Wish a Wish…

Bliss Weddings was beyond honoured to be ask to coordinate the first ever Chicago Wish Upon a Wedding.  A new charity similar to Make a Wish Foundation, Wish Upon a Wedding has a very special focus:  to give weddings to people affected by life-threatening illnesses.

It gives couples a chance to focus on things other than health issues, medical bills and treatment schedules.  Wish Upon a Wedding allows committed couples to share and experience the wedding of their dreams, without cost or sacrifice on their end.  All services are donated – from gowns to make-up, from music to decor.

Beth and Nick met over 10 years ago and after quite a few years as friends, the pair realized that they were much, much more than – just friends.  Beth was diagnosed with urachal adenocarcinoma in December 2009.  Nick immediately proposed.
Their wedding took place this past weekend, hosted at their dear friends’ restaurant, Giovan’s.  Renny and I were on board to oversee all special details of the day.

While Beth has embraced her chic, shaved head – she decided to don a simple bob for her wedding day.  A charming bird-cage veil was adorned with gorgeous, dazzling crystals.
The emotional ceremony was laden with love and humor – it was so clear that Beth and Nick found their soul-mates in one another.
The gorgeous spring day was the perfect backdrop for the pink and green color palette.  The tables were fancified with specialty rentals from Classic Party Rentals and set with menus {printables were provided by CW Designs} highlighting the meal and hosting petite packets of seeds for guests to plant in their gardens.  The gorgeous cake, by Mary from Take the Cake, featured coordinating cherry blossom branch details.  All florals were provided by Amy at Blumen.  Beth carried a gorgeous and modern elliptical-shaped bouquet bursting with peonies, viburnum, lilac {from Amy’s garden} and jasmine vine.  The centerpieces were presented in polished silver bowls and hosted a spring-inspired collection of ranunculus, viburnum, roses and tulips.  The programs also doubled as seating assignments – a luxury we could afford to do with the intimate 50 guest wedding.
The day was beyond special, the bride was glowing and the groom seemed to float on air.  Thank you so much to Wish Upon a Wedding for including us in the celebration and for their wonderful gift to deserving couples like Beth and Nick.
{image credits} most images provided by kurt and nick gerber of gerber and scarpelli.  a few also shot by me.

Good…Friday

Chicago is remarkable.  When we think we’re ready to pack up our bags and head south – we are given a week like this.  Sunshine and record highs had the city buzzing like it was Fourth of July Weekend.  Spirits soared and people were smiling and appreciative of the gorgeous gift of weather.
Inspired to make cucumber lemonade and sit on the balcony with a good book {one that I actually love!} I remembered, with a smile, this soothing photograph from my wedding.  {Oh yes, and we won’t touch on the fact that there isn’t time to indulge like that…clients have the day off and schedules must be kept!}
This photograph was taken on my wedding day as I was getting hair and make-up done.  It may come as no surprise that I like to surround myself with beauty to help ease my mind or to inspire.  When studying in college, I lit candles and cleared my desk-top as classical melodies danced in the background.  When working on a proposal, I like gather fresh flowers and keep them housed in a gorgeous vase, positioned perfectly in my periphery. 
My wedding day was no different…I brought a few gorgeous coral peonies housed in bud-vases to tuck here and there as we got pampered and prettied, and I brought my very own preppy-girls version of a pimp-cup:  my grandmothers vintage etched crystal water goblet to sip cool lemon water throughout the morning, ensuring I was properly hydrated and my nerves were calmed.
Enjoy this special Good Friday, whether you are celebrating your faith or celebrating the weather.  Reflect on things that make you happy, inspired and appreciative.
{image credit}  photography taken by gerber and scarpelli photography

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. 

Hitched in Chicago!


The current issue of CS Brides came out earlier this month. We industry folk adore the magazine for all of it’s features – from bridal fashions to haute cuisine to remarkable design, the stylish editors of this glossy mag know more than most about what is fresh and new in Chicago Weddings.

Our wedding announcement was featured in this season’s issue, just in time to celebrate our one year anniversary! Can we do it all again?!

Le Sigh.

{photo credit: gerber and scarpelli photography}

Happy Mother’s Day!!

This weekend I honour my mother, my very best friend. Not only is she the most beautiful woman I know, she is the strongest and most inspiring. And in all those things, she is still the goofiest woman I know! I am so blessed she is mine!!

Also, a special Happy Mother’s Day extended to all my girlfriends who are recent 1st time mama’s – this day is also in celebration of you ladies!

{photo credit: gerber and scarpelli photography}

Kara’s Current Obession…Clementine Paper + Ink!

Today I am thrilled to feature one of my favorite local paper design studios: Clementine Ink + Paper {formerly known as Flourish Invitations}.

The founder and designer of this adorable and versatile studio, Jenna Plonka, works directly with all clients to create lovely paper creations, worthy of any special occasion.

Jenna worked with me to create my custom-designed wedding invitations {a design that she now turned into a studio line, available to all and featured on her website{see image below}. I was absolutely obsessed with my charming letterpress invitations! She and I worked to create the perfect visual and graphic balance that gave guests a bit of a sneak peak into our wedding day style.

From there, Jenna tackled all printables for my wedding – designing looks that were cohesive yet unique from one another. Jenna respected my direction in regard to budget, creating budget-savvy options for my consideration. She helped with everything from the programs, to the table cards, menu cards, table numbers and additional random signage. Here are a few images featuring our wedding printables…

{Our charming invitations!}

{Our programs!}

{Our table cards!}

{Our menu cards!}

{Signage for croquet!}

Since the wedding, I have used Clementine for a handful of personal projects {shower invitations, anniversary invitations etc.} and she has continued to excite and impress me. She can also be incredibly valuable by offering thoughtful verbiage and proper etiquette. Also, you may want to take her up on her addressing + mailing service. For a nominal fee – you can sleep at night knowing that your invitations were stuffed, stamped, sealed and mailed off to perfection!

Whether you need help with your save the dates or your baby announcements {or anything in between!} – Jenna Plonka of Clementine Paper + Ink will assure that your printables are beautiful and flawlessly executed with no drama and no fuss.

I’m obsessed.

{photo credits: snapshot of clementineink.com, other images compliments of gerber and scarpelli photography}

The Uninspiring Drizzle of March

Quite the gloomy Chicago day here. The good news is, it’s not snowing! Seems like a fantastic opportunity to be lazy and indulgent…

Enjoy the weekend!

{photo credits} wellies bride: elizabeth anne designs. umbrella b&g: gerber and scarpelli. tulips & pussy willow: botanicals

Just a Little Bit of Glitz…

I often encourage my clients to provide me with anything they find meaningful that I can then incorporate into their wedding design…I’ll create a bouquet wrapped in the fabric taken from her mothers wedding gown, or encourage the seamstress to secure a locket with a picture of a loved one to the inside of her voluminous gown. Simple ways to make the biggest day of her life even more special – if it is only just bride herself that is aware of ‘that extra special touch’.

It meant so much to me that my 91 year old grandmother was able to share our wedding day with us. I wanted to somehow honour her and her exciting presence – but wasn’t quite sure how. I ended up finding a charming and perfectly chic way one dreary April afternoon while my mother and I visited her.

My grandmother got married in 1939 and wore a simple, tailored suit that she embellished with glamorous Eisenhower Ice buttons. When I found those very buttons in her tattered jewelry box that early spring day, I knew instantly that adding them to secure my vintage brocade ribbons was the perfect sentimental touch I had hoped for.

(Thanks to the fab Gerber and Scarpelli team for capturing the special touch so beautifully. And thank you to my Botanicals staff for putting together my dreamy bouquet!)