The Second Give-Away is HERE!

Details:

We're a day late, but we promise it's worth the wait!  As posted last week, our second give-away is here. Contest starts tomorrow, Wednesday, August 4th and ends Wednesday, March 11th. One winner will be chosen and will be announced within one week of the contest end date.  (Click HERE for the prize!)

To enter, do one of the following listed below for ONE entry to the contest. If you choose to do all, your name will be entered into the drawing FIVE times. The maximum number of entries per person for this round is FIVE.


To enter you must do at least one of the following:

1. Leave a comment to this post about your favorite venue in Chicago. It can be a spot that you've been to before for an event or one you wish you could host an event at.  A place you think would make a great backdrop to small dinner party or even a large scale wedding.  Tell us your thoughts!

2. Start following the WGIC blog -How to Follow this Blog-

3. Start following the WGIC Facebook Page -Facebook Fan Page-

4./5. TWO STEPS gets you TWO POINTS (both steps need to be followed in order to recieve two entries into the contest)
  
     Step 1: Follow us on Twitter - Twitter Page -
     (if you are already following us, you can go to step two!)

     Step 2: Tweet this:
Join the @wevegotitchi giveaway to win Loveable and Re-Wine candles from Greener Landz! http://tinyurl.com/26xzhal #contest #giveaway #free

***You can Tweet as many times as you want as long as it is the above phrase.

There will also be a special post this Friday, August 6th, with instructions on how to gain TWO additional entries in the contest...so be sure to check back then!

GOOD LUCK!!

More than one comment on any one post will not count towards multiple entries, but is welcomed. I am not responsible for unrecorded entries due to computer or internet problems. More entries does not guarantee you will win, it only ups your chances. Winner will be chosen at random. Prize will be mailed to the preferred Postal Address of the winner. I am not responsible for prizes not received due to postal problems. If you wish, you can add your email address in your comment to make it easier for me to contact you in the event you win. Thank you for playing and Good Luck!

Make It Yours Monday: Creative Nametags

One of my favorite parts about going to events (and planning them!) is meeting new people.  Special events are a great time for meeting people because everyone's in a festive mood and eager to socialize. But the hardest part about meeting all those new faces is trying to remember everyone's names.  Nametags seem like an easy solution, but they're so boring and generic. 

Well, Offbeat Bride has come up with another great solution! Custom nametags can help your guests remember the names of the people they meet in a fun and creative way.  The tags featured on Offbeat Bride not only introduce the guest, but also give their relation to the host or guest of honor.  And they add a fun fact to get guests talking!

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Now, we love love love the idea of adding the guest's relation to the host/guest of honor, especially for a huge event like a wedding where you have two families coming together for the first time. And the "If I were" line is so fun for getting your guests to interact. Don't worry about finding an original fact for each nametag. Just find a list that works for your group.  Play off the theme of the event or the guest list or just go totally random and fun.  Here's a few fun-facts lines that we came up with:

If I were on a reality TV show, I'd be on ___
If I were in the breakfast club, I'd be the ___
If I were a state, I'd be ___
When I was little, I wanted to be a ___
My first pet was named ___
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I'd go to ___
My childhood nickname was ___
If I could pick a super-power, I'd be ___

So get creative and have fun coming up with custom nametags for your next event!

Suggestion Saturday: Yelp Summerfest Chicago

Check out Yelp's Summerfest Chicago next Friday for a taste (and sip) of what Chicago has to offer!

What: Yelp Summerfest Chicago 2010

When: Friday, August 6th 8:00-10:00 pm

Where: Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N Knox Ave)

Who: Anyone in the Yelp community, though with tons of brews to try, we think this is a 21+ kind of event

Why: Who doesn't love to try new things? Summerfest is a free event where you can try tons of brews and food from your favorite Chicago vendors and from new ones you haven't heard of before.  For more info, check out the official page here.

Friday Eye Candy!

How gorgeous is this bride and her maids?  Simply stunning!  I can't help, but smile when I see their coordinated (but different) bridesmaid dresses!  And this is just the begining of a very charming wedding. Check out the rest of their wedding pictures here.

Rockit with Project Rescue Chicago

Tonight we invite you to come out and support Project Rescue Chicago at Rockit in Wrigleyville! Project Rescue is an all-breed dog rescue based in Lincoln Park.  Alison, one of our planners, volunteers with them as a dog walker and event planner.  Tonight, PRC is hosting their most recent event at Rockit.

