*jshewalter*/Cantigny Brides

Allison&Donnie

Hey Girl!!Just saw your comment on my post from last week. I love meeting other Cantigny brides!! I think there are a few others that are active on the boards right now too. (kathy350z and Elizabeth7277, that I know of) If you need any help with anything, let me or the other girls know!!Thats soooo funny that we have such similar stories too!! What a small world!!!Good luck with your planning!!!! TTYL

tonyandstef

Hey, I'm a Cantigny bride too.  Yay!  Please, please-- if you have any ideas regarding florists, I'm in desperate need of guidance.  I haven't been on here in awhile... But I'd love to hear what other girls are doing!

tonyandstef

Oh yea, and we're doing the East Lawn too!!!!  How exciting!  Funny thing-- I'm going to Barrington to go shopping for my dress too.  lol.  

Elizabeth7277

Stef and Allison, I am uber jealous you guys are having the ceremony on the East Lawn but my stupid budget wouldn't allow. I absolutely LOVE the place and cannot wait, less than 4 weeks now. For pp who asked about floral, I will be of no help because my family and I made the centerpieces and put together the ceremony arrangements which are very minimal because we wanted to keep the look of fall and have the outside trees and flowers be our decorations. And everything else will be candles. Our bouquets , etc I have a friend who owns her own floral business make them. I will be putting together vendor reviews after the honeymoon.Also, not sure if any of you guys know this, but a couple things we asked Magan (contact at Le Jardin):If your wedding is on a Friday as ours you are able to bring in everything for set up the day before. If its on a Saturday you cannot because of the Friday wedding.They will set up everything from the name cards to lighting the candles. If you do not have a florist or DOC she will put out the centerpieces ONLY if they are to be just placed on the table and that's it. She will not assemble anything which is fair.That's all I can think of now. I really hope this Indian Summer stays for a little while. YAY!

tonyandstef

Elizabeth, if it makes you feel better, I can't afford the East Lawn either, but I'm doing it anyways.  We booked it back in January--and then I moved out here and couldn't find a job--it was a scary situation for awhile.  But, we are splurging on that spot, because I figured we wouldn't need flowers or anything there.  Believe me, I'm being cheaper on the rest of the stuff.  And my reception is at Cantigny Golf, because we're only having prolly 110 people and the other location was too big for us, and prolly too pricey too.Do you mind my asking about the friend that's doing your flowers??? My email is stefaye23@yahoo.com.  I'm just looking for my bouquet, my bridesmaids, and the groomsmen stuff... I'm going to do my own centerpieces too, so I can save money...Yay, I'm getting so excited... Mine's in June...

Allison&Donnie

HOLA Cantigny Girls!!!Here is Cantigny's preferred florist Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Florist Winfield Flower Shoppe 888 336-8460 - Val Chase sales@winfieldflowershoppe.com Wallflower Designs 630 747-0674 - Marla Johnstone wallflowerdesigns@att.net         Flowers by Marisa 630-690-2809 Allflowersbymarisa.comWe are going with Wallflower Designs. Marla is super sweet, and does it right out of her home. Very reasonable too! We are doing some things ourselves as well. Planning on ordering the flowers for that from fiftyflowers.com. Its an online wholesale florist. So excited about the East Lawn. It was a splurge for us too. The thing that stinks about it though, is that if we have to have it indoors due to rain, we still have to pay the full price!!! UGH. Oh well.... Either way Im sure the day will be perfect!. Originally we were going with the South Lawn, which is still a great location. But when we took our parents there, they fell in love with the East Lawn so we switched. Let me know if anyone needs more help!!!!

Elizabeth7277

Stef - you got mail

jshewalter

The east lawn is definitely a splurge for how long we will actually be out there, but soooo beautiful. It has a very European feel to it, in my opinion, and since going to Europe would be entirely out of the question, I guess the cost of it is worth it to me! Also, our planner Karen (Red Oak Room/golf course at Cantigny) said that if for some reason it shows that it is going to rain on that day in the forecast, as long as you cancel three days in advance that you won't be charged. I will probably still take the risk even if it calls for rain that day because you never know...several of my friends had rain in the morning, and then it cleared up for an evening ceremony. Isn't rain on your wedding day good luck anyway? :-) Jenn Allison, thanks for the wholesale flower site...that is great, and we will probably do the same thing for centerpieces!

