Illinois-Chicago — The Knot Community

Chicago Vendor Recommendation - 9/20/14

mvdiaz99 — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:40:59 +0000

Hi Ladies, my 130 person wedding at Kitchen Chicago was last Saturday and I am on the Knot (a lot) for help and advice from everyone. Our day was amazing and just wanted to share some recs and our experiences.

We loved the venue, it was pretty much at capacity. I wouldn't recommend this place for anyone with over 130 people.'

Huegah Catering - AMAZING!! I do not shill for vendors and these guy was AMAZING. We got plated filet mignon and sides for all our guests for about $60 each which included servers, bartenders and mixers. This was cheaper than Pure Kitchen's quoted price for family-style chicken. The tasting was great so we booked and crossed our fingers hoping the wedding would go well. IT WAS AWESOME. By the time we got to the venue, his servers had helped set up everything beautifully and the apps were delicious and plentiful. The steaks were made TO ORDER since Kitchen has a kitchen inside (duh..). The steak and sides (blue cheese polenta and glazed carrots) and apps were amazing, everyone said it was the best wedding food they'd ever had. We were SO SO HAPPY with them. I left them a great Yelp review if someone wants their contact info. Again, I was nervous because they are nice but it was one of the best decisions we made.

Sweetchic Events day-of coordination: worth every penny. I am a big DIY'er and I honestly thought may not need the help, I WAS WRONG. Courtney made my day stress free.

Victoria Sprung Photo- my splurge, creative, professional and talented. She's not cheap but the pics are all you will have left and she was worth it.

Toast&Jam: everyone gets them because they're the best, they really are great. People danced all night long.

Sean Loftus Videography: we don't have the video yet but since we splurged on photos, we wanted a videographer who was more reasonable. He was also creative and a pro, made great suggestions.

Asrai Garden: this was my only disappointment. My centerpieces were $175 each and they were lovely, big and creative but the flowers had seen better days. My groom's rose fell off his boutonniere two hours in. A big disappointment for the expense.

Ramsay Marston Hair: found her on Pinterest, she did an AMAZING job on my retro updo

Briette Madrid Makeup: excellent and talented and $60 a PERSON WITH NO PARTY MINIMUMS

Videographer Chicago

ekempe01 — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 16:36:40 +0000

I am looking for a videographer that is not incredibly expensive in the Chicago area. Does anyone have any referrals?

34 Cylinder vases & 10 candles available in Evanston

florence22 — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 17:22:22 +0000

I have 34 cylinder vases - 7.5 inches tall and 3.5 in diameter 10 new pillar candles - 6 inches tall and 10 slightly used - also 6 inches tall $20 obo pick up in Evanston (if there is another board where I can post this, please let me know)

After ceremony photo locations south sub

Knottie9675343 — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:02:38 +0000

Any suggestions for an outdoor location for after ceremony pics around palos park/ Orland park area ? Reception is in hickory hills

John Kevin Films..has anyone used him??

akakoli81 — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:25:25 +0000

Hi,

I was at a wedding expo and he was one of the vendors there. I happened to win a discount package from him HOWEVER I cannot find reviews on him online...and I tried searching the board with no luck...

I was not planning on having a videographer but now I am kind of interested since I won lol. But I do not want to pay if he is going to be horrible. The video he showed at the expo was awesome but who knows how he really is...

Any reviews for him would be awesome...

ISO cheap spandex chair covers

Knottie1437406464 — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:06:59 +0000

Anyone have any insight as to where I can find navy blue spandex chair covers for under $2 a piece? I am willing to buy them if that's the only route to go! And and all help would be greatly appreciated!

From Chicago but probably getting married in Delavan Wisconsin

kathleen323 — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 18:25:33 +0000

Hello Everyone,

I know this is a Chicago board, but I'm wondering if there are any other Chicago brides who have gotten married outdoors in the south east Wisconsin area, or in particular, Delavan, Wisconsin. If so, where did you rent your tent from?

I'm wondering how much it costs to rent a tent. The venue provides all the tables, chairs and linens, so we would just need the tent for approx. 200 people, dance floor and possibly lighting.