$20 gets you in the door and includes:

*$10 donation to PRC
*Wine and snacks
*Entry into the raffle

Bring your friends, family, coworkers, and well-behaved dogs!  The event begins at 6:30.  For more information, check out the PRC website.  When you support PRC, you support their mission:

We believe all dogs, no matter their breed or background, deserve the chance to live as pets. At PRC, we have made it our mission to prepare our rescue dogs for this opportunity through socialization with dogs and people, an introduction to good manners and basic obedience, and proper vet care. In addition, we feel it is just as important to empower our adopters with the tools necessary to continue what we have begun and strive to remain a resource to them for years to come!

And you support dogs like Joe (pictured above), who was shot because he wandered into the wrong yard.  Rest assured, Joe is in good hands now!

WhiteXchange Chicago

Where is your wedding gown right now? In a box? In a bag? In a closet? Under a bed? At your parents' house? In the attic? Wherever it is, I doubt it's in a place worthy of all the joy and happiness that you felt when you slipped it on for the first time and looked in the mirror and gasped quietly to your BFF, "this is the one!"

You know the feeling I'm talking about; that pure ecstacy of finding the most important outfit of your life. So why did you pack it up and push it to the back of a closet? That feeling felt so amazing, you want to share it with the world. Well, now you can. WhiteXchange.com gives you not one, but TWO, easy ways to sell your gently used wedding gown.

For those of you looking for the perfect gown, the one that will make you gasp and glow as you spin in front of a dressing room mirror, WhiteXchange has an extensive list of gorgeous designer gowns at a fraction of the retail price. Check out these beauties we found:

savings: 27%!

savings: 81%!

savings: 30%!

And there's hundreds more!  Check out their site today.  Or if you're in the Chicago area, you can go visit their flagship store at 222 W Huron!

Our 2nd Give-Away

The time has come for our second giveaway here at WGIC!  The process will not be unlike our first giveaway, but with a new prize.  We've posted before about Greener Landz, and their amazing Lovable Soy and Soy Re-Wine candles. 

The winner will receive:

1 Soy Wax Candle in a Recycled Glass container (scent, Hot Hawaiian Nights)
3 Soy Wax Tea Lights (scent, Pomegranate Fig Cedar)
3 Soy Wax Tea Lights (scent, Citrus Teakwood)
1 Honey House Naturals Bee Bar Lotion (scent, Lavender)

Details on how to enter and contest rules will be posted on Monday, August 2nd!

Chelsey and Her Man

Our newest bride's big day is almost here! WGIC is thrilled to be a part of Chelsey's and Patrick's big day on August 14th.  And we wanted to welcome them to the We've Got It! Chicago family. 

Stay tuned for the Event Recap and pictures!

Event Recap - Windy City's 1st Annual All-SEC Golf Scramble

As the Event Chair of the Windy City Gator Club, I had the great pleasure of putting together the 1st Annual All-SEC Golf Scramble which took place about a month ago.  And it was a huge success!  So here's the recap:

We had ALMOST every school represented (only one missing was Arkasas) on the big day which made for some great trash talking.  One of our amazing sponsors, Gnome Frenzy, provided us with a little guy from each SEC school that we were able to gave away to 11 lucky winners (sans Arkansas).  We also had a ton of other raffle prizes and give-aways from our gracious donors and sponsors.

Each player received 18 holes of golf and lunch (Backyard BBQ), along with two raffle tickets, a t-shirt, 2 drink tickets (good for two Sapporos, thanks Pat) and a goody bag with the cost of registration

The weather, well let's just say it couldn't have been any better. The morning started off quite early for the planners/organizers and around 5:00am the sky unleashed a mini hurricane on the city of Chicago!  By the time we got out to Tamarack in Naperville around 6:00am it had stopped raining, but was still pretty overcast.  At the shotgun start, 8:00am, it was blue skies and sunshine; and remained that way until all the players came in for lunch and awards!

There's plenty we can improve on next year, but I consider the inaugural event one for the record books! If you're an alumnus of any of the SEC Schools, or if you just really like to golf, we hope you join us for our 2nd Annual All-SEC Golf Scramble - (keep checking back as the date is still TBD).

Enjoy the photos, and Go Gators!!

                             

        The Chicago Rush brought out their Dancers                           The Georgia girls came out to play!

           These little guys all found a new homes                   Goody bags given to each golfer and non-golfer 

         Alabama celebrates a good shot                                          Tennessee showed up to win!

