Love from the Thumb

I cannot stress how much I LOVE these guest book ideas. Holy Moly, cute!  I found these via celebrityweddingreporter.com and what a great way to change up the boring (albiet, traditional) old guest books that usually end up sitting on a shelf collecting dust.

Just can't get enough!

Two ways to buy: (1) As a Kit: includes a small tree print (of any deisign), a 4 pad ink set, customized display box, a fine tip marker, as well as a "Love Your Family Wreath" (Perfect for a shower or after wedding brunch!) - starting at $50.00 or (2) Just a Tree, starting at just $23.00. 

All trees printed on 30# paper, unless otherwise specified (see below!).



Kits inclue 4-pack Ink Set and fine tip marker



Small, Medium and Large sizes available

 

Love birds!! Sitting in a tree. CUTE!



Actual piece of wood, not paper - awesome!

 

Room for 50-100 Names, depending on how much you sqwish!

The best part is, instead of throwing a book on a shelf, you can frame these peices of 'art love' for everyone to see and for you and your significant other to admire for years to come. If purchased with a kit, Ricky and Ashley will aslo send you a 'how to' on how to frame your beautiful tree.

Check out all the styles, sizes and photos on etsy.com via Love from the Thumb.

The Man Registry

This is such a great idea, and super helpful for all those trying to buy for a special groom in their life. 

We've just stumbled across the TheManRegistry.Com (<--link provides Chicago vendors, but also available for other locations throughout the US) and WE LOVE IT!

The Man Registry is a list of wedding vendors for all things guy. Tuxedo rentals, boutonnieres, Bachelor parties, you name it, it's there. The site includes popular articles, a 'What's Happening' feature, suggestions for groomsmen gifts and great deals! We love the great gift ideas they have (NCAA hot dog grill toppers - what guy doesn't need that!).

Check 'em out for your future hubby, or soon-to-be Groom in your life!

 **OUR SUGGESTION**
The 'Groom101' section - it's complete with great articles on all things Groom (from Engagement Ring Insurance to 10 Nasty Bachelor Party Shots)!

Bella Figura

While looking online for some wedding invitation ideas for a bride of ours, we here at WGIC came across Bella Figura. In their own words:

"Because we want to make the world a better place, we're a wind-powered, carbon neutral, and eco-friendly letterpress shop, and we donate 1% of sales to environmental causes. We print our custom wedding invitations only on 100% cotton (tree-free) paper that's made exclusively for us in a historic European paper mill."

How great! And we couldn't be happier to pass this great company on to you! Check out their website to see how you can customize your own invitations.

1. Choose your paper:

White

2 - ply

2. Choose your customizations:

Edge Painting

Pocket Folds

Calligraphy

AND SO MUCH MORE!!

Helpful Tips - Invitations

Trying to find just the right wording for your wedding invitations can be quite a daunting task. Who should be listed first? Who should even be included? WGIC found an invitation expert with a slew of great examples for you.

Visit KenzieKatie Invitations for wording suggestions and examples. And check out their great designs!

It IS Easy Being Green! Cont.

Building on our post from yesterday, here are some other cute ways to go green at your wedding? See below:

1. A green garter, of course! Be eco-chic, sexy and fun with Julianne Smith's Green Garters.

Impact: Using materials that are 100% post consumer waste cuts down on the materials destined for landfills.

2. Use vendors that provide multiple services. Many florists also provide linens, tables and chairs. Many DJ's also provide lighting, photography, and videography like Music Masters Entertainment.

Impact: Using fewer vendors cuts down on the number of vehicles driving to and from your wedding AND reduces the number of meetings you have to drive to and from prior to your big day. This is also a time saver, and who doesn't need more time?!

3.  Your ceremony and reception aren't the only green events associated with your wedding, what about a Green Honeymoon? Check out one of our favorite blogs, Green Wedding Chica, for great ways to go green on your honeymoon.

Impact: Honeymooning in the US helps decrease your Carbon Footprint. When traveling out of the country, traveling to Eco-Conscious destinations makes all the difference.  Sustainable adventures protect the Earth's wildlife and vegetation; hotels that recycle and wash only when needed conserve resources and electricity.

Michelle Rubin Jewelery

WGIC recently attended the 1st Annual Vegamania Event in Bucktown and found an amanzing, local jewelery designer, Michelle Rubin.  Her work is great for Brides and Bridesmaids, and even for gifts for your female guests or just friends!

To contact Michelle please call 7773.975.2245 or email her at michelle@michellerubin.com

WGIC - Now Offering Promotional Printing

WGIC is proud to announce that we will now be offering Promotional Printing along with our Event Planning services.