If you've had an outdoor wedding at Lake Lawn Resort, I am open to any suggestions or advice you have as well.

Thank you!

Need Photographer Recommendation

headhurt — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 04:27:35 +0000

Hi! My FI and I currently reside in Kansas City. FI is originally from Chicago, so we thought it would be kinda cool to have our e-pics done there (he still has family that we visit once a month). We're getting married closer to KC, so using the same photographer for both wedding and e-pics wouldn't be practical. We're just interested in someone for e-pics, and not going to charge and arm and a leg to do it. Ideally, we'd like to do a session in the city with some urban/downtown flavor. Suggestions appreciated!

BYOB Venue in Western Suburbs of Chicago

Knottie92273655 — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 23:26:22 +0000

Hi! I am searching for a venue in the western suburbs of Chicago that will allow me to bring in a caterer of my choice as well as liquor with an outside bartending company. Does anyone have any suggestions on a venue that would allow both and remain under 6,000. I don't mind if it is a loft space, raw space, hotel etc. as long as it isn't outdoors. Thank you!!!!

Chicago Vendor recommendations

DaveInChicago — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 17:46:28 +0000

I was recently married at the Old Town School of Folk Music (they usually do not host weddings but volunteering there for years gave me some perks, apparently). I wanted to give a shout out to vendors we used which helped make the day so perfect!

Caterer: Truffleberry Market

truffleberrymarket.com

These folks are based in Westmont but serve a large geographic area. We had a cocktail hour with appetizers before the ceremony and an appetizer reception after the ceremony. The food was incredible and SO creative. They aim for serving restaurant quality food and they delivered. Our guests keep commenting on how delicious everything was and that they couldn't even pick a favorite. The way they served it was equally special. With our music-themed wedding, they went all out -- serving on old LPS with custom record labels, on a giant wooden xylophone, on an old guitar (which they decoupaged with photos of us and of places we have lived or love and then covered with a custom piece of plexiglass). At the end, they quickly cleaned up and were gone with nary a trace. I cannot recommend them more highly! (I tried to add them to the vendor list but the website insists the city/state and zip are wrong and won't let me -- despite verifying it on the contract, their website, and with the US Postal Service -- unfortunately, the customer service folks have not gotten back to me for three weeks so I still can't get them up on theknot.

Wedding Planner: Amy Harris, Plan A: Creative Events

planacreativeevents.com

Amy was terrific to work with!. I was not sure we needed a wedding planner but she really helped keep us on track, saved us money, located vendors, and made the actual wedding day go SO smoothly. She is also incredibly fun to be with and made the whole planning process work quite well.

Florist: Forget Me Knodt

forgetmeknodt.com

The flowers were totally amazing. We had a music themed wedding and they constructed an arch which intertwined flowers, vines and musical instruments. It was gorgeous and the guests made so many comments on how it was a perfect backdrop for our ceremony. They even came in under our budget!! They are based in the Uptown neighborhood.

Photographer: Gretchen Villaluna Baria

moonhouseproductions.com

Gretchen took beautiful photographs. She was also very efficient at taking posed photographs with family and those in the wedding. She is incredibly easy to work with and had some great suggestions for photos. Her candid shots were equally great!

Photobooth: Smilebooth

smilebooth.com

Our guests had so much fun with our photobooth. It is not technically a booth. You provide a space and a backdrop (or rent a backdrop). They have an attendant, a a camera and you provide the props (we used musical instruments). The photos are immediately printed (four shots/photo with a custom logo in the center for the event) and were made available on a website two days after the event. We love looking at these photos of our guests just as much as the photos taken by our photographer.

Reception and Ceremony Musicians: Jonas Friddle and the Majority

jonasfriddle.com

We had a quartet who play "orchestral folk" -- meaning they have a banjo and other stringed instruments. The music was beautiful in the background and was perfect as entrance and exit music for our ceremony. I know it has been done to death, but I have loved Pachel's Canon in D for years and they played a version of the piece that was quite enchanting as we walked the aisle. We contracted with them through the Old Town School of Music's musician referral service (which made the whole process simple and relatively painless).

Moved: Wedding Stuff For Sale

wandajune6 — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 15:25:01 +0000

This discussion has been moved.

