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.

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

Hello, Lover.

As each day passes, we have more and more blooming beauties available at the local florist or floral market {swoon!}.  Here is a small champagne bucket hosting an unruly and textural collection of fuchsia peonies (still pricey, but quite a bit hardier!) and fluffy green viburnum.  Love at first sight.  {Many people mistake viburnum for hydrangea – however one woody stem of viburnum will give you multiple petite, clusters of floral heads, as opposed to a single, larger head on a stem of hydrangea.}
Here, a single bunch of pink flowering dogwood was so abundant I was able to fill a pair of vases!
When thinking about wedding or event flowers {why do I always feel like the bearer of bad news?  So sorry – I just never want anyone to be disappointed!} please keep in mind that flowering branch is quite hard to time, seasonally.  Seasons of availability shift from year to year due to the weather.  So to plan on 30 elevated centerpieces of stunning flowering dogwood for your April 3rd wedding next year may leave you either: at the beginning/middle {fabulous!}/or end of their peak seasonality.  Speak with your floral designer to make sure you are familiar and comfortable with any “plan b” options in case they need to make a game-time decision based on the quality of product, a specific year.
And as spring continues, I will vow to keep you in the loop of what’s gorge, available and in the running of becoming my new floral obsession…

More Inspiring Blooms…

I had a lovely time at the flower market this morning, wandering the aisles to select a few bright and bold bunches of the seasons’ finest.  Renny and I have a photo shoot tomorrow and I’ll be putting together just a few modest arrangements to liven our setting.  I do have to admit {as long as my workload allows!} I always love an excuse to play with flowers.

Here are just a few of the beauties before I start to design:

As I’m sure I’ve previously mentioned, ruffly ranunculus are a brides’ favorite…It truly seems everyone loves them!  Here I’ve selected sunny yellow and rich magenta.
 
Ranunculus are absolutely beautiful right now and will continue to be in top shape for another month or two.  Beyond that, prices will increase and you’ll have to sacrifice on quality a bit.
A less common late winter/early spring flower is Mimosa – it has a very short window of availability.  The fluffy yellow cutie puff-ball-like flower has a completely unique scent.  Almost a muddled sweetness.
 
Beautiful fuchsia garden roses will only last a day or two…perfect for tomorrows shoot – but always a disappointment when they drop their petals so soon.  The powerful fragrance is intoxicating.  
I’m taking these vibrant, seasonal blooms as a bit of inspiration, I’m hopeful that spring is around the corner…

Press Feature…Who ME?!!

I was honoured to be selected by The Knot magazine as one of their Style Stalker Features in their current Spring/Summer 2010 issue.

They reached out to me months ago, hoping for loads of information about my personal wedding style – and after 5 pages of written beauty and design goodness that I passed along, The Knot narrowed it down to a few simple questions and {some paraphrased} answers.  I thought I’d elaborate just a bit.. {but please forgive me for any overlapped details from previous entries!}

When I started to think about, dream about and envision our wedding day, I imagined how everything would look in photographs…after all, once the day flies by that is all we are seemingly left with!  Because the setting of Hinsdale Golf Club was so dreamy on its own, I took cue from the grounds.  I was very much inspired by Gatsby-inspired looks, also driven by my color palette of white and bold yellow with Frenchy black accents.
While I adore fashion and design of all kinds, my personal style is rarely trendy.  I do always strive for a ‘unique’ look, but do tend to be attracted to timeless, sophisticated styles over anything too avant-garde.
I went for a look that was ‘Country Club Chic’, ‘Garden Gatsby’…current, but again timeless and sophisticated.  I wanted people to say, “that is so Kara”.  I still hear that to this day.
 
The tent was set in the middle of the golf course, guests arrived via open-air trolley {once the thunderous rains stopped!} 
Inside the tent, graphic black and white linens provided the backdrop for Frenchy footed urns and ornate stands topped with lush, textural and gardeny floral arrangements of peonies, roses, orchids, arabicum and fresh lemons.  I was also obsessed with our ultra-classic black and white checked dance-floor!
 
I loved these little guys…the satellite arrangements were nestled at the foot of the elevated centerpieces.  I am also known for being quite the foliage snob…see the charming richly hued camellia and gardenia foliage accented by the velvety soft grey dusty miller?  Love.
While cocktails were initially to be held in the lawn, the awful weather encouraged everyone to stay inside.  Here were the barely-used cocktail tables, finished with cutie black and white striped custom seat cushions.