       

        Each golfer received a ticket for an event t-shirt                Non-golfers enjoyed a Bags Tournament

     Events Chair and President, WCGC                           Great representation from Auburn and Pat w/Sapporo

See more photos HERE

Suggestion Saturday - Foosie Design

As many of you know, WGIC has partnered with Erin over at Foosie Design to bring our customers her brilliant and adorable work.  We wanted to highlight Erin's work on our Suggestion Saturday AND announce a great summer deal!!

What: Paper products from designer, Erin Frano of Foosie Design.  WGIC carries ten (10) separate Wedding designs ("Maggie and Bradley" suite pictured above - like everything but the font, don't worry you can change that for FREE. Same goes for the colors, we can tailor them to your color scheme at NO CHARGE!!), each include the following products:
■Save the Date & Envelope (single, double-sided or post card)
■Return address labels
■Wedding Invitations & Envelope
■Reply Postcards (single or double-sided)
■Invitation Inserts (single or double-sided)
■Programs (assembled or unassembled)
■Menu Cards
■Place cards
■Table Numbers
■Personalized Stickers (for envelopes, welcome baskets, etc.)
■Thank You Cards & Envelopes (note cards or folded). 

 *PLEASE NOTE* these products do not come in a set. You can pick one, two or all from the list above, it's entirely up to you!

Why: Because ■Foosie Design Stationery is printed on FSC-certified papers containing 100% post consumer recycled fiber, that is manufactured entirely with 100% certified renewable energy, made carbon neutral, and processed chlorine free. ■Foosie Design Stationery is printed with an energy star efficient digital printer, using recycled toner cartridges. ■Any off-cut paper left behind after a print run is re-used as scrap paper, made into informal note cards, or recycled. ■Rather than having a scheduled FedEx pick-up, Foosie Design makes daily runs via bike to the local FedEx hub to minimize the amount of fuel waste produced during the shipping process. ■And because they are unique, affordable, and fun. I love when all paper products for a wedding match (not only invites, but tables numbers, place cards, thank you notes, programs, menu cards, etc.).  It just makes the event look more put together and classic.
When: WGIC carries both the Wedding line and the Baby line. Erin has also graciously offered to customize a wedding invite and transform it into a shower or bachelorette invite (or really any event that needs an invitation will do!). So any time is a good time for a Foosie Design!
Who: This one is easy, ANYONE!
Where: Foosie Design Headquarters (Erin Frano!) are located in Oregon and brought to you locally by WGIC. Call or email us today to set up an appointment to see (and touch) all 10 Wedding Suites and/or the Baby Collection.

Summer Deal: We're ready to turn up the heat Chicago, and offer you 20% off what Foosie calls 'Event Decor.'  That means everything but the Wedding Invites!! Act fast, because as you natives know, summer in Chicago doesn't last long.

Taste of Lincoln

The Summer Festival Season continues!! 

This week's event: The Taste of Lincoln Avenue

One of the city's largest and most popular summer celebrations, the Taste of Lincoln Avenue will be celebrating its 27th year in 2010.

Taste of Lincoln Avenue began as a small neighborhood fundraiser and has grown to become the second largest street festival in the region. The event features 350 vendors and more than 40 music acts on five stages. Every music genre is represented: from blues and country to rock and folk. There's also a one-block kids' area with entertainment, pony rides, a petting zoo and much more!

Music highlights include the Freddy Jones Band, Journey Unauthorized, Otis Clay, Soul Asylum and Harper.


July 24 : 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

July 25 : 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Price: $7-$10 donation

For More Information and a Schedule of Events (including a listing of all musical acts on all stages) Click Here

Suggestion Saturday - JoAnn Fabrics

This may seem odd for a Suggestion Saturday, but the possibilities are endless for what can be created with supplies from JoAnns!

What: Craft store with supplies ranging from thread and sewing machines to fake flowers, paint and scrapbooking materials.
Where: Closest one to us is in Riverfront Plaza, 2639 N Elston (just north of the Damen/Fullerton intersection).  But check here for the one closest to you.
When: I find stuff at JoAnn's for every single event. Sometimes it's something very small, and other times the entire event comes together with materials I've purchased from this store! Try making a 'Build Your Own Garden' kit for a kid's party, or letter favors to personalize your gifts, or even making your own invitations.  Ribbon dresses up any annoucement, put together a gift basket for friends coming in town, or for your upcoming wedding.
Why: Because it's always fun to be creative - and you never know what great idea you can come up with...and they always have sales!
Who: All Agesa

Suggestion Saturday - DuChamp Restaurant

Suggestion Saturday is back! We've been busy here at WGIC and unfortunately Suggestion Saturday took a hit...but fear not, it has returned!

