Introduce Yourself!

peeweea213

When is your wedding?:

8.13.11

How big is the bridal party?:

7 BM, 7 GM, 2 FG, 1 RB 

What venue are you using?:

Naperville Congregational Church

Bobak's at Seven Brigdes

Biggest challenge so far?:

My timeline! And making a decision about things, for example the centerpieces (I have about 5 in mind!) my shoe color, wearing a veil or not, blahblahblah!

Favorite vendor!:

Our photographer, Danielle Aquiline she's amazing! 

Least appealing planning aspect:

Do you have a theme/color?:

I would say we are going for a modern, clean look. Our colors are pewter with touches of tiffany blue

Any reason why you chose your specific date?:

We started dating and he proposed on 8.13

Something weirdly odd about yourself: 

I'm a neat freak, and I also won't let my food touch

Fina487

When is your wedding?: June 30, 2012
How big is the bridal party?: 3 ladies, 5-6 gents
What venue are you using?: Queen of All Saints for the ceremony; reception TBD
Biggest challenge so far?: Making time to plan -- I'm also in grad school and packing up for a move at the moment...
Favorite vendor!: Hard to say, because we only have one so far... but I do like my church!
Least appealing planning aspect: Wanting to have a large guest list so we can include everyone vs. having to pay for their dinners if they come.
Do you have a theme/color?: I'm thinking red with bright accents like yellow, blue, purple -- like a bright spring bouquet. I love color!
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: We got engaged in November, wanted at least a year's engagement, so late June was the soonest we could get married after crappy winter weather, Lent, and planting season (my hometown is very agricultural).
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I'm really paranoid about checking whether I've locked my apartment door, whether I'm leaving for the weekend or just going to bed.

Allison8879

When is your wedding?: Looking at late August/early Sept this year but might push back till spring 2012 if we can't find a good venue
How big is the bridal party?: Leaning towards 4 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen
What venue are you using?: Cannot decide!!! Definitely somewhere in Chicago, but we're having issues finding places we like in good areas (they are either awesome venues but in a bad neighborhood or sub-par venues in awesome neighborhoods) - it's quite frustrating.
Biggest challenge so far?: Deciding on a venue, but I suppose that's all we've tried to do so far...
Favorite vendor!: We haven't hired anyone yet
Least appealing planning aspect: Trying to please everyone, including myself
Do you have a theme/color?: Not yet
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  We just want to get it done sooner rather than later, but don't want the heat of the summer
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I have worked in over 20 countries but never moved outside of Illinois

TEA&Co

When is your wedding: December 10, 2011
How big is the bridal party: 3 on each side
Biggest challenge so far?: Guest list...
Favorite vendor!:  All of them!  Seriously.
Least appealing planning aspect: I'm not sure.  It's been a great experience so far!
Do you have a theme/color?: Black and white
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  Not really.  We did NOT want to run any risk of hot/humid weather so June through September was out.  We got engaged in October and wanted at least one year to plan.  We had it narrowed down to one date in November and our December date.  The venue where I really wanted our reception was booked for November but had December 10th open, so that settled it.
Something weirdly odd about yourself:  I will watch any of the Real Housewives episodes (doesn't matter which "location") whenever they're on Bravo.  Doesn't matter how many times I've seen the episode before--if it's on, I watch!  My fiance loooooves this haha!

afphotos24

When is your wedding: April 27 ,2012
How big is the bridal party: 4 BM 4 GM, flower girl, ring bearer
What venue are you using?: The Onion Pub in Lake Barrington
Biggest challenge so far?: Trying not to be so laissez faire about everything.
Favorite vendor!:  So far, just our venue.But I have a feeling it will change to our photographer.
Least appealing planning aspect: Trying to figure out how Im going to invite certain people from work but not others without hurting feelings.
Do you have a theme/color?: Apple Green, Chocolate Brown, Creme, Garden Theme
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  I wanted a fall wedding, but I work retail so October through Dec 25th is Blackout, April is just on the cusp of the discounts.
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I hate wearing socks, they are like mittens for your feet.

missblondie777

When is your wedding: April of 2012
How big is the bridal party: 5 BM 6 GM, flower girl, and ring bearer
What venue are you using?: Assumption Catholic Church for the ceremony, and The Rookery Building for the reception
Biggest challenge so far?: the guest list!
Favorite vendor!: Our venue/caterer is great so far, but I also love our photographer-Life on Prints
Least appealing planning aspect: the guest list
Do you have a theme/color?: Purple and green with accents of pink 
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  I wanted a fall wedding, but the venue was booked, and April seemed like the perfect time.
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I have to use mitten clips for my gloves in the winter, otherwise I would go through a pair of gloves/mittens a week

Love is Bald

Wecome to the board ladies!!

