Vendor Review V: Fabulous DOC

Honey Bee Weddings: A+

Wedding designers, wedding planners, wedding coordinators, day-of-coordinators (whatever they classify themselves as) are truly amazing phenomena. Nothing, let me say it again, nooooooooothing could drive me to work with planning-crazed brides, unorganized vendors, or micromanaging mothers. But these professionals brave the chaos and revel in the challenge to bring order. They are like firefighters running toward a burning building while the rest of us are running for our lives. And, Misse from Honey Bee Weddings, was exactly that firefighter for me...

I had originally hoped to DIY a DOC by enlisting “a friend of a friend” who wanted to break in to the business. However, wedding coordination proved to be too hard a task for her, as she silently bowed out a few months in. So, I promptly got down to the business of sifting through dozens of overpriced Chicagoland DOCs – an exhausting and unsettling process, indeed. But, thankfully, it didn’t take me too long to find Misse. I hired her on the spot as my Day of Coordinator…but I quickly realized that the phrase “day of” didn’t begin to describe her services.

At our first meeting, Misse offered budget-friendly vendor references (fruitwood chivari chairs with any color cushion for $6.50 per chair, what?!). She later offered invaluable wedding paper assistance (the amount of proof-reading and correcting she did was almost criminal). And during the week of my wedding, she navigated impossible vendor communication (impossible because I was busy entertaining family and being the bride)!

The day of the wedding, Misse did EVERYTHING - everything from picking up the wedding cupcakes, (because Sweet Mandy B's has a no-delivery policy), to keeping everyone/everything on time, to DIY project set-up (menus, place cards, advice jars, etc.), to post-reception tear-down. She even put out a small “fire” when 2 guests were unhappy with their table, and decided they were going to pick up their place settings and move – literally. She was poised and professional and found a way to make everyone happy! And, I don't know how, but she actually found time to step in to the photobooth, which left us with an AWESOME keepsake, (photo to the left)!

From “phase one planning” to the “day of coordinating”, Misse proved to be an invaluable resource on so many levels! If I had to do it all over again, I would only do one thing differently: I would have hired her as soon as I got engaged! Seriously, ladies: contact her!

related posts: our budget-friendly wedding V: farewell brunch, our budget-friendly wedding IV: reception, our budget-friendly wedding III: DIY wedding paper, Vendor Review IV: Photobooth, Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers, our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

our budget-friendly wedding V: farewell brunch

I don't know why, but I honestly thought that I had to give our guests a delicious farewell brunch before sending them home to their respective cities. I thought it was the only way to say "thank you" for traveling all the way to Chicago, spending hundreds, maybe thousands, on travel and hotel costs, and getting Nathan and I a wonderful gift. But then I realized how crazy it was to spend nearly 10% of our budget on a day-after brunch!

So, we decided to organize a Farewell Open House - wait for it - in our hotel suite. (BTW, we totally lucked out when The W accidentally gave my aunt (my namesake) our bridal suite, because our upgraded suite was A LOT bigger. Score!)

We decided to have Corner Bakery "cater" the "event" (which simply meant ordering $125 worth of muffins, pastries, and other morning goodies, tons of fresh fruit, and lots of hot coffee). We displayed our super awesome photobooth guestbook so people could page through the hilarious photos and relive the evening. People came and went at their own pace - many slept in and came late, while others came early and left soon after to catch a flight. It was casual and fun - exactly like Nathan and I, if I do say so myself! All in all, it was the perfect way to say goodbye to our family and friends.

Photo credit: W Hotel City Center, photos of our Wow Suite

related posts: our budget-friendly wedding IV: reception, our budget-friendly wedding III: DIY wedding paper, Vendor Review IV: Photobooth, Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers, our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

our budget-friendly wedding IV: reception

When you cut through all of the fluff (the crafty wedding paper, the themed decor, the fancy china, the rented lounge furniture, whatever your wedding may have featured), all receptions are the same. From the local VFW to The Drake, the same laughs, the same tears and the same good times are had.

What I'm about to share, no amount of money can buy...they just happen...