Help...i'm looking for a photographer in Chicago

mzelizabethlynn — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:49:39 +0000

I am getting married 8/8/2015. I am currently on the search for a photographer. I have no ideas! I did get one recommendation from a friend but the photographer is $2500! This seems way out of my budget but I dont want to get some cheap photographer and get horrible pictures but $2500 seems like alot. Any suggestions would help. Also anyone know what the average photgrapher charges?

Specific Jolie Images photographer to recommend?

mrsadk2be — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 04:48:46 +0000

Hi! I'm planning my 2nd wedding on a very tight budget, and found Jolie Images to be affordable. I've read mixed reviews though varying by assigned photographer, so does anyone have a positive experience with a specific photographer, whom I could try to request upon booking? Thank you!

Dessert (Cookie and Possibly Ice Cream) Caterer Ideas in Chicago Northern Suburbs

NormPhillips — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 00:54:23 +0000

My fiancée and I are planning on getting married on September 5, 2015 at her aunt's backyard in the northern Chicago suburbs and will be paying for the wedding ourselves (so we're on a bit of a budget). Neither of us care much for wedding cake, so we'd like to substitute cookies and ice cream. While (most likely) we'll buy the ice cream in bulk from Sam's Club or CostCo, we'd like to hire a caterer to provide freshly baked cookies for ~150 people. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Please let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Florist recommendations?? Elgin/St.Charles/Schaumburg area

jibarra07 — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:23:22 +0000

Hi! I'm looking for a florist with a 1k budget. Everybody I contact makes it seem like I need to up my budget which isn't in the cards right now. I don't need it to look extravagant, just romantic. Any suggestions are appreciated

Petticoat for Sale--Size 8, $25

ginavtob — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:55:44 +0000

I am selling my petticoat that I wore for my wedding. It's in perfect condition, David's Bridal size 8. I live in the Western Suburbs of Chicago so I am willing to either meet up or can ship as well. $25 OBO. Can provide pictures if you would like. Please email me at ginavbudde@gmail.com if you are interested.

Suburban wedding & reception venue - restaurants, historic homes, non-banquet hall

KnotBerryWorried — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 22:46:34 +0000

My fiance and I are having a hard time finding a venue - for both an outdoor wedding ceremony and an indoor reception - with Saturday availability in Summer 2015 that will work with us for only 90 guests. Everywhere we look is either booked solid or has food and drink minimums we couldn't hope to meet. Some places we've looked that we've liked but won't work for one or another reason: Danada House The Wild Onion Brewery Two Brothers Roundhouse Mayslake Peabody Estate Redfield Estate Wilder Mansion We've also tried a bunch of golf and country clubs, and a few banquet halls, but they're really not our style. Any suggestions for restaurants, wineries, breweries, historic homes, museums, etc, with gardens or grounds for a ceremony that we've not tried?

Room 1520 contact?

amyd753 — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 18:41:24 +0000

Hi,

Do any Chicago brides have a Room 1520 contact? I've left two messages and sent three emails, nothing back.

Thanks!!

Amy

F/S Chicago Yellow/white reception decor, chair covers, craft supplies, jewelry, shoes

ltleen — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:17:56 +0000

Hi ladies! I am selling items from our yellow/white, shabby-chic, vintage-feeling vow renewal. I have a lot of reception decor including chair covers and sashes, some craft supplies, jewelry, shoes, etc. The prices listed do not include shipping. I am located in the Chicago suburbs and prefer local pickup on some of the heavier stuff but shipping can be considered, too!

http://yellowvowrenewal.weebly.com/

Please feel free to email ALLisak@gmail.com to purchase or with questions. I don't check my messages on The Knot that often.

Note: Cross-posted to the classifieds board.

Plan B rain photos

cczech21 — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 18:44:04 +0000

I am getting married in Hoffman Estates IL next weekend and plan to do our photos at the forest preserve. However, to be safe, I want to find somewhere beautiful to take indoor photos in case it rains! Any suggestions?

