PAIRING THE SALAD COURSE WITH WINE. TODAY’S EDUCATE AT HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC EVENT FACTS

For those of you who know me, you know how passionate I am about my career as an event planner and wedding consultant. For me unlike many other consultants and like a few, I immerse myself in my career. It is not a 9-to-5 job. For me event design is not just about the decor, I’ve said this repeatedly. It’s about unique and memorable details, that all work in harmony together to create an event or wedding experience. This is best evidenced by my tagline “there is no such thing as a small detail.” I am constantly educating myself by attending seminars, conferences and trade shows. I want to have a “cabinet” of unique ideas and resources. Especially when designing and coordinating a wedding, I have a long discussion with a couple about what they love. I incorporate these pieces of their style within the wedding design. This is also very prevalent for social events, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, and milestone birthday celebrations. From the food to the flowers, from the paper to the music, and everything in between, I like to sprinkle everything with their personalities. For a corporate event, I like to come up with very unexpected and out of the box details that will send home guests saying “I’ve never seen that before”. 

This pandemic has had me sheltering at home for the last six months. Almost every event that I have had scheduled this year has pretty much cancelled postponed or rescheduled. In between juggling all these details and re-designing and realigning everything, this also means in person conferences tradeshows and seminars have also canceled. However our industry is strong. Seminars have turned in the webinars, and industry meetings have turned into zoom meetings. Tradeshows are now companies showing new products online. I have been keeping up with a lot of these. Even before the pandemic hit, I am constantly researching and looking for new ideas. I read numerous lifestyle and wedding magazines and blogs a. magazines a month. I’ve learned that inspiration is everywhere! Even when shopping, going out to eat, attending a theatrical performance, or just taking a walk by the lake.

In my monthly reading I came across an article in this months food and wine, that discusses proper wine to serve with salad. I was really intrigued and wanted to share with you what I learned. The best wine selection really depends upon the type of dressing you are using. It’s very similar to the old adage “it’s not the meat, it’s the sauce“. The article suggests to taste the wine, then taste the dressing, then taste the wine again.

Vinaigrettes

-Tart and acidic dressings go best with super tart wines like Sauvignon Blanc

Ranch Style Dressings

-Creamier dressings, such as a Caesar, buttermilk or ranch, go with a wine that has a fair amount of body but also has some acidity to balance out the rich dressing. Pinot Grisis a great option

Sweet Dressings

- For those with a sweet tooth when selecting a dressing, such as a sweet spicy ginger sesame dressing, the correct wine won’t taste as sweet such as Riesling or a Vouvray.

So while we are at home and trying to eat healthy, break open a bottle of wine that will enhance your salad experience! And they don’t have to be expensive. You can get so many great wines for under $10. I’ve learned that. When I took a wine course with a sommelier the first thing she said was drink what you like. “Don’t worry about the rules. And don’t discount cheap wine no pun intended.” 



I’m one of 12 million Americans who works in the live events industry. Today, we’re asking Congressman @RepSeanCasten, @SenatorDurbin, & @SenDuckworth to include support for hardworking people like us in the next stimulus bill. Please show your support at https://bit.ly/30kVQrV #WishIWasThere #hospitalityindustry #eventprofs #meetingprofs #weddingprofs

I am here to help you celebrate through this pandemic. We are a definite ways where you can still have wedding celebrations and events, but they’re just gonna be a little different for a little while. Don’t let this stop you. There are rules we have to follow, and still keep everyone safe. Please don’t forget those in my industry, we are open for business. Weddings, Birthdays, Mitzvahs, Anniversaries, Showers, Engagements, Baptisms, Christenings Should can be celebrated.

The pandemic has clearly changed the lives of everyone. Many couples are now opting for a micro wedding and rescheduling their full blown out celebration for now.. Converted this clients sunroom into their wedding dinner. Just because things are being done smaller, they can still be very memorable and stunningly beautiful. luxury weddings can certainly be done on a smaller scale. Your wedding should still be a memorable and incredible day even during this whole COVID-19 crisis. You can’t cancel love.

Happy anniversary Katie and Steve! Memories of a beautiful wedding. I remembered being such a very windy day. I had to think quick. We had individual place cards at every place setting to Indicate what dinner entrée that cast was going to be receiving. The wind kept blowing over the beautiful topiary place card holders that we had. So what I had to do was just place the money topiary at every place setting and put the actual place card in the tines of the dessert for. Quit thinking! This is where hiring and experience wedding planner who can come up with alternatives on the spot to make adjustments for unexpected occurrences. Once the wind settle down, it was an absolutely magical night with a stunning wedding reception in the beautiful Chicago Botanic Gardens The beautiful garden inspired Tablescapes were the perfect touch. Each Wedding detail added to the elegance of the evening.