Nathan and I decided to completely omit some of the not-so-timeless "reception ceremonies", such as the bouquet toss and garter ceremony (to each his own, right?), and we decided to vary some of the others. For instance, Nathan and I were introduced casually, sans bridal party, to Queen's "You're My Best Friend" ...It might sound corny, but as our DJ started playing the song, Nathan looked at me and said, "I'm so lucky to have married my best friend..." As we rounded the corner, we entered the room to a roar of claps and "wooows", but I'm not sure if the smile on my face is from the crowd's welcome or from Nathan's comment.

Shortly after, Nathan's brother (BM), my father, and my sister (MOH) gave the most touching speeches I'd ever heard. (I'm sure everyone says that about their wedding...) We laughed...

...and cried. And, nearly all of our guests mentioned how touching the speeches were.

Nathan and I danced our first dance as a married couple to Making Memories of Us. Nathan's not much of a dancer (I know, I'm the lone dancer in a family of wall-flowers...), so we decided we would invite everyone to join in after the first 60 or so. The bizarre thing was, he knew everyone was staring at us, but he didn't care. He just stared into my eyes and sang to me. It was the fastest and slowest 4 minutes of my life...

Later, I danced with my father to My Wish. Because he was terrified to have "all eyes on him", we decided to make it an "informal" father-daughter dance...covertly sneaking a private dance amidst the sea of other dancers. His plan worked, no one looked at him! He kept saying, "how am I doing; should we be moving around more; why is the photographer taking pictures of us, doesn't he know how funny I look right now?" It was hilarious! But then, he got really serious and said, "this would be a lot harder for me if Nathan weren't the best mad I'd ever met..." I lost it - completely broke down on his shoulder. Thank goodness this photo was taken just before. It's one of my favorite photos from the entire evening.

And then we danced and danced...

and danced (with some air guitar)...

...and danced some more... (Name that tune: "a little bit softer now, a little bit softer now...")

We wrapped up the evening with a photo shoot in the stacks... These are my FAVORITE photos from the entire evening, bar none. Even though it was relatively planned out, the photos seem to have captured our stolen moments.

...okay...enough said on that subject... ;)

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video

related posts: our budget-friendly wedding III: DIY wedding paper, Vendor Review IV: Photobooth, Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers, our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

our budget-friendly wedding III: DIY wedding paper

Almost every piece of our wedding paper was DIY. I didn't mean for it to happen that way, but as I researched costs of programs and menus and calligraphy escort cards, I realized that we could break our budget on wedding paper alone.

About a month before the wedding, I decided to pitch the "candle escort card" idea because I became obsessed with these little books. Obsessed! Inside these beautiful little books, I used a "Story of Us" book theme, which was also used throughout the rest of our ceremony and reception paper. It was entitled, "Chapter II: In the Beginning" and featured our tear-jerking engagement story. (Our menus [not pictured] were entitled, "Chapter III: Eat, Drink and Be Married," of course!) Unfortunately, my photographer did NOT get a shot of the escort cards in all their displayed glory. But, oh well, at least I have something. (I love how you can see the library books in the background!)

Next up are the Bride and Groom chair signs. This was a super quick project; seriously, it only took about 20 minutes, a printer, a xyron, and some ribbon. Of course, since our wedding, I've come across some really beautiful B&G signs, tied with thick, luscious ribbon, and now I totally regret not thinking that part out. But, oh well, live and learn...

Some of you may remember my original plans for our table numbers. Well, I searched and searched and couldn't find any "usable" digital images, so I forfeited that awesome idea, and went the super-easy route. This project was also extremely quick and cost effective. All that was needed were tent cards, a printer, and a xyron. Twenty minutes later, ALL of my signs were done - table numbers, bar menus, advice jar, everything. (There is an abandoned DIY project within these table numbers as well, but that's for a later post...stay tuned.)

(Disclaimer: Please excuse the quality of the next photo. We haven't yet had our final photography meeting, and therefore, have not received the final color corrected images.)

Our advice jars were placed in each of the large seating nooks. Apparently this was the perfect place for them, because EVERY SINGLE PERSON at our wedding left us a little note of advice. I almost feel guilty to have these little tid-bits of marital capital, almost like we should have to figure it out on our own... But, I'll admit, it was so much fun reading the advice with Nathan... One listed the author's version of the top ten marriage myths, the first one of which said, "it is actually okay to go to bed angry, as long as you make up for it in the morning!" It's almost too perfect, isn't it?!)

