Illinois-Chicago — The Knot Community

HOTEL WEDDINGS

iyishac — Mon, 23 May 2011 02:46:49 +0000

HiI'm getting married on 06/15/2012 I want to have my wedding ceremony and reception at a hotel but we are on a budget of 9000 dollars with at least 150 guest do anyone think this is possible or know any good hotels that's within my price range

Cony and Ben

MrsMLRB — Mon, 23 May 2011 01:00:36 +0000

Sorry my response took so long, I HATE that the knot doesn't tell you when you have PMs.

Arlington Park Race Track

dpk710 — Sun, 22 May 2011 17:58:22 +0000

Has anyone taken pictures at the Arlington Race Track? If so what was your opinion? And may I see some pictures to see if it is worth the money? Thanks!

NWR: plane anxiety

Love is Bald — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:18:54 +0000

Long story short, I had a really bad plane ride April 2010 and after that one ride I seriously considered never flying again. Ive flown a few times after that hoping I would be okay but I've concluded that I have some moderate anxiety issues now(serious hand sweating, any abrupt movement freaks me out)... Im trying to keep it together but I think I need to go the route of self medicating. Does anyone recommend (or Is there) anything over the counter that is available for anxiety, or anything to help with flying? I wanted to go this route first before going to the doc about it.

I have another flight next week and im taking my 83 year old grandmother and I need to really keep calm because I dont want to freak her out either with my ridiculousness. Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks :)

It's been slow, so I have a question!

PenelopeSnuz — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:20:56 +0000

So my MOH is throwing me a surprise Bach Party. FI had the good sense to tell me, because I am not into surprises. I would have died if she showed up on a radom saturday when I'm tending to my urban balcony garden, all dirty and sweaty.

Has this happened to anyone else? I am so happy and greatful she is doing this fo rme. She is wonderful. That said, I am not into surprises, and I want to be able to get dolled up and plan what I'm wearing!

I'm glad i know the date, but I have no idea what to expect, or wear, or anything.

Eh maybe I'm whining over nothing

Liquor Suggestions

tahill2 — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:02:02 +0000

Does anyone have rec's for where I can get alcohol for my wedding?

I have been told about Binny's but I was wondering if there was anyone else out there that I could look into and consider (besides Sam's and Costco) that would provide the liquor for our wedding at a reasonable price.

We will have 200 guests at the Newberry Library in July of 2012.

Much thanks!

Creepy fog...

MyWedding13 — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:52:51 +0000

What is up with it lately? Do you have it by you? I live downtown and there has been this creepy fog practically daily. It's starting to scare me!

Chivari Chairs - Yes or No

ninagattuso — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:10:33 +0000

I have the budget for Chivari chairs, I am just wondering how comfortable they are?
Also, has anyone done chivari chairs at Meridian Banquets?

Thanks!

veil restoration

kcurrie11 — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:54:48 +0000

Anyone have a contact for veil restoration? I am trying to use my moms veil which needs to be cleaned, shortened, and dyed. I live in the southwest burbs (near downers grove), so would prefer someone out this way.
Also, a contact for wedding dress alterations that is good but doesnt cost as much as the dress! Thanks for the help!
kim

Any Schaumburg area brides to be?

GinaK119 — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:43:10 +0000

I am getting married in July 2012 and I would like to start working out. I am looking to see if anyone wants to workout together? I was actually thinking about trying boot camp at Push Fitness it's kinda pricey but gets great results. I would also be open to joinging a gym or running outside once the weather gets nice! Email me gsk119@yahoo.com.
Thanks!!

Where should we stay on the wedding night?

CASK85 — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:36:48 +0000

So FI and I live together in Lakeview. We're getting married in North Center. Part of me wants to get a fancy hotel room downtown for the wedding night, but part of me thinks it is kind of a waste of money (since we're trying to be budget conscious) and that it is more "us" to stay at home.

What would you do? And do you have any recommendations for hotels? Where are you staying?

