Archive for 2012

beth + eric: we'll cut you.

Beth + Eric were married this spring at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago.  It was through Beth + Eric that I met these lovebirds and was lucky enough to work at the Blackstone twice this year!  Beth and Eric are both super busy lawyers and were planning their wedding from Washington DC.  They both envisioned something clean, elegant, classy with maybe just a little hint of preppy.  The architecture at the Blackstone is no joke and was the perfect backdrop to their white, navy and pop of pink party.

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eric + mike's swanky chicago dinner party.

Eric + Mike were married at Public Chicago in Chicago in October.  Full disclosure: Eric and Mike live in Omaha and own an amazing hair salon there.  Eric has been my hair stylist since I was 15 years old.  He loves to tell the story of me running into the salon after a soccer game with a towel twisting up my still wet hair an hour before the Homecoming dance.  So obviously this man can work miracles.  Which obviously this means I love him. 

When they told me they were getting married in Chicago I insisted I would coordinate, mostly because I wanted to attend.  I regret nothing.  They flew 20 of their closest family and friends to Chicago and spent the weekend enjoying their company before getting hitched on Sunday.  It was an exquisite event to say the least.  Take a peek. 


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rachel + joe's lakeside extravaganza.

Rachel + Joe got married in August in Wisconsin at a lake house that has been in Rachel's family for years.  Rachel and her family spent summers there and her aunt (who currently lives there) was kind enough to let us absolutely take over the place for the weekend.  It was a serious team effort: Rachel's family planted and gardened all summer, her neighbors cleared an enormous field so that we could put a tent up, and all of the vendors pulled together to create this amazing wedding in a spot that a wedding was not intended to be had.  The results were absolutely stunning (if I do say so myself.)

The detail that went into their day made it so personal and fantastic.  The ceremony was held overlooking the lake.  During the ceremony both sets of parents contributed their reflections on marriage, their friends provided music and the entire guest list joined in playing kazoos and singing "When I'm 64."  Immediately following, guests were invited to join in a champagne toast and tossed wildflower seeds into a new garden patch next to the lake.  Hopefully they will be in full bloom for Rachel + Joe's first anniversary.   

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rachel + benno do it up right.

Rachel + Benno were married in late August at the Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago.  Some of my sweetest clients to date, they threw a classic and super elegant party in one of the most historic  hotels in the cityOn the day of their wedding I was chatting with Rachel while she was getting her hair done.  I asked if she was doing okay and how the rehearsal dinner had gone the night before and then asked how Benno was doing and if she had heard from him that morning.  She told me that Benno said, "Rachel, Elizabeth is seriously my second favorite woman in the world, right after you."  Love that.  Love when a groom sees the value in a planner and of course what a sweetheart he is to his bride.  (Then Rachel told him I was her favorite, woop!)  Enjoy the gorgeousness that follows. 

 

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louisa + jeff in the greenhouse with the maps.

Louisa + Jeff were married in September at the gorgeous Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago and the day was nothing short of that: simply gorgeous.  Louisa and I worked together for over a year and it was such a pleasure to get to see how all of the planning came together on a perfect day for the happy couple.  

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katie + bobby. for the win.

Katie + Bobby were married in May of this year at St. Mary of the Angels church and had their reception at the ever-popular Architectural Artifacts.  They were such an easy couple to work with, so laid back and calm and everything went right on schedule.  Katie's dad walking her down the aisle could not have been sweeter and the amount of toasts from siblings and friends was a true testament to how many people love these two(And also perhaps that they had been waiting for this day for awhile?!)  Dan, a friend of the couple and of Broadway fame, sang while Bobby and his mom danced and then the entire guest list tore the dance floor up all night long.  A lovely night filled with the most lovely people at one of the most fun venues in the city.  For the win?  Indeed.  For the win. 

