophisticated with fantastic style and to say I had a blast working with her would truly be an understatement.
The guest list was an intimate group of gorgeous girls, most traveling to Chicago for the celebration.  Because of the small party, I was able to have creative direction and attention to details that we rarely have with our typical client weddings of around 200!  Too much fun!
We selected a charming theme {I know, I know – you thought I hated themes!  In my opinion, themes are acceptable for less formal events like showers!} of a gardeny, summery picnic.  I partnered with one of my absolute favorite designers, Cheree Berry to create the adorable invitations and unique printables to introduce guests to the inspired event.  
The ladybug motif was chosen to appear in just a few understated places as a reminder of the brides childhood.
The added cutie tandem bicycle was an unexpected accent on the outside of the invitation envelope.
On the day of the shower, guests were welcomed by a petite table that hosted a verdant patch of wheat grass upon which I placed a packed picnic basket, a colorful bridal bouquet and the invitation to set the tone for the lunchtime event.
The small rectangular picnic-like-tables were dressed in textured white sorrento linens from BBJ.  The gorgeous summery centerpieces were created by my great friend David of Lush Designs.  He made custom long, narrow fabric covered boxes that hosted a textural and casual collection of the seasons finest:  dahlias, ranunculus, tulips and gorgeous foliage. 
I had adorable, coordinating placemats made that added a casual, whimsical touch.
The centerpiece of the buffet table was a fresh manzanita tree for added height, centered in the beautiful picture window.
The petite swing was yet another whimsical accent that guests loved!
The light lunch menu of gourmet treats was finished with miniature cherry pies completed with adorable latticework.
One of my favorite tasks was to put together amazing favor bags for all guests to depart with.  A collection of items included an outdoor entertaining cookbook, custom gingham picnic blankets, bamboo cheese boards with matching knifes and a collection of sweet treats from the brides favorite local bakery.  The beautiful and bountiful bags were the inspiration each of the girls needed for their next perfect picnic.

Celebrate Love – For a Happy Anniversary!

Joel and I are celebrating our two year anniversary this week!  I feel such an imbalance of reality:  in one moment it feels like we were married just yesterday, while the next I feel like we’ve been together forever.

I told my husband {only mere days away from our anniversary} that anniversary gifts are to be romantic and special…so…No…we’re not exchanging gadgets or golf clubs.
I had so much fun putting together my gift and am nearly giddy with excitement about the sentiment, all thanks to a Bliss clients’ inspiration.

I enlisted the help of a knowledgeable sommelier to select a wine due to mature in the next 5-15 years.  I wanted an Italian wine {in honour of our dreamy honeymoon} and found a fragrant cedar wine box to store it in.

Here, a chocolate brown double-faced silk ribbon was the only adornment my rustic box needed.
For the next 8 years, Joel and I will write one another love letters on our anniversary.  We’ll write about where we are in our relationship, in our lives, and talk about dreams for our future together.  The letters will go sealed and unread into the wine box.
On our 10 year anniversary, Joel and I will open our delicious bottle of wine to share while reading our letters to one another.  Quite the celebration!  Alternatively, if we ever find ourselves in trouble, if we seem to have lost our way – the wine and letters can be used {in case of emergency} to remind one another how special our love is.
I don’t know how I got lucky enough to score a gorgeous bottle of wine and letters to share in just shy of a decade – but in the meantime, I also walked away from this anniversary celebration with gorgeous new sparkling bands to pair with my engagement ring!  All thanks to my sly husband!
Celebrare l’amore!
{image credits} k+j dance by gerber and scarpelli.  cutie writer via kate spade

Bliss Real Wedding!

Renny recently had a favorite client wedding at Chicago Illuminating Company – she borrowed my camera for the evening, and after returning it I discovered the beautiful pic’s and wanted to share.
Chicago Illuminating Company is a sought-after venue for chic, urban brides looking for a contemporary, fairly raw space.  The incredibly simple color palette of bright, crisp white, gunmetal gray and rich French {or Bliss?!} blue was beyond stunning.

The focus of the simple ceremony set-up was a custom backdrop created by Jesse for Botanicals.  A classic floral monogram was centered above the couple and relocated for later use.
Because of the smaller guest count of 80 {how dreamy does that sound!}, the ceremony was held in one room at CIC, cocktails in another and dinner in yet another.  The perfect progressive event! 
French blue curtains were dramatically pulled back to invite guests from cocktails to dinner.  Chic square tables were dressed in BBJs gunmetal bengaline and topped with low, lush centerpieces.  Bold white chiavari chairs added the perfect balance to the design.

This is the perfect example of a way to let other elements lend color to your event, rather than simply relying on flowers for color {a much surer way to get the exact hue you’re looking for}. 