My passion for creating experiences for my clients and their guests at life’s celebrations is taking its toll due to this worldwide pandemic. The truth is that milestone events are an endangered species. The people and companies that you’ve counted on to bring meaningful events to life are in crises. We are a part of the fabric of Chicago. WE ARE the Wedding and Event Planners, Consultants and Coordinators. WE ARE venues. WE ARE floral design. WE ARE lighting and Decor Designers. WE ARE the photographers and filmmakers. The AV & sound techs. The Band leaders. The DJs. The caterers. WE ARE the Stationery and Invitation designers. We are your team of experts that knows you by name. WE ARE the constellation of small Business Owners and Independent Contractors that bring these moments to life. Moments that we all live to celebrate, and that currently so many people are looking forward to having when we can - but if we do not get aid, they will cease to exist. We are calling on our elected officials to #saveillinoisevents #facesbehindevents

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@repmikequigley @repchuygarcia @senduckworth @durbincampaign @govpritzker @repseancasten @lightfoorforchi @chicagosmayor

@nace_chicago @wipachicago @ileachicago @abc.il

@frankeventdesign

This is one of the ways I go the extra mile and distinguish myself from other planners in the industry. I am constantly reading lifestyle magazines. I never know what I’m going to find. In this months Food and Wine, found two great articles with some great resources for welcome amenities. This is one of the ways I research and procure unique and different items to include in these for my clients that are not the “expected“ Treats and indulgences that guests can enjoy. Also I noticed Blackberry Farms in Tennessee is mentioned several times (one note discussing their extensive wine list, who knew? ) in this months issue. I know that is a very special place for one of my favorite families who gave me the honor of designing and coordinating both their twin daughter’s weddings.

Micro Weddings, Weddings for Two, and Small Weddings: How to still get married and have a memorable Wedding

During the pandemic In this uncertain time of the C19 pandemic, many couples are shifting their wedding plans. Some are outright canceling and holding off till they have a better idea of what’s going on. Most couples are postponing and rescheduling things for later this year or beginning of next year. However many have the desire to still get married. And that’s where I come in. You can change your plans to a micro wedding, a wedding for two, or a small wedding. A micro wedding is for just a few friends and immediate family attending. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like it to be. This can be held in your home or in a venue. Usually it is comprised of an officiant, a photographer, a few personal flowers, piped in music, and wedding cake and champagne to celebrate. These can be arranged in a matter of days. You could also add on passed hors d’oeuvres, or even a full sitdown meal for those attending. It all depends upon your wants and your budget. I can make anything happen. I have done all kinds of micro weddings in the past in all shapes and sizes and budgets. A wedding for two is simply that just a couple, no guests. It’s a great alternative from going to City Hall and having something very generic. I have married couples on the beach, in their home, or even in a hotel. My favorite one was just a couple in a huge hotel ballroom. They even had a full orchestra for dancing. Small wedding is under 30 guests. Again can be as small or as elaborate as you like it to be. I have arrange these several times and even did a full tasting dinner menu of nine small courses. Each course was actually paired with wine. It was quite the special night for those attending. Keep in mind you can also live stream this on the Internet so those who want to attend your wedding virtually can share in the joy this occasion. Also now rules have relaxed here in Illinois regarding getting your wedding license. You can I’ll get it all virtually and procedures are now in place to accomplish this. Also rules regarding the 60 day expiration and the time in filing the completed marriage license have been relaxed.. So even in this time things changing, you can still celebrate your love. Whether it be a small intimate celebration for two, something with just a few friends and family, or if you doesn’t, I can arrange all of this. Let the Chicago wedding planner come in and make your day as a beautiful and special. Don’t let this current crisis get in the way of celebrating your marriage. That’s all that matters.

Hoping everyone is staying safe. This sucks, but we are saving lives. I’m still in touch with all my clients doing wedding planning remotely. Working on wedding agendas, ordering and mailing save the dates, and rescheduling vendors due to postponements. Even working on wedding details for a new client. So, I’m fully opertional remotely. We will get thru this! Don’t let this stop your plans. I’m here to assist. Love this pic by Barry Butler of video mapping in the famous Merchamdise Smart here in Chicago. I have use this lighting technique at several weddings and events. Your truly can transform a space into a whole new dimension. These can also be animated as well.

I created a Cigar Lounge for a recent wedding in a nearby gazebo.