Hair Help

anjilin — Fri, 20 May 2011 03:39:25 +0000

My regular stylist is going to be out of town the weekend of our wedding. Any ideas for someone to do hair for 5-6 people on a Sunday near Libertyville/Wheeling? Either somewhere we can go or someone who can go to the hotel would work. I have curly hair that is a little difficult so am a little anxious about this! Would appreciate makeup artist recommendations too!

Need help/ideas! Outddor patios/dining.

jdalsanto — Fri, 20 May 2011 01:27:46 +0000

Looking for outdoor areas (has anybody heard of pinstripes? i saw it in a bride magazine and is perfect but far... somewhere like this would be perfect!) and there has to be someplace i am missing. If you can have the reception there, even better. But somewhere like Pinstripes has outdoor patio with a big fire pit for recption. And a garden area for a ceremony. We really want it outdoors for ceremony - garden, atrium, lake...somewhere like that. Somewhere from Orland to Joliet to Downers Grove, or Chicago if it's on the cheaper side. We have an area in Palos or Oak brook for ceremony but no badass reception site yet... We've looked at Cantigny but a tad pricy for reception. We like Danada as well... we were thinking possibly Mayslake or Lake Katherine for ceremony. But ceremony and reception ideas alike would be GREAT help!

Boudior Pics

hz80408 — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:33:31 +0000

Has anyone else done this with a photog other than Kathleen Thame?

I really want to use her, but as of now, it seems like the dates my not work out. I'm considering looking for other options. TIA

Engagment Photos

rgibbs346 — Tue, 10 May 2011 22:46:06 +0000

I need to ideas about where to take my engagement pictures at? Does anyone know of cool sites?

Frustrated with Berghoff Catering

gorchosbrown — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:19:04 +0000

Hello everyone,

Not sure how to go about this, but I wanted to know if anyone had experience with Berghoff Catering. I tried searching for it on the boards, but have come up with nothing. :/

My fiance and I are too unhappy with our sales rep for the company. Unlike the reps from other companies, she hasn't told us one offer or incentive to sign. Maybe that's a company issue, but still.

She also wasn't very prompt in her emails/calls. It still takes her a few days to revise our proposals with different prices. The other company we've looked into, it only took a few hours (if that). She's been trying to work with us and our budget, but she'll type one cost and then on our proposal, put another (of course the one on proposal is much higher).

Our budget is around $15,000, which might be a lot compared to some knotties, but perhaps it's too small an amount for this company. Hence why I'm asking if anyone has had experience with them.

Due to the location of our ceremony/reception, we have to choose from a set list of caterers and unfortunately, Berghoff is one of the "cheapest."

Is there any way we can go back to Berghoff and ask for a different sales rep or something to that nature. I hate to be mean, but we really think we'd be more satisfied with their service if we had a different representative.

Aye aye aye.

If anyone can help out with sage wisdom and/or advice, I would be eternally grateful.

xoxo

Carnivale for reception (Chicago)

jg2ea — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:46:31 +0000

have any brides had a weddiing here? i would love some more info/feedback. thanks!

Need some ideas

Kari423 — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:50:30 +0000

I am getting married in August in Chicago, as a destination wedding. I am starting to toy with the idea of doing a welcome cocktail/appetizer thing for folks coming in on Friday afternoon/evening. I have no clue where to host something like that in Chicago and without spending a fortune. Any ideas on some locations that might work for us?? It would be 40-60 people possibly. The wedding is only 75 people, so depends who comes to town early. I checked with the hotel we are staying at but its way too pricey.

Bridesmaid Bags

PenelopeSnuz — Thu, 19 May 2011 16:37:42 +0000

Where are you getting yours if you are doing them?

I had mine all ordered about 3 months ago from a wholesaler...got a REALLY good price for them (I need 10, so i need the price to be good!). Well, the wholesaler was having issues renogiating costs with their shipping company, and they kept pushing my ship date back. It's finally too close for comfort, I cancelled the order, and I need new ones.

I'm looking for just your standard canvas/black tote bag that I can have embroidered! Anyone have any luck?

