Magnificent Milestones

Wedding Giveaway!

2010-04-01T18:08:00.002-05:00

TELL US YOUR STORY, WIN A WEDDING!

Chicagoland couples are invited to share their love stories for a chance to win the eleven eleven WEDDING, Chicago’s premier all-inclusive wedding giveaway valued at $60,000, to be held on Nov. 11, 2010, at West Loop Studio. Everything, from food to formalwear, flowers to the last dance, is included thanks to many of Chicago’s top wedding professionals. Couples can enter by telling their love story, including the proposal, and by answering a few questions, like why they deserve to win the eleven eleven WEDDING giveaway. 10 semifinalists will be chosen and posted at www.elevenelevenwedding.com, where the public can then vote for their favorite couple. The couples with the top three votes will be interviewed by the planning committee and the winning couple will be announced on June 1, 2010, during a reveal party at ZED451.

Interested couples can apply at www.elevenelevenwedding.com, where they will:
• Tell their love story and the details of the proposal
• Answer why they deserve to win the eleven eleven WEDDING Giveaway
• Share the one moment they most look forward to on their wedding day
• Describe their design style
• Submit a picture of themselves

Applications will be accepted starting at 12:01 a.m. April 1, 2010. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. May 1, 2010. The ten semifinalists will be posted and public voting will begin on May 1, 2010.

The Chicago wedding community has embraced the event, with more sponsors to come. Those confirmed include:

Amy Beck Cake Design, Amanda Hein Photography, Becca Kaufman Orchestra, Berghoff Catering, Bella Bridesmaid, BBJ Linen, Chicago Lighting Design, Chicago Social Bride, Chicago Trolley and Double Decker, Classic Party Rental, Dynasty Diamonds, Fleur, Inc., Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings, Inc., Jenny Yoo Collection, Joy Millinery, Poetic Productions Videography, Magnificent Milestones Custom Invitations, Mario Tricoci Salons, Rosemary Hall Calligraphy, Shutterbooth, Soularis Personal Training, Team Blonde, The Daily Bride, The Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shoes, West Loop Studio, Unforgettable Ceremonies by Toni Hassett, Windy City Limousine, ZED451.

Please contact Heather Vickery from Greatest Expectations at 312.925.2468 or heather@greatestexpectations.com with any questions.

Appreciation Party

2010-03-28T13:09:00.002-05:00

Appreciation Party

We LOVED having so many fun planners and vendors at our Planner Appreciation Party on March 18. Rick Aguilar of Rick Aguilar Studios put together this great video perfectly capturing the lighthearted affair! We thought we'd share it with all of you! Just click the link above : ) Thanks so much to everyone who came out- We had a blast!

Wish Upon A Wedding-Fantastic People, Amazing cause

2010-03-28T12:51:00.001-05:00

Sometime in life things come around that humble you, put things in perspective, and allow you to do something completely for the benefit of others. Magnificent Milestones and Smitten Boutique was given that opportunity when we received a call about becoming involved with Wish Upon a Wedding. Wish Upon a Wedding is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay wedding but just recently expanded to the Chicago area with the Chicago launch party just this past Wednesday! This amazing cause is a nonprofit wedding wish granting organization. Wish Upon a Wedding produces weddings & civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing life-threatening illness. Having just launching nationally in January, WUW has already granted one wish and the Chicago area vendors are happy to grant another April 18 to an awe-inspiring couple: Beth and Nick.

Brides and grooms can help make someone else' big day special on their own big day. Couples are encouraged to make a donation to Wish Upon a Wedding in lieu of favors at their wedding. Vendors can also get involved by becoming wish granters and donating their time and fabulous skills to making couples wedding dreams a reality. There a variety of other great, easy ways to donate such as donating air miles! More information on donating, Wish Upon a Wedding, and the a-m-a-z-i-n-g couple Chicago vendors are creating a beautiful wedding for right now can be found at: http://wishuponawedding.org/.

