Archive for the ‘vendor spotlight’ Category

Chicago wedding vendors: photographer, florist, bakery, & wedding planner

June 30, 2010

Chicago wedding vendors including florist Christine Noelle from Christine Noelle Design and Molly’s Cupcakes and myself as the photographer, teamed up on a professionally styled shoot this spring. The photo shoot was used for an advertisement in the popular wedding magazine Chicacgo Social Brides (also know simply as CS Brides) which hit newsstands on June 15th. Earlier this spring, Christine Noelle opened the doors of her fabulous, new floral design studio to set up a fun tablescape for the shoot. I arrived one early morning to see Christine working like a painter laying down an explosion of colors, using spring flowers as her tools. Cupcakes, assorted vases, tea cups imported from England, and decorative papers were also used. Christine transformed the perfect scene into a “mad tea party.” In the picture below, you can see two photographs from the shoot. If you would like to see more images from the photoshoot, click here.

photographer for Chicago Social Brides Magazine CS bridesThe advertisement on the left is for Chicago wedding planner La Di Events, with wedding photography I took for Naomi and Andy’s Chicago area autumn wedding. I will have the pleasure of working alongside Christine Noelle’s team at Dilly Lily at an upcoming wedding at the Chicago InterContinental Hotel downtown for a bride and groom coming from Australia for their big day this fall..

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Gallery 1028 wedding | Chicago warehouse loft event space

February 19, 2010

ever since i photographed sam and angela’s wedding, i fell in love with the event space. for those of you who have been working with gallery 1028, you probably already know the the possibilities this venue has to offer. below, as part of my vendor spotlight, i am introducing you to one of my favorite wedding venues in more depth, including an interview with Katie Hall.

I recently photographed for Gallery 1028. A fabulous atmosphere was created for the event by PJ Acosta at Studio AG (Alice’s Garden). Also knownw as Alice’s Garden, they are a full service, luxury floral and decor design center that has been serving such prestigious clients as Van Cleef & Arpels, Conde Nast Publications, and HBO for over 13 years. Studio AG creates unique environments from table design for intimate private events to muti-media stage sets for televised awards programs, from sleek lounge settings to original art installations. The possibilities are limitless.

All images below are by Heather Parker Photography.

Gallery 1028 is in a warehouse district with plenty of unique exterior surroundings, perfect for unique bridal photo shoots on your wedding day. Inside the venue, the large amount of bricks and wood create a moody atmosphere. From a photography perspective, because there is no white ceiling to bounce light off, it can be a challenging space for a photographer. With the right experience and quality lenses, successfully lit photos can be had even in a dark venue. Another shot taken in dark lighting can be seen here.

gallery 1028 by heather parker in chicago
When you walk inside, there is a nice sized room suitable for a lobby area or coat check.gallery 1028 by heather parker
If your guest list is around 135 people, a separate mid-size room (below) from the main dining area can be used for your wedding ceremony. For larger wedding ceremonies the giant main room is suitable, and can be flipped over to a dining setup while guests enjoy cocktail hour in the mid-size room.wedding ceremony space
The main room has a rustic array of exposed brickwork and beams along with truly raw floors.loft warehouse wedding venue in chicago gallery 1028
Below, you can see a sampling of vignette setups that were created by PJ from Studio A. G. chicago wedding venue warehouse

While I have seen Gallery 1028 function great without additional lighting, renting chandeliers adds a touch of elegance to any event.
chicago chandeliers by studio AG
For a photo of a real wedding setup, click here.
Below, PJ created a far from ordinary wedding reception setup using bold pink hues. I have seen similar color schemes popular for Indian weddings, Chinese weddings and many other cultural and creative weddings. I personally love fuchsia, red, orange all all sorts of vivid colors.pink red floral and napkin design color at weddingfloral and dinner table setting design by studio AG chicago Alice's Garden
If pink is not your thing, there are also a lot of fun opportunities to decorate with blue, aqua, green, and yellow. Complimenting bright colors with black & white is very popular this year.animal print zebra linens for a wedding with blue accent napkins theme ideasIn addition to a round table setup, a modern alternative is using a rectangular reception table.purple fushia wedding decor by luxury event designer Studio AG, photo by Heather Parker

