Fall In Love…(Annie and Eric Part II)

My friends, Annie and Eric, find themselves continually enticed by what they’ve learned about having a destination wedding held in Mexico…That said, they are still considering staying local for an autumn wedding next year.

Wanting to give her a fair dose of inspiration – I created this board for her (below) to compare to the board I shared in my last entry.

While I absolutely adore traditional fall colors, I wanted to create a look that was a bit unexpected and special…worthy of the chic couple.

Taking a cue from warm tones of candlelight, I suggested a color palette of deep espresso, rich burnt oranges, softer apricot hues and champagne/ivory tones. Additionally complimenting those colors, I love the look of metallic gold and copper accents paired with bold peacock tints.

I told Annie that I saw copious amounts of candlelight, amber perimeter lighting and varied floral designs.

Autumn designs can look gorgeous with a more eclectic viewpoint – so incorporating varied woods, rusted urns and candle stands along with vintage metallic pieces would set the tone perfectly…Also, while we love the feel of a raw, rustic setting, we would also want this wedding to have an urban chic air about it – honouring the fantastic city we live in!

Whether they choose a Chicago autumn wedding or a tropical affair – Annie and Eric have plenty of style that will allow them to create the wedding of their dreams, perfectly suited for them.

Sunny Inspiration…

One of my closet friends, Annie, was recently engaged to her best friend and boyfriend of over 10 years. We all knew they were made for each other, but no one knew when Eric would actually propose!
After surprising her with her dream ring while vacationing in Odessa Ukraine, Annie came home giddy with excitement but overwhelmed with details and dreams…Where to begin?
The couple has always talked about a destination wedding…one that would have a laid back feeling with an emphasis on celebration, close friends and family. However, the couple and the couples’ families are so comically popular that narrowing down the guest list might prove to be a daunting task, so they’d also like to also consider a larger, local wedding option.
Lucky for Annie – dreaming is all I do and I was happy to explore two different settings for their consideration. I created two inspiration boards for Annie and Eric – let’s see which peaks their interest more: 1. A destination setting VS 2. A local, rustic fall-themed wedding
The first board I created (below) was inspired by a tropical setting – as they are considering a few sites in Mexico. Annie and Eric are a savvy, modern couple with loads of style…a stereo-typical tropical themed wedding with vibrant pinks/greens/reds/blues is NOT going to make the cut!
I came up with a color palette of crisp white and green, accented by rich and unexpected navy tones. Although the wedding may take place in a unique destination – I still wanted it to read current, fashion-forward and chic. I told Annie that nothing needs to be over the top …let’s choose the right venue and let it speak for itself, requiring minimal enhancements.
I envisioned light gauzy fabrics blowing in the tropical breeze; long rectangular tables that lend a more intimate and festive feeling to the dinner; centerpieces composed of simple, monofloral creations of green and white flowers and contemporary accent details of navy blue.

Annie and Eric’s destination wedding may be a dream come true, or they may decide to stay local. After all – Chicago is one of the best cities in the world! Only time will tell what is best suited for such a perfectly matched couple…

Moroccan Inspired Magic

This bride wanted her late summer wedding to feel like a festive, Moroccan-inspired feté…however, as the couple has never traveled to the African country (therefore not having a specific ‘meaning’ to them) they were cautious to make the event too themey.

After speaking with the bride and groom, initially, I put together this inspiration board.

I envision the urban loft venue, River East Art Center, (loved for it’s soaring ceilings, warm timber beams, and dramatic floor to ceiling columns) with copious amounts of deep, saturated hues of oranges, raspberries, cranberries and rich blues/plums.

I see worn, eclectic golden and brass accent pieces and billowing raw silk curtains and drapes.

I picture a lounge section defined by light, gauzy fabrics featuring varied patterned pillows and pads upon which guests will relax and recharge in between dances. Twinkling overhead may be a few vintage-looking crystal and brass chandeliers and lanterns.

An abundance of candlelight will be imperative and the guest tables will be dressed in richly colored, layered table linens Centerpieces may be composed of overflowing elements and a collection of varied, random vessels.

Guests may sip pomegranate champagne cocktails and place settings may be detailed with it’s own petite peacock feather tucked into the pocket fold of the heavy fabric napkin.

And this is only the beginning of the endless options and details that may create this wonderfully, inspired event…

Client Inspirations – Frenchy Garden Feast

A stylish client of mine came to me via the lovely wedding planner Susan of Big City Brides with the hopes of having her wedding feel like a garden-inspired, Frenchy Feast.

Before writing her proposal, I put together a quick inspiration board (pictured below) for her based on her desired look. This helped to ensure we were both on the same page, visually, before proceeding to the sample mock-up of her centerpieces.

Here are a few images showcasing the translation of a few adjectives and images to her Inspired Wedding Design (Pictured Below)…

Varied vintage silver vessels overflow with gardney flowers like open roses, peonies, ranunculus, anemones and lisianthus to name a few. Unruly jasmine vine, grapes and plums tumbled from the arrangements to the tabletop.

A charming spray rose was tucked into each knotted guest napkin.
I framed each beautiful window with rich eggplant curtains, lending an intimate feeling to the affair.

It’s the little touches I adore! We had unexpected, petite designs tucked in various nooks around the setting to create a more homey feeling. Here a silver footed bowl hosts a heaping mound of fresh fruits, gently punctuated with raspberry colored spray roses.

{special thanks to Susan and her dreamy team of big city bride planners, to the chicago history museum for providing the wonderful backdrop for the event}