I am (prayerfully) getting married September 2, 2007. We had to push back our date and need to secure a reception site that will allow you to bring in your own food. Everything else is pretty much set. I am hoping to get some assistance, and assist other Chicago brides.
Venues:
Try the Chicago Park District. Check out individual parks in your neighborhood (or ones you like better) instead of the "Special Events Facilities" If you talk to the park director directly you may get a good deal and save lots of money.
Dress: One word - SAMPLE! I still can't believe I found my dream dress for about $400. It retails for about $1000. Even got the bridal boutique to throw in alterations and cleaning for free just for getting my bridemaids dresses there! Always deal with the manager/owner! Also, smaller boutiques are more willing to workk with you that mass wedding retailers (at least from my experience).
Cake - I highly recommend Roeser's Bakery. They are a bit pricey but I love their cakes. The are gorgeous and taste great!
Tuxes - Afterhours usually always has some type of special. For one friend's wedding she got free invitaitons and free grrom tux. My best friend got a free groom tux and free vacation package (which suprisingly was very good only requiring one upgrade and no blackout dates).
Favors - I am giving out personalized champagne glasses. They came out to about $1.12 each with our monogram.
Aisle runner - I created my own monogram in Word. Also downloaded a free trial of Adobe Photoshop and made one there (a bit tricky to use). I will be sending it to a company to make a stencil (don't have the patience to cut it myself) and I will use this to paint the monogram on the runner.
I have more to share and will be posting more soon. One bit of advise my grandmother taught me years ago - "ALWAYS ASK FOR A DISCOUNT! ALL THEY CAN DO IS SAY NO!"
I am (prayerfully) getting married September 2, 2007. We had to push back our date and need to secure a reception site that will allow you to bring in your own food. Everything else is pretty much set. I am hoping to get some assistance, and assist other Chicago brides.
Venues:
Try the Chicago Park District. Check out individual parks in your neighborhood (or ones you like better) instead of the "Special Events Facilities" If you talk to the park director directly you may get a good deal and save lots of money.
Dress: One word - SAMPLE! I still can't believe I found my dream dress for about $400. It retails for about $1000. Even got the bridal boutique to throw in alterations and cleaning for free just for getting my bridemaids dresses there! Always deal with the manager/owner! Also, smaller boutiques are more willing to workk with you that mass wedding retailers (at least from my experience).
Cake - I highly recommend Roeser's Bakery. They are a bit pricey but I love their cakes. The are gorgeous and taste great!
Tuxes - Afterhours usually always has some type of special. For one friend's wedding she got free invitaitons and free grrom tux. My best friend got a free groom tux and free vacation package (which suprisingly was very good only requiring one upgrade and no blackout dates).
Favors - I am giving out personalized champagne glasses. They came out to about $1.12 each with our monogram.
Aisle runner - I created my own monogram in Word. Also downloaded a free trial of Adobe Photoshop and made one there (a bit tricky to use). I will be sending it to a company to make a stencil (don't have the patience to cut it myself) and I will use this to paint the monogram on the runner.
I have more to share and will be posting more soon. One bit of advise my grandmother taught me years ago - "ALWAYS ASK FOR A DISCOUNT! ALL THEY CAN DO IS SAY NO!"
oooh, looks like you have most under control. Well welcome, and congratulations from one september bride to another.
Thanks MsBoston.
I probably sound more put together than I am. Most of my poise has come from reading this board and seeing the support you all have for one another. In real life I'm going crazy (well, crazier)!