We just got this video clip from the awesome, I Do Films in Chicago and we had to share it right away with our readers.
Fascinators and The Royal Wedding
I am fascinated by the anticipation leading up to The Royal Wedding. I am also fascinated by Fascinators. What is a fascinator you ask? Ah, a wonderful headpiece (often times taking the place of the traditional hat) which you see at weddings in the United Kingdom and all over the world. We are one week away from The Royal Wedding. The countdown has begun! Next week we will all get to experience the Royal Wedding from the United States while in the comfort of your own homes starting at 5am Chicago time. But rest assured that many a guest of The Royal Wedding and person in the UK and United States, in fact all over the world, will be donning a fascinator in celebration of Kate and William's wedding.
Ask Ali: Where can I get Indie Wed tickets in Chicago?
What is the correct order of a receiving line?
As a wedding planner in Chicago, I get asked many questions by my clients. This was one I received last week that I waned to share with all the readers on my blog. "What is the correct order of a receiving line?" Receiving lines are a great way for you and your new spouse, your parents and your new parents to greet and welcome their guests following the ceremony or during the cocktail hour.
Summer is not over, enjoy the outdoors this Labor Day Weekend in Chicago
I woke up this morning and it feels like fall a little bit, but this quick cool weather will be replaced Sunday with warm and sunny yet again for the Labor Day Weekend in Chicago. Needs ideas for what to do this weekend? Take a break from wedding planning, get out there and enjoy all the city has to offer.
Eight Years of Marriage- Wedding Tips from a Wedding Planner
Today is my eighth wedding anniversary with my husband. We were married in a morning wedding ceremony at our church, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and had a luncheon reception at Salvatore's in Chicago. It was the best day of my life and I would not change a thing. I did want to share some moments that I remember so well about my wedding day that you only could remember to do on your wedding day if you heard it from a past bride.
Getting Married at OZZFest
Midwest Wedding and Event Professionals and Their Clients, Let's Play GOLF
Reflections on What My Business Is
Today my husband and I are finishing packing up our house to move to a new house in the city, not too far from our current house. It is bigger, has a deck and has a big office for me and a studio to meet clients in. I have called it my Dream House. I posted something on twitter last night saying, "Odd to see my business in boxes" and put a picture up. But then I realized last night around 3:30am when I was up worrying about putting the finishing touches on packing, that my business is not something that is tangible that can be packed up and put away in a cardboard box. My business is ME! My business is all the experiences I have had planning weddings and events in Chicago (and all over the world for that matter) for the last nine years. My business is all the mistakes, successes, laughter and tears I have put forth since 2001. That cannot be packed up and put away in a box, ever! My business lives inside of me and is part of who I am.
Chicago Style Weddings Photo Shoot
Yesterday, I had a FIRST in my career as a wedding consultant in Chicago. I did my first photo shoot for a magazine. Chicago Style Weddings asked me to create two unique tablecapes for their issue coming out in July. Chicago Style Weddingsis the wedding resource for Chicago brides and grooms. They have a wonderful website and an amazing magazine filled with gorgeous pictures and real wedding features. I can't reveal any pictures or the concepts I came up with; you will need to wait for the July magazine to come out! So run, don't walk, to the newstands in July.
St Louis ABC Regional Meeting
On Sunday, March 21st, fifty event professionals gathered at the Hyatt at the Arch in St Louis, Missouri for the Association of Bridal Consultant Regional Education meeting. I was asked to speak this year and was so honored. The event was produced by Lacy Branch of Lacy Branch Events and Lisa Zwiefl of Eventz Planning and they did an incredible job! The event kicked off with a city chic cocktail party on the top floor of the Hyatt overlooking the St Louis Arch. And what an event it was. From lobster macaroni and cheese to yummy signature drinks to the fun photo booth, Lacy and Lisa showed us how to party St Louis style.
Wish Upon a Wedding-Chicgao Chapter's Launch Event
Please join us at our Wish Upon a Wedding Chicago Chapter Launch Party on Wednesday, March 24th, at 6pm at Ravenswood Event Center. Chicago is fortunate to have some of the best wedding professionals in the country and some of the most giving people. We hope you will joins us on March 24th to learn how wonderful this cause is and how you can get involved. Please RSVP for this wonderful event at this link.
Soup to Warm Your Chicago Wedding Guests
"Baby, it's COLD outside", in Chicago that is!! If you are hosting a winter Chicago wedding, why not have your guests enjoy a wonderful warm soup for the first course of your wedding dinner? When a bride and groom of mine could not narrow down their favorite soup in their catering tasting I recommended we serve both! Above you can see they served the two soups in cute clearless mugs with a handle with a mini salad with goat cheese rolled in nuts.
Midwest Wedding & Event Professionals First Annual Charity Golf Outing, Swing for a cure!
Chicago Bachelorette Party Idea
A substitute to the bar scene to celebrate your Bachelorette party would be a fun night at Chicago’s Chopping Block! Here you can sit back, relax, and sip on your favorite wine and indulge in the fabulous food Chicago chefs prepare right before you. Or you and your ladies can learn first hand how to whip up something spectacular for your significant other, friends and family.
Lisa and Mark Rogers
"Ali Phillips did an amazing job at helping us plan the wedding of our dreams!!! On the actual day of our wedding, we had nothing to worry about and could just enjoy each other during this special occassion. When it comes to planning, Ali is very efficient, calm, detail oriented and gave us honest and TRUE advice on what vendors to hire for our wedding. Ali also is extremely creative and helped us create the most beautiful old hollywood glamour wedding. In my opinion, Ali Phillips is the best wedding planner in the city and my husband Mark and I were very lucky to have her as our wedding planner!!!"
Bridal Events in Chicago This Week
It is not too late to get your ticket to the Ritz-Carlton Chicago's Bridal Luncheon! It will be held Sunday, January 18th from 12pm-2pm and will feature a three-course luncheon. All brides to be will have the opportunity to win a five night honeymoon at the Four Season's Resort Lanai'i Manele Bay. Tickets can be purchased for $40 so grab your Mom or your Maid of Honor and call today to book your ticket, 312-573-5180.