Hot and Cool!

Aqua and red may not be the newest trend in wedding colors, but it's one of our all-time favorites.  This dynamic color combination is super hot and mega-cool at the same time. It works for all seasons.  Imagine a playful summer picnic style wedding or a spring wedding in bloom or and icy cool winter wedding!  Check out these hot and cool idea boards for some inspiration.

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Are you searching for the perfect palette for your next party? Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com for more info on how we can help!

Gift Guide: Custom Stamps

Today we're kicking off a new column: the Gift Guide.  The Gift Guide is your source for the best gifts to give for any occasion. We'll feature a new gift and tell you who it's perfect for, where to buy it and how much it costs.  Searching for the perfect gift? Look no further than the Gift Guide!

Featured Gift: Custom Address Stamps!

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Where to Shop: We love the variety available on expressionery.com, but custom stamps can be found all over the web.

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Cost: Around $50, depending on where you buy and how complicated the design is

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The Perfect Gift for: newlyweds, anyone who has moved recently, new grads moving out on their own, and pretty much anyone else. Youngsters will also love the monogram stamps to personalize their stuff. Or give a custom stamp to your favorite book-lover to label the books in their personal library.

Are you looking for the perfect gift or favor to give?  Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help.

Ask a Planner: Kids' Party Favors

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Dear WGIC,

I'm planning a party for my child's fifth birthday party.  Every year it seems we spend more and more on favors for all of the kids. It's not that I mind handing out favors, but it's getting expensive.  The favors are becoming one of the most expensive parts of the party.  Do I have to give out favors? Any ideas for more affordable goodies to give the kids?

Angie

Angie,
We couldn't agree more. Some parties these days have super elaborate and expensive favors.  It's getting out of hand. The point of favors is to thank your guests for attending, but it shouldn't break the bank. And there are many great ways to say thanks in a more budget-friendly way.

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1. Give away a sweet treat.  At the party, kids are often stuffed full of candy and snacks and cake.  So go with a smaller cake for the party (and smaller portions for guests), and then send home a cupcake or cookie with each child.  You can wrap the treat in a pretty bag or box for easy transportation.

2. Do double-duty with your entertainment and favors.  When I was a kid, my mom bought a bunch of stadium cups, paint pens, glitter and glue, and puff paint.  Each kid at the party decorated a cup. They dried while we played, and then we made ice cream sundaes in the cups. At the end of the party, each child got to take their cup home.

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3. DIY! One of our favorite favors to make and give is custom-decorated wooden initials. These are so simple and affordable, and the possibilities are endless. Initials are perfect for boys or girls, and can be attached to a ribbon to hang from the wall or sit on a shelf.

We hope that helps, Angie! Thanks for sending in your question.

If you have a question for an event planner, email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com. We respond to all questions, and your question may get posted on our blog. 

And the WINNER IS:

Thank you to everyone that participated in our second give-away.  Navy Pier definitely won out as your favorite venue for an event and we couldn't agree more!

Thanks to Random.org - number 17 gets to take home the lovely prize package of:

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)

And on our list, lucky number 17 is:

LESLIE R.

Leslie, I will be sending you an email today to work out the details of sending your gift box, so keep an eye out!

White Hot!

When I told my bridesmaids that I wanted them to wear white too, they looked at me like I was nuts. So did most other people I shared the idea with.  Almost everyone smiled and nodded in that polite way that says, 'sure that's a great idea . . . if you're crazy!'  But when the wedding pictures came back, everyone raved about how gorgeous the crisp white look was.  Stop thinking of white as just a color for the bride. It's not simple and plain . . . it's a sharp, fresh palette that can make your big day stunning.

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Are you planning a white wedding? Are you searching for the perfect palette for your party? Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help!

Awesome Find: Ikea Tolsby Frame

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I love finding products like the Tolsby frame from Ikea. Not only is it super-cheap at .99, but it can be used in so many ways. I try to avoid Ikea (for the sake of my bank account and my husband's sanity), but I might have to make a special trip to stock up on these frames. 