Vendor Spotlight: Gallery 1028

Introduce yourself:
Katie Hall Jasinski, Venue Manager, Gallery 1028
1028 Hooker Street Chicago, IL on Goose Island (312) 239-2328
http://www.gallery-1028.com

Gallery 1028 is one of my favorite venues. As far as I know, its the only place in Chicago where you can have an island wedding (since its on Goose Island of course)! What are some unique things about the space?
We’re one of Chicago’s best kept secrets….Our open, loft, older feel and style are what is trendy in unique weddings now.  Plus our space can hold both ceremonies & receptions in separate rooms, big bonus!

I have seen Gallery 1028 presented with elegant sophistication and as a chic modern space. What are some popular trends at Gallery 1028 with brides and grooms this year?
Making it “their own” really.  From shabby chic to less is more with candles to a colorful moroccan theme, it’s all been done.  Our space absorbs all colors really well.  A bonus at our space is the ability to hang things in our timber loft ceilings.   From lighting to projectors to chandeliers to lanterns, it makes each event unique to the overall look.

More images from a recent event at Gallery 1028

Gallery 1028 Wedding and Event Photography by Heather Parker Photography

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tips for planning a Jamaica destination wedding

February 2, 2010

happy groundhog day! they’re saying six more weeks of winter. am i going to be able to stand it? i was catching up with laura sangster the other day who is one of the most popular destination wedding planners for the caribbean and we corresponded about the nature of wedding photography and destination weddings. “what is the trend in destination wedding photography?” i wondered. coming from an experienced planner laura noted, “the hotel photographers can not compare to a private photographer. period. i think the trend is towards budgeting more for a photographer than ever before.” she always has great advice ranging from featuring resorts on her blog to even compiling and shifting through the mis-information that abounds online in regards to international marriage license requirements. i have already pointed my destination wedding couples to her blog because it really is a go-to resource. i decided that it would be a good idea to introduce Laura to my readers. in these cold winter months, destination wedding requests couldn’t be more plentiful. Laura has helped over a hundred happy brides and grooms plan their dream weddings acting as a liaison between the foreign cultural traditions and customs in relation to weddings and the United States based brides.

Introduce yourself:
Laura Sangster | www.CaribbeanJourney.com | 866-236-1924
Destination Wedding Blog

Twitter @CaribbeanTrips
Caribbean Weddings on Facebook

How did you get started selling Destination Weddings?

When I decided to become a travel consultant, I knew I wanted to specialize in the Caribbean. I am very passionate about the region… about the stress free feeling one has when in paradise, so it was an easy choice for me. The Caribbean is synonymous with romance and soon my engaged clients began asking me to help arrange the travel for their destination weddings. Over the years, my involvement has swelled from simply booking airfare + hotel for wedding guests to helping brides find the perfect location for their dream wedding and being a full time sounding board for my brides on everything from local customs, reception menus, goodie bags and more.

What did you learn from planning your own Destination Wedding?

So much! The knowledge I gained from planning and hosting my own destination wedding at The Rockhouse Hotel in Negril, Jamaica for 120 guests, is invaluable. The most difficult part is finding the perfect location. I seriously considered 11 places and it took a few excruciating months to finalize our decision. I also learned how important it is to book your destination wedding photographer for the morning after your wedding too, put the dress back on and take advantage of the a.m. lighting for a few more photos. This is a growing trend!

What is the single most important piece of advice you share with your Brides?

To relax!!! It is important to remember that most suppliers a Bride will come in contact with when planning a Caribbean Wedding are based in the islands and they work on “island time”. This translates to longer than desired turn arounds on rate quotes and questions. I try to convince my Brides to see the beauty in their more relaxed way of doing business because there really is nothing we can do to speed up the process. As a travel consultant, it is my job to stay on top of the process and make sure none of the delays cause us to lose reservation space.

What is the biggest trend you are seeing for 2010 Destination Weddings?