I expanded on the typical "advice note card" idea by fashioning library-check-out-advice-note-cards (which were inspired by this post by Creature Comforts). I made ours slightly larger than hers and customized it to read, "date: 11.01.08" and "issued to: Colleen & Nathan". I'll post the template in an upcoming entry...so stay tuned.

Last but not least are the programs. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but our photographers only got ONE shot of our programs, and it was only of the back cover. The back cover featured the chorus of "You're My Best Friend" (courtesy of i heart peonies inspiration), which is great and all, but I labored over the eight-page, all-inclusive, programs that featured a vellum pouch on the last page with a single tissue tucked inside...for their tears of joy. I'm so incredibly disappointed that I don't have a photo of them, because the hotel threw away the extra copies, leaving us (and anyone who was in the processional) with no keepsake. Bummer, indeed.

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video

related posts: Vendor Review IV: Photobooth, Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers, our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

Vendor Review IV: Photobooth

Chicagoland PhotoBooth: A+

I must say, Nathan and I really lucked out with our vendors. This was in part due to plain old luck and in part due to my insane research tactics - seeking out referrals, reading every single article I could find on each vendor, and weeding through the propaganda or "sponsored articles", as those rarely reflect the whole truth. (…well, I did this with all except for one vendor, which turned out to be a huge mistake, but more on that in an upcoming post.)

Because we had such good fortune with our vendors, I actually feel somewhat obligated to pass along their information - otherwise I could see some creepy karma coming my way. So, in the spirit of "passing it forward", I'd like to tell you about another amazing AND budget-friendly vendor - Chicagoland PhotoBooth.

Really and truly, our photobooth was the highlight of the evening for many of our guests. From funny-faced cousins piling in by the dozens to priceless pics with my new hubby, our photobooth was a complete success. And, what’s more, the photos made a memorable guestbook…

While Chicagoland PhotoBooth does not have the “vintage look” I originally hoped for, it did have the price tag that was very happy with. (And, let’s face it, a photobooth is vintage and nostalgic, whether you have an original, 1960’s booth or a present-day, comfortable recreation of it…) CPB charged us $800 for 4 hours of unlimited photos (originally $900, but they were running a $100 off special). However, to stretch those 4 hours, they “closed” the booth during dinner and thus did not charge us for that time. Yay! Plus, because CPB is a smaller company, you have more of an opportunity to make a package fit your needs (i.e., closing during the dinner hours, etc.) And, to top it off, Jeff and Erin, the couple that owns the company, are the cutest, friendliest people I’ve ever met. It's a win-win all around.

Final thoughts on photobooths:

I know what some of you are thinking…photobooths are on their way to being “overdone”. But, really, it’s only serial wedding bloggers & planning-crazed brides that see photobooth after photobooth. In fact, not one of our guests had ever even conceived of the idea, much less considered it played-out. With that said, I highly recommend making room in your budget for a photobooth. I know, I’m the queen of a budget-friendly wedding, but I really believe that if you’re going to splurge on anything, it should be something that people are going to remember – like a photobooth, or a venue, or great catering – not on something that’s easily overlooked – like really expensive centerpieces or Veuve champagne…

Yay for photobooths! Yay for Chicagoland PhotoBooth!!!

image credit: Jeff from CPB created this poster for us after I emailed him this inspiration photo via the almighty, Mrs. Cupcake.

related posts: Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers, our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

Vendor Review III: Wedding & Reception Flowers (& candles)

Flowers with Feeling: A+

I really couldn‘t have had a more perfect experience with my florist, Flowers with Feeling. After months of being told that my budget wouldn’t allow for much creativity, Tina told me to give FWF a call…just to see what they could do. Boy, am I glad I did! My contact, Tammy, was actually willing to work with my mini budget (as you may recall, our flower budget took a huge hit when we decided to go with our fabulous caterer – review to come!).

