A Design Studio Spectacular by Oliveaire at the Meadows Club

We recently got the great opportunity to work with a beautiful couple at the Meadows Club in Schaumburg on this spectacular wedding.  From the Navy Blue Linen, Gold Chiavari Chairs with purple ties, Red Floral and crystal embellishments all together created an amazing ambiance.  Special thanks to Maha Designs for the Amazing photos!!! 

And they lived happily ever after

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now)

Olivia

Ideas on Selecting Your Special Wedding Date

What does it mean to have “the perfect wedding date?”  To each couple this will likely mean something very different.  Some couples opt for days that have a special significance to them, while others choose the date based on a specific month or season.  No matter the reason for the date you choose, it’s important to keep many aspects in mind before signing contracts. 

Special Significance

Is there a specific event or occasion that occurred, or does occur, on your wedding date?  Or does it just hold significance to you as a couple?  Many a times couples would like to get married around the day they met, or the anniversary of their first date.  This way it will make the past memory even more significant.  It is important to realize that your “special date” may not be available, or may not fall on the particular day of the week you hope to host your wedding. Be prepared to make compromises.  Sometimes you will have to settle for a wedding date that is close to your “special date.”  If you are lucky enough to have your wedding on a significant date to you and your fiancé, then it will the celebration even more special. 

The Four Seasons

            Some couples know a particular season in which they would like to get married, but not necessarily a particular month or date.  Each season does come with its own advantages and disadvantages in regards to hosting your special day.  For example, if you want rich colors to be a part of your wedding, then you are an autumn bride.  However, daylight begins to decrease in these months, so if you want outside photographs be sure to schedule accordingly for these pictures.  Of course, this will also impact you if you want an outdoor ceremony or receptions.  If you are interested in a fall wedding, then try November.  Fewer couples choose to get married then, which could mean more openings at your desired venue.  Of course, avoid Thanksgiving for increased rates and as you know our Chicago weather is quite unpredictable during this time.

 

 

            So you’re interested in an elegant white winter wedding?  During winter you of course will have to be conscious of the limited daylight hours.  Prices may be cheaper in months like December, January, and February since fewer couples tend to get married during these times.  Do keep in mind that there are exceptions to these price breaks, Christmas and New Years are often more expensive in terms of locations and vendors. Out of town guests will also likely have increased travel costs.  In addition, some of your out of town guests may have their own vacations that they have already planned during the holidays.  February can also be more expensive for flowers, especially roses, since vendors see an increase around Valentine’s Day.

            If you have always wanted a fresh feel to your wedding, full of pastels, then a spring wedding will fit the bill.  Do remember that if you want an outdoor ceremony/reception, Chicago’s weather can be unpredictable again to say the least, which could mean snow for your March wedding!  The benefit of having a spring wedding, especially April or May, is that many flowers are in season, which could help in the overall look you are trying to achieve.

 

 

            Who could forget about summer?  It is the most popular time to get married!  Since the summer months are in high demand, especially June, August, and September, the prices for vendors can be higher.  However, the benefits of beautiful weather, long days with lots of sunlight, and endless amount of available flowers may just make the extra costs worth it.  Do remember that not everyone likes the sticky heat and summertime bugs if an outdoor wedding is what your heart desires.

 

Make the day about you, but keep your guests in mind

            The wedding day should be all about you as a bridal couple.  The date you choose will likely affect your dress style, your flowers, the lighting, and possibly even your venue.  While it is your wedding day, it is important to talk it over with immediate family, as well as close friends (such as those whom you wish to have in your bridal party), to ensure they can attend.  It is your day, but you want to be positive the people you want there to celebrate with you are present.

 

            Selecting the date for your special day can be more complicated than you originally thought, but as with all aspects of wedding planning, if you think it through you are sure to find the perfect fit.  This is your fairytale…dream as large as you

BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now)
Olivia

Meet the Team: Ashley Carpenter - Event Architect

 

 About you:

·        Any Nicknames:

o   Ash, Carp, ACarps (My Friends are Very Creative) J

·        Favorite color:

o   Purple

·        Favorite Television Show:

o   The Real Housewives (Any City) & Vanderpump Rules (Reality Television is a guilty pleasure of mine)

o   Parks & Recreation

o   Nashville

o   All of my favorite shows sadly do not air anymore: One Tree Hill, The Office, & Friday Night Lights

·        What you like to do in your spare time:

o   Spend time with my family, boyfriend, friends & my puppy!

o   I belong to the UFC Gym where I box & kickbox (overall love to be active)

o   Snowboard

o   Concerts & sporting events

o   I am constantly dancing (Have been since I was 3)

Why did you become a Wedding Planner?