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I first saw these frames featured on Ruffled, which offers an awesome template for creating table numbers and menus to go in the freames.  But then one of my favorite wedding blogs, Gator Bride, also featured them when she used the template as inspiration for her own table numbers.

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I just love the simplicity of these frames (and the price!).  These are great for displaying photos, menus, table numbers, seating charts, and so much more at an event. 

Do you have a favorite "awesome find" that you use for all your events?  Send us an email at info@wevegotitchicago to share your find with us. We might even feature you and your find on our blog (but we'll ask permission first!). 

Make It Yours Monday: Signature Cocktails

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A great way to save money and inject a little personality into your event is to have a signature drink.  We love these custom cocktails because they really allow you to get creative with the name and ingredients. These are money-savers too. Instead of having a full bar, you can limit yourself to just beer and wine and the one cocktail. By only having a few ingredients on hand, you'll save big money!

Don't worry, you don't have to be a professional bartender to come up with something fun and tasty.  Just follow a few simple guidelines.

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1. Think about what you and your guests like to drink.  If it's a bachelor party, then you probably won't want to serve up Flirtinis. On the flip side, if you and your friends love swilling rum, make that the focus on your drink.

2. Is there a local flavor that you want to inject?  Georgia brides may create a peach-infused cocktail, while NYC hosts might go for a Big Appletini. Think about what's special about the host city and play off of that either with the ingredients, the name or both.

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3. What's special about the guest of honor? Is she graduating from college? Is he leaving to go work abroad?  Did they meet on a cruise? Find something special and use that as inspiration.

4. Do your research. Check out popular drink recipes on sites like webtender.com, where you can search by ingredients, name and more.  Have a fun night in and experiment with different flavors and combinations.  And be mindful of your budget. Don't pick a drink with pricy ingredients if your budget won't allow for it.  With careful planning, you'll find something that tastes great, wows your guests and doesn't put a strain on your wallet.

Cheers!

Do you need help coming up with a signature cocktail for your next event? Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help!

Suggestion Saturday: Farmer's Market

If you haven't been to a farmer's market lately, you are really missing out.  With markets set up in more than 20 neighborhoods across Chicago, five days a week, you're always able to find a market near by. 

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What: Chicago Farmer's Market

When: 5 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 1st to October 31st

Where: In neighborhoods across the city; For a complete list, check out the official website here

Who: Anyone! Farmer's Markets are perfect for the entire family. Bring the kids, bring your dog, bring your friends. 

Why: The farmer's market is a great place to find fresh, local produce, baked goods, and more.  Planning a dinner party? Check out the market for the freshest ingredients. Need a gift for your sweetheart? Bring home a bouquet of gorgeous flowers.  Searching for a thank you gift for a hostess? Pick up a jar of local honey or potted herbs as a thank you.

Check out your local farmer's market this week. And if you've used farmer's market products to help with an event, send us an email at info@wevegotitchicago.com to share your story.

Friday Eye Candy!

How pretty are the little eco-details of this beautiful wedding?  They say the devil is in the details . . . well, then this party must have been downright evil!  For more amazing photos, click here.

Ask a Planner: Kids at the Wedding?

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We recently received this email from Erin, who is planning a wedding for next January. She's debating whether or not to invite children to her wedding.

Dear Ask a Planner,

My fiance and I are having a disagreement with our families about whether to invite children to our wedding in January.  My parents want us to invite the kids because my two older sibblings have kids and there are a lot of young cousins in the family. My fiance and I don't want kids at all. Our wedding is at night and more formal. I feel like my mom just wants to invite kids so she can see her grandkids. On the other hand, my parents are footing the bill for the wedding, so I feel obligated to grant their wishes on this one. How should I handle this? Is there a way to involve kids without changing the vibe of our formal wedding?

