Post # 1
Member
35 posts
Newbee
Hey all you Chicago bees! I saw a post that’s been going around some of the other local message boards and I thought I’d start one up here, too. Since we’ve all likely done a lot of research before choosing our vendors and ceremony/reception locations, I thought we could share those that we are going with for different things. I hope this is helpful and fun for people to share!
- Wedding Date:
- Location:
- Number of guests:
- Reception Venue:
- Caterer:
- Photographer:
- Videographer:
- Cake:
- DJ/Music:
- Florist:
- Stationery:
- Officiant:
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician:
- Hair:
- Makeup
- Dress:
- Bridesmaids:
- Rehearsal Dinner:
- Any Other Vendors:
Post # 3
Member
35 posts
Newbee
Here are mine….Let me know if any of you are thinking of these vendors/locations and would like for me to send you my info!
Wedding Date: August 28, 2010
General Area: Downtown Chicago/Gold Coast area
Number of guests: 100 or so
Ceremony Location: Fourth Church
Reception Venue: The James Hotel
Caterer: David Burke Prime (restaurant at the James)
Photographer: Fig Media (Billy)
Videographer: N/A – we’ve asked a family member to just tape the ceremony
Cake: Bittersweet Bakery
DJ/Music: DJ Joe Garrido
Florist: Anice Arvidson, Fiddlehead Florals (Anice works from her home)
Stationery: Ordered online from Elegant Brides
Officiant: Joyce Chin (Fourth Church)
Ceremony Musician(s): Thom McGouwen (Fourth Church)
Cocktail Musician(s): N/A; using iPod
Hair: Aniko Salon
Makeup: Aniko Salon
Dress: House of Brides – Allure Couture
Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal
Rehearsal Dinner: McCormick & Shmicks on E Chestnut
Any Other Vendors: Chicago Weddings Candy Buffet; iDo Cake Toppers
Post # 4
Member
5263 posts
Bee Keeper
Sounds like fun! Many of mine are going to be blank, because we’re so far out that we haven’t even started thinking about details like catering, etc. By the way, I hope you post recaps of your wedding! I love the James.
- Wedding Date: 6/23/2012
- Location: Salvage One, in River West area
- Number of guests: we’re inviting 180 or so
- Reception Venue: Salvage One, same as ceremony
- Caterer: N/A
- Photographer: We’re using Olivia Leigh for engagement photos… would love to save up for her for the wedding, but we’ll see!
- Videographer: N/A
- Cake: I plan on making it.
- DJ/Music: N/A
- Florist: I’m hoping to DIY some really simple bouquets from Whole Foods
- Stationery:N/A
- Officiant: N/A
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician: N/A
- Hair: Probably my regular hairdresser at Salon Soca in Lincoln Park
- Makeup: Considering doing this myself, otherwise same as above
- Dress: I have Julianna by Christos
- Bridesmaids: letting them pick their own dresses – not sure what color/style yet.
- Rehearsal Dinner: N/A
- Any Other Vendors: N/A
Post # 5
Member
221 posts
Helper bee
Do I count?? I’m in the burbs… Here’s mine anyway 
- Wedding Date:8/20/10
- Location: Palatine
- Number of guests:220
- Reception Venue: Cotillion
- Caterer: same
- Photographer: Modern Image
- Videographer: Friend of Future Sister-In-Law
- Cake: The Baking Institute
- DJ/Music: Enchanted Evening
- Florist: Private
- Stationery:www.paperandmore.com Designed & Assembled by ME
- Officiant:Pastor at my Church
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician:CD
- Hair: Avici Salon
- Makeup: Avici Salon
- Dress: Allure 8683
- Bridesmaids:Mori Lee 789 in Coral
- Rehearsal Dinner:Charlie’s Charhouse
- Any Other Vendors:
Post # 6
Member
35 posts
Newbee
@rachelelm1083 – of course you count! 
Your wedding is so big! I’m sure it will be fun. I have an Allure dress too! I really liked all of their styles!
Post # 7
Member
178 posts
Blushing bee
I LOVE this idea…
I will fill out as much as I can.
- Wedding Date: 5/28/10
- Location: Downtown
- Number of guests: 160 invited
- Reception Venue: Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
- Caterer: same
- Photographer: Rachel Naft (from DC)
- Videographer: none
- Cake: through hotel
- DJ/Music: friend of bride’s
- Florist: none – DIY
- Stationery: Golightly Creative Designs (aka ME)
- Officiant: Fr. Patrick Dorsey (family friend)
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician: ceremony – church musicians, cocktail hour – DJ
- Hair: friend from DC (Nina Hastings – Glynn Jones Salon)
- Makeup: Sonia Roselli
- Dress: Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard – Taylor
- Bridesmaids: TBD
- Rehearsal Dinner TBD
- Any Other Vendors:
Post # 8
Member
178 posts
Blushing bee
oh, I forgot… Ido Photobooths for the reception.
