It’s gonna be a BIG day tomorrow! The Soirée team is splitting up and celebrating two fabulous weddings! Congrats to Megan and Adam, getting married at Newberry Library…and Samantha and Mike getting married at Chicago History Museum!
Prepping all our decor…..busy, busy, busy!!
TIGF and Happy wedding Saturday to all the June 23 brides and wedding teams out there!
xo-tm
There are moments when I take a second and admit, “Wow, I LOVE my job!”. That happened Wednesday not once, but multiple times. I had the pleasure of attending a lunch at Kitchen Chicago, premiering the launch of Boutique Bars – a new delicious line of miniature bites that somehow pack all the flavor of your favorite desserts into a one inch cube . The collaboration is the genius brain-child of Chef Elaina Vazquez of Boutique Bites (who made the adorable TV diner inspired plates for our 80’s inspired shoot!) and Chef Nicole Greene of truffle truffle, the mouthwatering treats we can’t get enough of.
Since the entire event was to test out their new Boutique Bars venture, I could just skip to the last course, but the food was equally memorable. The highlight for me was the soup and salad trio: 3 mindfully matched colorful pairs, including the summer corn soup with a avocado lobster elote salad (a table favorite). We were given the choice of 3 entrees: one of Elaina’s favorites “Steak and Eggs”, Miso Glazed Cod, and a Summer Vegetable Risotto. After a cocktail, passed apps, a glass of wine, and an amazing main course, I didn’t think I would be able to try even one of the boutique bars. But then the plate came out, and I recognized one more part to their genius plan: No one No woman can turn down a dessert so small and delectable. Evil geniuses!
These ladies proved that quality over quantity wins every time! As a girl who can dig into a massive sundae, I was impressed. Who knew you could pack so much flavor into that tiny bite sized bar? Imagine a layer of fleur de sel shortbread, salted caramel, and topped with milk chocolate crema – they dubbed it “Twix bar”. But they could’ve called it “Fall backwards off your chair that’s so damn good Bar”. The five bars (pictured above) rounded out an amazing lunch and successful launch for Elaina and Nicole.
Those two nailed it – Bulls eye! And that’s what happens when the perfect pair comes together. They create something greater than what they could do alone. Elaina and Nicole already have mastered the craft on their own, but the merging of those two women brought on a whole new kind of foodgasm.
It reminded me of what happens when the perfect marriage occurs. The equation needs two people, who when paired together create something beyond themselves as individuals. I’ve seen it time and time again, and you know when you see one of those couples. They aren’t perfect, and neither is their marriage. But when they are together, they create magic. And that’s what makes this biz so incredible…we get to honor those perfect pairings coming together! It’s such a joy to celebrate the “mash up” of two incredible souls, and hey throw in some of those boutique bars and you’ve got yourself one incredible wedding! Congrats to Elaina and Nicole’s “can’t resist” new line.
Happy Pairings,
Rebecca Niziol – Associate Coordinator
Flowers by Fleur, Menu by Elizabeth Grace, space design by Art of Imagination
Happy Father’s Day to all those wonderful dads out there! You don’t need socks, ties and tools to know that you are loved and appreciated – we appreciate all you do every day!
I am lucky to have some pretty great Dad’s in my life! My dad and my father in law – who are both pretty awesome!
Here are our dad’s – on the most important day of our lives – our wedding day!
Rick and his dad, Dave, who was also his Best Man in our wedding.
My dad, Nick. So proud to be walking me down the aisle.
Dave giving his Best Man toast – such a great memory!
Me and my dad, dancing at my wedding
When I was a baby, my dad used to dance with me to Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” so I found it fitting that we dance to that at my wedding. I started to get a little choked up – so my dad decided to lighten the mood a bit and have fun with our dance 🙂
So in lieu of a Father’s Day card, I just wanted to feature these special guys on their special day! We are so lucky to have them in our life and we appreciate all that they do!
thanks Dad! and Happy Father’s Day!
xo-tm
All images by Cristina G Photography
This Tuesday we had a meeting with yet another great venue that we are so excited to be working with! In the heart of Lincoln Park on Halsted lies the Floating World Gallery where beautiful contemporary Japanese art adorns open-faced brick walls.
With a seated dinner capacity of 130 and 200 for cocktail reception it is the perfect space for a contemporary style wedding or even if you desire a modern twist on your soft and romantic soiree. What makes the Gallery particularly special though, is the rooftop balcony that sits atop the space. We imagine guests sipping their cocktails up there while watching the sunset, with twinkling lights strung all around overhead.
Visit floatingworld.com for more info and pics!
Post by: Soirée intern, Melanie Enright
It was such a pleasure planning Deitzah and Andrew’s wedding, I just loved this couple and I am happy to now call them my friends! A year ago today, on an uncharacteristically cold June day, they were married at Room 1520. Despite the cold, the wedding was gorgeous! The couple, the dress, the space and the decor – all gorgeous!
There were so many good photos, but here are some of my favorites. Let’s take a glimpse back into their day…
Her bouquet and florals were by the fabulous Kelly Marie Uss of Fleur.
Look at the back of her dress…are you kidding??! stunning
I just love this one of the bride and her sisters and brother!
I am absolutely obsessed with the back of this gown!
Back at Room 1520, getting ready to walk down the aisle!
I loved the Bridesmaid’s TwoBirds dresses – they were so versatile and elegant!
amazing chuppah by Fleur
Billy ball escort cards – cute as a button!
Vintage chest of drawers, perfect for the wedding cards!
Tables names after Chicago neighborhoods 😉
Cake and cupcakes from Sweet Mandy B’s – yum!
It was a an evening to remember – truly spectacular!
Happy Anniversary you two!
all images by Thomas Slack Photography
Venue: Room 1520 | Caterer: Entertaining Company | Florist: Fleur | Bridesmaid Dresses: TwoBirds Bridesmaid from Bella Bridesmaid | Gown: Lazaro from Bella Bianca | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Lighting: Precision Sound and Lighting | Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s | Photographer: Thomas Slack | DJ: Fig Dj’s | Programs and Signage: DIY, Bride’s Sister, Dana Woll
This morning (and every Saturday morning in the summer) I braved the crowds and headed to Green City Market in Lincoln Park.
I like to get there early, before the peonies are all picked over and it gets too hot.
Bowie’s dog pack is very helpful, as she totes all the honey crisp apples, kale, asparagus and fresh baked bread we can fit in there! What can I say, the dog likes to work!
So I usually come home with bags of fresh flowers- so my dilemma always is..what vases to use?!
I decided to pull out one of our Waterford pitchers we received as a wedding gift. This one worked perf for the lovely array of fragrant peonies I snagged up today!
Don’t know what to do with some of those wedding gifts that seem too nice to use for every day? Or did u receive duplicates like I did? (I’m in luck if I ever serve fresh iced tea and martinis in the same day!)
Well.. Here’s your answer. Now head to the farmers market and go get some fresh local flowers to display all over your place!
Enjoy! Xo-tm
Soirée to Z. 