I gave her some direction (by some, I mean I gave her a 20 page document that included all of my floral inspirations), but after hearing several people rave about her work, I was super confident with letting her do whatever she wanted to do.

My bouquet was inspired by the color of the bridesmaid dresses and had the most amazing mix of textures – it included dahlias, fringe & double tulips, ranunculus, coxcomb, and amaranthus, while my bridesmaids carried cream colored clutch bouquets with dahlias, English garden roses, and double tulips. Lastly, thanks to oliviamoon from Etsy, my bouquet included a pendant with a photo of my mother, so I could have her with me throughout the ceremony… The bouquets could not have been more fabulous!

As for the reception flowers, we kept it simple (and small). We had long banquet tables each of which included 15 or so candles in varying sizes, and featured two mint julep cup vases filled with dahlias, roses, and snow berries – seriously, those are all the flowers we had, and honestly, that’s all that we needed! The flickering candles made the space intimate and romantic, and provided tons of visual interest and texture. Plus, Tammy let me purchase all of the mint julep cups, candles and cylinder vases on my own which totally helped to keep costs down - because I can hunt down a deal like it's nobody's business!!! It was perfect, and it was all because of Tammy and Flowers with Feeling!!!!

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video

related posts: ourbudget-friendly wedding II: ceremony, Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

our budget-friendly wedding II: ceremony

Personalizing our ceremony was our favorite part of the entire wedding planning process. (Yes, the reception was wonderful, and the photobooth was clearly a highlight for many; but, to us, a meaningful ceremony was paramount.) We hoped to create a tender and ethereal mood that focused on our love for each other as well as our love for our family and friends.

We chose lighter, more romantic processionals, Ave Maria, Joy of Mans' Desiring, and Canon in D, as opposed to some of the more robust (or even severe) processional options (which, of course, shall remain nameless, just in case someone reading this is a fan of powerful or up-tempo processionals...) We also selected passages that underlined the meaning of love and marriage.

New Testament:

1 Corinthians 13

...if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

Even though I've heard this passage perhaps a dozen times before, I still get choked up...even as I read it now.

Old Testament:

Ecclesiastes 4

Better than one, all by himself or herself... If one should fall, the other helps him or her up; but woe to the one all alone with no one to help when falling. Again, they keep warm who sleep two together; but how can someone keep warm alone? Where alone one would be overcome, two will put up resistance; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The final personalized element to our ceremony was the Group Candle Ceremony and Group Blessing. After Nathan and I lit our Unity Candle, we shared our united flame with everyone in attendance. Our priest eloquently described our appreciation for our family and friends, for their unconditional love, support, and understanding, and asked them to bless our marriage by taking a vow to us:

Do you offer this Nathan and Colleen your blessing as husband and wife? "We Do"

And do you offer their marriage your support, as loving family and
friends, today and always? "We Do"

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video

related posts: Vendor Review II: Hair and Make up, our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

Vendor Review II: Hair & Make Up

Jill Gosser & Lisa Caputo: A+

Hair and make up are really and truly the unsung heroes of almost any wedding. I mean, really, when have you ever seen someone come out of a couple hours of professional hair and make up not looking great?! Never. Take the Olsen twins, for example; those are some simian looking girls, but you'd never know it from the way they look on the red carpet. But, I digress. The real purpose of this post is to give all Chicago brides-to-be the vendor tip of a lifetime...an affordable make up artist.

Jill Gosser is a senior make up artist who I found through BOC. Even though I paid BOC's prices for her services (because I had already signed a contract), I felt it absolutely imperative to pass along Jill's contact info, as her personal pricing is far less than BOC's. While her pricing varies depending on the size of the bridal party (i.e., the more people, the less it is per person), it is still afforable no matter how you slice it! For instance, if you and 3 bridesmaids would like full make up, and you're in the city, it's only $70 per person!!!! (note: to go to the burbs, there's an additional $30 one-time charge...) Compare that to BOC's $275 for the bride and $100 for each bridesmaid... INSANE! And, on top of that, she's so good! She made me look like me, but the best version of me there is! I can't recommend Jill enough. Seriously, use her!

