Illinois-Chicago

Need your Chicago-area planning help.

 Hey Chicago-area brides,
I need your planning recs for a local mag quote. Basically, I want to know why you love your florist, cake/dessert baker, bridal shop, transportation company and/or photographer. This is a great way to give love to the local vendors in your area.
Please post below, and thank you so much in advance! Annie 
Tweet? Me too! Have you checked out our My Real Wedding Gallery for ideas? Upload your photos here and be featured on The Knot!

Re: Need your Chicago-area planning help.

  • mellowsigmamellowsigma member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    HIGHLY RECOMMEND Studio Finch for photography services. Check out their website at studiofinch.com. I used them for my wedding & the photos are amazing, and their prices are very reasonable!
  • edited December 2011
    Gina and Tony Photography (gntphoto.com)

    DH and I used them for our engagement pictures and wedding pictures. I used Gina for my boudior pics. They are a husband and wife team, and I have never seen a couple work so well together, I swear they can read eachothers minds. Our pictures were absolutely beautiful and they are so great at caputuring each couples personality!
    imageLilypie First Birthday tickers
  • barbbhowwbarbbhoww member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I loved Wildflower Florist in Naperville because I gave her a budget and a dream, and she made both come true.
    It's time. Adoption saving and process started in November 2012.
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  • edited December 2011
    I absolutely adore Balloons and Flowers by Haley.  Although they are located out in Rockford, they are willing to travel to all parts of the Chicagoland area.  They do excellent work, have unbeatable prices, and their service is outstanding.  
    The owner Jill even co-founded a local bridal expo to help brides in the Rockford area get exposure to local vendors that they wouldn't have otherwise known about!  She is definitely worth the drive!!
    BabyFruit Ticker
  • Knot AnnieKnot Annie member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    These are great! barbb, care to elobrate just a bit?
    Tweet? Me too! Have you checked out our My Real Wedding Gallery for ideas? Upload your photos here and be featured on The Knot!
  • lmg1115lmg1115 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Colin Lyons Photography - he makes you feel at ease in a second and truly works to capture your best angles to produce absolutely stunning moments on film. He has endless energy and a committment for capturing the essence of your wedding day. He is Art Institute trained, but thinks creatively and outside the box! Gorgeous!
  • aimers1525aimers1525 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I can't say enough good things about our venue, the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg. From start to finish we worked with professional staff who always responded to our inquiries about even the smallest details.  They have a world-class chef and our guests still talk about the food to this day.
  • barbbhowwbarbbhoww member
    Sixth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-chicago-area-planning-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:16eeef96-d063-4a5e-8bb9-40366e2a9ddfPost:ca6c42c4-3021-43d6-92e4-cb5444c2ac33">Re: Need your Chicago-area planning help.</a>:
    [QUOTE]These are great! barbb, care to elobrate just a bit?
    Posted by Knot Annie[/QUOTE]

    <div>I had a strict budget and I just couldn't go over the dollar amount.  With my vision of flowers in the wedding, I knew that it would go way over.  I brought in pictures (from TK of course) of what I loved..handed them to her and she told me she was going to figure something out.  I went back in to see some of her work and she recreated the look I wanted with a not-as-expensive flower and greens.  It was everything I could have asked for!</div>
    It's time. Adoption saving and process started in November 2012.
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  • Knot AnnieKnot Annie member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Wonderful! Now, I'd love to hear more regarding dress, transportaion and cake!

    Thank you!
    Tweet? Me too! Have you checked out our My Real Wedding Gallery for ideas? Upload your photos here and be featured on The Knot!
  • lmg1115lmg1115 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My Bridal Salon, A'Lamour in Barrington, IL is AMAZING. They have gorgeous gowns with helpful and friendly consultants. Whether youre a size 2 or a 22, they treat you with world-class customer service and find you gowns that will make you feel stunning on your big day. They aren't pushy or demanding - I felt relaxed and under no pressure to purchase. But when i tried on the gown I ended up purchasing - I knew and my consultant knew!
  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    I would highly recommend Kathryn's Bridal in McHenry.  The price point of their dresses can accommodate all budgets. They have styles for every imaginable taste. The sales staff and consultants are patient, knowledgeable, and friendly.  The seamstress is beyond talented, and clever in making even the hardest alteration seem effortless. 

    Kimberose Flowers is also amazing.  Kim Dunlap listened attentively to all our ideas.  We asked for something she had never done before.  She took the task excitedly, looked forward to the challenge, and went beyond our expectations.  We found ourselves short one corsage at the church (our fault, not hers), and she instantly whipped up a new one with extra flowers she brought "just in case".  She almost functioned as an event coordinator at our venue, making sure every table looked perfect.  She answered every question and every email in a timely manner, and even emailed us when she went out of town, just in case we tried to contact her and wondered why there was no response!  Kim in an unbelievably pleasant and friendly woman.
  • edited December 2011
    I loved Wolsfelts in Aurora (I don't really know how to spell it though). I came in with a budget and the saleslady helped me find a great dress for well under my budget. I never felt pressured to buy something I couldn't afford from them.