North Shore wedding day photo spots?

sveta22m — Thu, 19 May 2011 19:54:43 +0000

We are getting married in Kenilworth in June. Any ideas for photo opportunities around the area (North Shore)? I know of Botanic Gardens, but wondering if there are other options.
Thank you!

Hair Accessories

Katie91980 — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:53:12 +0000

Hi Everyone!

I'm on a mission...we're officially under 2 weeks left and I'm without hair accessories. I feel like I've checked out every option out there but nothing has grabbed my attention. Does anyone have any suggestions of places in the city that I could go check out...I've already looked at Left Bank and Francescas so any other ideas are greatly appreicated!

Thank you!

Kind of worried about the weather....

MyWedding13 — Sun, 15 May 2011 17:27:51 +0000

It has been so cold and rainy lately! I am worried about the weather for my June 5th wedding. Anyone else concerned about their date? Obviously, I know we can't control it, but it is nice to vent on here.

QUESTION ABOUT SEATING CARDS

KATERS882 — Sun, 15 May 2011 19:36:14 +0000

We are going to be working on our seating cards this week. We are going to do Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith on one card if both are coming to the wedding. How should I do my cousin's seating card. We are not real close with my Mom's family but we invited most of them. He had a commitment ceremony a couple of years ago. He responded as follows: Smith/Anderson. Should we do Mr. Robert Smith and Mr. Michael Anderson or should we do it the way he filled out the response card which was Smith/Anderson? Any suggestions would be great.

Introduction & Vendor Help Please

lillynjake — Mon, 16 May 2011 19:05:11 +0000

Hello Everyone.

My name is Lilly, I'm newly engaged and obviously new to The Knot! We're tenatively looking at July 2012 but only engaged Saturday, so we have time to figure out the real date.

I've been told this is the place to get tips on vendors, so I am hoping that you have experience with the following vendors that I've heard a lot about. Any info you may have would be greatly appreciated! I've look at the below vendor's sites and their work is great, just wondering how it was to work with them?

Photographers:
- Heather Parker Photography
- Danielle Aquiline Photography
- Life On Prints

Videographers:
- Ben Mahoney Productions
- Orange Wedding Film

Venues:
- W Lakeshore
- InterContinental Chicago (Michigan Avenue)
- J.W. Marriott (I know this is a new hotel, so not sure if anyone has any exp)

Thank you so much!!

Officient

853george — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:59:53 +0000

Can anyone recommend a good officiant for our wedding? We are getting married in a restaurant downtown and will be having a short ceremony so looking for someone charasmatic and not religious.

Gifts for readers

kmgulley — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:36:44 +0000

Are you getting your readers gifts? If so, what are giving them?

Victoria Banquets - Schiller Park

GinaK119 — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:44:32 +0000

Has anyone ever gotten married at Victoria Banquets in Schiller Park? Are they more pricey then other banquet halls or about average? Any info would be great!
Thanks!

100% upset!!!

Katie91980 — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:34:27 +0000

I'm not referring to theknot in this blog

Thoughts on:
http://ksd33.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/a-bit-taken-aback/

Limo recommendations

kmgulley — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:47:29 +0000

Help! Does anyone have any good limo recommendations in the city? I just discovered the one I was going to use has an F with the BBB.

Photographer - $ Question?

Xcat9 — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:38:58 +0000

So the MIL has decided she has to have one specific photographer -Yay!
And that she's paying for him - double yay.

But wait for it - he doesn't shoot the day of. huh? And the point of wedding pictures not on the day are? (that's not the question)

So I have told the hubby - that's her show to run, she wants me to show up & pose. then whatever. But now this leaves us with no photographer for the day of.

Originally we were going to augment the professional with a few semi-pro friends. But I don't know about dumping that full responsibility on Friends - ya'know?

So here's the question- approximately what do photographers run in the greater Chicago Area? The event is in Oak Brook Terrace (if that makes a difference)
The dude not shooting the day of charges 6K...ain't no way I can travel to that part of crazy town.

I've seen some at 1K include the digital negatives (which is all I really want)

Is that the norm?
any help totally appreciated.