Now for the pièce de résistance, my hair!!! I had always known that my stylist, Lisa, from Salon Envy would do my wedding day hair. She is the best hair stylist I've ever gone to, so much so, that I simply had to follow her when she made the move to Salon Envy... She interpreted my ideal look perfectly: loose waves, half-up with lots of height, and pretty to look at from the back... Voila, perfection! Lisa, I LOVE YOU!

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video
related posts: our budget-friendly wedding I: Attire, The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

our budget-friendly wedding I: attire

I'd like to begin our $15,000 wedding wrap-up at the beginning - the dress. My dress was the very first (major) decision I made. Essentially, it helped to dictate the tone of the wedding (that is to say, once I picked a more formal dress, I realized that my initial thought of having a laid-back destination wedding in Bluffton, S.C. might not be the right direction.)

As I've explained in past posts, my "vintage" Vera Wang was a fabulously inexpensive find (when you're in doubt, go the preowned or sample dress route). I couldn't have been more obsessed with it! The fabric and the detailing on the bust were to die for! I really lucked out, if I do say so myself. I also wore a gorgeous, standard cut, 72'' cathedral length veil, that was later replaced by a gorgeous silk gardenia, Nadri drop-crystal earings (not pictured), a Nadri crystal bangle (this one was on back order and came 1 week after the wedding...), and I donned some super sexy metallic 4'' heels from Zappos. All in all, I was very, very happy with the way my attire turned out! In fact, the only thing that wasn't perfect was the lack of my Nadri bracelet cuff bracelet...

Up next, hair and make up reviews...

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video
related posts: The photos are in!!!, Vendor Review I: Reception Music

The photos are in!!!

Our photos have finally come in and I've been drooling over them for days now! I can't wait to post all of the details!!! Stay tuned! For now, here's one of my favorite shots...a celebration of love and books! LOVE IT!

photo credit: Essence Photo and Video

Vendor Review I - Reception Music

Toast & Jam: A+

I've been sifting through dozens of emails from family and friends regarding the excellent musical selections played throughout our reception. Yep, that’s right, our DJ was so good that people are talking about her a week and a half later!

With that said, I thought I'd begin my vendor reviews with our DJ - our amazing, amazing DJ...

When we began our wedding planning process, we kicked around the idea of a band, but quickly decided that our money would be better spent elsewhere, so we began the month-long DJ search. (Literally, it took a month before we found one that didn’t scare us – and I found ours completely by accident while perusing the vendor list of this amazing blog!) Toast & Jam, the HOTTEST DJ service in town, is an all-ladies (well, there’s one dude), all amazing “Mobile Disc Jockey Service” that’s “Never Stale, Always Fresh and Sweet!”

We had the pleasure of hiring mini-master dj, Madeleine Kuhns. At first glance, you think that she’s just some adorable, well-spoken, college-age lover of music…but upon speaking with her, you realize that she is so much more! She has an amazing library of musical influences ranging from Frente to Sufjan Stevens (who, you ask – just iTunes them!). During our reception, guest after guest approached me about our “exceptional dj…and she's a chick”, as my one music-loving cousin put it! However, I think that the real test of a great DJ isn’t just the “dancability” of the songs played from 9pm – 12am (while crucial, indeed, it’s not everything), but rather the “listenability” of the music played from 6pm – 9pm (during cocktails and dinner). I mean, really, a little Frank Sinatra goes a long way if you ask me. Madeleine passed with FLYING COLORS! In fact, the music played for those three hours was arguably the best chilled-out, laid-back playlist I’ve ever heard, like ever!

Below is a short list some of the songs played during our cocktail and dinner hours. Enjoy!

Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Air - Playground Love
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You
Jens Lekman - Maple Leaves 7" Version
Feist - I feel it all
Peter, Bjorn & John - Paris 2004; The Chills
Belle & Sebastian - Dirty Dream Number Two
Yo La Tengo - Black Flowers
Zero 7 - In the Waiting Line
Bright Eyes - Make a Plan to Love Me
Coldplay - Til Kingdom Come
Norah Jones - Feelin' the Same Way
The Shins - Caring is Creepy
The Association - Never My Love
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
Radiohead - No Surprises

Cost for Madeleine: $1,000 (and worth every cent!)

photo credit: Toast & Jam