Participating vendors in the Chicago area directly contributing to the wedding of Beth and Nick include: Bliss Weddings and Events, Bill Pollack Music, Inc., Bridal Mansion of Lisle, Blumen Design, Starlight Makeup, Anita Vaughn, Gerber + Scarpelli, CWdesigns, Chicago Trolley, Giovan’s Restaurant, I Do Films, LLC. There are many other committee volunteers and donors that are involved with WUW.

To view a video of Beth and Nick's story visit: http://vimeo.com/10424082
*This video can also be viewed at the Wish Upon a Wedding website:
http://wishuponawedding.org/

Show Mom You Care

2010-03-25T14:57:00.001-05:00

Sunday, May 9 is coming soon. If that date doesn't ring a bell think about the woman who made sure you had a delicious afternoon snack after school, who kept your report cards on the fridge, who cried when you moved away, who calls you on repeat until you call her back: yep, May 9 is Mother's Day! Showing Mom that you can pick out a special gift just for her as well as planning ahead to make sure it comes in right on time will let her know she did a pretty darn good job raising you! Make this year *Extra* special by getting Mom a gift from the heart.

Customizable Options

1) Sugarboo custom frames are a-l-w-a-y-s a beautiful, memorable gift for any friend or family member. These custom frames are handmade with wood materials, painted a variety of colors and come with a custom quote and can be further customized with a name. These frames come in two sizes, (the larger is a shadowbox frame), starting at $110.00.

2) Michelle Rubin necklaces are another fantastic custom gift options. These simple but elegant necklaces can be crafted to carry either an initial or full name on silver disks along with a gemstone of your choice. Adding additional disks with initials/names makes this gift perfect for Mom. She can carry the initials of her children and maybe even grandchildren close to heart always. Michelle Rubin necklaces start at $25.00.

3) What a Dish frames, platters and cups are a cute (and usable) Mother's Day gift idea. These items can be customized to carry names, dates and short sayings, with some allowing for an extra cute picture of you and Mom or all the kids together. Husbands-these gifts are great for young Moms because of their sweet, handmade design and usability. Dishware and frames starting at $24.00.

***All custom order should be made at Smitten Boutique by April 15 to ensure delivery by Mother's Day***

Noncustomizable Options

1) Moyna beaded bags are an elegant gift for Mom. These hand-stitched bags are gorgeous and can be worn for any social function, no matter how dressy. They come in a variety of colors and designs and start at $72.00.

2) Tigerlilly jewelry is not only beautiful, but also makes the woman wearing it feel beautiful. Bedazzled and glittery and all those good things, Tigerlilly jewelry ranges from loud and boisterous to simple and elegant. Prices start at $50.00.

3) Two's Company Mod Frames are ornate, inexpensive frames that would look impeccable gracing any Mom's wall. Capture a special moment with Mom and put it in one of these unique frames to show her you care. Prices start at $36.00.

All of these and other *perfect* Mother's Day gifts can be found at Smitten Boutique, 1041 W. Madison, Chicago, IL 60607. Come by soon to make sure you find the gift that will warm Mom's heart this May 9!

Inspirations

2010-03-11T12:54:00.000-06:00

What inspires you? At Smitten Boutique and Magnificent Milestones it seems like everything inspires us! Whether it is a fantastic blog like StyleMePretty or even a cute card from Smock or Tallulah, we are so happy that in the events industry, there are endless opportunities for inspiration and creativity. As we tiptoe into the realm of creating our own custom products we have started finding inspiration everywhere! One route which allows us to feel inspired each and every week is through our ever-changing floral displays from contributing companies: Kehoe Designs, Heffernan Morgan, Stems, and A Stem Above. Their floral designs are a constant pleasant surprise that give us fresh ideas and motivation for the week to come. Our newest arrangement, featured on our front table, is from Kehoe Designs.

The mirrors, votives, and orchids are just what we need to feel extra Spring-y with this new warm, yet wet, weather outside! There are few things I like more than orchids so this arrangement is near and dear to my heart. We also absolutely adore our very sweet invitation table centerpiece from Stems. We encourage passersby to come in and take a look at these fun displays!