Thanks,
Erin

Well, Erin, we're glad you asked.  Making guest list decisions can be tough, especially when you're having a disagreement with the person signing all those checks for the vendors!  Kids can definitely participate in a wedding without changing the feel of your big day, you just have to be prepared for them. 

First, think about the ages and relationships of the kids. Are most of them teens? Are there lots of babies/toddlers?  Teens will likely be fine on their own. You can sit them together at a table and they will entertain themselves, happy to be away from mom and dad for a few hours. 

Younger children will need more supervision and more activities to keep them occupied.  You can solve this problem by having a kids' activity table or even a special room/corner for them.  Have some kid-friendly options on the menu (think chicken fingers or mac-n-cheese). Place baskets of crayons and paper for coloring.  Another possibility is a prop box for dressing up and taking fun pictures.  And if your kids are really young, you might want to consider hiring a babysitter to tend to the kids in another room. If your reception is in a hotel, you might even rent a room so youngsters can retire early while their parents party the night away downstairs.

Basically, with a few simple accomodations, most kids will be occupied, well-behaved and not a hassle on your big day.  Besides, with a more formal evening wedding, many parents may opt to hire a babysitter themselves so they can enjoy the wedding.  We hope that helps, Erin!  Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Do you have a question for an event planner?  Send it our way at info@wevegotitchicago.com and we'll be happy to answer it.  Your question may be chosen to be featured on our blog, but we will not post any identifying details if you wish to remain anonymous.

Pretty in Pink

As a young girl, I used to hate the color pink. I did not like that pink was the designated color for girls. I didn't like the implication that I had to adore the color and wear it with pride.  Fast forward many years and I love pink! I've come to realize that even if pink is forced on us girls, we can still make it our own in a fabulous way.  Check out these amazing pink schemes for a wedding.

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Are you planning a pink wedding? Are you searching for the perfect party palette? Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to see how we can help!

Save Money with Mismatched Centerpieces

Party decor can really add up when you're searching for just the right pieces.  Lots of hosts and hostesses can spend countless hours looking for the right number of matching vases. But we're here to show you how beautiful mismatched can be! Using mismatched pieces for your decor and table centerpieces is super easy and affordable and eco-friendly at that! By purchasing mistmatched pieces, you can search for the right price, and you can find vases at second-hand stores and yard sales, preventing one man's trash from ending up in the landfill!

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Going mismatched is a simple and easy way to decorate your event. Just follow a few simple rules and you'll be on your way to inexpensive centerpieces that will wow your guests.

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1. Choose pieces that are all the same color (or in the same color family), but vary in the shape and size.  By sticking with the same color vases, the centerpieces will look similar, but not matchy-matchy. As Stacey from What Not to Wear says, 'it doesn't have to match, it just has to go.'

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2. Use flowers in the same color or family to bring together mismatched vases.  In the picture above, the vases themselves are barely noticed. Instead, you're focusing on the bright yellow flowers, so why waste tons of money on vases that your guests won't really see?

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3. Use ribbon or another accessory to tie together the vases. Just like you see above, you don't have to use the same pattern of ribbon, but by using the same colors on each, the vases coordinate without being matched.

4. Or go for your own look with completely different vases with no unifying theme.  As shown in the top picture, even different vases with different flowers can look stunning together.

Have you put together mismatched centerpieces? We'd love to see how it turned out. Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com to share!

Custom Kids' Paper

We've Got It! Chicago loves to plan children's birthday parties and other celebrations. There are so many exciting milestones in a kid's life, and we are thrilled when we get to play a special role in the planning.  Children's celebrations naturally center on the child, and what better way to set the theme than to feature the guest of honor on the invitation!

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Olliegraphic, a Chicago-based company, creates adorable custom paper products featuring your little one.  How excited would your child be to see his or her likeness on their party invitations?  The best part about these invites (and thank you cards and more!) is that you are purchasing a printable file.  The artist designs it, and then you can print it from home. No waiting for the mailman or ordering a minimum quantity. And you can choose your favorite recycled paper on which to print!