    I also loved Hollyhocks in Wheaton. The ladies were so warm and friendly and accomodating. They were such a calming presence in all the hecticness of the day of.
    Anniversary image
  • fashionxfashionx member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I love my florist, Mary, from Flowers by Color Chicago. She did beautiful flowers for my friend's wedding, and I am so excited to work with her. She instantly got my vision from the inspiration photos I gave her, and she stuck to my budget as well. She told me the names of all the flowers I picked and explained why they were good choices, or if they were out of season she had suggestions for replacements. I like that she does beaded bracelet corsages for the mom's rather than just a simple elastic band. I am making my own dress and I really love that she suggested incorporating the dress fabric into the boquet wraps. 
    Nov 2011 Brides - Fav Cocktail
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    Pomegranate Margarita
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  • CASK85CASK85 member
    1000 Comments 250 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I haven't had my wedding yet (2 weeks, 3 days!) but I'm super excited about our baker. Luscious Layers Bakery is small and relatively new, but they have really creative, delicious flavors (we're having pumpkin spice cake with praline filling and champagne cake with strawberry and cream filling) and were willing to work with my budget and suggest ways to get a pretty display cake for cutting and sheet cakes that wouldn't break the bank to feed our guests. They've also been very responsive via email which is great for vendors to do these days. 
  • MrsPapsMrsPaps member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I really loved my photographer, Kara Schutlz. She listened and managed to capture every moment on film. She is professional and kind and just a blessing to work with. Her style and talent are phenomenal.
  • Knot AnnieKnot Annie member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    These are so great. Anyone have a quote for music or transportation?
    Tweet? Me too! Have you checked out our My Real Wedding Gallery for ideas? Upload your photos here and be featured on The Knot!
  • edited December 2011
    Jazmer of Highland Park was fantastic. Shirlee Todd was so easy to access before the wedding and they were so professional the day of the wedding. Many of our guests raved about how great the music was.
    Anniversary image
  • Golfer09Golfer09 member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Per Knot Annie's request, my recommendations for transportation and music are Chicago Minibus Travel and Style Matters DJs.

    Chicago Minibus Travel by far gave us the biggest bang for our buck.  We had two coach buses to transport our guests to and from the hotel to the venue starting at 2pm and ending at 1:30 am.  The coach bus was comfortable, clean and they arrived on time.  They even played a party CD I prepared for the ride there and back.  The drivers were really courteous and the price was extremely reasonable.

    Style Matters DJs were really good - Spencer the owner hosts a few parties at local bars/clubs so prospective clients can hear the various spinning styles his team has so you can match up with the best DJ that fits your style.  Highly recommend!

    Our cake bakery (Vanille Patisserie) no longer does wedding cakes though I would still highly recommend them for their desserts, petit fours, macarons, and entremets.
    Our wedding SDE: https://player.vimeo.com/video/8491081 Our wedding Feature: PW=demo
  • edited December 2011
    I haven't had my wedding yet, but I've already got lots of love for our DJ.

    Roberto Monastero (Monastero Entertainment) was the very first vendor I booked, within a month of being engaged! My family loves to dance so I wanted to be sure I hired a great DJ. Roberto was the DJ at my cousin's wedding in October 2008 and he kept everyone dancing all night. I remember thinking I should get his information for when I got married! Roberto was also the DJ at her sister's wedding this past July. When Roberto played the last song, we were all having so much fun that we didn't want to leave the dance floor and they ended up having Roberto stay a little bit longer. My family was super excited to hear that Roberto would be my DJ as well! My cousins' receptions were seriously the best receptions I have ever been to and I know Roberto had a lot to do with that. He kept the dance floor packed all night and I'm confident he will do the same for my wedding!
  • edited December 2011
    We loved our band Entourage from the Arlen Music group. They did wonderful rendidtions of songs everyone could dance to and were personable. Kehoe Designs was fantastic because they put together a mini sample room that represented what our wedding table was going to look like as well as a bouquet. I talked, and they listened, and I think that is one of the most important things a vendor can do. Heather Parker was our photographer and not only did she get us creative shots, she also balanced being creative and fun with being patient and professional in dealing with our friends and family at our reception. All of our vendors seemed to know eachh other so it was good knowing we were going with people who had good recommendations.
  • HandBananaHandBanana member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have an excellent recommendation for travel.  Manny's Limo.  Not to be confused with the Manny's Limo that has its own website, this Manny's limos are often seen in the loop area and near Navy Pier.  The back window has the signature "Manny's" with his phone number.

    Manny was amazing.  At first, I worried about his organization and paperwork but he quickly proved me wrong.  My husband met with Manny filled out the contract/paperwork and they exchanged phone numbers.  Manny also asked for my cell phone and my parent's house phone (which is where he would be picking me up.)  Manny called me after his meeting with my husband and encouraged us to call with any questions.  Manny was the one who checked in with us monthly which was another great reassurance.

    The day of, Manny was perfect.  When my husband and I exited the church, Manny had a bottle of champagne ready with two flutes.  In one hour, we were able to take photos at three locations (Comiskey, Planetarium, LaSalle St. Bridge) and make it out to our reception in LaGrange before our cocktail hour started. 

    http://www.manta.com/c/mmlj0ys/mannys-limo







    We made Manny take a photo with us.  He tried to dart out after he opened the champagne and poured the glasses.


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