·        When I first attended Illinois State University, I went in as a Nursing Major… which I figured out very quickly that it was not for me.  Looking for advice from my friends & family on what to do next, 100% of them said that I should be an Event Planner of some sort.  From a very early age, I have constantly planned everything from Family Vacations, to Birthday Parties, to even hanging out with my friends.  So I switched majors, and actually did an Internship with Oliveaire, an internship at The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC, & one with Paulette Wolf Events in Chicago, & fell in love with this industry!  Everything from utilizing my skills and working with people, to creating a dream day for my clients & the rush I get on the day-of the event, is something that has totally captured me and assures me that I am in the right line of work!  I absolutely love what I do, and it comes across in my work & my events! 

What is your favorite part of planning a wedding?

·        There are so many reasons why I love planning Weddings!  First off, I love getting to know the couple’s story, getting to know them personally, & creating a bond with them that grows throughout our Planning process.  I believe it is so important to really get to know your clients & to form a trusting relationship!  I am planning the biggest day of their lives, and I want them to trust me 110% and to know that I am there for them no matter what!

·        I also love the feeling that I get on-site & when I get into “Planner mode”.  Making sure everything is absolutely perfect & seeing all of my hard work come together to create the couple’s Dream Wedding, is such a great feeling! 

·        But I have to say the best feeling is seeing how grateful & happy the client is, & knowing that they will remember this day for the rest of their lives, and that I was such a big part of that!  I love making people happy, and there truly is no better feeling!

How would you describe your style as a planner?

·        As I have mentioned many times, organization is one of my greatest skills, and is something I use on a day-to-day basis as a planner.  As organized & serious as I can be about my job, I am a very kind & emotionally invested planner, especially when meeting/chatting with my clients! On-site I am very serious, constantly running around and checking to make sure that everything is perfect!  It is my goal to stay on-time, and that all the details are exactly how the client wanted it!  Once everything falls into place, I start to relax & really enjoy being there & directing/assisting where needed.  I make sure the client is constantly happy, fed & enjoying their day. 

What one piece of advice would you give to a newly engaged couple?

·        Advice that I would give a newly engaged couple is do your research, start planning right away, give yourself enough time to plan all of your details, and most importantly, enjoy the planning process & especially enjoy your wedding day!  This only happens once, and you do not want to look back on these months, years, and on your special day as a negative & stressful time!  This is exactly why we recommend hiring a planner, it is the Wedding Gift to yourself that keeps on giving.  Allow an expert to guide & assist you with details that you may not have thought of before, or do not want to stress about!  On the day-of your event, be the Bride & Groom, and allow your family & friends to be the family & friends, and allow your planner to be the one setting up inventory, checking in vendors & confirming their and the venue’s set-up, and making sure everything is going according to plan.  Like I said before, it’s your Wedding Day, enjoy it to the fullest & focus on the perfect moments & the ones you love the most!  

Do you have a favorite wedding moment or event?

·        My favorite event was a beautiful wedding this past December, & the Bride, the Groom & their families could not have been more kind & loving!  The whole planning process was an amazing experience & the client was constantly available, always so generous & appreciative, and I not only got to know the Bride as a client, but as a friend as well!  The event went perfectly, and they deserved every perfect moment of it!  Not only was I thanked many times on-site, I received a letter from the Bride, telling me how appreciative she was and how happy she was about the entire planning process & especially how her event went!  When I still read her letter, it gives me so much happiness & gives me the confidence that this is what I am supposed to do!

How would you describe what you do every day?

·        Another reason why I love my job, is that my days are NEVER the same! From meetings with clients, venues & vendors, to completing necessary paperwork, and constantly on my email & phone calls answering questions that my clients or vendors may have.  I also assisted in creating our Global Event Resource Certification Conferences, and have our first ever conference in April, so I have been very busy with this as well!

What advice would you give someone who wants to start working in the event industry?

·        Make sure that you are EXTREMELY organized, are able to multi-task, and love working with people.  If you can’t say that you are able to do all of these three things, than this business may not be for you. 

·        Also, be prepared to work weekends & nights!  99.9% of weddings happen during the weekend, and most clients cannot meet or take a call until after they are done with work, so make sure you are 100% okay with this before joining this industry.

·        You are about to go into a career that may be very overwhelming at times, but I promise, if you really have a passion for planning & providing the services capable of producing a couple’s dream day, than it will also bring you so much happiness!  Passion is the most important thing to have for this business, and if you have that, it will shine through your work & your events!

 

How to Plan The Best Themed Wedding!

Are you doing a certain theme for your wedding? Need some guidance to get your ideas organized? Well let us take the time to go over the basics to help sort things out for your special day!