Calling all Wedding Vendors

2010-03-09T13:56:00.001-06:00

Dear Wedding Vendors,

Want to help with an UNBELIEVABLE cause that will not only be fun, but also racks up some serious karma points? Become Wish Granters with *Wish Upon a Wedding,* America's only wedding wish granting organization. From the WUW website:

"Wish Upon a Wedding relies on the generosity of professionals from the Wedding and Hospitality industries to provide goods and services for our Wish Recipients. By calling on our database of regional Wish Granters, we are able to make wedding dreams come true. From caterers to photographers, and from DJs to cake designers, {and everything in between}, we need you!"

Wishes are granted to terminally ill individuals diagnosed with less than three years to live. Help make beautiful memories for these individuals and their families by getting involved in this tremendous charity!

To fill out an application to help, visit:
http://wishuponawedding.org/chapter-locations/chicago/wish-granters-chicago/

For more information on Wish Upon a Wedding, visit:
http://wishuponawedding.org/

Wish Upon A Wedding

2010-03-02T18:29:00.001-06:00

Favorite Product of the Week

2010-02-18T17:11:00.001-06:00

This week our featured favorite product is the Gold'N Dulcinea Pomander Ball, a unique yet beautiful alternative to the ring bearer pillow. These metallic balls are stuffed with a soft cushion and ribbon to hold the rings, making for easy handling no matter the age of the ring bearer. The tarnished silver and gold balls are perfect for a romantic or vintage wedding. Better yet, these Pomander Balls are currently selling at Smitten Boutique for just $41.00.

These softly-wrapped items are featured on our front table along with a gorgeous floral arrangement by Heffernan Morgan. Our front table has a theme of cold, darker, vintage products with light touches and the beautiful, spilling-over, purple and green flowers of Heffernan Morgan showing our excitement about the transition from Winter to Spring! Come by on one of these surprisingly sunny days and take a look!

A New Take on a Classic Wedding Gift

2010-02-13T13:47:00.000-06:00

Registering for wedding gifts can be a fun, but also very stressful, experience for many brides and grooms; weighing what they want versus what they need, what family members can afford, what they can wait many months before receiving. Not only this, but the couple must also decide what valuable items they will have wished they registered for ten, twenty, even fifty years into the marriage. Moms and other family members can help with these big decisions, but it is up to the couple to make the final calls. What were once very popular wedding registry items, such as linens and fine china, have somewhat fallen by the wayside since the millennium due to couples either living together before marriage or simply not having enough space to store less frequently used gifts. As Chicagoans, trust us, we know what it’s like to not have enough space. We completely understand that something’s “always gotta give,” but in twenty years will you regret giving something up?

What you decide to do without is absolutely your decision, but we can’t help but be impressed with creative designers like Sarah Drake who have taken on the role of interweaving traditional registry items with modern touches, producing more realistic products to couples of today. Sarah Drake’s Monogram Collection, now proudly carried at Smitten Boutique, includes fine china, stoneware, linens and bedding custom designed to carry a couple’s monogram incorporated into a design of their choosing. These heirloom-worthy products are completely customized by and for the couple during a sit-down meeting with Sarah Drake. The final products are wholly the couple’s own, with no worry that they may see the same dish at a friend’s dinner party or the same bedding adorning a family member’s bedroom. Sarah Drake fills a niche not yet tapped into by anyone else, making fine products relatable to young couples that double as unbelievably well-made items the couple can one day pass on to their children.

The Sarah Drake Monogram Collection is an excellent gift to purchase for a loved one on his or her wedding day, as well as a one-of-a-kind product for which to register for your own wedding. The Sarah Drake Monogram Collection can be registered for or purchased at Smitten Boutique.

Smitten Boutique is the exclusive retailer for this local Chicago company.

Nice Tush!

2010-02-11T17:17:00.002-06:00

For most of us, hearing someone comment on our derriere is majorly offensive (and let’s be honest, a little flattering), but when it comes to babies we find ourselves being the ones making back-side exclamations. Everything about a baby is too cute, including the rump! The first thing we thought of when we saw SamAndCoop tutu onesies, a product we are so proud to now carry at Smitten, all we could think of were adorable little baby bums!

