Client Inspirations – Color Palette II

A client of mine had little direction, other than her strong desire for a wedding executed in aqua and coral hues. I loved the idea of the bold, summery color combination for her wedding at the Peninsula Hotel. I worked hand in hand with the wonderful ladies of Tying the Knot to pull the details together…

As there are no aqua colored blooms, we used axillary items in the cool tone to create the fantastic color pairing. One of the easiest and most effective ways to showcase a tricky color is to use a specialty linen. We searched and searched for the right aqua colored linen – however – none seemed to exist! Finally resigning to the fact that the linens would need to be custom made, the client was ecstatic with the final product: textural aqua dupioni silk linens for the guest dinner tables and matching bands to accent the rich wooden chairs and dark espresso linens used during the cocktail hour. This silk linen ended up being the perfect backdrop for the bold, monochromatic coral flowers that included peonies, roses, sweetpea and godetia to name a few.

We had fun with other unexpected elements in the right aqua shade: the shapely vessels that housed gorgeous coral peonies during the cocktail hour on the terrace, cool aqua colored icing on the stunning cake, a table covered in aqua sea glass that acted as the ‘stands’ in which place cards were displayed…

The weather was that of a dream, the bride was classically gorgeous and the unique color palette created a lasting impression on all family and friends in attendance.

Client Inspirations – Movie & Era

This fabulous client is the owner of one of Chicago’s chicest boutiques. Because she had very little free time, (planning a wedding and opening up another store!) it was imperative that we were on the same page, visually, from day one.

She was inspired by the glamorous movie De-Lovely and opulent, vintage-inspired details reminiscent of the Golden Twenties…

Here was an inspiration board I put together before writing her proposal…lending the essence of what I envisioned for her wedding (pictured above).

Here are a few images of her 2008 summer wedding courtesy of the wonderful Bob Davis of LaSoria Foto (below).

This tablescape showcased the “beautiful mess” the bride longed for. Custom mirrored tabletops reflected all of the dazzling details from the beautiful charger plates and table appointments to the varied forms of candlelight, strewn Swarovski crystals and pendants, and an unruly arrangement of open white roses, cascading phalaenopsis orchids and graceful ostrich plumes.

Here, the bride nervously anticipates the ceremony – donning white gloves and a classic headpiece.

Client Inspirations – Color Palette

Sometimes, a client will come to me with a simple color combination as their inspiration.

For this favorite client, she wanted her early summer wedding to feature crisp apple green hues and bright white accents. The designs were sleek and simple, but made a statement in the urban setting at Prairie Productions.
The use of long, banquet-style tables created an interesting architecture in the room and allowed the minimal floral details to create a visually impressive statement, lined down the center of the table.
(Image taken by the amazing Kingensmith duo!)

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}

Client Inspirations – The Drake III – Color & Tropical Chic

This Drake Hotel wedding had a bold, graphic color palette of Green/White/Black.

Some of the tables featured elevated centerpieces, designed in black lacquered vases hosting a canopy of rich palm fronds – lending her desired ‘Tropical Elegance’ vibe. Additionally, Frank and I sourced the same palm patterns as those in the classic movie Casablanca and had them projected onto the dance floor for added texture and drama in the old, glamorous space.

The wedding was stunning, the bride and groom were thrilled and we pulled off the perfect design for her Kelly Wearstler/Tropical Elegance/40’s Glamour inspiration!

Thanks to my friend and wedding planner Frank Andonoplas for his partnership on this wonderful wedding.

Client Inspirations – The Drake II – Interior Designer

One of this client’s inspirations was her favorite interior designer: Kelly Wearstler.
A few of Wearstlers’ trademark styles spoke to me and my wonderful planner friend Frank Andonoplas: Kelly’s use of eclecticism, old world glamour – showcased in modern manners and graphic designs with bold color combinations. I was able to create a wedding design that incorporated these fantastic looks.
Here are a few more design notes from the seductively stylish event…
~The head table sat 14 people; the bridal party. We used long, rectangular shaped tables lined end-to-end to create a more dramatic contrast to the sea of round tables.
~One of the most impressive pieces of the wedding was the custom designed canopy – created to house the head table and make a statement in the grand room (pictured above).
~Because the room is so ornate, I decided to execute the canopy in a more graphic, geometric style. The canopy was woven with flowy fabrics and featured a pair of black crystal chandeliers, twinkling above guests as they dined – another modern and graphic contrast in the luxe, detailed room.

~The head table (above) featured a custom mirrored tabletop that reflected the abundance of candlelight and highlighted the chandeliers suspended overhead. I always encourage clients to use ‘low’ designs on their head table – all eyes will be on the bride and groom! Guests love to see their reactions to toasts etc. For their long, rectangular table, I created a rolling landscape of varied, eclectic elements stretched down the middle of the table.
~Adding to the eclectic feel, I included elements (strategically chosen, but seemingly random!) like gold lacquered geometric pieces, white porcelain sculptures, graphic black votive cups, varied forms and heights of candlelight and fresh, living succulents and palms tinted gold for an unexpected look.

Client Inspirations -The Drake – Inspirations

Before I meet with a client for the first time, I ask them to bring any inspirations they have for their wedding design…It doesn’t always have to be literal (like a centerpiece they saw in a magazine) – and is often times a bit more abstract…A favorite vintage purse, a piece of artwork. Something that speaks to them (they often don’t know why) or captures the essence of what the bride is looking for on her wedding day.

I’d like to share a few of my client inspirations and show how I translated their thoughts into the form of a wedding design.

A favorite client, got married in the Gold Coast Room at the iconic Drake Hotel.

She came to me with a few inspirations.

–Her favorite Interior Designer: Kelly Wearstler – Goddess of Modern Glamour (The brilliant beauty responsible for chic settings in The Tides in South Beach and The Viceroy in Santa Monica, for example)
–Tropical Elegance
–40’s Glam

How did it all come together?

I was recently interviewed for Brides Chicago about this favorite project…

I will post a few more images of this wedding taken by the wonderful Garbo Productions.