Illinois-Chicago — The Knot Community

FOR SALE: Brides Ivory Invitations 30 ct

msmyrnio — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:07:25 +0000

I just got married and have 1 extra box of the Brides line invitation kit left over. I used the kit and everyone thought they were professionally printed. THe kits are $40 at Michaels. I'll sell this one unused for $25 and I included extra ribbon. So you'll be spending less than $1/invite!!!

THe kit comes with ribbon, but I chose not to use them on the invites for weight reasons. Which worked out beautifully, because even though the envelope said "extra postage required" I kept it underweight and paid the normal stamp price and the extra ribbons were used for gift wrapping and to decorate bubbles :)

Gartner studios has the downloadable templates, so you don't have to worry formatting correctly.

http://www.michaels.com/BRIDES%C2%AE-Ivory-Invitations/wd0356,default,pd.html?start=90&cgid=products-wedding-bridesexclusive

Ladies Using Garrett's Popcorn as favors

PenelopeSnuz — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:30:35 +0000

How far in advance did you bag them???

I'm trying to plan out my last minute things :-)

Sofitel Water Tower Brides

ohemmag — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 21:28:42 +0000

If you've had or are having your wedding at the Sofitel Water Tower, do you have any tips on your experience? We just contracted for our November 17 wedding and I'm very excited! Our ceremony is in Limoges and reception in Cigale.

Hotel Venues??

kshah05 — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:33:22 +0000

Anyone know of a decent hotel around the suburbs that is decently priced for us to have our wedding ceremony/Reception? We went to the double tree in downers grove but they cost close to $20,000 which is way out of our price range. We are looking closer to somethihng around $10,000, for about 200 people for a saturday. Anyone know of a decent hotel that can acommodate all of that? We want to have it at a hotel to accomadate our out of towners.

Thanks!

flower preservation

kellycatalo — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 15:50:57 +0000

anyone know of any good services to preserve my bouquet after the wedding? i don't even know what exactly i want, just looking for something local!

inexpensive reception halls in the chicagoland area

clsangel34 — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:24:14 +0000

Budget is 3000 for reception hall for 100 people....any suggestions

Honeymoon in CHicago

april79lynn — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:51:21 +0000

Hi girls! We are doing a road trip honeymoon summer 2013. Just trying to get some early ideas of must see beautiful places, tours, restaurants (we love all food) and bars Thanks in advance for your help. I already know I want to go to Navy Pier and have drinks on top of John Hancock tower. I'm very excited to see Chicago.

Banquet Halls: Windows/Natural Light vs Hall Affordability Dilemma

Muppet7 — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:10:31 +0000

Has anyone else noticed that certain beautiful Chicago area banquet halls such as Venuti's, European Crystal, and the Abbington have these absolutely GORGEOUS windows? I am a sucker for natural light in photos and hope to get married on site, so the natural light from the windows would help for the ceremony and ambience as well. HOWEVER, have you noticed that if you pick the room with windows, you pay nearly DOUBLE the minimum you would for a non-windowed room? Note that this has little to do with guest minimums and EVERYTHING to do with that sweet sweet natural light/ambience/magic.

I dunno, maybe I am the only one who gets hung up on this issue. Please let me know if 1) you notice/agree too, and/or 2) you have found a place with natural light that doesn't nickel and dime you to death (ie EVERYTHING including meal, cake, chair covers, hors d'oeuvres, sweet tables - for $60pp or less) located in the Chicago suburbs.

Budoir Location?

juliemz — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:26:46 +0000

Does anyone know a place or hotel or room to rent out for a budoir session? I have a photographer that I want to use but we're still looking for spaces. Don't want to spend a ton of money on a room we're only using for a couple hours. Any ideas would be very helpful!

good men's haircut in western burbs?

verdesiempre14 — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 14:54:08 +0000

My stepdad is a Supercuts guy, but would like a really good haircut before the big day. He lives in Wheaton. Can anyone suggest any good barbers in Wheaton, Naperville, Downers Grove, Oakbrook, etc?

Restaurant wedding reception

biancaa3 — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:54:14 +0000

Does anyone have any recommendation on moderately inexpensive restaurants that are in downtown Chicago for a wedding reception? There will be about forty of us total.

Reasonably priced wedding officiant?

boyslie72487 — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:48:52 +0000

I'm looking for a wedding officiant, either in or willing to travel to the NW burbs, that isn't crazy expensive. We're doing our wedding on a budget, and one Rev has already quoted me $600. That just seems way too much to me! If worse comes to worse we'll have a family member ordained online

Vendor Review: Just Ducky Wedding Coordinator

KaitlynandChris — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 01:08:13 +0000

We got married on June 8th. All of our vendors were amazing, and I will be posting more vendor reviews in the coming week. I wanted to start with this one since Barb went above and beyond what I could have ever imagined.