(Wow, seeing it written out makes me realize exactly how much I am bringing to Chicago with me) 🙂
Post # 9
Member
97 posts
Worker bee
You are so smart. Great idea! And I love sharing my experiences and am fine sharing costs if anyone has questions 🙂
- Wedding Date: Aug 7, 2010
- Location: River West – Downtown
- Number of guests: 130
- Reception Venue: Salvage One
- Caterer: Food for Thought
- Photographer: Anna Guziak
- Videographer:n/a
- Cake:Domino’s Bakery (North/Harlem)
- DJ/Music: Style Matters (Ryan)
- Florist :Meetinghouse Companies
- Stationery: My friend Melissa…amazing custom work!!!
- Officiant: Our Friend Steve
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician: My dad’s friend Don (acoustic guitar Beatles songs) for ceremony and StyleMatters for cocktail/reception
- Hair: Starlight Makeup
- Makeup: Starlight Makeup
- Dress: Private Label from Maiden Voyage in STL
- Bridesmaids: Wtoo style 625 in Mediterranean Blue (would not recommend…everyone’s told me the chest fits weird bc of boning!)
- Rehearsal Dinner: n/a
- Any Other Vendors: Traveling Photobooth, Hotel Palomar (for out of town guests), Costa Rica (honeymoon!)
Post # 10
Member
26 posts
Newbee
This is a great idea. We still have quite a few that we need to decide on.
Wedding Date: 5/14/2011
Location: Oak Park
Number of guests: Aiming for around 150
Reception Venue: Carleton Hotel (Ceremony and Reception)
Caterer: Barclays (Hotel Restaurant)
Photographer: Jeremy Lawson
Videographer: Not having one
Cake: TBD
DJ/Music: Toast and Jam
Florist: TBD
Stationery: TBD
Officiant: Our friend Brandon
Ceremony and Cocktail Musician: Toast and Jam
Hair: TBD
Makeup: TBD
Dress: Enzoani Dakota
Bridesmaids: Black cocktail dresses of their choosing
Rehearsal Dinner: Catered backyard BBQ at our house
Any Other Vendors: Day of Coordinator-Clementine Events
Feel free to ask any questions.
Post # 12
Member
988 posts
Busy bee
I will fill this out later when I am not running around but just a quick question where are you ladies planning to take your wedding pictures?
Post # 13
Member
221 posts
Helper bee
@MindyLeigh: yes! our wedding is definitely a big one! we have a pretty huge family! And yes! I love love LOVE Allure gowns! I love the back of every single dress they make. Gorgeous!!!
@JennyChicago: our pictures will be at a park called Kimball Hill in Rolling Meadows. I don’t know where your wedding will be, but it’s gorgeous there! They have a little bridge, man made pond, fountain, ahhh so pretty!!
Post # 14
Member
5263 posts
Bee Keeper
@TP to Bee: I love Chianti’s! I grew up in St. Charles.
Post # 15
Member
114 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding Date: 10/16/10
- Location: Chicago
- Number of guests: 150ish
- Reception Venue: Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
- Caterer: n/a
- Photographer: Continuum Photography
- Videographer: none
- Cake: Alliance Bakery (part of package)
- DJ/Music: Style Matters
- Florist: Ashland Addison
- Stationery: Cards & Pockets- my friend who is a graphic designer created the actual design
- Officiant: Fr. Mike Gabriel- ceremony is at St. Josaphat’s in Lincoln Park
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician: n/a
- Hair: Styles Down the Aisle (Lati)
- Makeup: Sonia Roselli (Rebecca)
- Dress: Watters (Austin), bought at A L’Amour
- Bridesmaids: Vineyard (bought at Bella Bridesmaids)
- Rehearsal Dinner: Rock Bottom Brewery
Other Vendors:
- DOC- Simply Perfect by Melissa
- Chair covers- The Chair Couture
- Transportation- M&M Limo
- Hotel Block- Crowne Plaza Metro
We are also having a magician- Dennis Watkins- for our cocktail hour. My fiance is a magician himself so this was his idea- I think it is going to be really fun!
Post # 16
Member
114 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding Date: 10/16/10
- Location: Chicago
- Number of guests: 150ish
- Reception Venue: Holiday Inn Mart Plaza
- Caterer: n/a
- Photographer: Continuum Photography
- Videographer: none
- Cake: Alliance Bakery (part of package)
- DJ/Music: Style Matters
- Florist: Ashland Addison
- Stationery: Cards & Pockets- my friend who is a graphic designer created the actual design
- Officiant: Fr. Mike Gabriel- ceremony is at St. Josaphat’s in Lincoln Park
- Ceremony and Cocktail Musician: n/a
- Hair: Styles Down the Aisle (Lati)
- Makeup: Sonia Roselli (Rebecca)
- Dress: Watters (Austin), bought at A L’Amour
- Bridesmaids: Vineyard (bought at Bella Bridesmaids)
- Rehearsal Dinner: Rock Bottom Brewery
Other Vendors:
- DOC- Simply Perfect by Melissa
- Chair covers- The Chair Couture
- Transportation- M&M Limo
- Hotel Block- Crowne Plaza Metro
We are also having a magician- Dennis Watkins- for our cocktail hour. My fiance is a magician himself so this was his idea- I think it is going to be really fun!
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