Allison&Donnie

Thanks for the tip on cancelling 3 days prior. Now that I think about it, I remember seeing that in the contract/book thing. That'll be a hard call, but if rain is indefinite I dont want to pay $2500 (plus $300 for the curtains) to have it INDOORS!!! LOL, that would be pretty lame....

Allison&Donnie

UGH, nevermind. I cant cancel if we are having our reception at Le Jardin and need the visitors center guaranteed....BOOOOOOOOOO

jshewalter

Ahhhh that is no good. Yeah, rain is definitely one of my paranoia's.. if it happens, it happens, but I can't imagine paying all that money to not even have the ceremony there! ugh...ok...I will stop freaking out lol.

jshewalter

Allison, I was going to ask you..how does Beauty on Call work? Are they coming out to Cantigny to help you get ready, or are you getting ready offsite? How much time does the cost include? However much time it takes to do your hair, and then off they go? Thanks for being so willing to answer questions! :-)

Allison&Donnie

Yes, they are a company that has different levels of stylist and make up artist, with prices based on their level. They do a trial and your service the day of. We are just getting hair done, and doing our own makeupThey come right to your location and do hair and/or make up. We rented the Dairymen Cottage at Cantigny, and are getting ready there. Its $400 for 4 hours to rent it. Stacy Rooney? is the owner of BOC, go to the website and all the info is there. http://www.beautyoncall.com/HTH!!

tonyandstef

Karen said you had to cancel within 3 days!!!!??? She NEVER said that to me... I'm going to find the email.  I specifically asked her that.... GRRRRRR.  Lemme look....

tonyandstef

Ok.  here it is word for word from email.  "If the weather on the day of your ceremony the weather is not cooperating we will move your ceremony to the semi-covered Patio I at the clubhouse or onto the dance floor in The Red Oak Room, depending on the severity of the rain.  You will not be responsible for the $2500 fee but rather the $750 fee for the clubhouse ceremony.  Also, if you decide 72 hours prior to cancel we will be able to have the white wood folding chairs delivered to the golf course for you.  If it is within the 72 hours/day of we have no way of transporting the chairs from the park to the golf course."   Oh poo.  I hope it doesn't rain!!!Also, what are you girls doing for music?  We are planning on having a trio (2 violins, 1 piano) but there's no power out there! 

Allison&Donnie

Yea, I think that there are different rules depending on where you are having your reception. At least at Red Oak you wont get stuck paying the extra $2000 to have it indoors!!! Whhhaaah NO RAIN PLEASE!!! LOL, oh weeeellllllllWe are just having a single harpist for music

jshewalter

Thanks for sharing that email! I am going to use that and will ask her about it when next we speak. Rain is my biggest fear that day, and when she said we needed to give three days notice to cancel without getting charged, that worried me a little because even if it called for rain that day in the forecast three days prior, I would still probably not cancel since you never know with the weather! With my luck it would probably turn out beautiful that day if I canceled! Not sure yet on the music, but I just went to a friends wedding that was outdoors, and their DJ used a remote system outside that played lovely instrumental music that sounded great. Live music would be nice, but that's a decision we are still trying to make as well. I have always wanted to come down the ailse to the music from The Princess Bride (favorite all time movie) so I am working on how that would best sound. I am sure a harpist would do it beautifully!

jshewalter

Just in case you guys haven't seen, they finally have a picture montage for Cantigny...maybe this is already old news, but I had not seen one when I was originally looking for a venue, so thought I would share! www.bellapictures.com/cantignygolfmontage

tonyandstef

Allison, do you mind me asking round about what you are paying for your bridal bouquet?  She quoted me $200, and someone who's moms a florist said that's outrageous for what I'm looking for....I asked for wild and free looking--blue hydrangeas with lots of funky greenery and a little bit of white flowers mixed in-- basically organic wildflower feel...  Nothing exotic...Grrr.  so frustrating.  On a happy note, I'm going dress shopping the 26th!!!!

