media feature
Ali Phillips
Ali Phillips Chats Spring Wedding To Do's on ...

So fun to be a part of the Martha Stewart Spring Wedding To Do's article today! Read all the tips here on Martha Stewart Weddings! 

Ali Phillips Chats Spring Wedding To Do's on Martha Stewart
media feature
Ali Phillips
Ali featured on The Estate Blog

I had so much fun writing about my business for The Estate Blog and being asked to contribute as one of their preferred creative partners. I got to answer some fun questions for them about me, my business and my love of the City of Chicago! Here are some excerpts below of that article. You can read the full article on The Estate Blog. 

Ali featured on The Estate Blog
date ideas
Ali Phillips
Valentine's Weekend in Chicago

Get out the heart sweater and chill the champagne, it is Valentine's Weekend!! A chilly weekend is predicted in Chicago and here are my top picks for having a wonderful Valentine's weekend with your loved one!

Valentine's Weekend in Chicago
event space
Ali Phillips
Camp Wedding Retreat at Camp Wandewega

In September, I was honored to be asked to speak by Sarah and Andrea from Cherry Berry Events at Camp Wedding at the Camp Wandewega, located in Wisconsin. This was their inaugural wedding retreat and I was looking forward to meeting some new friends in the wedding industry. I attend a couple of event conferences a year and I was intrigued by the concept of Camp Wedding, with wedding professionals being in a camp environment. 

Camp Wedding Retreat at Camp Wandewega
internship
Ali Phillips
Chicago Wedding Planner Internship Available

Want to learn about the event industry from one of the best wedding planners in Chicago? Ali Phillips of Engaging Events is looking for a great intern for the winter season. Intern should be available one business day a week and available on some weekends. Please send resume, 2 references and cover letter to info@engagingeventsbyali.com. 

Chicago Wedding Planner Internship Available

A Newberry Library Celebration, Alyssa and Jeff

A Newberry Library Celebration, Alyssa and Jeff

Alyssa and Jeff Peterson's wedding was a picture perfect fall day in Chicago. They chose to go on a "photo safari" around Chicago with their wedding party before they said their I Do's at Newberry Library in Chicago. Alyssa's wedding shoes just made me smile! They were the blue Manolo's that Carrie wore in the Sex In The City Movie! She rocked those shoes and had a blast all day. Their reception was a festive reception where the guests dined, danced (DJ was Don Wilson of Fun Times DJ) and climed in and out of the antique photo booth to get their pictures taken with the bride and groom.

Veils and Vino Truck Show in Chicago

Don't miss out on The Left Bank's Veils and Vino Trunk Show in Chicago on March 28th and March 29th. Laura Jayne Bridal from Toronto will be in town to show her couture veils, headpieces and bridal hair jewelry. And Sommelier Jocelyn Pinsler will be serving wine tastings. The trunk show hours are Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th from 11am-5pm. Appointments are recommended.  You can call to schedule a time to view some of the latest in veil trends at 773-929-7422. 

Address 1155 West Webster, Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Magazine Article Naming Engaging Events one of the TOP Wedding Planning Companies in Chicago

I am excited to post the article written by Beth Wilson of Chicago Magazine naming Engaging Events by Ali one of the Top Wedding Planning Companies in Chicago.  I am so honored to receive this designation and am so excited for an amazing 2009 of Great Chicago Weddings!

Here is the article to read

Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Gown Sale in Chicago

Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Gown Sale in Chicago

Where:   VICTORIA PARK, 1700 S. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect, ILWhen:    Friday, March 20 – 10 am to 8 pm & Saturday, March 21 – 10 am to 6pm

Chicago Wedding at The Doubletree Chicago and St Josephs Church

Chicago Wedding at The Doubletree Chicago and St Josephs Church

Kate and Michael had a wonderful wedding in Chicago this past summer at St Josephs Church. Their guests feasted and feted at the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile. 

Chicago Social Brides Wedding Feature-Trump Chicago

Chicago Social Brides Wedding Feature-Trump Chicago

I am so excited that one of the weddings I did in September was chosen to be featured in Chicago's most luxurios wedding magazine, Chicago Social Bridses. Lisa and Mark Rogers were married at one o'clock in the afternoon at St. Alphonsus Church. They toured the city in an antique car for pictures and then danced the night awayat Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago. Thanks to the amazing team of vendors who made this wedding night magical for Lisa and Mark Rogers

Shower Gift Ideas

It is "shower season'! That time of the year when brides showers take place and their new homes get stocked with wonderful items for their newlywed household. And summer brides, you may not only be a bride to be but many of you are bridesmaids in your own friends weddings. Need a good and fresh idea for a shower gift? Why not give library editions of vintage board games. Every house needs to have some great games to play over a glass of wine with friends or even a rainy Sunday with just the couple at home alone.