SamAndCoop tutu onesies come with a cute image such as a cupcake on the front or can be customized with the baby’s first initial. These onesies, designed by a local Chicago designer and modeled by her adorable daughter, come in all infant sizes and the soft tulle of the tutu doesn’t get in the way of your miniature movers and shakers. We have just added these super sweet outfits to the growing baby section of Smitten and encourage those who have little ones, and even those who don't, to come in and see what could possibly be the most adorable baby clothes ever! We’d even wear these charming garments if we thought we could pull it off…and if they were about ten times their current size!

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Didn't know Smitten had a baby section? Smitten Boutique's Baby Area carries clothes for infants and toddlers, toys, baby books, blankets and more. We also have a variety of announcement and baby birthday paper products. We are constantly adding to this ever-growing section of the boutique with great gifts for both baby and parents-to-be!

Smitten & Mag Milestones: Fresh Faced and Wild Eyed

2010-01-26T18:06:00.004-06:00

...well we’re not sure about the “wild eyed,” but our face---the storefront---certainly is looking fresh! We are thrilled with our new pink and teal storefront designed by Kehoe Designs. We were not expecting two colors to go together so beautifully; We don’t know whether to label the look as funky, fun or surprisingly classic. Stunning is a word that certainly comes to mind! With a HOT PINK carpet, how could it not?

Enough with the gushing, we just want to send a huge shout-out to Kehoe Designs for their beautiful job. The timing couldn’t be better either! Valentine’s Day is going to be here before you know it (don’t forget!) and the store is gearing up for an influx of new, great products as well as a much-deserved cleanup! We are very excited to be revealing new finds, such as the Sarah Drake Monogram Collection, opening up our bridal registry and personal shopper program, and unveiling our e-store in the early months of this new year!

So we invite you to come by the store and take a peek at the storefront, and of course to come on in, visit with us and take advantage of some of our major sales this season. We can’t even tell you how many passersby have taken pictures, come in or just simply stood outside and looked with a smile on their faces at our gorgeous, new storefront! We are giving Molly Ringwald a run for her money because we are certainly feeling VERY pretty in pink!

2010-01-14T13:04:00.000-06:00

Wax Seals add a Touch of Tradition

2010-01-08T10:00:00.008-06:00

One of the best things about a wedding is the sense of tradition. Brides honor this tradition by using parts of their mother’s wedding dress, searching everywhere for a “something blue,” spinning in circles during the father-daughter dance and slicing through a three-tiered cake. For brides who consider tradition one of the foremost ideals for their wedding, custom wax seals are a unique and tasteful addition to consider. These items add elegance to any paper product at a surprisingly affordable price.

Wax seals can be placed on the back of invitation envelopes or on menus with a monogram, names or a special message to wedding guests. They can come in a variety of colors as well, so modern brides can mix tradition with trend if they like the look of the seal, but want to add their own personal flair. We used these seals at a wedding recently and immediately added them to our mental checklist of favorite things. They are inexpensive but say so much. The bride used them at the top of a fairly basic menu design, which made the menus look so much more pleasing to the eye and added an element that was not so noticeable throughout the rest of the wedding.

As we have said time and time again, it is the smallest details that create the tone of the wedding. Wax seals are a small but thoughtful addition to any wedding menu or invitation. There is a $50.00 set-up fee with $1.00 per invitation assembly fee. These invitations can be ordered and assembled right here at Smitten Boutique!

Don't Stress! Baby and Bridal Shower Tips

2009-12-31T10:00:00.004-06:00

Ever offered to host a wedding or baby shower and then found yourself spending countless hours and stress trying to make sure ev-e-ry-thing is absolutely perfect? We’ve been there; we’ve done that. Luckily there are loads of websites that ca help you decide the games, the menu, and even the favors for this signature event. One of our personal favorite sites is babyshower101.com, which includes tips and ideas from the site’s followers. There are also bridal shower websites and products, such as Mindy Weiss Bridal Bingo made by Two’s Company, that aid in making the party planning process just a little bit easier. However, it is up to you, the planner to put the final touches on a party that the bride or mommy-to-be will never forget.