Just Ducky Events – A++++++

I don’t even know where to begin. Barb was absolutely fabulous. I would hire her one hundred times over. To begin with she answers emails incredibly quickly. She offered great insight and gave me a few recommendations for great vendors. She met with my fiancé and I a few weeks before our wedding to go over the details we wanted for our day. There were things I hadn’t even thought of that she had covered and told us not to worry about. Barb even offered to come to our rehearsal if it would help us. She went above and beyond numerous times. In less than a week she had gotten us a timeline for our day and totally calmed all my nerves. On the day of my wedding she arrived at the hotel around 12 while we were getting ready and picked up a few last things. She was there to greet us at the Arboretum when we arrived and got us settled in the brides room. We were doing a first look and she guided us on our way to that. When we arrived back after pictures I couldn’t believe how much she had already set up. She set everything up EXACTLY how we wanted. It looked unbelievable. I don’t know how she managed to be everywhere at once, but she seemed to continue setting things up and also guide us to the ceremony and down the aisle. She was right there after the ceremony, took my shoes from me, and got us all set up for the receiving line. I can’t even imagine all the things she took care of that I didn’t even know about. As the evening ended she packed up all the gifts in our car, had all the centerpieces put into our parents car, and made sure all our vendors were paid. We were exhausted and it was so nice to be able to walk out and know Barb had taken care of everything. If you are looking for a coordinator, contact Barb! http://www.justduckyevents.com/

Flower Pricing

buriostegui — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:40:35 +0000

Hi Ladies,

Need some advice I met with someone from Aberdeens Flowers this weekend and I signed a contract and gave her $175 deposit, this is what she is giving me for $865
bouquet
throwaway bouquet
5 corsages
2 mom corsages
6 boutinnaires
1 flower girl petals
10 bows w/roses

Also for centerpieces I am going to go with something basic which would be tall tube vases filled with water and submergeable lights, beads, I have to provide the vases and that would cost be 165 for 11 of those.

She said they don't charge based on the type of flowers they just go off what package you want.

I thought that was a pretty good deal since I am not all that in flowers I didn't want to spend more than $1000 I have read many posts about girls spending thousands of dollars and that is just not my thing. I just want to know if any one you have used aberdeens or what you girls think abou this deal?

FS-5 Unaltered Bridesmaid Dresses

divadancer11 — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 12:09:53 +0000

Our wedding has cancelled and these need to be sold.There are 5 Dresses and are Jordan Fashion style 374.
4 of them are Pewter w/Primrose accent (floor length) in the sizes:
2- size 18
1-size 12
1-size 8

The 5th was for my MOH which is Black w/Primrose accent (floor length) in a size 8.
They are all in the box directly from Jordan unaltered and selling for $160 each plus shipping.
I would like to sell them all together but if interested please email me at tiffanyallendorfer@hotmail.com
Below is a pic of the style

Planning Chicago wedding - 1st visit

Applepie2013 — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:48:52 +0000

Hello,

We're both from Texas and plan to have our wedding next Summer (July 2013) in Chicago. I am going to be in town next month (3days) to:

1. talk to wedding planner

2. check out the possible venues

3. church visit

What else should I plan to do on this trip? I would love to be productive because it's not easy to take off work and go on a trip for wedding planning.

Greatly appreciate any input from Chicago brides.

Katie

Interactive Seating Chart on the Knot website!!!!!

lexakelley — Tue, 03 May 2011 02:49:42 +0000

Hi,

I know most people use this board to vent sometimes, but I am writing to say THANK YOU

I am finally getting the seating chart and guest list together. I was kind of afraid to do this due to the horror stories my friends and some family have experienced on their own (with their own seating chart system).

However, since I used the knot to help me with my guest list and invitation counts, etc. I decided to use the seating chart....I MUST SAY IT HAS BEEN AMAZING!!! I seated 220 guest in no time!!!!!!!!!!!!

For any brides who are considering doing a seating chart or table count, or even room settings, use the knot seating chart!!!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH KNOT FOR THIS AWESOME TOOL!!

Looking for 250 plate chargers - cheap

Cookies Mom — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:37:19 +0000

I am looking for 250 plate chargers - would prefer orange but will take any color!

Honeymoon Help! Need Travel Agent for Italy trip

jelmore2 — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:50:24 +0000

Hi!

We need help planning our honeymoon and dont even know where to start. Our wedding is only 4 months away. We know that we want to go to italy. We want to see Venice, Florence, Rome,and the Amalfi Coast. Are there any local travel agents that are any good that can help u s put this trip together? I dont even know where to begin! Help!