For 2010 I am seeing the trend away from seashell themed weddings and the move towards simple, chic, and elegant. One of the more frustrating aspects of planning my own wedding was the difficulty I had in finding favors and décor that met my taste. Everything available at that time (2004/2005) seemed to be “made in china” with a hot glue gun. I didn’t know about Etsy.com and being a business owner, I had limited time to tap my own creative resources. For 2010, I am seeing more resorts offering a wider variety of wedding package themes. One big change for 2010 is the newly formed partnership of Martha Stewart Weddings and Sandals Resorts. Their joint wedding packages are very impressive.

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vendor spotlight: spencer of style matters dj in chicago

January 26, 2010

for those of you who have met me to discuss wedding photography, you know how i always rave about style matters. here is where i explain my praise for them. have been to a ton of weddings and i know which djs get the crowd going without being annoying. spencer and the djs that are part of his company don’t mess up, they send the wedding guests to the dance floor without fail, and tend to play a cooler versions of recognizable songs and mixing in an appropriate amount of unique tracks. if spencer isn’t available on your wedding or event, don’t fret for even a moment. i have heard several of the other djs that work for style matters and the party is just as fun. when the party is fun, it makes my life easier because lets be honest, its more fun as a wedding photographer taking creative photos during a wedding reception when the dance floor is packed. i have had a chance to get to know the style matters crew, at weddings at gallery 1028, zed 451, the narnia estate, just to name a few. i am spotlighting spencer in an online blog interview below:

1. Introduce yourself:

Hello, my name is Spencer Lokken.  I’m a member of the Orchard Lounge DJ collective and I run Style Matters DJs (www.stylemattersdjs.com).

2. How did you get started?

Like a lot of people in their twenties, I wasn’t happy with my where my career was going.  I never had a healthy relationship with corporate America.  Despite a solid work ethic and proven track record, I left my job every day feeling unsatisfied, unchallenged, and uninspired.  Almost six years ago, intrigued by the wonders of Craigslist, I created a post offering my DJ services to people throwing high-end private events.  I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but at the time, I certainly didn’t have any hopes of creating a full-fledged company.  I just did it to keep from going crazy in my cubicle.  As my pop once put it, I quit working for the man and became the man.  Best decision I’ve ever made.

3. What do you think has gotten Style Matters to be one of the most successful DJ companies in Chicago?

Raw talent, attention to detail, creativity, our organizational skills, our willingness to take a chance, and the fact that I’ve assembled a team of some of the best DJs this city has ever seen.  I’ve put my heart and soul into this, as have the DJs on my team.  I think when you watch us spin, it shows.

4. What sets you apart from your competitors?

What competitors?  Kidding.  I suppose it has a lot to do with how knowledgeable, versatile, and dedicated the DJs are.  We are constantly driven by the feeling we get at 12:01am every Saturday night.  It’s pretty special to know that we’re an integral part of a celebration that our clients will never forget.

5. What is on your playlist this week?

Seven Saturdays – “Good Morning, I Love You”
Real Estate – “Fake Blues”
The XX – “VCR”
Toro Y Moi – “Blessa”
Emancipator – “Rattlesnakes”
Hot Chip – “Thieves In the Night”
Broken Bells – “The Ghost Inside”
Vampire Weekend – “I Think You’re A Contra”
Bat For Lashes – “Good Love”
Kings Of Convenience – “Mrs. Cold”

Come see what’s on all the DJs’ playlists next Friday, February 5th at Moonshine for our bi-monthly DJ showcase. Moonshine is at 1824 W. Division, Chicago near Damen & Division

full disclosure: Style Matters does not compensate me in any way. i don’t get anything except the joy of nudging you towards good resources. i don’t pay any money to be on anyone’s preferred vendor list, nor do i charge anyone to be mentioned in my blog or accept any money for mentioning anyone.

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vendor spotlight: dilly lily chicago wedding florist

January 8, 2010

as part of my vendor spotlight feature, i have been making a point to introduce my readers to some of the fabulous wedding vendors i often get the chance to work with. some weeks ago, i did an engagement shoot for a client who is having a destination wedding at cabo san lucas in mexico, and since their engagement shoot location was near dilly lily, i figured it would be a perfect time to stop in for the photo shoot at their floral boutique. dilly lily was the florist dora and diego used for their wedding at zed 451, and the photo was featured in brides chicago magazine.

