Peony Experiment – Part 2

Four weeks ago, I decided to test a theory about storing peony buds in the fridge that I saw on the Martha Stewart Show. If you missed it, see the original post here. 

BEFORE: Tight buds stored in the fridge

SUNDAY: Took 6 peonies out of the fridge, cut the bottom of each stem and placed in a vase. This picture was taken an hour after they were taken out. You can see the peony on the right is already unfurling! Exciting :)

MONDAY: That same peony has exploded! If you look closely, you’ll notice the petals are slightly wrinkly and not as perfect as a peony picked straight from the garden. The other buds have definitely bloomed a bit more as well.
  

TUESDAY: After about 48 hours, it looks like this is as much as they are going to bloom! Although the one in the middle is really trying it’s best…

Success? I dunno… not a complete failure I suppose! Some people like the look of these fluffy heads that aren’t quite fully bloomed because they are still lovely!

I’ll still try the same tests at the 2, 3 and 6 month marks and keep you posted!

A Murder Mystery Wedding

As I mentioned last week, my clients Stephanie and Chris who got married at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, were not the dancing type. In fact, they preferred not to be the center of attention, a difficult feat on your wedding day! So we contacted The Murder Mystery Co. to create a wedding reception unlike one any of their guests had ever attended!

Since it was a small wedding of under 70 guests, Stephanie and Chris opted for the Small Party Package which included two actors for an hour and half to two hour interactive show. And by “interactive” I mean that willing guests were given costumes, props and a brief summary of their character. I think the success of this type of quirky wedding reception is really dependent on your guest-list…. luckily there were a number of hams in the audience who really got into their parts, and thus the show was entertaining for all!

Lead MMC actor, Justin, playing the role of the mullet-rocking, handle-bar mustache wearing, Flavor Flav-wannabe Best Man… who was later murdered. Dun dun duuuuuun. He later reappears as the Detective investigating the crime.

The guy on the left in the pale blue vest is Chris’ best man, and his role for the evening was that of the Groom. He. was. HILARIOUS; they couldn’t have picked a better, more willing participant. The gentleman on the far right in the top hat and pale green shirt was dubbed the CSI investigator, and he had an absolute ball with his part, which he took very seriously! The Bride in the center was also part of the MMC duo, and she was adorable.

If looks could kill…

*GASP* The Best Man is dead!

“M’am, can you please tell me what you saw?”

 

I wasn’t at all sure what to expect as this was my very first Murder Mystery! But MMC was awesome, I would definitely suggest this to any couple looking for untraditional wedding entertainment!

Hitched: Stephanie & Chris at the Chicago Botanic Gardens

Ooooh, take a peak at the wedding of my latest clients, Stephanie and Chris who got married at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, blogged by photographer, Steve Koo!

Below are just a few that I borrowed from his post, so be sure to hop over to see the rest! Stephanie and Chris were an “untraditional” couple who didn’t want dancing at their wedding because they weren’t the dancing type. So they opted to have The Murder Mystery Co. join the celebration. Yes folks, this is a murder mystery wedding! But I’ll save most of the Murder Mystery pictures for a separate post :) For now, check out these beautiful shots by Steve…

 

 
 

   

Like what you see? Don’t forget to check out the rest of them…     

Wedding Planner: Sweetchic Events, Inc.
Venue: Chicago Botanic Garden
Photographer: Steve Koo Photography
Hair and Makeup: Red Door Salon
Musicians: Music by Lise
Catering: Culinary Landscape
Officiant: Jimmy Gaye
Entertainment: Murder Mystery Co.
Cake: Rolf’s
Flowers: Larkspur

Battle of the Wedding Designers -

I am a big fan of wedding TV shows, so every time I hear of a new one, I automatically set my DVR. But after watching TLC’s Battle of the Wedding Designers (I can’t find the link to this particular episode), I spent half the episode shaking my fist at the television.

FAKE! NO WAY! WHAT THE…! SO UNREALISTIC! THAT DOES NOT COST XYZ!!