O'Hare area reception

sjeans17 — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:53:46 +0000

I am just starting to look at receptions venues and was wondering if anyone has recommendations/reviews of hotel venues in the O'Hare/Rosemont area. Any info would be great! Thanks!

Has anyone attended a wedding at Monty's Banquets in Bensenville?

Muppet7 — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:56:08 +0000

I stumbled on them through Project Wedding but cannot seem to find much in the way of reviews. Has anyone held/attended a wedding there? How was it in terms of per person pricing, flexibility, decor and add-ons? Thanks!

Questions for Vendors

avtastic — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:28:12 +0000

Hi All,

My fiance and I are starting to go look at venues for the ceremony/reception this weekend, I am making up a list of questions to ask. Aside from the general: fees, caterers, floor plans, etc does anyone have any questions from experience I should ask that I may not be thinking of.

On that note, any questions for all vendors that should be asked?

Thanks

FS: white clutch, sparkly flip flops, silk flower/feather hair clip, cake topper

staceyd88 — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:50:01 +0000

A few of the small details, barely used! Save yourself some $$$, trying to get rid of these items super cheap - just don't want to throw them away!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/for/3089685760.html

Kane County FOP Lodge Reviews?

alpackard — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:55:48 +0000

Hey All! I found the Kane County FOP lodge in Sugar Grove through a picture on Pinterest (you've probably seen it, bride and bridesmaids drinking beer at a bar) and thought it looked awesome.

I haven't been able to find reviews or anything online. Has anyone been to a wedding there or had their own wedding there? I would love to hear your insights!

Here's their website (super unhelpful): http://www.il-fop-14.org/
Here's a link to the wedding pics I found through Pinterest: http://www.chicagoillinoisweddingphotography.com/2010/06/17/illinois-chicago-outdoor-wedding-photographer/

Bad Vibe from Artlynn Photography

Cocnut0216 — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:04:26 +0000

Just wanted to throw a little flag out there for anyone else looking for a photographer in the Chicago area. I was at the bridal expo this past sunday and was having a conversation with one of Artlynn's photographers. I had a list of about 40 questions (didn't ask them all, but I was prepared to make the most of my time).

When I stated that my fiance and I were interested in photojournalistic pictures the rep said "Oh all that is is taking a close up picture and putting it at a funny angle"

I corrected him by saying that it's actually the unseen documentation of an event by not posing pictures but rather by bringing out the natural emotion and feel of that one snapshot (no pun intended) to create a natural storyline instead of unrelated vignettes (not word for word, but the general jist).

He then tried to back pedal and say that's what he meant.

It's not so much that he didn't know what photojournalism is, but rather he instantly put his own opinon of a photography style above what a client was looking for and instead of suggesting photographers with their company that specialize in that style, he lost about 2k in revenue entirely.

Funny thing is, I got a folow up call from one of their sales representatives asking if I was interested in their company- guess what my answer was. I also made mention that their representatives should be better briefed in customer service.

Take it for what you will, but I figured, I'd throw my findings out there.

- J

FOR SALE: Brides Ivory Wedding Invitation Kit

msmyrnio — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:12:37 +0000

Gartner studios has the downloadable templates, so you don't have to worry formatting correctly.

http://www.michaels.com/BRIDES%C2%AE-Ivory-Invitations/wd0356,default,pd.html?start=90&cgid=products-wedding-bridesexclusive

Photog recommendation

colecsc — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:45:51 +0000

Hi ladies! Can you recommend a photographer in the northwest suburbs that would take family photo that isn't crazy expensive?!?! Looking to spend 150 for a session. More photojournalistic then traditional. Thanks!

Photographer/ DJ in chicago suburbs

kshah05 — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:58:08 +0000

anyone know of a cheap or affordable photographer and dj?? I've been looking around and all the prices that ive found are $1,000 or more. Anyone know of anyone that is cheaper or more affordable?

Thanks!

pictures when raining

gabrielyte — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:53:28 +0000

Ladies,
just looking for you suggestions of where we could take pictures (preferably downtown Chicago) where they do not require a permit, if it rains on our wedding day?
we are looking to take pictures between 2pm and 5pm. any restaurant? hotel?
TIA

VENDOR REVIEWS

kellym050370 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:01:19 +0000

Hello everyone! Our wedding was on June 25, 2011 and I cannot say enough wonderful things about our vendors!