Pick your Theme

I know that this step seems the most obvious, but it can also be the toughest.  Your theme should be something that both you and your groom love.  If you need help thinking of different possible theme ideas for your big day, ask yourself some of these questions:

• What is something (or even somewhere) that you both enjoy?
• Do you both love a certain time of the year? Or even, would you like to plan your Wedding around the season that it’s in?
• Did you meet in college/high school?
• Have the same favorite author/book/movie?

Your answers can lead to mounds of possibilities! You can have a Winter Wonderland theme, a Christmas theme, a Carnival theme, a Beach theme, your College colors (or Fraternity and/or Sorority colors) could be the inspiration, or you can be captured by popular novels & movies such as The Hunger Games and The Great Gatsby, and turn it into something classy for your wedding day!

Once you have chosen the perfect theme for you, you can then go ahead and choose the perfect venue, invitations, favors, décor & so much more! 

 

Pick your Date & Venue

Depending on your theme you may or may not have to focus on a certain time of the year.  For example, if you chose a Fall theme or even a Halloween theme wedding, then sometime in October/Early November would be the best date for you. However, if you are doing a College theme wedding for example, the time of the year may not be as important. Brainstorm together and really think of a venue that will really transport you and your guests into the atmosphere you were dreaming about!  

Also, if your venue depicts a certain theme, such as a library, a literary theme wedding may be a great choice!  Or if you would like your event on the beach, the “beach theme” or a “tropical theme” would probably be your best choice.  Remember however, if you choose a venue first, this will more than likely depict your Event Date. 

It's All In The Details

The Colors:

• When you picture your theme what colors stand out the most? You should at least have 1 primary color, 1 Secondary color, and an Accent color.
• Some ways to help you pick these colors are:
• Complementary Colors (these colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange, or red and green.)
• Analogous Colors (these colors lie next to each other on the wheel, such as green, lime green, blue-green.)
• Monochromatic Colors (these colors have variations of the same tone, such as bright red, dark red, etc.)
• Once you have picked these colors please keep them in mind when making your decision for the other details of your wedding. For example your table clothe colors, napkins, centerpieces, flowers, and even for some brides, makeup and nails should be taken into consideration.

The Attire:

• Your theme will also directly affect what you & your bridal party will be wearing on the big day!  If you decide to go with a beach theme & your Wedding will be on the beach in the middle of July, you do not want to be wearing a large “Cinderella” gown, filled with tulle & layers.  You will want a light, flowing dress that is perfect for a warm summer day!  This goes for your Bridesmaids, & even your Groom & his Groomsmen as well!  They will want something flowing, something light & something they can breathe in.
• Also, think about your colors as well!  If you are planning a Christmas Theme wedding for example, having hot pink dresses may not be your best option.         

The Food & The Wedding Cake

• The Food & the Wedding Cake can also be an intricate part of your theme for your event!  The time of year, the temperature and the location itself can determine what you would like to serve, and what the flavor and the look of your cake will be!  If you are having your wedding on a hot summer day, try not to serve as many hot items… if at all, or just the opposite for a cold winter’s day! 
• Also, don’t forget to incorporate your colors, flowers & intricate details to your Wedding Cake! 

   

The Flowers:

• Your colors will have a direct effect on your flower choices and your flower options will vary depending on the time of the year.
• Get creative with them! Add fun materials to your flowers or even have them created with different materials.  For example, you can have some flowers in your bouquet made out of the pages of your favorite book (a great idea if you’re doing a literary themed wedding).

The Invitations:

• Set the mood of your theme right from the beginning!  Incorporating your theme to your invitations will allow your guests to know what your event is all about and possibly what to wear!   

The Tables:

• Now there is nothing wrong with just using numbers to label your tables!  But if you would like to do something unique, you can label your tables in a way that correlates with your theme.  For example, we planned a Wedding that had a “Chicago” theme this past summer.  To incorporate their theme in their table numbers, they named each table a restaurant that brought them fond memories of their relationship that you could only find in Chicago: The Signature Room (where they got engaged).  It was a very cute idea that all of the guests adored! 

The Wedding Favors

• Giving out Wedding Favors is not a required detail, but it could be a nice enhancement to your tables, it is a very nice gesture for thanking your guests for attending, and even better… it could incorporate your theme in a very cute way! 
• Looking for unique & cute favors to give your guests? We love www.etsy.com!

 

These are just a few of many details that you can incorporate your theme into!  When you decide on your theme, remember to encompass all of your event elements with these details so that your atmosphere on your Wedding Day is exactly what you envisioned! 

 BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia

Oliveaire Design Studio Showcase: The Acharya Wedding: Roosevelt University Chicago

 BBFN (Bridal Bliss For Now),

Olivia