New Postage Rates Starting May 11th

New Postage Rates Starting May 11th

On May 11th the price for a 1-ounce First-Class Mail stamp will increase from 42¢ to 44¢. If you are sending out your wedding invitations in March or April and pre-stamping your reply envelopes where they may be coming back to you after May 11th, you should head to the post office to purchase the Forever Stamps. This will eliminate any replys getting sent back to your guests for improper postage.

You can buy the Forever Stamps at the Post Office or at their online store.

Blackstone Hotek Consultant Event

Blackstone Hotek Consultant Event

Last night I attended the Blackstone Hotel's fabulous "Expect the Unexpected" Consultant Event.  What a wonderful night of networking, good food and awesome drinks. And the tabletop! All I have to say is, WOW!!!!  They were designed by the amazing Richard Remiard. He designed 18 tables and I spent about an hour walking thru and viewing his amazing work. Below was my favorite table.

Chicago Style Wedding Magazine Feature

I love Kristin and Jack's wedding at the Armour House in Lake Forest, Illinois that Chicago Style Weddings recently featured in their magazine. I was honored to be the wedding consultant to Kristin and Jack as they planned their hometown wedding! The online version just came out on Chicago Style Weddings' website.

Chicago Magazine Names Ali one of the Top Wedding Planners in Chicago

Chicago Magazine Names Ali one of the Top Wedding Planners in Chicago

Run, don't walk to the newstands and you will see me listed as one of the top wedding consultants in Chicago by Chicago Magazine in their March issue!  What an honor!  I am so excited to report this to everyone!  I was so excited when they called to interview me and am over the moon about being listed in the magazine!

I am on my way to Barnes & Noble to buy up their stock and will scan and post to the blog soon!

Ali Phillips Presents at Weddings with Wow in Indianapolis

Ali Phillips Presents at Weddings with Wow in Indianapolis

On Wednesday, January 20th, I was asked to be the speaker for ISES/ABC Weddings with Wow Luncheon in Indianapolis. I felt so welcomed by my host, Lee Johnson of Chair Covers. Inc. The luncheon was so gorgeous I really did say "WOW!" when I walked into the room. Different designers and florists designed tabletops which were so impressive. I did a presentation on the Top Weddings Trends for 2009, supported by many pictures of past events I have done. It was a lively discussion and people had some great questions following my presentation. Below are some pictures from that event. I have to remember next time to have someone snap a picture of me when I am presenting.

Ali Phillips in Chicago Tribune

I was so excited to see the article I was interviewed for by Emilie Le Beau for the Chicago Tribune this past Sunday in their Smart Section! We had talked about the best things to have in an emergency kit for any mishaps on the wedding day. Read the article.

Ali Phillips Speaking today at ISES/ABC Weddings That Wow! in Indianapolis

Ali Phillips Speaking today at ISES/ABC Weddings That Wow! in Indianapolis

I am in Indianapolis today to speak at the Weddings That Wow International Special Events Society and Association of Bridal Consultants luncheon. I will be sharing some GREAT Chicago weddings I have done and the new trends for weddings in 2009. 
 

White Chicago Offering 10% off Veils

Still looking for the perfect veil for your wedding day? White Chicago is offering 10% off veils in the month of January! 

Located at 222 West Huron in Chicago, White Chicago offers wedding dresses at 30%-70% off retail costs by offering new, sample and once wed designer wedding gowns. 

Engage 09!

If you remember back in October, I attended the amazing Engage!08 The Encorein Orlando; a high-impact wedding symposium for the best of the best in the wedding industry. I am so excited that the women of Engaging Concepts have announced the date and website for their Engage!09, Something Blue, at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman from June 21st-June 24th. This will be a conference I would NOT miss and am so excited to see my old friends I made and meet new friends as well. 

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!!!"

My Favorite Spot in Chicago for All Things Facial and Makeup

Top Chicago makeup artist, Sonia Roselli, opened THE MOST adorable Beauty Boutique in Chicago called Estethique, located at 7363 North Greenview Avenue. I like to call it the "Mecca for Beauty". And Sonia is "The Goddess" of makeup, facials and eyebrows.