Our team at Elegant Event Lighting created a cool lounge effect at Embassy Suites Chicago.

On Saturday our sister company Elegant Event Lighting had the task of transforming Embassy Suites Chicago into a swanky lounge for Joselyn & David’s Wedding Celebration.  Our team draped the walls in white fabric with royal blue uplighting to create a really “cool” vibe.  We brought in gorgeous white leather furniture to complete the lounge seating area for guests to enjoy cocktails and conversation.  We created yet another dramatic effect with a white dance floor with blue color wash.

Interested in transforming your wedding reception venue?  Please visit www.eleganteventlighting.net for more inspirational ideas.

Joselyn & David's Sweetheart Table is showcased by draping, blue uplighting and a gorgeous white dance floor.

Andrew's Garden Floral Centerpieces at the beautiful Chicago Marriott Naperville

Our monthly ABC meeting took place on April 10, at the brand new Chicago Marriott Naperville. Director of Catering Melissa Kross & Catering Sales Manager Kelly Turner, rolled out the red carpet for our group for a wonderful evening of networking, food and of course a tour of this gorgeous hotel.  The hotel is chic and modern in a “Mad Men” sort of way and is the perfect venue for weddings, corporate events and cocktail parties.  Our group enjoyed a delicious meal of surf and turf followed by individual wedding cakes created by their pastry chef.  Tables were decorated with unique floral centerpieces from Andrew’s Garden.  The evening was most enjoyed having dinner with fabulous wedding coordinators such as Karolina Warren, Robyn Bruns of Red Letter Event Planning, Sharon McCool of MS Weddings and Events and Diane Mollis of Dream Filled Weddings.

And a very special thank you to our newly appointed ABC Coordinator Jane Skarosi, for allowing us to have a first look of this great hotel.

The perfect sweet ending to our ABC meeting at Chicago Marriott Naperville!

Have your guests create their own iced tea!

If you are still looking for some fun and easy Summer wedding ideas then look no further.  Enjoy these tips!

Keep it Hot!  This year’s color palette is bright & bold.  Think Tangerine, Fuschia or Lime for your linens, floral arrangements and favors.

Stay Cool!  Share your favorite libation with your guests during Cocktail Hour.   Spiked lemonade and iced tea, sangria and bellini’s will keep everyone cool on a hot summer day.

Be Sweet!  Think outside the box when it comes to your sweets table.  Have your guests make their own S’mores, create their own Blizzards, or simply enjoy a yummy Cake Pop.

Delicious Lobster Salad from Catering with Elegance.

Wedding Guide Chicago hosted an amazing networking event at the historic Auditorium Theatre for wedding professionals on March 28, that I was lucky enough to attend. Guests enjoyed various food stations as they arrived on the mezzanine level of the theater including a new England themed station by Catering with Elegance including Lobster Rolls, Lobster Ravioli, and Lobster Bisque, Cork Catering served chicken salad lettuce wraps, and mushroom tarts, just to name a few.  As we made our way down to the theatre stage we were treated to delicious food from Rockit Ranch Productions including gazpacho, ceviche, grapes covered in goat cheese and pistachios (a favorite at our table), and a beautiful infused tea display.  Luscious Layers Bakery provided yummy sweets including chocolate whoopie pies, peanut butter bars, and cupcakes.

We enjoyed mingling with many of our Preferred Wedding Vendors including Reverend Jim Rehnberg, Robyn Bruns from Red Letter Event Planning, and Rebecca Motyka from BBJ Linen.

Yummy Whoopie Pies from Luscious Layers Bakery

And for the second year in a row, Wedding Guide Chicago announced that their partner charity for 2012, is Wish Upon a Wedding, an organization near and dear to our hearts.  Please visit their website to learn more about this amazing organization that grants “wedding wishes” to very special couples.

Besides the dress, venue and dancing, most guests really look forward to the food that is served at weddings.  From the traditional chicken and potatoes, to the exotic food stations, the culinary experience at wedding receptions has come a long way.  I recently had the opportunity to sample the delicious food from Bauer’s Catering while attending an event at Cuneo Mansion and I was completely blown away.  The presentation was beautiful, the service was top notch and the food was absolutely delicious.  Guests were welcomed by white glove servers passing seared ahi, healthy chicken salad canapes and artichoke and potato puffs (my favorite).  Guests could visit carving stations, made to order pasta stations, a fresh seafood bar, and a beautiful display of cheeses, charcuterie, grilled vegetables and fresh fruit.  Later in the evening desserts were provided by Oak Mill Bakery along with a coffee station.

The flow of the evening was perfect as it allowed guests to socialize and interact over food.  The chefs always had smiles on their faces and were more than happy to answer questions and create custom pasta dishes to order.  If I were to get married again…this is how I would want my reception to flow.

If you are in need of  custom catering for your wedding, Bauer’s will work with you to create a wedding that is uniquely yours allowing you to enjoy your wedding day, worry-free.