SDvorak61508

When is your wedding?:
July 15th, 2011

How big is the bridal party?:
 6 bridesmaids, 4 groomsmen, 2 Jr BM

What venue are you using?:
Century memorial chapel in Napperville

Biggest challenge so far?:
Guest list.

Favorite vendor!: 
Kio Kreations

Least appealing planning aspect:
Making appointments for photographers

Do you have a theme/color?:
Rasberry and sage green

Any reason why you chose your specific date?:
Not really. Discounted venue prices for a close date. ha

jaimechristena

When is your wedding?: May 18, 2012
How big is the bridal party?: 7 
What venue are you using?: Galleria Marchetti
Biggest challenge so far?: the Recpetion hall and my father
Favorite vendor!: Don't know yet, I only have the church, reception, photographer, and tux
Least appealing planning aspect: the intricate details that make it my own ( I watch to much My fair Wedding)
Do you have a theme/color?: Spring Romance and Victorian Lilac and Wine
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: I wanted a May wedding, we didn't want early May because it can be cold in Chicago and I wanted an outdoor reception.  My fiance's birthday is May 29th which is also usually Labor Day weekend so we didn't want it then.  We didn't feel a need to have a Saturday wedding (not to mention its cheaper not to do a Sat wedding)
Something weirdly odd about yourself: Too much to list

heyyjude7

When is your wedding?: September 3, 2011
How big is the bridal party?: 6 and 6.  
What venue are you using?: Ceremony at St. Norbert's Church in Northbrook, reception at The Glen Club in Glenview.
Biggest challenge so far?: convincing FI to do ballroom lessons, and issues with FMIL.  
Favorite vendor!: DJ Dustin with Toast and Jam!
Least appealing planning aspect: alterations.  I don't know why I feel that way though.
Do you have a theme/color?: Dark purple and Ivory
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: We have a lot of OOT guests, so Labor Day weekend seemed like a good idea.
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I can cross all of my toes.

crystalcomstock

When is your wedding?: June 25, 2011
How big is the bridal party?: 7 BM, 6GM, 1FG, 2 RB
What venue are you using?: CD and ME, Frankfort, IL
Biggest challenge so far?:
Favorite vendor!: Our Florist, Christopher John in Orland Park
Least appealing planning aspect:$$$
Do you have a theme/color?: Black and White with Shades of Pink
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: Availability at Venue
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I HATE onions, but LOVE french onion soup....weird, I know!

kuteashbee

When is your wedding?: 11.11.11
How big is the bridal party?: 12 including us
What venue are you using?: The Seville
Biggest challenge so far?: Finding A7 envelopes in the stores..I cant believe how hard it was!
Favorite vendor!: My photographer..She is my sisters best friend and she is flying in from CA just for my wedding.  Her work is amazing!
Least appealing planning aspect: I running around stores trying to find stuff...I am now ordering online!
Do you have a theme/color?: Our colors are purple,gray, ivory, and green our theme is a rustic fairytale
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: we will be together for exactly 9 years
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I can be messy but when things are very important to me like the wedding I turn into a perfectionist about everything!

Cony&Ben

When is your wedding?:  January 14, 2012

How big is the bridal party?: 6-8 total

What venue are you using?:  Burr Ridge UCC for ceremony, undecided on reception

Biggest challenge so far?:  Choosing a reception venue

Favorite vendor!:  My officiant. He's been my pastor since I was a little girl, so I've always know he would officiate my wedding.

Least appealing planning aspect:  Planning the wedding from out of state. (I live in California.)

Do you have a theme/color?:  Purple, silver, and white or purple, brown, and ivory. Definitely purple though.

Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  I'm a student so we had to pick a date during one of my breaks. I wanted to be free for the week before and the week after the wedding. Also, some people get a 3-day weekend for MLK day.

Something weirdly odd about yourself:  I can write backwards (mirror image). My mom says it's something I've done since I first started writing!

rebeccaann0303

When is your wedding?:  September 10, 2011
How big is the bridal party?: 5 bridesmaids, 1 jr bridesmaid, 5 groomsment, 2 ringbearers, 1 flower girl
What venue are you using?:  The South Church, and Manzo's Banquets
Biggest challenge so far?:  Hard to see the big picture at times. But is now getting easier!
Favorite vendor!: I can't decide they are all good and responsive!
Least appealing planning aspect:  That all is planning, blood, sweat and tears, is all for one day that hopefully won't go by way to fast....
Do you have a theme/color?:  Navy Blue w/yellow flowers and small amounts of orange.
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:Thought it would be cute to be married on a kitschy date.
Something weirdly odd about yourself: My fiance coniders me borderline ocd.  I have to have a routine and method to everything and if it breaks then it throws me off.  (according to him)