Because our ceremony was to take place outdoors in the garden, I never wanted anything too formal for my dress.  Our wedding was not black tie – crystal detailing, ornate embroidery, formal trains etc. did not feel appropriate for our setting.  I certainly wanted something unique, but didn’t want to fall prey to too many trends.  Local designer, Alice Padrul, designed the absolute perfect dress for me.
 
I loved how the light, loose chiffon pieces gently danced in the breeze…
 
 The ring I ‘borrowed’ to wear on my right hand came from our jeweler, Joel Singer.  I already felt amazingly like a celebrity, borrowing gorgeous jewels for the evening…but when my husband let me know I didn’t have to give it back, I was beside myself!
Even in my everyday life, I am a HUGE lover of vintage earrings – large, classic and slightly obnoxious.  I found these gorgeous earrings at Weddings 826 in Lincoln Park and knew they were perfect.  They reminded me of the Chanel Camellia pair I’ve drooled over for years!  
I didn’t ever envision myself wearing a veil…again, it seemed too formal for our garden-party wedding.  A single, off-set gardenia was nestled into my perfectly coiffed hair by Sophia, our Beauty on Call stylist.

I knew I wanted the girls in bold yellow party dresses…{poor girls, what troopers – but don’t they all look fantastic?!}…Good old J.Crew had the perfect color in charming styles I thought would look great against the verdant green backdrop of the golf course.  
I chose rich magenta peonies for the girls unexpected bouquets, simply because my mother and I adore the bold hue {look at her stunning dress – it matches the girls’ bouquets perfectly!}.  Because I have done plenty of client weddings incorporating the beautiful color, we shied away from using it as a key player.  That said, however, we did need a bit of a ‘pink-fix’ and thought it would add a lovely contrast to the girls dresses.

The bridal party looked smashing – boys in black tuxes with black and white stripped ties and yellow spray rose boutonnieres, next to the beautiful girls in sunny yellow…A friendly {while a bit rambunctious and unorthodox} game of croquet was the perfect way to relax in the lawn between dances.
Thanks again to The Knot for the feature…we wedding insiders covet the glossy pages for trends, stories and features!
{image and detail credits} magazine images from the knot.  all photography by gerber and scarpelli.  tent and lighting provided by partytime productions.  all linen from bbj linen.  chairs, tables, chargers, goblets etc. from tablescapes ltd., all flowers produced by botanicals, dress by alice padrul, earrings from weddings 826, hair & make-up by beauty on call.  bridal party dresses from jcrew

Real Wedding…Ours!

Thanks so much to the wonderful editors of Brides Chicago for selecting my very own wedding to feature on the glossy pages of their publication!  The Spring/Summer issue is on stands now.  Here are just a few of the details highlighted by the Brides Chicago feature…

Our wedding took place on the grounds of the charming and beautiful country club where my family has been members for years, Hinsdale Golf Club.  The ceremony was initially intended to be set in the gorgeous manicured gardens, however, in an unsurprisingly Chicago turn of events…weather forced us inside for the ceremony and cocktail hour.  A second chuppah was created out of the fabric backdrop behind the band in a mere 20 minutes as guests were arriving.

My girls wore adorable party dresses from JCrew and carried bold magenta peonies {number one favs of my mother and I!}, accented with charming dusty miller and camellia.  Our custom letterpress invitations were produced by the lovely Jenna from Clementine ink + paper.

My mother in law and I surprised my husband {and our guests} with a serenade by the Cubs Dixieland Band for the duration of the cocktail hour.

Dinner and dancing took place in an elegant {and massive!} white tent set in the middle of the golf course – guests arrived via chauffeured golf cart and open air trolley.

Petite cabaret tables were positioned on the lawn outside of the tent where we had croquet and cigars available for guests, once the weather cooperated.  These cocktail tables were dressed in yellow linens and surrounded by white chiavari chairs with custom black and white striped cushions.

Back in 2006 {just after we got engaged} I chose a color palette that I had yet to execute for a client…Frenchy black and white accented by sunny yellow {ok ok, so since then the color combo has been a bit overdone…} The tables were set with graphic black and white linens from BBJ and topped with centerpieces set atop ornate lacquered stands and garden urns.  Flowers included cattleya orchid blossoms, casablanca lilies, open roses, fragrant peonies and barely-in-season viburnum.  We had beautiful yellow silk ribbons detailing each guest napkin that perfectly framed our menu cards.