The first very important, and often overlooked, step is to analyze the personal taste of the honored guest. Will she want the diaper cake? Will she want an outdoor barbecue or would she prefer an indoor luncheon? Is she shy and doesn’t want all the attention on her or would she like to be in the middle of all the games and pictures? These are unbelievably important to remember and your bride or mommy-to-be will appreciate your attempt to make her shower comfortable to her.

The menu, design, and games should all reflect the style of the honored guest. However, as the host of the party, it is also important for you to be proud of the party you created. These individual touches can be seen in the table setup, the room in which you host the event, the music, tableware and centerpieces. If you are hosting the event in your home, a clean and well-decorated room speaks volumes about you as the host. Renting a room also reflects back on you. Centerpieces are a fantastic way to decorate the tables in a subtle yet fashionable way. Blumeboxes are very popular as centerpieces right now with fresh flowers key to any shower as they represent new beginnings...and look beautiful of course! Blumeboxes can be found right here at Smitten Boutique (please call ahead for large orders!) and come in such affordable prices they are hard to resist.

There is no greater gift to a bride or mommy-to-be than hosting her shower. She will be touched by the time and energy you put into this big day which, in the end, makes all those hours planning well worth the effort! You do not need to spend a fortune either. Getting guests involved by making the shower a potluck or by forgoing favors and instead making a contribution to a charity are great ways to save a buck while still creating a shower that all the guests will remember for years to come.

Easy ways to save $$$ with Reception Menus

2009-12-24T10:00:00.007-06:00

Cutting costs is the name of the game for everyone right now. It is difficult as a bride (or groom) to decide just where those snips will be when it comes to the wedding. One place where we personally think going the less expensive route in the wedding looks just as good, if not better, is with the menus.

Menus will not make or break your wedding. However, as they both inform your guests and are a great icebreaker for tables, they absolutely need to be displayed, and displayed in style at that! However, as menus are not personalized in any way, it is not necessary to have a menu at the place setting of every guest.

A great alternative to having 200 individual menus made is to have a calligrapher create just one inspired menu for each table to view. This is extremely less expensive AND gets guests talking. You also can be creative about the placement of the menu, the design and even the presentation. Choosing a vintage frame or box to hold the table’s menu is even more memorable than 12 pieces of cardstock folded into a napkin at each table.

An alternative that works well for couples who choose to have the meal set in stations is to have a calligrapher or printer write out menu descriptions for each remarkable dish. Only one is necessary per station and the guests will appreciate discovering each individual flavor they are about to enjoy!

Some couples even choose to forgo menus altogether and instead have signs detailing that day’s fare. This is a fun and creative option for outdoor, day weddings, but is not recommended for indoor or evening receptions as the signs are not as noticeable and could be missed by some guests.

There are endless possibilities to the ways you can save with your wedding as long as you are creative. We cannot stress this enough! However, a balance is always necessary. Make sure to bounce your ideas off of your planner, vendors or friends to make sure you aren’t going overboard!

Money Saving Tips for Invitations

2009-12-17T16:26:00.004-06:00

Economy Shmonomy! Who doesn’t want her wedding to be the best, most special, day of her life no matter if the market is in the red (or dark crimson rather) at the moment? Believe it or not there are still ways to make the invitation, the guests’ first impression of the big day, funky and fun WITHOUT breaking the bank. We firmly believe that a little creativity can save bundles and allow you to spend the extra dough on other aspects of the wedding.
Saving big bucks on the invites does NOT mean ordering cheap ones or just e-mailing your friends and family. The invitation should still be beautiful and memorable; something you and your guests will keep for years. Your family and friends, however, probably won’t be scrapbooking the envelope. The envelope still needs to maintain the tone of your wedding, but does not need to cost nearly as much as the actual invitations.
Here are a few ways to save:

1) Forgo the envelope AND the calligrapher

2) Instead, order translucent envelopes which are much cheaper than cardstock.