Whether you are printing your wedding date on your napkins or your company logo on a promotional piece for your next trade show, let WGIC save you money! With hundreds of thousands of different items available we're sure you'll find just what you need for your next event.

WGIC Promotions offers many eco-friendly, Earth preserving promotional ideas; give your guests an aloe plant, send a spruce, or even Bamboo - all with your event/company information on it. Help your customers, potential customers, or guests remember who you are with environmentally friendly gifts.

WGIC Promotions also offers all of the traditional promotional items as well. From flash drives, to reusable bags (in every shape, size, and color), to lip balm, key chains, stress relievers, lanyards, headbands, waterbottles and pens; We've Got It!

To find your perfect promotional item and for pricing information, give us a call at

312-285-4544 or

Neighborhood Nightspots

WGIC recently found two great articles on one of our favorite websites, BizBash.com.

Article #1 - 4 New Neighborhood Nightspots for Casual Group Outings
The article highlights four restaurants (Wrigleyville, Gold Coast, River North and North Ave) that provide not only a laid back feel, but an ambiance that lends itself to casual, informal events.

Article #2 - New Nightspots for Private Events
This article looks at restaurants/venues that have opened in the last month that provide great atmospheres for private events. Now you might not have 300 guests, and may not need to utilize all the space highlighted, but they're all worth a look!

Check them out!!

Bespoke Cuisine

As you know, WGIC had the opportunity to celebrate the Fork yesterday at the Savor event held at Bespoke Cuisine - and what a great time we had.

We learned a few things about the fork (and it's somewhat tumultuous past), cooking, and Bespoke Cuisine's capabilities as an event venue/caterer. Bespoke sits on Randolph Street just east of Ashland (1358 W Randolph St.), very close to the Illinois Medical District.

The space we were in last night housed a full commercial kitchen complete with space for multiple 'cooking' stations (utilized during the cooking party). The remaining event space was not large by any means, but had room for a small bar area and seating for 28-30 people - now you could always remove the bar and seat about 8-10 more people (**NOTE: Bespoke is BYOB). There was also a 'closet' area with room for purses, bags, and jackets while we were cooking.

While this particular area of Bespoke's Randolph location was limited in event space, we found that the availability of a full kitchen would be well worth trimming down a guest list.

The co-owners, Kim Shambrook and Jeannie Lukow opened Bespoke 8 years ago solely as a catering company. Kim, the Executive Chef, received her culinary training from Kendall College in Evanston.

Check out Bespoke's Manifesto to get an idea of what they're about

Our favorite - We believe that eating local, seasonal produce will make you one with the universe.

We'd have to agree!

Celebrate the Fork

WGIC has the pleasure of attending a cooking party tonight to celebrate the Fork! How cute!
The party is being thrown by Savor Agency and will be held at Bespoke Cuisine.





Check back tomorrow to see how it went!

Paper Souce

Paper Source is a great resource for the eco-friendly party planner. They offer an amazing array of beautiful paper products, craft projects and gifts, and they've recently gone green. Their webpage sums up their view of the environment with this:

"Our commitment to you, our customer, is to balance the equation by giving you choices, allowing you to enjoy paper as a wonderful vehicle for creativity without compromising your desire for stewardship of the earth."

To read more about their Eco-Story, check this out. Another reason we love Paper Source is that they are a local Chicago company too! Founded in 1983 by Sue Lindstrom, Paper Source is a great place to find luxurious original papers, perfect for one-of-a-kind invitations and event decor. Here's a few of our favorite products to make your next event beautiful:

GreenBranders.com

While planning the Lifestyle Center Preview Party for P.H.D. and TEAMiFIT, WGIC came across an awesome vendor that we couldn't wait to share, Greenbranders.com - an earth-friendly promotional products company. We're using the recycled shopping bags for a goody bag giveaway!

Greenbranders.com offers a wide variety of Eco-friendly bags; organic, biodegradable, hemp, raw, or recycled. Whatever your preference, they've got the answer. They also have eco-friendly flash drives, balloons, clip boards, travel accessories, lip balm, wallets, and tea.

When planning your next event check out Greenbranders.com for your favors, give aways, or goody bags!

Ashland/Addison Florist Co.

Need a florist? Or do you want to send a friend, girlfriend, co-worker, parent, or cousin a little token of your appreciation?

Check out Ashland/Addison Florist Co. Their flowers are just beautiful and last so long!

They have great eco-friendly options which we just love at WGIC! Sign up for their Reuse/Recycle Program where they collect your reusable vases, floral containers, and baskets - and will even DONATE $3 to the organization of your choice for every 5 containers you bring in!

They also have a beautiful Go Green Bouquet in a vase that is eco-friendly and biodegradable!

Check out the pictures below and their full gallery of wedding images