Wish Upon a Wedding Chicago Launch
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
Reverend Phil Landers, Tamara Sims, Kris Malandruccolo of Elegant Videos by Kris and Mary Gearhart of Bartlett Hills Golf Club
It was an amazing evening at the Ravenswood Event Center on Wednesday March 24, where the official Chicago Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding was launched. The space was filled to capacity with over 200 Wedding Professionals willing to share their talents and services with upcoming Brides & Grooms hoping to make their wedding wishes come true.
Chicago Chair, Ali Phillips spoke poignantly about this amazing charity which is the only wedding wish granting organization that produces weddings & civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness.
The most touching (and tear filled), part of the evening was the video produced by I Do Films which documented the journey of Chicago’s first wish recipients Beth and Nick (who also attended the event), who will become husband and wife on April 18, 2010, thanks to this generous organization. The video was truly an inspiration to all and exemplifies the true meaning of unconditional love.
Wish Upon a Wedding relies on the generosity of professionals from the Wedding and Hospitality industries to provide goods and services for our Wish Recipients. By calling on our database of regional Wish Granters, we are able to make wedding dreams come true. From caterers to photographers, and from DJs to cake designers, {and everything in between}, we need you!
It takes hundreds of Wish Granters to make dreams come true. To apply, visit the Chapter Locations page and fill out the short form to grant wishes in your area: www.wishuponawedding.org
Tags: Engaging Events by Ali, I Do Films, Wish Upon A Wedding
Vendor Spotlight: Invitations by Design
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under Wedding Resources
Tara with Invitations by Design displays her beautiful products.
Being in the Wedding business we quite often meet wonderful vendors who provide top notch service to our clients and Tara Vanderheyden of Invitations by Design is one of them. Tara offers custom designed invitations (and inserts such as accommodations, maps, response cards, etc.), programs, seating charts, place cards, menus, thank you notes, welcome bag tags, favors, addressing services (addressing, stuffing, stamping, sealing and sending your invitations), and more. Her services are customized to each client’s needs and are beautiful and creative! Tara’s work is currently featured in Chicago Social Brides Magazine, which makes her extremely proud. Tara loves surrounding herself with talented people who are passionate about Weddings and she hopes to expand her creative team in the near future.
When asked what her favorite color is…she enthusiastically replied: Pink…but of course she will work with any Brides color palette.
To learn more about Tara and Invitations by Design, please visit her website: www.invitationsbydesign.com
Bartlett Hills Bridal Show
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
Fun Save the Date from Invitations by Design
Beautiful Bella Bridal Model Katie
We attended the 1st Annual Bartlett Hills Golf Club Bridal Fair on Sunday March 14, and would like to thank Mary Gearhart and her wonderful staff for coordinating the event. The Ballroom was filled with live music from The Monarch Orchestra and wedding vendors including florists, invitation designers, specialty linens, photographers and DJ’s, to name a few. The Brides were treated to a fashion show showcasing the most beautiful gowns provided by Bella Bridal in St. Charles. We spent the afternoon sharing ideas with future clients on how we can create the Wedding of their Dreams at Bartlett Hills or any other venue.
We also had the opportunity to network with high quality vendors who we can refer to our wedding clients. Thank you to Tara at Invitations By Design, Kim Sproule with Blooming Creations and Sandy Ryan with Bella Bridal & Formal Wear, for taking the time to share your ideas and services with us.
Bartlett Hills Golf Club can help create memories for all your life’s celebrations. The Ballroom can accommodate as many as 220 guests for an unforgettable wedding reception (and outdoor ceremonies). Please visit Bartlett Hills Golf Club for more information on this beautiful venue. www.bartletthills.com
Tags: Bartlett Hills Golf Club, Bella Bridal, Blooming Creations, Invitations by Design
Northwestern University Dance Marathon Raises $854,396!!
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
A very excited Jay Sims shows off the final total!
Wow! What a weekend for the dedicated students at Northwestern University who danced for 30 hours raising $854,396 for StandUp for Kids, from March 5-7. There was so much energy in the tent at Norris Center that even outside you could hear the students singing along to their favorite anthems “Sweet Caroline,” “Jump Around,” and “I gotta Feeling,” just to name a few. Culminating at 1:00am March 7, with DJ Jay Sims playing another favorite “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” following the very emotional check presentation to StandUp for Kids to a teary-eyed Rick Koca, the founder of the organization.
Every year when I attend I am so moved by these students who not only raise money, but raise awareness for so many worthwhile charities. What a difference these students make by putting on their dancing shoes to support a great cause. And even at 1:00am, exhausted and sleep deprived…they all manage to end the night with smiles on their faces. We can all gain inspiration from them!
The dedicated dancers & DJ Jay Sims
DJ Jay Sims Back Again for NUDM!
Posted by Tamara Sims | Filed under News and Updates
DJ Jay Sims smiling and spinning tunes at Northwestern University's Dance Marathon 2009.
The first week of March is always a busy one for Jay Sims as he prepares for his 14th year as DJ for Northwestern University’s Annual Dance Marathon. The weekend of March 5-7, Jay will be spinning tunes for 30 Hours for over 800 Dancers at his Alma Mater, as students groove to the beat while raising money for StandUp For Kids Charity which helps homeless youth in cities across the United States by providing them basic necessities and support.
DM is one of Northwestern’s largest traditions, dating back to 1975 and involving, in 2009, over 1,000 students. DM dancers get to spend 30 hours dancing, singing, and having fun with fellow Northwestern students, all while helping a great cause. In 2008, these dedicated students raised an all-time fundraising high of $933,855!
Jay and Something 2 Dance 2 are so proud to support this amazing event year after year. To learn more about NUDM or to donate to StandUp For Kids, please visit: www.nudm.org