Anyone use Donna Morgan for BMs or know where to purchase?

knottie9c5ed33df4bbd226 — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:47:08 +0000

I saw the beautiful Donna Morgan "Rachel" BM dresses on Weddington Way and just don't feel right asking my girls to spend $230 on a dress even though most of them say they have no problem with that and love the dress. Has anyone used this dress? Is it worth it? And does anyone know where else sells it?

Chicago Ceremony & Reception - Advice/Recommendations Needed

Knottie33178319 — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 22:36:58 +0000

Hello, I am just starting to look at venues. I am open to downtown Chicago or the northern suburbs. I would estimate a 150 person wedding. I would prefer places where we could bring our own alcohol and they provide tables/chairs to save money. But I'm open if the venue is nice. I want to take wedding pictures before the ceremony so we would need to be at the venue longer than just getting ready and then getting married/reception. I would estimate $100 per person is what we prefer but I'm willing to go higher if needed. So far I've found: The Murphy, Chicago Botanic Garden, The Women's club of Evanston, Stan Mansion, and Galleria Marchetti . Do you have any experience with these places? Is there any you recommend? Thanks!

Wedding Shows/Expos - Do you go?

Knottie33178319 — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:02:30 +0000

Hello, Are there wedding shows/expos/trunks that you recommend? Is it worth it to go? Have you found it valuable? Thanks!

ISO: photographer

mzelizabethlynn — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 16:49:25 +0000

I am getting married 8/8/2015 in Maple Park, IL(40 mins west of Chicago). I am currently on the search for a photographer. I have no ideas! I did get one recommendation from a friend but the photographer is $2500! This seems way out of my budget but I dont want to get some cheap photographer and get horrible pictures but $2500 seems like alot. Any suggestions would help. Also anyone know what the average photgrapher charges?

Chicago and Chicago Suburb party venues for post-destination wedding party

Knottie00184324 — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 19:19:27 +0000

Hi, We are looking for post destination wedding venue that is VERY budget friendly and is a lot of fun. We are hoping for something involving heavy appetizers, music, and maybe something that has a bowling alley or some fun events attached so that guests can mingle and participate in fun activities. Please let me know if you have any ideas! Thank you

Restaurants in Chicago or the surrounding Suburbs that do Affordable Receptions

Knottie08653394 — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:45:51 +0000

Hello Everyone, I have been engaged 4 months as of tomorrow (YAY!!!) and me and my fiance have spent the last 3 weeks looking at venue options for our wedding ceremony and reception. We have set a date of 10/11/15 and we are not wanting to spend alot of money. We are trying to keep our wedding budget under $10K for approx. 100 guests. I believe it is definitely doable but some of the venue prices are excessive. We found a place but it would eat at 70% of a 10K budget.....geeezzz!!! Which would mean upping our budget past the $10K to do the remaining necessities like dress, rings, photographer, DJ. However, before we make any final decisions, we are looking into options of doing the wedding ceremony somewhere that would cost us under $1000 and do a reception at a restaurant. I have read online that doing the reception at a restaurant has worked for many on a budget. We live in the city of Chicago and I am wondering if any of you lovely brides know of any restaurants in the city, or even in the surrounding suburbs, that do receptions at reasonable prices. Also, the number of guests could go down under 100. Most of my family live out of state and may not be able to make the wedding. I appreciate all your help. Thanks!!

Plus Size dress shopping

viridian1230 — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 22:29:58 +0000

Any storees with a decent amount of samples in plus sizes? I am looking for shops that carry samples in size 20 and up.

Plus Size dress shopping

viridian1230 — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 22:29:01 +0000

Any storees with a decent amount of samples in plus sizes? I am looking for shops that carry samples in size 20 and up.

Glenwoodie Golf Club or Chicago heights Country Club?

teamc2016 — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:58:54 +0000

I've checked the boards and I haven't seen any topics about either of these two locations.

Has anyone used/been to either of these locations for their/a wedding? What was it like?

NEED TO RENT WOODEN PICNIC TABLES

samholbach — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 22:05:40 +0000

Hello all! I am having an outdoor wedding this fall and I am looking to rent wooden picnic tables for my guests. I can't find anywhere in the Chicagoland area that rents them out. Can anyone PLEASE help? Thanks!!