1. Introduce yourself:
Christine Noelle / Dilly Lily / dillylily.com / allfortheloveofflowers.com

2. How did you get started?
I grew up surrounded by nature with a great fondness of flowers and design. This is my path in life,  I guess you could say that flowers are my destiny. I can not imagine my life without them.

3. What inspires you and influences your work?
Inspiration is everywhere! I find it through fashion, nature, traditions, travel and in the beauty of everyday life.

5. What are some of the most popular requests this season?

There is the continued desire to capture a bride and groom’s individual style on their wedding day. Our job is to capture their style in flowers through color, texture and unique design. This holiday season there were a lot of requests for crystals, candles,  peacock feathers, and plums – makes for a rich and luscious palette!

Christine Noelle, Creative Director
Dilly Lily
742 W Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago IL 60614
773-404-0602
www.dillylily.com

why i personally think dilly lily worth mentioning?

they have modern, cozy floral arrangements that stand out.
they won citysearch best of chicago 2009 for flowers, and runner up for bridal.
its really a gift boutique because there’s so much more than flowers.

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vendor spotlight: Amanda at La’Di Events

December 15, 2009

this fall, i was the wedding photographer hired to photograph naomi and andy’s wedding/vow renewal ceremony. the event was held at oak brook bath & tennis club over at 800 oak brook road in oak brook, IL 60523 (phone number is 630-368-6440). in the weeks leading up to the couple’s big day, they enlisted the services of chicago area wedding planner amanda from la ‘di events. because the bride had taken on a new job, juggled raising two young children, and was planning a wedding that was well over an hour away from her home, a day of coordinator made things a lot easier for her. amanda, the owner of la ‘di events kept the ball rolling and made sure all the details came together for the couple. naomi carefully put together a very fitting autumn color palette and did a lot of DIY wedding decorations to go alongside the fall-inspired centerpieces and decor created by kristen at kio kreations. before the wedding day, i touched base with amanda a few times to go over the time line of the day, and photo related information. on the wedding day, while i was photographing the bride getting ready, having her makeup applied by cynthia sally, amanda was at the wedding ceremony venue getting everything ready. on a chilly afternoon drizzling with rain, the day of coordinator made the important decision to hold the wedding ceremony indoors.

as la ‘di events is becoming one of chicago’s fastest growing wedding planners. i decided to feature la ‘di as part of a vendor spotlight.

1. Introduce yourself:

Amanda Burdick, La Di Events  www.ladievents.com
www.ladievents.blogspot.com, Twitter @ladievents

2. How did you get started?

It’s hard to really pinpoint how I started down the path to becoming a
wedding planner.  I have been planning parties for friends and family since
I was in High school. I always intended on starting my own business and
wedding planning was my ultimate choice. But what really kick started my
journey to start my own business was planning my sister’s wedding.  After
that all my friends looked to me for wedding planning assistance and I had
such a great time!  I knew this was what I wanted to do always.

3. What do you do on your weekends off?

Sleep in! Haha!  I actually usually try to schedule venue walk thrus and
consultations on Saturdays that I am off.  But if I don’t have meetings I
spend time with My Husband David and Peanut Butter our Yellow lab.

4. What are some of the most popular requests this season?

Black and white Damask and a bright accent color like hot pink or red.  I
actually had one 2009 client and three 2010 clients using this theme.

5. What sets your company apart from the competition?

We can accommodate every level of planning services.  We have Full, Partial
and Day Of Coordination Packages.  We have two Planners myself and my
Associate Aubrey. We have assistants available as well. We understand that
every client is different and we can be there to assist them with their
planning needs no matter if they are big or small.

here are some of the best wedding photos from naomi and andy’s big day where both myself and amanda worked alongside each other.

all star vendors for this autumn chicago wedding include:

la ‘di events sycamore/chicago, il (815) 739-5234
‎heather parker photography (773) 295-4292
cynthia sally wedding day makeup
kio kreations kristen@kiokreations.com
the chair couture (630) 677-3899

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