Allison&Donnie

Yea, that does seem steep for that type of bouquet. She quoted me $175 and up, depending on what I decided to go with. I had no clue at the time what I wanted, but now I want dripping phalaenopsis orchids with hydrangeas, peonies etc...so Im sure its going to be much more. Maybe talk to her about the pricing of the bouquet...she seems like a pretty flexible person. Probably just gives similar quotes on stuff to everyone.

tonyandstef

Hey Allison, That was the quote she gave me based on what I wanted.  She told me her price range was $150-200 typically. (Wonder why she said 2 different things to us?)I've had 2 other quotes now, one in at $125, and one at $100 for what I asked for.  And my bridesmaids bouquets were quoted at $75 for her, and at $37 by someone else.  I can't help but think she's ripping me off.  Hopefully, she's better with you!  I'm just too cheap. haha.  (I think she tried charging me so much because at first I said I was doing centerpieces myself) Buttttt, now I want centerpieces done, so, yea, who knows.  Good luck though!  I bet those flowers will be absolutely gorgeous.

Allison&Donnie

Yea, Im not sure- I did meet with her MONTHS ago though. So maybe she increased her prices. We are doing some stuff our self and some stuff with her. She use to work with Elizabeth Wray florist which is REALLY nice and expensive. WHO knows.... She quoted us for a ton of stuff, and Im sure she's not going to be happy when she realizes that we are only going to have her do like half of it! I'd say just go with who you feel comfortable with-and who is more reasonable!! What other florists did you get quotes from???

tonyandstef

Oh, I'm sure she'll do great for you.  I just knew she was too expensive for what I was looking for.  I just refuse to pay $200 for a bouquet for flowers that are in season, with a ton of greenery and wildflowers mixed in.  I know that's not that expensive.  Every other quote I've gotten has been anywhere from $25-$100 cheaper on my bouquet, and every single quote I've gotten has been 1/2 for the bridesmaids bouquets.  I've looked at 4 other places....And their names slip me right now.... (I'm at work)  I haven't decided who I'm going with yet, but I think I'll know by the end of the week. There was a place in Aurora that was slightly cheaper but not much.  Basically, it was all Knotties that recommended others.What type of flowers are you doing?  Are you doing large centerpieces or small ones?  I was originally going to do my own, but I got a quote for large centerpieces for $40-- including orchids.  I was like cha-ching!  But we'll see, I don't know what I'm doing yet... I'm just starting to realize how expensive this all is.  EEK.

jshewalter

Hi Tonya,If you don't mind me asking, would you share which florists you looked at, and which one you went with, especially with one willing to do $40 center pieces!  I am not looking to do anything too complex either, so would love to hear about your experiences with florists.  Thanks so much for any info!Jenn