3) Purchase fun and whimsical free form labels and do the printing yourself.

4) If you prefer the handwritten look either purchase a calligraphy pen or butter up a friend or family member with exceptional handwriting. (If single, hint that you will aim the bouquet in her direction!)

5) Invite your bridesmaids over for a wine, stuffing, sealing and stamping party! This one saves both money AND time for you and your fiancé.

Remember that invitations come in a grand range of price points. You can still find unbelievably beautiful and unique invitations made by well-known designers at any budget. Make sure to have a serious dialogue about your budget with your invitation expert. She should be able to show you invitations at a cost you are comfortable with as well as work with you to find the perfect invitation at the perfect price!

Renee & Duane

2009-12-11T12:16:00.001-06:00

Renee & Duane wanted a wedding that celebrated their individual backgrounds (he attended Lake Forest Academy; the beautifully boxed Black Cake that served as their favors is a traditional treat in the
Caribbean - where Renee's family history goes back generations) as well as their history together (they started dating their Freshman year in college & each table at the reception was named after a location that had an important meaning to them). The love & warmth in the room was undeniable & the joy of the union was shared by all of the guests - their bridal party even showered them with handfuls of rose petals as they left the reception at 1:00am!

Venue - The Armour House - Lake Forest Academy
Florist - Ixia
Ceremony Music - Neil Dixon Smith
Reception Music - Fig Media
Photographer - Cara & Scott Nava of Carasco Photography
Videographer - Fig Media
Day Of Planner - Kirstin of Magnificent Milestones :0)
Brides Dress - Lazaro
Bridesmaids - Jenny Yoo

Ask the Experts!

2009-11-30T18:06:00.003-06:00

Ask the Experts!

Renee Price, Event Producer at Kehoe Designs and Olivia Leigh Photographie will partner on Thursday, December 3 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at Smitten.

Creativity, Cupcakes & Champagne! What more could you ask for?

Are you planning a wedding or do you know someone who is? Ask the experts your questions- join these exciting companies for your event planning needs. Kehoe Designs & Renee Price specialize in luxury event décor and sumptuous floral, Olivia Leigh takes a fresh spin on wedding photography and Smitten carries all the essentials for wedding planning.

There will be great discount coupons towards planning an event with Renee Price, as well as designing invitations with Magnificent Milestones..... show up early to make sure you get yours!

Shopping Shuttle for the West Loop!!

2009-11-27T13:58:00.004-06:00

( Click to see larger version)

Easy Custom Parasols

2009-11-27T12:12:00.006-06:00

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I think we can all give thanks for this wonderful weather we are having today in Chicago!

Today's inspiration is a very simple DIY created by the talented Valerie Landis. Using the parasols we carry in store, she made her own Just Married statement, which I think everyone can agree is a beautiful addition to any outdoor photoshoot and/or wedding. Thanks for the update, Valerie!

Beegee Bags - Now available at Smitten Boutique!

2009-11-16T20:46:00.002-06:00

If you haven't heard about Beegee Bags by now, allow us to paint the picture.....

These custom clutches are fully lined with a complementary fabric, an aluminum frame and a simple clasp. These bags make the perfect bridesmaids' gift and wedding accessory. Enjoy!

Ceci New York

2009-11-16T16:23:00.005-06:00

The leader in couture invitation design, Ceci New York offers creations that are as awe-inspiring as they are luxurious. Check them out at Magnificent Milestones! Vintage Rose

VineyardTastemaker Symphony
Pretty Miss
Parrot Tulip
Ornamental
Orientalia
Mali
Majestic
Mademoiselle
Lumiere
Jet Set
Grand Palais
English Holly
English Garden
Embark
Dream
Del Mar
Black Tied
Bijoux
Bellini
Antiqued
Aloha

Aerial

Return to Website: http://www.smittenboutique.net/Invitations/Wedding

Gretchen and Todd

2009-11-12T13:25:00.001-06:00

Gretchen & Todd are two of our favorite clients ever! Laid back and fun, these two hosted a wonderful (and beautful) evening for their family and friends. After their wedding, these two wine-lovers headed to Napa for their mini-moon.