DuChamp Restaurant: Affordable Outdoor Fine Dining

What: Bucktown's finest. A collaboration between chef Michael Taus and the guys behind Lumen (Jason Freiman, Peter Gogarty and Nick Podesta), DuChamp features delicious food with a French twist. All very reasonably priced, and artfully presented.

Where: 2118 North Damen Avenue (Just north of Armitage on Damen) - (773) 235-6435

When: While the indoor space is small, the outdoor patio more than makes up for it. We suggest visiting during the summer months.

Why: We are currently planning a 30th birthday party at DuChamp.  It's a small, intimate get together with passed hor' devours (personal sized ice cream sandwiches included!) and a drink package.  With long, over-sized tables, the patio is also great for rehearsal dinners or a pre-bachelorette party dinner.

Who: For our event the guest list includes all adults and we'd suggest keeping it that way for yours. Good for first dates, birthday bashes, or just an evening with the girls!

Brides Against Breast Cancer

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As we make our way through wedding season, brides will be pondering an important question: what will I do with my gown after the wedding? Some women will keep them for posterity. Some with trash them with a photo shoot. Some will sell them and some with donate them.  No matter what you're considering, we hope you'll at least conside Brides Against Breast Cancer before you make a decision.

BABC is a great organization that sells new and gently used wedding gowns to raise money to grant wishes for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Your donated gown can make dreams come true for someone living with cancer.  So how can you help?  You can donate your gown (or money if you choose). Or you can buy your gown from their nationwide tour.

What about you? Did you buy a used gown? Are you planning to donate your gown after your wedding? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Colorless Color

Sometimes it's a lack of color that makes the boldest statement of all. The absence of color at your next event can have just the dramatic effect you desire.  Black and white may not be in the typical rainbow of colors, but they can be perfect for your next occasion.  Bold, dramatic, and sophisticated, check out the gorgeous black and white inspiration we've found for you.

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Are you searching for the perfect color palette for your big day? Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help!

Make It Yours Monday: Stamps

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You only have one chance to make a first impression.  And when you're hosting an event, that first impression comes from the invitation. But what comes before the invitation? Why the envelope, of course. Many hosts and hostesses choose to hire a calligrapher to address their envelopes (especially for weddings), but why stop there? The stamp is another great way to personalize your invitation and set the mood for your event before the guest RSVPs!

Picture It Postage offers great customized postage at an affordable rate. You can easily upload your image to see what your stamp will look like before you commit to buying.  As with most of our Make It Yours Monday series, the possibilities are endless.  We particularly love the Chicago stamp pictured above. What a great way to showcase the city where the wedding is being held.  And the personal touch on there is too cute! But how else can you use these personalized stamps for your events?

• Throwing a Sweet 16? Use a picture of the birthday girl behind the wheel of her new car.
• Hosting a Super Bowl party? Upload an image of your favorite team logo.
• These are perfect for using your company's logo for an office party or client appreciation event.
• Putting on a fundraiser? Use an image of the beneficiaries to encourage your guests to give!
• How about a profile of the mama-to-be for a fun baby shower invitation?

Custom stamps are just one way to personalize your event.  For more ideas on how to make your next fete unique, email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help!

Eye Candy!

Do you ever stumble across pictures from an event and are just blown away by it all? This is one of those events. I keep looking through the pictures, trying to find my favorite or at least one that stands out . . . and I can't! Everyone is just so amazing. I wish I knew these people so I could have attended. But alas, I'm just stuck here drooling over these photos. So Happy Friday . . . and enjoy some eye candy!

For more fabulous photos and to see photographer credits, click here.

Hot Chocolate!

When I was a kid, I was constantly being told that brown was my color.  I was an autumn . . . whatever that means!  Well, I tried to deny it for years. I hated the idea of brown. Brown was dying plants. Brown was mud. Brown was . . . well, poop. Brown was certainly not a color you wanted to be associated with.  I finally got over that. Thank goodness I did because these idea boards are hot . . . hot chocolate, that is! Who knew brown could be so bold and beautiful and sensuous?! 

Now, I know brown and pink and brown and blue have been played out. So bear with me. I'm suggesting just brown as the color scheme, with maybe a few hints of green or creme or even ivory to balance it out.  Check out these idea boards to see just how hot brown can be!

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Need help finding the perfect palette for your wedding?  Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help!