Many say this is long overdue. I say the timing is just right!
I am so thrilled to announce the launch of my very own wedding & event planning company, Kara Superfine Events.
Kara Superfine Events works with discriminating clients to plan, design and produce incredible celebrations that are tailored specifically for each individual client.
Website forthcoming, but in the meantime, feel free to reach out to set up a time to connect about your wedding or party.
Earlier this summer, I planned a wedding that was so special on many levels. The clients were a dream, a wonderful mother/daughter duo, that started as acquaintances and ended up lifelong friends. Additionally, the setting was held at the Hinsdale Golf Club, the location of my wedding almost 5 years ago [and they got the gorgeous weather that Joel and I dreamed of!]. And finally, the couple was seriously in love – the kind of love that is so true and honest that it makes you thrilled to help them become partners for life.
For this classic and incredibly romantic wedding, we hired local artist, Elizabeth Dixon, to capture the evening on canvas, so that after the wedding the couple had this beautiful piece of artwork to remember the most special day of their lives. This has become my favorite, fancypants version of a photo booth!
Been so very busy working with clients on upcoming weddings [this weekend and next], helping new clients with the exciting initial stages of planning [venues, bands, photographers!] and preparing all sorts of dreamy details for more May, June, July, August & September client weddings.
One thing I whipped together for a recent client were the contents of their very simple welcome bags [for their 90% out of towners wedding celebration!]. This price-savvy collection of goodies represents some Chicago Favorites for around $15/bag. Mmm…Garretts Popcorn, Carole’s Cookies and Frango Mints….
Off to update checklists!
[Now here’s praying the weather holds up Saturday!]
It’s about that time! Wedding season is upon us and I am caught in dizzyingly festive preparations for upcoming celebrations…and this is merely the beginning.
While it has been and will be difficult to squeeze in regular posts [in between floral consultations, venue walk throughs, logistics meetings and the soirees themselves] please continue to check back for helpful hints and pretty pictures, as I will continue to share inspiration whenever I have a free moment!
Whimsical bridal and parties line for Anthropologie, BHLDN opened it’s second location this week, here in Chicago. Renny and I got a bit of a sneak preview of the stunning setting, gorgeous gowns and fabulous finds Monday evening at a private event hosted by Martha Stewart Weddings.
The two story boutique is so thoughtfully designed, I wanted to move right in! It’s such a beautiful balance of worn, antinqued furnishings with some wonderful, rich details.
On the second level, you will find a couple of salons hosting their bridal gowns, previously only available online. With prices ranging from $1000-$6000, there seems to be something for many a boho bride.
From veils, to shoes, to jewelry and accessories [you can even find something for your man!] you can certainly pull together a fabulously curated total look.
Host Darcy Miller is even more darling and engaging in person!
The store is officially open, I seriously suggest checking it out! [And then popping across the street to the Elysian for champers to celebrate your finds!]
[image credits] unless otherwise noted, all photos shot by me
I recently created this pretty-little-ditty for a LOVELY summer 2012 bride. And while we ultimately found ourselves swept off our feet by another color story [a lady never reveals such secrets], I had to share this poor cast-off beauty as some summer inspiration. Hang in there, Chicago…
Hope you have a great weekend – mine will be spent in meeeeeeeeetings [invitations, florals, tastings – oh my!]
Still in a dreamy haze of bold colors, I came across this beautiful shoot that Summer Watkins styled for Southern Weddings Magazine. I had to share her gorgeous handiwork.
I’m madly in love with the punchy color palette of poppy, pink and garnet paired with subtle, muted neutrals (my latest obsession as you can see in my pinterest collection!).
The bouquets featured a collection of roses, peonies, anemones, astilbe, dusty miller foliage and velvety geranium foliage – love the texture and the lace ribbon!
The handsome couple was casually clad for their afternoon dessert and punch celebration (a decidedly old school southern tradition).
A simple velvet ribbon is all you need to add some drama.
This cast away scrap fork that was dressed up by dipping it in paint. Simple! The napkin rings are composed of a band of paper and scalloped lace trim.
My favorite picture!
(This brings me back to the sticky-floors of a favorite U of I bar where groups of us would share ‘shark bowls’ composed of…who knows what…that always did the trick!)
It was a huge year for celeb weddings {Kate, Reese, Kim etc.} but the most recent featured wedding is of gorgeous Molly Sims to her producer love, Scott Stuber.
Molly wore a Marchesa gown that showed off her enviable figure in a romantic, tasteful manner. Her gorgeous bouquet of pale apricot colored garden roses was divine. Scott wore a Tom Ford tuxedo – perfectly classic.
Her hair was pulled high in a classically trendy ballerina bun, finished with a simple fingertip veil.
After getting engaged in May with this dazzling sparkler {jeeze!}, everything was planned in mere months!
The charming wedding took place on a vineyard in Napa and looked to be every bit of the brides’ “simple and elegant” inspiration.
The ceremony was held with the beautiful backdrop of willow trees that hosted suspended bell-jars of white roses.
And the bridesmaids…! I LOVE unique and unexpected bridesmaid dresses and Molly’s girls certainly did not disappoint. Each wore a different Elizabeth Kennedy gown in tones of nude, camel and black. Can you get over her seriously gorgeous girlfriends? Each is more beautiful than the next!
I am also loving their loose, natural bouquets composed of feathery fern foliage and garden roses.
In my next life, I will be a lovely, leggy supermodel.
{image credits} photos taken from us weekly, popsugar and people
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.