tnsa11

When is your wedding: July 16, 2011
How big is the bridal party: 1 MOH, 2 bridesmaids, 1 bestman, 1 groomswoman, 1 GM, 1 female usher, 1 male usher
What venue are you using?: Hyatt Regency Lisle
Biggest challenge so far?: It's a tie: 1) it seems like all of my friends are getting married and everytime I go to another wedding I see ideas I want to steal and then have to fit in my budget (i.e. late night snacks), 2) trying to finish my dissertation before the wedding
Favorite vendor!: Right now probably our venue, they have been so helpful since I am planning from out of state, and our DJ (Sunshine DJs) since they are my friend's parents and super fun to work with
Least appealing planning aspect: Biting the bullet and paying for our honeymoon plane tickets (FYI flying to London in July is expensive!)
Do you have a theme/color?: Cornflower blue and yellow
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:   We had to do it over a school holiday and arrange it around all the other weddings we have this summer - it ended up being the ONLY weekend that worked
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I don't like meat and cheese together unless it is on a pizza or a taco, no cheeseburgers for me!  Also, I am enjoying planning the wedding from out of state, it is keeping me super organized knowing that when I am able to get home for a weekend I have to get as much done as possible in that time frame

kblezien

When is your wedding?  December 31, 2011...NYE!

How big is the bridal party?  There are 4 attendants on each side plus a flower girl and ring bearer.

What venue are you using?  We will be having our ceremony and reception at the Sofitel in downtown Chicago.

Biggest challenge so far?  Finalizing the guest list!  Who knew it was this exhausting???  And also the fact that I have 8 weddings to attend this year before my own!

Favorite vendor?  Our 12-piece orchestra, the Dan Hayes Orchestra.  They have been so helpful and responsive so far.

Least appealing planning aspect?  The fact that we have guests flying in from all over the world...Ireland, Thailand, India.  It's a total headache to coordinate.

Do you have a theme/color?  We don't really have a theme.  I just know I want tons of candle light, lots of white flowers, and small hints of amethyst.

Any reason you chose your specific date?  My fiance and I just thought it would be a really great time of year to get everyone together to celebrate.  We don't have any particular tie to NYE, but it happened to fall on a Saturday this year so we thought why not?

Something weirdly odd about yourself?  I haven't had anything to drink except water for the past 15 years...unless it's an adult beverage of course.  Milk, juice, soda...they all only make me more thirsty now.

Miracle520

When is your wedding?: 10-22-11
How big is the bridal party?: 0 - Just us and we love it!
What venue are you using?: Trump Hotel
Biggest challenge so far?: Finalizing the venue. I am really glad we ended up going with a hotel.
Favorite vendor!: My event designer. She's so enthusiastic
Least appealing planning aspect: Keeping track of the budget and cutting the guestlist down
Do you have a theme/color?:Bright, colorful, unexpected. We're using purples, pinks, yellow, orange and white and breaking a lot of tradtions
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: For some reason we just decided Oct was a good month and after a few hiccups, we ended up with 10-22.
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I have a major fear of the dish soap not washing off of the dishes

msmyrnio

When is your wedding?: May 26, 2012
How big is the bridal party?: 5 bridesmaids, 4 junior bridesmaids, 5 groomsmen, 5 ushers, 1 ring bearer
What venue are you using?: St. Benedict's and the Victoria Rosemont
Biggest challenge so far?: Finding a photographer
Favorite vendor!: Haven't found too many vendors yet, but our event coordinator at the Victoria has been awesome
Least appealing planning aspect: dealing with all the huge variety in costs and options
Do you have a theme/color?:green, ivory, champagne, gray
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: I wanted a spring wedding and a holiday weekend seemed to work out great for traveling guests
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I've gone diving with sharks

windycityjhawk

When is your wedding?: August 6, 2011
How big is the bridal party?: 8 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen; not doing the ring bearer/flower girl/ushers thing
What venue are you using?: Onion Pub in Barrington
Biggest challenge so far?: hands down, budget...anyone else think eloping is starting to sound increasingly more enticing?
Favorite vendor!: Onion Pub...hate the hillbilly-sounding name, LOVE the reception room...very unique and classy, its on a small lake with an outdoor patio, theres vaulted wood ceilings with exposed beams and gigantic windows overlooking the lake...its gorgeous!
Least appealing planning aspect: all the time ive been putting into researching every vendor since im perfectionistic to a fault...also im nervous about the time gap since our ceremony is at 2:30 but the reception isnt til 5 or possibly even 6
Do you have a theme/color?: champagne, with accents of coral, orange, and dusty pink
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: it was the only summer date left that was available for both our church and reception venue!
Something weirdly odd about yourself: not sure where to start, but the fiance would have a field day with this question!

bevnichole12

When is your wedding?: June 25, 2011
How big is the bridal party?: 5 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen
What venue are you using?: Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows
Biggest challenge so far?: Sticking to the budget (I've never done so much budgeting at one time in my whole life)
Favorite vendor!: BBA Flowers - florist
Least appealing planning aspect: Invitation Wording
Do you have a theme/color?: Guava and Wisteria from David's Bridal
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: I wanted nice weather!
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I like Pauly Shore.