Each table was focused with a single pin-spot to illuminate the gorgeous, seasonal floral creations.
A few of the guest tables were custom built by Botanicals and inlaid with a gorgeous metallic paper.  The lovely and  unexpected additions fit the setting perfectly.
Textural florals included fluffy white hydrangea, open roses, fragrant peonies, delicate lilac, Dutch tulips and garden stock.  
Some of the tables were designed with four petite cubed arrangements gathered in the middle of the table, creating the same footprint as the other larger boxed centerpieces.  A great way to keep your guests guessing!
Forgoing a traditional wedding cake, the bride and groom served individual cakes to guests.  I am absolutely obsessed with these cuties, created by Amy Beck Cake Design.

  Just look at the single hydrangea floret detailing on each cake!  Love.
Extra-long sparklers were used as a charming and whimsical send-off as the beautiful couple made their way down the cobblestone courtyard to their awaiting car.
And they’re sure to live happily ever after…

Well…Dressed! Bridal Shower

I’m inspired to write for a couple of reasons.

First, I was honoured to be included in a friends bridal shower over the weekend.  After someone asked me what I thought was appropriate to wear to a daytime shower, I looked around the room at the gorgeous girls…

You always want to respect the guest of honour.  You also want to let the hostess know you appreciate the trouble she’s gone to.  It’s nearly always safer to be a bit overdressed than under-dressed {in my unofficial opinion!!}.  But, lovelies, please use common sense – a cocktail dress is not fitting for a daytime event and yet jeans are typically not welcome in a country club.

Secondly, after an absolute out-of-the-blue surprise gift from Renny, I was forced to take a spin around my favorite boutique on Oak Street:  Kate Spade.  There were plenty of pieces that would be perfect for a shower, so I’ve put together the following simple solutions for the next time you’re on the receiving end of a wedding-cake-shaped invitation:

Let’s start with the outfit on the left:
-The gorgeous sleeveless Kate Spade top beautifully frames your face – this blouse can certainly be the cornerstone of your ensamb
-Paired with skinny J.Crew ankle pants, the shirt can be comfortably left un-tucked {perfect for the pastries you’ll want to undoubtedly indulge in!}
-Gorgeous Prada heels add height and contemporary drama to this otherwise classic outfit
-Over-sized David Yurman knot earrings will look perfect with your Lily Vanderwoodsen-esq pulled-back hairstyle
-The covet-worthy terra cotta colored Brian Atwood clutch can be used year round {or so you tell your man when he sees the bill}
Now let’s talk about my dreamy collection on the right:
-Surprise, surprise – we’ve got a bold orangey red Kate Spade dress as the start to it all off…{will I ever tire of this color?!}
-With the simple, chic cut of the dress, understated shoes end up being the perfect pairing.  These JCrew flats fit the bill {and would also look fabulous with it’s neighbors’ black pants!}
-Simple studs by Slane and Slane add a bit of a Parisan punch to the look
-I adore the skinny yellow Kate Spade clutch – just big enough to fit your iPhone and lipgloss
-Grey is proving to be the perfect neutral this season.  I am obsessed with this grey enamel Hermes bangle – an understated {yet ostentatious} finish to the look
Simply and stylishly…Well Dressed!

Wedding Trend Report – Nonfloral Bouquets!?

What’s hot and stylish in wedding design right now? Posh Personalization. Going Green. Creative Color Palettes. Mixing Metals.
Here’s a lovely way to bring all of those trends together with one simple and memorable element: A gorgeous Brooch Bouquet. Check out this stunner photographed by Alice Hue:
Start collecting brooches and buttons during your engagement. Spread the word to your shower hostesses and have them ask everyone attending to bring a special piece to add to your collection. Borrow baubles from family members. Spend a weekend antiquing with your girlfriends to find some vintage pieces. Your friends and family will feel honoured to have made such a special (and simple!) contribution. Just think of the calm you can achieve at any given moment on your wedding day by glancing down to your bouquet and remembering all those who love and support you and your man!
After the wedding, the options are endless. Use your bouquet in its entirety as a sculptural detail on your mantle, or pull it apart to use the pieces individually: Use to enhance your clothes. Add glitz to your coats. Banish bad hair days by clipping them to headbands. Use it as a gorgeous clasp on a simple belt. Create napkin rings to bind your heirloom linens etc. etc.
This chic bouquet is a certain way to ensure your bridal blooms don’t fade before your candles burn out. Take satisfaction in the fact that seasonality doesn’t have to rule this design!
With your own special collection of brooches, you’re sure to have a lifetime love affair with your unique and completely personalized bridal bouquet.
That’s the Scoop!
{image credit} gorgeous bouquet created by amanda heen of fantasy floral designs photograph by alice hue