Following the trends with Brittany’s Styled Pop of Color Shoot

Brittany from Midwestern Bride took a modern twist on a classic look by pairing a bold black and white stripped patterned table runner with citrus toned florals. Inspired by the the jewel-toned Pantone colors of Spring 2015, Brittany used her pinks and oranges as a many focal point in the flower arrangements provided by Alice Hanson. Above the black and white stripes and next to the sunset colored florals, gold tableware, vases and various table accents helped create a more crisp look for the traditional bride.

The colorful event space, Nellcote Restaurant, located off Randolph Street in Chicago, featured gorgeous chandeliers that helped mirror the elegance in the tablescape. The chic table runner was provided from Etsy shop Luxury Linen Loft while the tableware rentals were provided by Tablescapes. The paper detail was designed by Chykalophia Design and the black and white stripped cake was provided by Cake Chicago. Model, Breanna, is wearing the stunning Vivienne gown by Alyssa Kristin and her hair and make-up done by the stylists at Dolce Day Spa.

 

This stylized shoot was created with the modern bride in mind who still wants to keep an essence of classic glamour. A bride who craves bright colors and bold patterns. Perfect for a spring wedding to create a memorable night for a fun-loving couple.

Florals by Alice Hanson Floral Design
Photography by Tuan Bui Photography
Rentals by Nimblewell
Gown by Alyssa Kristen
Styling by Brittany from Midwestern Bride

   

Our Mix and Mingle Event – Rittergut Wine Bar, Chicago

Does anyone LOVE a bridal expo?

Old news, right? Well that’s why we came up with something a bit different for all of our lovely brides of 2014 and 2015.

On March 1st Midwestern Bride and Tweaked Style collaborated on their first ever Mix and Mingle Event for brides and industry members alike. Instead of a thousand of booths and beckoning vendors we invited vendors to set up their displays in their own individual way and collaborate all together. Jacqueline, owner and stylist of Tweaked Style, used the pieces from different vendors from all over the city to set up her own little boutique with “style stories” for different brides so they could see a look come together without the push to purchase. Paired with her expertise in styling she could talk with brides about their own look they desired for their day and what might be that one thing to bring it all together. From accessories to fragrances she completed each brides look after they made their way through the handmade gowns, custom suits, and makeup artists that spruced them up for their night out. What a great way to get in the wedding day mood right? The champagne helped as well!

On the other side of the room Midwestern Bride teamed up with vendors from around the city to come up with some stylish tablescape ideas that are making waves in 2014. One tablescape featured lush white flowers, with gold accents, and gorgeous green foliage for the glam gatsby themed events. Trimmed in some vintage inspired art deco touches and tall tappered candles Alice Floral Design and Midwestern Bride set the mood for the regal bride. Prior to the event we also enjoyed a styled photo shoot with Chicago photographer Tuan Bui. Working their way in and out of Rittergut Wine Cave they styled different dresses with unique florals and details to show the versatility of the space and looks.

Though the weather was not in our favor we still boasted a spectacular amount of top vendors from the city and beyond including Pistil and Vine, A Posh Production, David Lai Photography, suits by Monarc, dresses by Jenny Yoo and Mignonette Bridal, sweets and treats by Whole Foods Market, Dior makeup, Nordstrom fragrances, Cyhkolopia invitation designs, Blue Dandelion Photography, Chicago Style Weddings, Alexandra Steele Photography, Life in Bloom florals, Flip n Sweet flip books, Westgate Flowers, and many many more!

In the end it was a beautiful night and we look forward to next years event once again. Stay tuned to see the announcement for next year.

Cheers!

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Simplicity is Underappreciated

Midwestern Bride was named with good reason. We believe in a the Midwest lifestyle and general attitude; and more than that we believe in long lasting love. With all of the websites and millions of pins we can all get caught up in the party but we want to bring a focus back the thing that started the process… the couple.

There are a thousand wedding planners out there who will gladly spend every penny of your money and who will convince you that your wedding is all about how you can outdo the Jones’s. There is an important underbelly of weddings though and that is the natural beauty of marriage.

If you are in love and incorporate your love story into your day then chances are you are already going to be a smash hit!

The people in attendance to your wedding are people that you felt know, love, and want to celebrate in your commitment. Cake and dancing is just a perk. This isn’t a ground breaking thought but sometimes in the midst of planning you just need to remind yourself of such. Your wedding planner should understand you, your vision, and at the end of the day what the impression is that you want to leave on your guests and in your memory. Because when all is said and done it is just that, a memory.

I want my clients memory to be a beautiful one.

 A bespoke wedding is what we wish for each and every client and we will help get you there. Just give us the opportunity and we will ensure that we keep your story at the forefront of planning.

Happy Planning Everyone!

 

Yes I was a Bride, That’s Not Why I am a Planner Though

You have Instagram… therefore you are a photographer.

You listen to music… therefore you are a DJ.

You were a bride… therefore you are a planner.

You also own shoes… Are you Lebron???

 

 Starting your own business is rough, it is exhausting, and it is thankless for awhile. Three years after my start I am still finding my way in terms of the persona of my business, the clientele I want to be working with, the areas I want to focus on, and the team I want behind me. When you are taking part in planning your own wedding or friends events you are still very detached from the real realm of wedding coordination. When you work for yourself you have to push yourself daily, you have to financially back each and every opportunity, and you have to be responsible for that business every minute of every day. It isn’t the glamorous job one might think.

A client will have no problem calling you at 6am the day of her wedding freaking out about chocolate shavings on her cake, the mother of the bride won’t hesitate to put you in your place if things are perfectly on time, and each and every responsibility of the wedding day is put on you. And trust me when you look over the photographers 6 hour contract and realize they are being paid twice what you are it makes your 14 hour wedding day feel pretty rough paired with all the correspondence leading up to it.