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sarah + jacob: family matters

This is my sister. Pretty little darlin' isn't she?  She married her true love in August in Omaha at St. Barnabas Parish and the reception was held at Joslyn Art MuseumI don't want to wax on too much about it just because she is my sister, but let me tell you how interesting it was to be the day-of coordinator and maid-of-honor.  At most weddings when I am working, I tend to get to sit down and take a break for the first time all day during the wedding toasts.  Usually I shove some food down and chug a few waters but not this time, this time I was on deck to toast the heck out of the happy couple. (#nailedit)  Usually when the guests get dancing, I pack everything up and get it ready for the family.  This time Jacob's cousin was teaching me "the pretzel" as I tore up that dance floor.  Usually, I only know the bride & groom and maybe their parents.  This time, I knew over half of the crowd, many of whom I hadn't seen in years.  It was an exhausting weekend but totally worth it, though I do recommend choosing one or the other, except on the most special of occasions. 

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christine + brett: art imitates love + love imitates art

My new favorite pictures are these amazing bridal portraits I keep seeing.  First this one, and now the gorgeous Christine. Brett married this lovely lady in July at Holy Family Parish in Chicago.  Their wedding fell on the last day of a historic heat wave that hit Chicago with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees for days in a row.  You'll see in the pictures below how absolutely stunning Holy Family is, however, one thing gorgeous, old churches tend not to have is air-conditioning.  After fighting rush hour traffic on Friday and the serious risk of melting in church, I made sure we did the worlds fastest rehearsal (seriously, blink and you missed it) and got them out into the (basically non-existent breeze) ASAP.  Saturday we caught a break and hit a high of only 98 degrees but what a difference it made.  In the end, the heat didn't matter: these two art teachers put so much work and love into their day, they were all smiles all day long and most definitely ready to party by the time the reception rolled around.  Not to mention we found out the American Idols were touring in Chicago and staying at the hotel.
 

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kardashian kollection.

There are times in life when things line up.  When what's meant to be is.  When magic happens.  My sisters' bachelorette party was one of these times.  There were times during her planning where I had to put a lot of thought into things: writing a toast for the reception, how was I going to be a maid-of-honor AND wedding coordinator, if I should get chicken or fish, but choosing a theme for her bachelorette party was not one of those times.  Hence, Saradashian's Last Stand was born.



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anni + ross: laid back love

I thought I blew it with Anni + Ross the first time we met.  I was definitely a creepy wedding planner.  We were chatting about their wedding of course and I was gushing over their vendors and venue because they were all amazing.  I'm probably the only wedding planner on the face of the earth that won't throw a complete and total fit about a bride telling me she's going to do her own flowers, I could just tell Anni could handle it.  They were just. so. chill.  So as we were wrapping up I asked if they were taking a honeymoon after the wedding and they said yes, they were going to Palm Springs. Without thinking I asked, "oh, are you staying at the Ace Hotel?"  The answer was yes, which I am sure creeped them both out a little bit, but I just knew.  They are exactly cool enough to stay there and fit right in. Luckily, they saw past my bizarreness and hired Anticipation Events anyway!


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remember when?

Hello, hello.  Remember when I used to blog here?  So do I.  It's been an amazing, whirlwind of a crazy year for Anticipation Events.  So much travel, so many beautiful weddings and so much fantastic news to share.  As wedding season 3.0 winds down, I promise I'm back and ready to catch you up on all of the beautiful things I have to share.  

  • Weddings galore: from a lakeside in Wisconsin, a cotton field in Arkansas, an art museum in Omaha and a chic boutique hotel in Chicago, we've been trucking around the country bringing a little love to brides and grooms anywhere we can find them.
  • My little sister gets married. Holy crap.  I pull double duty as coordinator and maid-of-honor.
  • We hire another fantastic coordinator to join the team.  I know you can't wait to meet her...
  • We're currently working on a complete website makeover.  In the meantime, you'll notice our little blog has had a little makeover herself.  We hope you like.
  • And this just in, we'll be spending the winter prepping for Indie Wed 2013.  We're so thrilled to be accepted as a vendor for this fantastic show and hope to see all of your smiling faces there!
  •  

Let's get ready to rumble....

