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…
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.
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
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
Client Inspirations -The Drake – Inspirations
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.