tonyandstef

Haha, it took me like 5 minutes to figure out why you called me Tonya.  Then I looked at my name...  "Tony" is my fiance "and" I'm Stefanie...     Lol, I never even thought of that...  I checked into the recommended one for our place-- Wallflower designs I believe.  She seemed to work great for Allison, but she was the most expensive out of all of the florists I looked at -- she quoted me double compared to the rest.  Her quote for bouquet was $200, bridesmaids was $75 each.  And now I've had to completely change my flowers, so I'm sure it'd be even crazier. Then I spoke with who Elizabeth is using, and I still haven't completely made up my mind about that.... But she's GREAT to talk to, is quick to respond, and seems completely awesome.  However, she's really kind of far from me, and I once again have to change everything because my dress is completely different than what I expected.  (I bought a champagne fancy dress, instead of a white flow-y summer dress) (UGH)  Whole concept needs to change...  But I think that was floressencechicago.   I love her, I really do... I'm just not sure yet...  Bouquet was $75 cheaper, and bridesmaids were about $38 or so each, so hells cheaper  :)Then I talked to...someone's mom (ya) who said I was getting ripped off, (she used to be a florist) and she got me some quote from a place in Aurora-- and they were ridiculous too... At least $175 for bouquet etc.Then I think? (I've deleted all the one's I didn't pick) I called Catherine's garden, but she was slow to respond and wouldn't give me exact prices or anything, which frustrated me... so can't remember exact quotes or anything...I contacted Kia Kreations, and they were booked, so didn't get quotes from them... I called Vine of Enna or something like that (I'm prolly wayyyy off, lol) and she was booked that date.Then I called like 5 other places who'd only help me if I came in there.... So, yea.So, I placed another thread up, and a couple Knotties recommended me to www.artmillersflorist.com. I was slightly skeptical looking at the site, since it's not uber-modern or anything, but I thought hell, why not.  One knottie said it was the best part of her wedding-- she had all orchids and expensive stuff and was quoted over $6k for what she wanted everywhere else, until she called this place.  I was quoted a $100 for my bouquet.  I was told they could do short and tall arrangements ranging from $35-$45-- and looking at their site they have done a couple cute ones.  She is meeting AT MY HOUSE  (heck yea) for my initial consultation, and she said if we do choose them that in the winter I can accompany her to the place where she gets all of her flowers and pick out exactly what I want (and the price won' t budge)  So, I figured, flowers die quickly, and I'm sure If I'm pretty specific-- I can get exactly what I want.  So, I'm meeting her next week-- and can let you know how it goes.  Set up is reasonable too.  And she was quick to respond too-- but she's on vacation this week I think.But I'd say it's definitely between them and floressence...  They were the most budget conscious...  Hope that helps.... Let me know if you have any other questions. 

jshewalter

OMG >.< lol, there is my blond moment for the day!  Stef, I am so sorry, as soon as I saw the whole name that totally made sense...I jut saw the first few letters.  My apologies!Thanks so much for all the info on the florists!  Those both seem like great options.  Yeah, definitely let me know how your consult goes, I would love to hear about it. I am looking at websites for both of them and they both seem like great options.  Thanks!Jenn

TraBC

Hi ladies! I'm having my wedding next year at Cantigny as well.  I googled Cantigny weddings to try and find other people's experiences there or pics from recent weddings and I came across this thread.  Anyway, just wanted to say hi!

tonyandstef

Hello!  When's your wedding TraBC? 

TraBC

My wedding is on 9/25/10.  When we booked in June, it was the last good Saturday they had for 2010 (almost had a heart attack when she asked if we wanted 2010 or 2011).  Hopefully that wasn't the last good Saturday taken for a reason (crazy event happening the same day or something!).   We are having the ceremony on East Lawn and the reception at Le Jardin. What about everyone else?  (Sorry, I'm new here!)

tonyandstef

That's crazy!  When we booked in January, all of 2010 was open!  Wow!  Ours is June 26,2010 at Cantigny Golf, the ceremony at the East Lawn... CAN'T WAIT!  Perhaps ours was open cuz it was Cantigny Golf though, which only holds under 150 people...

TraBC

Nice, congrats!  We got engaged Memorial Day weekend and it took me about oh, two weeks to get to the point of booking the venue.  I really wanted this place and I don't think I would be able to wait until 2011!  I *almost* wanted to say to my fiance "see, you should've proposed earlier! We almost didn't get the venue!" but I had nagged him enough to propose so I didn't want to push it (we still debate on whether we had agreed to get engaged by the end of 2008 or the end of 2009.  It was totally the end of 2008 or the first few months of 2009... which does not mean the end of 2009!  But it doesn't really matter now anyway except that I want to be right lol)...Paranoia about rain made me to the bookstore to check out the 2010 edition of the Old Farmer's Almanac... no rain predicted for my day... and it's 80% accurate?  Keeping my fingers crossed!  Hope everyone's planning is going smoothly!