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kevin + ryanne: + a rainstorm, a sheep and dog show and an almost unicorn

So I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of these photos in my inbox.  Ryanne + Kevin were married in May at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois.  It was a party of epic proportions that was preceded by a bit of chaos.  The park was exactly their vision: a totally rustic barn surrounded with wide open space.  Kevin + Ryanne did so much themselves: sweeping out the barn, hanging lights and they really rolled with the punches when it rained all week and we had to move the ceremony inside at the last minute.  Also, they were totally cool when the sheep crashed the party and ordered gin and tonics.  And then there's this picture with this horse, which I think tends to make up for most of the pre-wedding chaos.  I'm pretty sure the only thing that could have made this photo better is if that horse were a magic wedding unicorn. I almost wouldn't have been surprised.

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missy + tu + the university of chicago

Missy + Tu met at University of Chicago and reunited there in March with family and friends to say their vows.  A gorgeous ceremony at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel followed by an ear-splitting party at the Quadrangle Club.  They currently live in California and were the most laid-back couple about all of their planning (in other words) a total joy to work with!  They made me work though: with nine bridesmaids and nine groomsmen I was prepared for a challenge!  After working with them though, it was easy to see why they had 18 people stand up for them on their wedding day: they are truly loved and all of their friends and family went above and beyond to make their day fantastic (and my job a joy!)  Here's how it all went down:


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diana + mike: salvage one style

Diana + Mike were married last year at Salvage One in Chicago.  I am finally posting some pictures from their amazing party now that the feature has been posted on Style Me Pretty.  Because Olivia Leigh is an amazing photographer with a bigger distaste for mayo than yours truly (seriously, it's written in her contract which basically puts her on rock star status level) and because my words would likely only detract from her talent and also because I know you're only here for the wedding p0rn anyhow, and in honor of this, the longest run-on sentence on this blog to date, here you go:


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start spreading the news...

oh hey hey!  two full years in business and two bride's choice awards.  thanks to our 2011 brides for being amazing and helping us win this award again.  it basically means Anticipation Events is in the top 5% of wedding pros nationwide, which is nothing to shake a bouquet at.  respect the wedding planner people, respect the wedding planner.  

Weddings, Wedding Venues
2012 Bride's Choice Awards | Best Wedding Photographers, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Florists, Wedding Planners

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lucky in love

I just had to share this lovely email from one of my very first clients.  It really makes my heart all warm and fuzzy.

Hi Elizabeth,

I don't know if you continue to follow wedding blogs after the wedding, but I wanted to tell you about my latest post-wedding life event... Dave and I had a baby last week!  Her name is Harper Wells, and she's so far just fantastic at being a baby.  She eats and sleeps well and mostly complains about totally reasonable things that need to be fixed.  We're very lucky.  Dave and I still talk about how great it was to have you run our wedding day, so I wanted you to know that we are happier than ever.
Hope all is well with you!


Such a cool job I have.  Such lovely people I meet.

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ali + matt's rustic romp

Ali & Matt got married in June at the Byron Colby Barn in Greyslake.  Take a look at them getting all dolled up.


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katie & jeff: rock & roll

Katie & Jeff were married at the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Avenue on 9.10.11.  A fantastic date to get married and even more special because while they celebrated their wedding weekend, Katie's parents celebrated their wedding anniversary too!  It was so sweet!  I am particularly tied to this crew as I had the pleasure of helping Katie's sister Elizabeth with her wedding to Mike last year.  It was so fun to see the whole family again! 

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stephanie & brian vs. nature

Stephanie and Brian were married in August at Byron Colby Barn in Greyslake.  Both Brian and Stephanie are super creative and artistic and put a ton of effort into making their day unique to them. Which is mt MOST FAVORITE thing.  Brian's hat and bowtie were so dapper and Stephanie rocked an amazing dress and killer shoes:

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