RWith81

 When is your wedding?:  1/21/12
How big is the bridal party?:  I think 6 on each side
What venue are you using?:  Signature Events
Biggest challenge so far?:  budget
Favorite vendor!:  We just have our venue so far
Least appealing planning aspect:  venue
Do you have a theme/color?:  aqua and white
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  much cheaper to have a wedding in the "off season"
Something weirdly odd about yourself:  I only take showers when someone is home with me

flummadiddle85

Hi all!
I've been engaged for less than a week, so I can't really answer any of the questions yet! But I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi!

Dancermeg54

When is your wedding?: November 5th, 2011
How big is the bridal party?: 5 groomsmen, 6 bridesmaids
What venue are you using?: Radisson in Pleasant Prairie, Wi
Biggest challenge so far?: Photographer!
Favorite vendor!: So far... DJ- Memory Makers
Least appealing planning aspect: Saving money and finding vendors
Do you have a theme/color?: Champagne, Chocolate Brown, and Blush Pink
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: Not too soon, won't impede on my sisters wedding next year, and got a great deal for it being in November!
Something weirdly odd about yourself: I have a fascination with spreading things on food.  Creamcheese, peanut butter, jelly mayo.... it must be even and perfect!

ChrissyR11

When is your wedding?: 09-10-11
How big is the bridal party?: 2 maybe 4
What venue are you using?: Flossmoor Country Club
Biggest challenge so far?: Everything
Do you have a theme/color?: Red Black Siver and White

 

arrabelle

hi!  i'm kris.  i live in denver but we're getting married in chicago.  

When is your wedding?:  april ?? 2012 ??

How big is the bridal party?:  maybe 6 or 7?

What venue are you using?:  first immanuel lutheran church and room 1520....i think???

Biggest challenge so far?:  my fiance's only request was a reception venue where we can dance until 4am, i'm quite proud of myself that i actually found a couple options!  if anybody knows any more, send them my way please!!!

Favorite vendor!:  i love haley at room 1520, and the pastor at the church is the kindest person i've spoken with in years!  

Least appealing planning aspect:  the distance is tricky.  hence the ?s, i don't want to commit before i see things in person, you know?

Do you have a theme/color?:  grey, yellow, and cream.  thinking a vintage shabby chic in a cool modern space kind of theme.

Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  we just had a big death in the family so wanted to give everybody some time before we throw a party.  it's actually working well to have a long engagement, gives us more time to do everything without panicking.  plus i like being engaged.  it's fun, i have an excuse to daydream a lot which i tend to do anyway.

Something weirdly odd about yourself:  it's not really odd but i'm trying very hard to learn polish so i can toast my fiance's family at the wedding!  wish me luck!

thanks for all the advice so far, these boards are really great for advice for a newbie like me!

xo and congrats!

motogrl13

When is your wedding?: June 2, 2012
How big is the bridal party?: Not completely sure yet, but at this point, 3 gals and 3 guys.
What venue are you using?:  Prairie Production for the ceremony and reception.
Biggest challenge so far?:  Budget.  
Favorite vendor!:  My photographer-Steve Koo.
Least appealing planning aspect:  Budget (LOL).
Do you have a theme/color?:  Theme: urban vibe I suppose.  My colors are not set in stone at this point: I really like kelly green or a nice blue.
Any reason why you chose your specific date?:  I wanted summer, but not too late (too hot) and not too early (iffy weather).
Something weirdly odd about yourself:  Normally I'm freakishy neat.  However, lately I can't keep things neat b/c I'm so tired and so the house isn't as clean as I'd like it to be, which for some odd reason, makes me feel more tired.  It's a VICIOUS cycle!

skybrie

When is your wedding?: June 9th 2012
How big is the bridal party?: 6 girls and 9 guys
What venue are you using?: Ceremony is at the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette - reception is still undecided (if ANY of you have planned a North Shore wedding PLEASE pm me - I need help!)
Biggest challenge so far?: Finding a reception venue that we meet the min food and beverage charge with a 125 person wedding.
Favorite vendor!: TBD
Do you have a theme/color?: Red and something.  The temple has weird wedding party rules so I need to have 3 colors total
Any reason why you chose your specific date?: That date has 3 specific meanings to us
Something weirdly odd about yourself: My food cant touch.  Depending on the meal I eat on 2-3 different plates with multipple forks.