Partytime Productions provided the tent and gorgeous lighting – pin spots highlighting each centerpiece as well as textured projections shone on the canopy above.  The tent ceiling also featured suspended votive candles that twinkled above guests as they danced and a black chandelier noted our family head table.

The sweltering day and unexpected weather did not disappoint.  The day was about love.  About life.  About family and friends.  It was absolutely overwhelming to look around the tent knowing that every person in attendance was there to celebrate and support Joel and I.

Forget dreams of a McMansion, luxe cars and expensive jewelry – can I throw a fabulous wedding-themed fete each year?  Please…?

{credits}  images taken by gerber and scarpelli.  tent and lighting by partytime productions.  linens provided by bbj.  tables, chairs, chargers, goblets etc. provided by tablescapes.  all floral and decor executed by my former home…botanicals.  my gown by the amazing alice padrul. 

Oh So Thankful!!

One of my favorite holidays is upon us.   Although the tradition has shifted a bit for me over the past few years as we now kiss chilly Chicago goodbye to visit my husbands grandparents in FL, I still appreciate {and very much miss} the harvesty, familial essence this day exudes.

Today, more than most, we reflect on what’s important.  On what we love, what we cherish.  I have so much to be thankful for this year: as always THE most important is my family, the love and friendship we share is mind blowing.  I’m also grateful for my other lovely friendships that continue to grow and strengthen as the weeks and years go by.  I adore {and miss!} our gorgeous pooch, Illiebelle.  I’m still giddy with excitement about the shift in my planning and design career with Bliss and am already obsessed with my new clients!  I’m grateful for my stylish neighbors  in the blogging community, who continue to inspire me and keep us all fresh and focused.  Gosh, I’m thankful for so many things; I could write an entry each day for a year and not even scratch the surface…

And so, while I sit poolside under a canopy of rustling palms, I share a few images that represent a more traditional Thanksgiving scene:

No floral design skills needed!  A simple basket with an abundant mound of fresh pears, winter greens and glamorous gold-painted magnolia leaves. 

There are countless tablescapes that can be arranged without the use of flowers.  I adore the varied varieties of richly hued grapes used in different containers spaced down the table.
Love the raw, worn table with the glitzy golden turkeys.
The simplicity of a crisp white tablecloth provides a fresh backdrop for simple monofloral collections of varied autumnally hued roses.

A simple vase of pheasant feathers can create an unexpectedly seasonal setting. 

I so hope you have a day filled with love and appreciation.  Happy Thanksgiving Day!!  Xx
{photo credits}  pheasant feather centerpiece from {sniff sniff} domino magazine, fall trees from digital picture zone, remaining tablescapes courtesy of martha stewart

Real Wedding…Cristina & Shane!

The highly sought-after and always charming Renny Pedersen of Bliss Weddings and Events came to me months ago to help out with her lovely client’s wedding design.

Cristina’s wedding was recently held at The Chicago Cultural Center, one of my absolute favorite venues in Chicago.

Cristina was inspired by natural design, slightly organic in it’s elements and style. She loved the idea of sharing an evening inspired by the sumptuous beauty of Napa Valley with family and friends.

I was immediately inspired by her vision and was thrilled to help pull the visual details of her wedding ceremony and reception together.

The reception took place in Preston Bradley Hall, with the massive east windows overlooking the incredible view of Millennium Park.

Simple champagne colored linens provided a sophisticated neutral backdrop for two centerpiece designs.

Guests were seated at rectangular tables, as opposed to the more expected round tables, allowing for the art of conversation.

The remarkable mosaic detailing is breathtaking. The simple addition of up-lights highlighted the detailed craftsmanship.

The elevated centerpieces were woven with silvery blue fresh olive branch, laden with the seasonal, ripe fruits. The base of the custom-made trees hosted a landscape of knobby roots and grapevine along with fern foliage, dahlias and roses.

Rustic mason jar votive candles dangled from branches adding a gorgeous glow around the room.

Renny hired Frost Lighting to pin-spot each centerpiece, letting the gorgeous designs really stand out when guests entered the room.