DRESS: Here Comes the Bride - Addison, IL - Diane and Rose at HCTB were INCREDIBLE. Even though the shop is in a rather shoddy strip mall DO NOT let that deter you from visiting them. They had my dream dress, which I had found at a previous shop in the city for well over my original budget. HCTB had it for half the price. I needed a ton of alterations on the dress because I had lost quite a few inches prior to the wedding and the alterations were fabulous. I loved my dress and felt beautiful in it and I owe that to Diane and Rose.

FLOWERS: Zuzu's Petals - Orland Park, IL - What is there to say about Natalie that hasn't already been said. Natalie saw my vision, loved my color scheme and worked within my budget. The flowers were amazing! She even managed to do some last minute work on our champagne glasses without issue.

VENUE: Doubletree Hotel - Alsip, IL - The Doubletree was AWESOME!!! For an all-inclusive deal you cannot beat the Doubletree. The ballroom was beautiful and their event coordinator, Noelle, was a dream to work with. I love her. She knew that this was a second wedding for both of us and understood that we wanted an elegant wedding without spending a fortune. The food was TERRIFIC and my guests even asked if they could get recipes from the chef! Noelle and her crew were prompt with answering questions, were there the entire night and kept me informed of any changes during the evening. I love them and would recommend them for any party you might be considering.

DJ Service: Tone Productions - Joliet, IL - This is where things get tricky. I LOVED our DJ. He wasn't cheesy at all, was hands-on and did a great job of putting up with all the kids requesting music and still playing my chosen songs and keeping with my do not play list. Unfortunately, I did not have a great experience with Tone's office staff. At our initial meeting I was told that many things were "included" and was also told that the DJ assistant would be a "runner" for me, so to speak on the day of. I also wanted a specific song for our entrance and knew it was too long and wanted it cut. Again, the original DJ I spoke to at our meeting answered all my questions, said everything I wanted to do could be done and promised me the world. I adored him and was excited that he would also be our DJ on the day of.

Unfortunately, for our next set up meeting, I found out that the original DJ was no longer with the company and the guy I was dealing with at this point was not even going to be the DJ day of. I was frustrated that this was never communicated to me and just felt that all in all, I wasn't really being treated very well. The owner got involved but it still wasn't a great experience. Closer to the wedding, I had to get my venue coordinator involved as well.

So here is the thing, I wouldn't NOT recommend Tone but I will say you HAVE to get EVERYTHING IN WRITING up front. If you are promised confetti cannons and glow sticks and such, get it all in writing. Get the name of the DJ who will be your DJ day of in writing and also follow everything up with a phone call - EMAIL IS POINTLESS. I don't want them to not get business but at the same time, I think they need a better system. They are good people, just not the best office management around.

OFFICIANT: Rev. Bob of Hearts and Hands Weddings - Rev. Bob was fantastic. So fun and loving. He met with us numerous times and each time I felt more and more comfortable with him. His price was right, he let us do what we really wanted to do for the wedding and he is open-minded and loving. Just wonderful!

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Wedding Studio - Schaumburg, IL - I found The Wedding Studio online. They were in our price range (for various reason, photography was just not that important to me) so I chose to meet with them. I LOVED them from the very first meeting and just recently received our proofs and I cannot say enough good things about the gals at TWS. Trish, our photographer was so friendly and outgoing and really had an eye for detail. She wasn't invasive at all and I just enjoyed her personality so much. The pictures are awesome and the office staff is always quick to respond and are super upbeat and positive.

Here are some of the photos - again taken by the amazing Trish at The Wedding Studio!

Illinois-Chicago — The Knot Community

FOR SALE: Brides Ivory Invitations 30 ct

**Ladies Using Garrett's Popcorn as favors**

Sofitel Water Tower Brides

Hotel Venues??

flower preservation

inexpensive reception halls in the chicagoland area

Honeymoon in CHicago

Banquet Halls: Windows/Natural Light vs Hall Affordability Dilemma

Budoir Location?

good men's haircut in western burbs?

Restaurant wedding reception

Reasonably priced wedding officiant?

Vendor Review: Just Ducky Wedding Coordinator

Flower Pricing

FS-5 Unaltered Bridesmaid Dresses

Planning Chicago wedding - 1st visit

Interactive Seating Chart on the Knot website!!!!!

Looking for 250 plate chargers - cheap

Honeymoon Help! Need Travel Agent for Italy trip

O'Hare area reception

Has anyone attended a wedding at Monty's Banquets in Bensenville?

Questions for Vendors

FS: white clutch, sparkly flip flops, silk flower/feather hair clip, cake topper

Kane County FOP Lodge Reviews?

Bad Vibe from Artlynn Photography

FOR SALE: Brides Ivory Wedding Invitation Kit

Photog recommendation

Photographer/ DJ in chicago suburbs

pictures when raining

VENDOR REVIEWS

Ladies Using Garrett's Popcorn as favors