Show Premise: Meet lovely engaged couple Jeff and Maria who have a budget of $18,000 for their LA wedding of 150 guests. They want a Big, Fat, Greek-Italian, “Mama Mia” style wedding full of family, food, and fun. They are introduced to three professional wedding planners who “compete” by each showcasing three entirely different wedding concepts, complete with venue (ceremony, cocktail and reception sites), theme, food, decor, and cake. The couple then decide which wedding they want, and thus which planner “wins” the competition. Check out the promo for the episode.

What really infuriated me was that I kept hearing phrases such as this:

     “The rental feel for this venue is $10,000, but I’ve negotiated it down to $2,300.”

     “This cake costs $3,000 but the baker is going to give it to you for $500.”

     “Normally food of this caliber for 150 people is around $35 - $40,000, but I’ve negotiated all of 
      it for $10,000.”

     “This is a multi-million dollar yacht that rents for $18,000+, but I know the owners so they are
      willing to give you the wedding of your dreams.” Meaning? FREE.

(Yes, I am completely paraphrasing here, but you get my gist…)

RIIIIIIIIGHT. Wedding Planners definitely can negotiate, but NOT by 80%!! Clearly, everything was SIGNIFICANTLY marked down for the purpose of this show. I understand that TV = Entertainment, but what I REALLY wanted to see was what these experienced planners could pull off with the actual budget of $18,000. It was completely unrealistic and I didn’t feel the challenge was met.

Judging by the looks of the actual wedding at the end of the show held at the spectacular Rancho Sol Del Pacifico, a private mansion on the Malibu coast, it should have cost upwards of $75,000+.

Above images from the Rancho Sol Del Pacifico site.

Anyone else see the show? What did you think?! Was anyone else as annoyed as I was? haha!

Elizabeth Grace – Chicago Wedding Paperie

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a party in honor of Chicago wedding planners hosted by Laura of Elizabeth Grace, a charming paperie and gift boutique in Lincoln Park. I wish I had the notion to take some pictures of the lovely soiree, but immediately upon entering, I was handed a glass of my very favorite wine – Moscato d’Asti – and my other hand was busy munching on some yummy canapés. Sorry, priorites ya know :P

The gorgeous invitation, so thick you could eat off it! I adore the use of different fonts!

 

I left with a pretty canvas swag bag, and when I rummaged through it later, I was excited to discover some true goodies! (Lots of times when you get a so-called “swag” bag, it’s not unusual for it to be filled with flyers, pens, magnets and random tchotchkes). Notice how the artwork on the bag perfectly coordinates with the invitations! And then the yummy Garrett popcorn, cute jelly beans, Voluspa candle… and what are in those boxes?

 

Earrings from The Left Bank, a Parisian-inspired jewelry boutique. (Would anyone like these?! I have super-sensitive ears that can’t handle anything except gold, ugh! Be the first to comment below and I’ll send them to you :) )

 

Why HELLO there macaroons!!! I love to eat you…

 

And the crown jewel… a set of personalized notecards with my name letterpressed into the super-luxe Crane’s paper (can you even call it paper? It’s seriously as thick as carboard).

Thank. You. Elizabeth. Grace!!!!

    

 

If you haven’t checked out the fabulous Elizabeth Grace boutique (2438 N. Clark Street, Chicago), then I highly recommend you do! They carry lots of sweet gifts as well as non-wedding related items!

Don’t forget to comment below if you would like to earrings :)

Hitched: Jamie & Reggie 5.1.10, Part 2

(Did you catch Part 1? Be sure to take a peek!)

Can I just say how much I love the Murphy Auditorium and its beautiful cathedral-like ceilings? Now where were we… Jamie and Reggie had just tied the knot! Scroll down for shots from their lovely reception, including their amazing centerpieces and escort card display by Kloeckner’s, wedding and groom’s cake by Amy Beck, and their candy table in shades of orange to represent their alma mater, the University of Tennessee. Also below are some memorable wedding moments such as the cake cutting, first dance, gettin’ down on the dance floor, and my favorite shot of the night: a kiss on Michigan Avenue.

All images courtesy of Artisan Events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie & Reggie, thank you so much for being such a JOY to work with!

Coordinator: Sweetchic Events
Venue: Murphy Auditorium
Photography: Artisan Events
Catering: Weddings by Blue Plate
Florist: Kloeckner Preferred Flowers
DJ: Toast & Jam
Cakes: Amy Beck Cake Design
Hair & Makeup: Starlight Makeup