The lower centerpieces were designed in custom richly stained wooden rectangular boxes. David Gould (Botanicals head designer and my personal hero!) was the hands-on master that took all of the gorgeous elements that I proposed and created a rolling landscape composed of wood stumps, fresh grapes, hydrangea, dahlias, roses, purple fountain grass and gorgeous gorgeous folaiges including fern plants, woolly lambs ear and dusty miller to name a few. Rich burgundy pillar candles were nestled into the design and flickered just below eye-level.

The wedding was stunning, the couple looked like they were floating on air and Bliss Weddings and Events pulled off another seamless and dreamy affair – thanks for including us!

{photo credits} event images taken by erica barraca

Real Wedding: Kate & Mike!

An absolute favorite client of mine recently had her gorgeous wedding reception at the Peninsula Chicago.

Her late June wedding was a beautiful day that brides daydream about their entire lives.

The charming ceremony was held earlier in the afternoon at St. Clements, situated on a tree-lined street in the heart of Lincoln Park.

Upon arrival at The Peninsula, guests descended the grand staircase and passed through floor to ceiling curtains we added to create a more private, intimate setting for the cocktail hour. The curtains add much drama to the setting, while also framing the beautiful place card display perfectly. Cocktails were held in the foyer outside of the ballroom and on the stunning terrace overlooking the hustling and bustling Gold Coast summer activities.

The cream lamour curtains were held open and cinched with hand-tied bundles of summery flowers including hydrangea, roses and spray roses.

The seating assignments were arranged in a tidy spoke fashion, visually anchored by a collection of beautiful glass vases and compotes hosting varied gatherings of event flowers in muted hues. Varied forms of candlelight looked lovely as the sun began to set later in the evening.

Flowers and elements included open roses, hydrangea, peonies, viburnum, succulents and fresh mosses.

The curtains were closed just before guests were invited to dinner in the Grand Ballroom, to add to the romantic, candlelit feeling. As the sun set later in the evening, the curtains were re-opened revealing stunning city views and night lights.

We did a collection of elevated centerpieces and lower tabletop centerpieces. The lush and tailored garden arrangements were elegant, sophisticated and romantic – fit for Carolyn Rhome herself.

Coordinating flowers were accented by unique foliages including graceful maidenhair fern fronds, velvety broadleaf geranium foliage and muted dusty miller.

The elevated centerpieces will designed atop elegant glass vases – well above guests sightlines. To detail the tabletop, a collection of three vintage glass budvases hosted varied floral gatherings, while a trio of warm amber hurricanes added a twinkle around the room.

The low centerpieces were designed in footed glass compote bowls and hosted equally beautiful gardney arrangements.

The bridesmaids carried adorable bouquets designed with a fluffy base of green hydrangea. Butter yellow, antique pink and warm apricot roses were nestled into the hydrangea for a tailored, rounded bouquet.

Each setting was detailed with a glass beaded charger plate, topped with a folded napkin enhanced with a silk ribbon and a menu card scribed in the perfect shade of matching sage green.

I wish Kate and Mike (and their Hollywood-worthy-good-looks!) a lifetime of happiness! Perhaps they’ll renew their vows next year with an equally smashing celebration!

photo credits: outside of the peninsula – annie leibovitz for the peninsula. all additional images compliments of erica barraca

Real Wedding: Stephanie & Scott!

A recent client of mine had her beautiful wedding ceremony and reception at the Chicago History Museum. The ceremony took place outside on the 90+ degree day, squeezed in between spurts of cooling drizzle and rumbles of thunder.


The simple and elegant ceremony was positioned on the terrace of CHM, a custom wrought iron arch created the frame for the bride and groom, laden with apricot and sage green colored flowers and foliages to visually pop against the verdant green backdrop.

A custom runner was pre-laid and secured, while the aisle was noted by simple graphic pomanders composed of green button pomps, suspended by chocolate double-faced silk ribbon loops.

The couples pooches were the stars of the ceremony, standing in as ring-pups. I made adorable floral pillows that were secured on foliage garlands and tied around the pooches’ necks.


The reception took place inside, safe from any weather issues. A world of sage green, apricot and chocolate greeted guests. Copious amounts of polished wood containers and artful manzanita branches were detailed with sage green hydrangea, cutie chocolate brown cosmos and a few varieties of open apricot colored roses and spray roses.

The bride and groom were gorgeous and seemed as if they were floating on air as their careful planning paid off in the form of their dream affair.

{photo credits: bride and groom recessing + pooch picture by elegant videos by kris; remaining photos compliments of erica barraca}