An entrance to an event gets your guests excited. Make it special

To invite children to weddings or not invite children to weddings is a very personal decision. This is a question that many couples have. Most asked my opinion on if I think they should have children at their wedding. This is such a very personal decision. There are pros and cons to it obviously as with any choice of a detail for the biggest day of your life. As a wedding planner, I will explore each side of the equation of this question as I will with any questions you have about your wedding.

Growing up, we always went with our parents to weddings. It taught us social skills. It also taught me that I had better listen to my parents or I will be put in the car till they are ready to leave! As a wedding planner, I have seen so many different types of children’s behavior at nuptials. I have seen perfectly behaved children who sit quietly during toasts, enjoy their slice of wedding cake, and have some major moves on the dance floor. However I have also seen children running around the reception uncontrollably. I always worry for the wedding cake! Some parents just don’t seem to care about their children and are more concerned about their next cocktail.

So the question here in lies do you want children to witness in learning what a wedding is all about? As a wedding planner this question comes up all the time Honestly this is how my passion for weddings started. Or do you want to give their parents a break and have a night out? As I said this is truly a personal decion. have also done a wedding that had a guest list of about 400, and 46 of them were children. This savvy bride had me create a children’s reception at her stunning Ritz Carlton wedding. Children received their own invitation to the church and a children’s reception following. We had a separate junior ballroom complete with children’s entertainers, video games, and a children’s menu. Parents had to either sign the children in and out if they wanted them to come to the ballroom, or gave the babysitting service permission for them to come in and out. All depended on age. Several of the kids did not want to leave the room when their parents wanted to bring them into the ballroom To show them off to friends.

So again this is a very personal decision. There are no rules. It all comes down to how do you want to remember your wedding.

Diary of a Wedding consultant. The week caught up with me and went to sleep around 930 last night. Which man I woke up at around 330 this morning. After tossing and turning for a while, I got up. Decided to jump into my to do list. One of the things my list was to finish remaking  all of the favors for a wedding that had to be rescheduled that’s coming up in the next few weeks.

I learned a few weeks ago when I started this project, these delicate laser cut paper boxes are fragile. Once the new imprinted ribbon arrived from my vendor, I thought it would be easy just to take out the old ribbon and put in the new. Wrong! Most of them wound up tearing, so I stopped and wound up pitching the whole set of the old ones because picky perfectionist Type A me didn’t like the way they look. So I want up ordering a whole new set of different boxes. Keep in mind these boxes come flat and need to be assembled. Very time consuming and can be trying on your patience as all the folds and insertions are quite intricate. All of these details have to be done by hand. Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, gnomes, elves or fairies do not come out at night then magically make these things happen .

Three hours later, They are all done and ready to go to the event. And look beautiful.

Not sure what to do for Valentine’s Day? Check out my Valentines Day date ideas. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwi4p4yV_8vnAhXmAZ0JHd4aC2UQFjAAegQIAhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwgntv.com%2F2019%2F02%2F09%2Fvalentines-day-ideas-with-frank-andonoplas%2F&usg=AOvVaw3c4ZzoyUJ9_Tmp1sv9mjre

Instead of cluttering up the table with a wedding favor, I love to have them on a table as guests leave and call them a good night or exit gift. It can either be an edible or a take-home. It’s that final detail that guests will always remember.

WEDDINGS ARE NOT FOR LADIES ONLY.

Catching up on reading. I realized I never touched this issue of Brides magazine from last year.. I found this heartwarming essay by a guy who thought he’d never get married. Their wedding sounded awesome. https://www.brides.com/story/true-love-changed-grooms-mind-marriage-essay

I have always been on a “campaign“ to change Wedding Magazine‘s names from Bride to Wedding, since not all weddings are no longer about just the Bride. I have actually voiced my opinion on the subject two editors and publishers of Wedding periodicals. I can remember my joy when getting a message from Amy Allen publisher of Modern Luxury Magazine. . She wanted to let me know that there will be an announcement coming but wanted to personally tell me they were changing the name of Modern Luxury Magazine to Modern Luxury Weddings. Now I know I didn’t have a whole lot to do with us, but it really made me happy. Now I know brides magazine is a brand, but wouldn’t it be cool if they just change the name to Weddings

I’m a huge fan of floral textures.

The reason it’s called a Chamaeleon chair, is it can take on hundreds of different looks. You can add on these amazing fabric treatments. You can cover just the back, just the legs or both. You can also then add on different fabric treatments to these backings. Different bands, fabric treatments that resemble flowers, rhinestone buckles are just a few of your options. Let me help you elevate the look of your event.