This March weather feels more like June, so I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite summer wedding trends provided by The Knot.

Show off some color!  Bright hues are always a popular choice for summer weddings.

What’s hot now: Think sophisticated brights. Sticking with just two hues (or two plus an accent color) will keep your space unified. Rather than splashing color all over your reception space, use one dynamic color for a strong statement — think all-pink centerpieces or bold orange table linens. This holds especially true for your centerpieces: Instead of multicolored centerpieces, alternate single-color floral arrangements for a pulled-together look.

Select a Theme! Tropical, beach or garden themes are classic for the summer.

What’s hot now: Think of your favorite summer hangouts when planning your theme. Rather than just any beach, bring in elements specific to the beach you remember as a kid. If it was a cabin in the woods, go for a mountain theme.  Or try adding sand or sea shells to your centerpieces or tablescape.

Go Bold with your Invites!  Letterpressed invites in ivory and black are still popular. But if you want to go for something a little more unexpected, creative wedding invitation designers definitely have color and printing options for you.

What’s hot now: Use colors in a new and unexpected way on your invites by reversing the typical invitation color scheme. For example, rather than using fuchsia lettering on a cream-colored invite, opt for cream print on fuchsia paper. Or mix it up — do the cream-colored invite with fuchsia writing, and then a bright pink reply card with a cream-colored font. Consider the material of your invite as well. One hot-off-the-press idea: Get fabric-printed invites, programs, and escort cards for a laid-back look perfect for summer.

For more amazing Summer Wedding ideas visit www.theknot.com 

Chicago's Mercury Theater was the perfect backdrop for Walter & Eugene's Wedding!

We had the pleasure of attending one of the most beautiful and unique weddings on Sunday at the historic Mercury Theater in Chicago. The amazing couple, Walter & Eugene were married on the stage of the theater, with gorgeous chandeliers, a black grand piano, and a crystal curtain backdrop with the words “today, tomorrow, forever” projected. Being a theater, the sound and lighting for the ceremony was flawless, and friends sang the most incredible Broadway songs accompanied by a professional pianist.  The reception was extremely unique as guests were seated at 2 different restaurants attached to the theater: Deleece & Cullen’s Bar & Grill.  After dinner, guests were invited to the stage to watch the happy couple cut a beautiful 3 tiered wedding cake covered in crystals and a cake topper that read “Happily Ever After.”  It was now time for the “dance party” to begin with music provided by Something 2 Dance 2 DJ Jay Sims.  Eugene & Walter danced the night away on the Mercury Theater stage along with their friends and family and I can honestly say this was one of the best weddings I have ever attended.  The day was captured by Colin Lyons Photography.

If you are looking for a unique venue for your upcoming wedding or special event, the beautiful 292 seat Mercury Theater is available for rental.  Contact the theater at 773-325-1700 or info@mercurytheaterchicago.com to schedule a visit.

Happily, Ever After!

The Mercury Theater Marquee set the tone for Walter & Eugene's special day

DJ Jay Sims keeps the dance floor packed at Northwestern University's Annual Dance Marathon

Northwestern University’s Dance Marathon is here again! More than 750 Northwestern University students will dance the weekend of March 2-3 for 30 hours to raise money for The Andrew McDonough Be Positive Foundation for childhood cancer. Something 2 Dance 2 will keep the music playing all weekend long. NU Alum and Something 2 Dance 2 Owner DJ Jay Sims, takes on his 16th year as DJ for this amazing event along with DJ Marc Simmons.

In 2011, NU students raised over $1 million dollars and they hope to exceed that goal again this year for The Be Positive Foundation. If you would like to check out live footage all weekend long or to make a donation, please visit www.nudm.org

Tamara enjoying the music at the Mobile Beat DJ Conference

I am sure many of you enjoyed watching the Grammy Awards on Sunday so I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the Top Wedding Songs for 2012.  I hope this list provides you with some ideas as you continue your wedding planning.

Top 5 First Dance Songs

1. At Last-Etta James
2. Can’t help falling in love with you-Elvis Presley
3. Marry Me-Train
4. You & Me-Dave Matthews Band
5. Lucky-Jason Mraz & Frank Sinatra-The Way You Look Tonight

Top 5 Father/Daughter Dance Songs

1. I Loved Her First-Heartland
2. Wonderful World-Louis Armstrong
3. The Way You Look Tonight-Frank Sinatra
4. Cinderella-Steven Curtis Chapman
5. My Girl-The Temptations & Unforgettable-Natalie Cole

Top 5 songs from 2011 for 2012 Weddings

1.  Marry You-Bruno Mars
2. Just a Kiss-Lady Antebellum
3. Love you like a Love song-Selena Gomez
4. Countdown-Beyonce
5. We Found Love-Rihanna

Are any of these songs on your wedding play list?