In truth parties are trendy and starting your own business is hip.  And that is unfortunate.

To all the bride and grooms out there. When selecting your vendors look for a few key things – passion for everything surrounding their craft,  enthusiasm for hospitality, experience within the field, creativity and  natural skill. We all start some where on this spectrum of abilities but it is those who back it up with business savvy that succeed. I may be too young still to know how well I might do but I know I have the drive and I have the knowledge of the field to keep pushing me to be better every day and not just for me but for my clients. At the age of 16 I worked in the floral industry, at 18 I worked in a bridal salon, at 20 I worked in catering and event coordinating, and at 23 I started my management experience. All of these experiences brought me to the place that I felt confident in saying, “I know my passion, I know my craft, and I am ready to do this for the benefit of others.”

I had a wedding but that’s not why I am here.

I am here because I am thrilled to help you execute yours. This is about you.

That is what MB is all about. Just you.

Sandra and Chris Wedding at Venue One

There are some weddings that have an everlasting effect on you. Sandra and Chris’s wedding had one such wedding. As “Style me Pretty” loves to say it was a bespoke wedding.

From the first day I met Sandra I saw her flair and I knew that this wedding would be one for the record books. She had such clear ideas of what she wanted for her wedding day, her style, and what she wanted for her guests. Their wedding blended the big city  with an old school romance. Friends and family came from all over the globe to meet her at the Notre Dame church on a perfect Saturday afternoon gathering on the front staircase before wandering into a fairytale Cathedral. Event Creative had large displays of branches and orchids lining the alter with a perfectly taut winter white specialty runner down the middle.

Upon saying their “I do’s” the congregation erupted in celebration eager to line the staircase again but this time with bubbles and champagne toasts. They loaded onto the busses and limousines to all take part in the photo shoot downtown with Avery House before making the trek over to Venue One. As they came into the loft space they were met with the sounds of a jazz quartet, soft candlelight illuminating the brick and ghost chairs, and a superfluous amount of food. From farm tables covered in cheeses to a raw bar of assorted seafood, passed canapés guests overcome by some of the best food Chicago has to offer from BOKA catering. All this before their six course meal to follow.

The dinner was extraordinary to say the least and in between each course the bilingual bride would translate the speeches to each side of the family. At the end of the meal a trio of belly dancers made their way to the dance floor and we watched jaws drop at their beauty. By the end of the show the bride, groom, and family was on the dance floor learning new moves and replicating the movements. But the best moment had to be the when Chris put his own tie headdress on, grabbed the cane from the belly dancer, and showed his bride how truly devoted he was to her culture swinging the cane in the air and gyrating to the music. Even as the planner on the sidelines I don’t believe I have ever laughed so hard in my life.

The remainder of the night followed suit in astounding guests with a fantastic nine piece band, sweets table to include Garret’s popcorn, and more late night snacks like truffle mac and cheese from BOKA catering. It was a beautiful night through and through; it was one of those weddings that will stay with me throughout my career. Their wedding was featured on theknot.com as well as in print for The Knot magazine so please see more images at   (http://www.theknot.com/weddings/album/a-sophisticated-modern-wedding-in-chicago-il-133662?keep=-843063781).

 

 

J+T Wedding at Room 1520

J+T Wedding at Room 1520

So much energy and excitement surrounded  Jenny and Tony on their wedding day. The first thing out of Jenny’s mouth as she prepared for her wedding day, “At this point none of the small stuff will matter. It is my wedding day, and it is going to be perfect.”

Take note all you brides out there. This is how every bride ought to go into the day.

All you can do is plan to the best of your abilities, have a team in place that you trust, and surround yourself with the best friends and family you have to ensure that no matter what you are still about to embark on what should be one of the most beautiful days of your life.  And having a planner that is going to run into a liquor store 5 minutes before closing to get after bar refreshments doesn’t hurt either 🙂

The blend of Wisconsin fare and Illinois flair left guests in awe. Design touches by Art of Imagination and DIY details kept the mood elegant without ever being stuffy. It was a gorgeous day at our friends at Room 1520’s venue.

Now enjoy the beautiful images provided by Kate Murray Photography!

Rachel and Eric Wills – Madison, WI

One of the spunkiest brides I have had the pleasure to work with Rachel was a joy.

Working with her, her mother, and her fiancé Eric we knew incorporating the beauty of their alma mater was integral to paying homage to the space where they held their reception, The Union Terrace. Equally as important was to keep this wedding as a celebration of love, commitment, and overcoming obstacles. While planning the wedding with her mother they were shocked to find out she was being diagnosed with breast cancer but this is not a story of sadness. They made every treatment and every set back a story of strength.

As we worked through finding all the right vendors and their own struggles we lined up an A Team with Blue Dandelion Photography, Double Platinum DJ, Elegant Touch and Event Essentials linens, and the Union Catering Team. As the day approached, moms health continued to improve, and I got to know the couple more and more I was just as excited as they were.

More often than not I’m greeted by our brides on the morning of their wedding with 1,000 questions and anxious energy. Rachel, she was sitting around enjoying a mimosa and eager to show me her honeymoon negligée in true Rachel fashion. I looked to Doug, our photographer, with blushed cheeks and him just shrugging his shoulders saying, “Alright this is going to be a fun day!”

They shocked the crowd with the Bucky Wagon greeting outside their adorable ceremony and caught them by surprise one more time with their choreographed first dance at reception before inviting them to the Garrets Popcorn bar. We could have kept that wedding going all weekend and the energy in the room never would have let up.

Rachel and Eric had plans to break ground to build their first home soon after and they got back from their honeymoon and we have stayed in touch through the passing months. You learn something from every wedding and this couple taught me perspective, appreciation, and true strength. It was a pleasure.