Check out the great customization options you have:

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Olliegraphic is really just too cute for words. They even offer options for "big kids," like this precious save-the-date!

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So head over to their etsy page and check out all of the amazing products they have to offer. Prices start at an affordable $10! Happy shopping!

How Daring is Your Bridal Party?

This may be a bit out there, but with all the 'low-key' bachelorette ideas we throw out there, I figured it's time for a change!

Most of us in Chicago are familiar with Groupon these days; one great deal a day, usually 50% off or more, on a Chicago area business.   Well, Groupon, in connection with Chicagoland Skydiving Center, is offering a pretty daring special.

 A Tandem Jump for $120!!!  

CKC, located in Hinckley, IL (and the closest Skydiving option to the city of Chicago) is offering a 48% discount on a tandem skydive with a trained instructor (up to a $229 value). A Tandem jump means the novice skydiver (that would be you!) is connected via a harness to an instructor that guides you through the whole jump, from exit through free fall to piloting the canopy and landing.  And because they use a special aircraft you have the option to jump WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

So we thought, what a great idea for those daring brides and bridesmaids out there.  Going to a bar with boas and shot glasses around your neck is so wimpy! You're taking the plunge with your man, why not take it with your girls. 

(And if you're not the 'jump out of an airplane' kind of girl, this would also make a great gift for your future hubby and his best-men!).

The Fine Print
•Expires May 31, 2011
•Limit 1 per person, may buy multiple as gifts.
•Must sign waiver
•Be at least 18 and weigh less than 240 lbs.
•Reservation required (3 weeks in advance preferred).
•Must cancel 5 days before scheduled jump or Groupon forfeited.
 
Highlights
•Tandem dive from 14,000 feet
•Gear maintained by FAA technicians
•Perfect student safety record

Hurry, this offer probably won't last long!!

#FF - Second Round

The second blog blog give-away is going great; and again, reading through your venue ideas is so much fun (I have to agree, Navy Pier is a great spot, especially the atrium!). 
So, like last time, there is a Round #2!

Here’s how it works: Post a #followfriday tweet anytime today (Friday, August 6th) that includes both #followfriday and @wevegotitchi (yup, that's it!). The tweet will count as an additional entry into our Greener Landz Give-Away -- you may tweet as many times as you would like, but only ONE will count as an entry into the contest.

maximum amount of entries possible Round #1 = 5
maximum amount of entries possible Round #2 = 1
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MAX POSSIBLE AMOUNT OF ENTRIES/PERSON = 6

Who’s eligible: Anyone with a Twitter account.
As a reminder, click here for a list of prizes.

Don’t know what #followfriday is: That’s ok, just paste “#followfriday @wevegotitchi” in a tweet. Boom. You’re entered.

GOOD LUCK!

For a full rundown of contest rules and for other ways to enter, see here.

Ask A Planner!

Are you planning an event? Do you have a burning question about planning and organizing a special event?  From all aspects of planning to all types of events, we're here to help!  Send us your questions at info@wevegotitchicago.com. We're happy to answer all the questions you send us, and if we think others may be interested, we'll post it to our blog.  Don't worry, we'll never post identifying information.

Don't Forget to Enter

Click HERE to read about and enter our second Give-Away for a chance to win the following:

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)
 

Go Green with Eco-Favors from Little Things Favors!

Looking for eco-friendly favors that aren't plantable seed packets or lucky bamboo?  For a while, the eco-options were quite limited, but as the green trend becomes a lasting way of life, more and more companies are embracing it.  Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to thanking your guests in an earth-concious way. 

Little Things Favors is one of those companies. We found some wonderful, original gifts on their site that are eco-friendly and wallet-friendly!  Check out some of our favorite choices below:

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