Photographer: Kevin Weinstein
Venue: Chicago Cultural Center
Caterer: Blue Plate
Florist: A Stem Above
Cake: Sweet Mandy B’s
Menu, placecards and programs: Magnificent Milestones

Kristin and Arun

2009-11-12T13:05:00.001-06:00

Kristin and Arun live in London, so they enlisted Kara Underwood Gordon to help with all the details of their dual wedding ceremonies and receptions! The colors were fun and vibrant, pulling in both elements from the museum, such as wheatgrass and butterflies, and ethnic flair and traditions. Enjoy!

Venue: Nature Museum
Flowers: A Stem Above
Catering: Berghoff Catering
Photographer: JR Geoffrion
Cake: TipsyCake

Noelle and Lanny

2009-11-11T12:07:00.002-06:00

Another day, another wedding posting!

Noelle & Lanny wanted an uber preppy wedding and they got it! Some of the guests even wore madras jackets... So cute! The bride's gown was actually a very light pink while her maids were the ones in white. The monogram, designed by Kara Underwood Gordon, was carried through on every detail: menus, programs, cupcakes and napkins.

Flowers: Fragrant Design
Menus & Programs: Magnificent Milestones
Venue: Saddle and Cycle Club
Photographer: Artisan Events
Cupcakes: Sweet Mandy B’s

Darlyn and Jonathan

2009-11-11T11:43:00.001-06:00

We want to start off today's entry with the fabulous wedding of Darlyn and Jonathan, a small intimate wedding of 60 close friends and family. The sunny weather outside matched the fresh colors and fun decor inside the Trump Tower Hotel. Enjoy!

Venue: Trump Towers
Cake: Take the Cake
Flowers: Kehoe Designs
Photographer: Thompson Wedding Photography
Music: Fig Media

Weddings, Weddings and more Weddings!!

2009-08-16T18:23:00.001-05:00

We have been quite busy with weddings around here and no one is complaining! This year has been full of fun, creative and innovative ideas and we aren't finished yet! Here is a sneak peek at some of our favorites.....

A colorful wedding at Sofitel.....

(Photography by Rick Aguilar)

A romantic wedding at The Ivy Room.....

(Photography by Chenin Boutwell)

A preppy wedding at Saddle & Cycle.....
(Photography by Artisan Events)

Many more to come!!

Wedding 101

2009-04-30T19:44:00.000-05:00

Wedding 101 is back!

The four week class covers budgets, venues, decor, key vendors, timelines and more! We are currently accepting RSVPs for our July classes. Upon signing, you will receive a VIP card, good for 10% off of everything in Smitten Boutique (including custom invitations!) for the length of your engagement.

Please visit http://www.magnificentmilestones.com/Consulting/events.html or call (312) 226-7777 for more information!

Take the Cake introduces Cookies & Truffles!

2009-02-16T20:18:00.000-06:00

Take the Cake is infamous for delicious and breath-taking wedding cakes...... but there is more to the story!

Take the Cake has a line of favors suitable for every celebration! Ugly Truffles can be packaged with a personalized ribbon and tag to coordinate with your wedding or birthday theme and Cookie Cakes are the perfect addition to any bridal shower.

Visit http://takethecakeetc.com/favors.php to learn about Mary Winslow's ugly truffles, damn good cookies (my favorite!) and cookie cakes.

Toast, Taste & Tour!

2009-02-12T21:11:00.000-06:00

Toast, Taste & Tour

Sunday, February 22, 2009

10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Magnificent Milestones invites you to preview four of Chicago's hottest venues, sample trendy award winning cuisine and view remarkable decor all in one afternoon. You will be whisked around the town while being treated to an afternoon of surprise and delight from Chicago's top event professionals......

Magnificent Milestones

Smitten Boutique

Fig Media

Chicago Trolley Co.

Entertaining Company

Food for Thought

Limelight

Tipsy Cake

Take the Cake

Botanicals

Hello Darling

Event Creative

Heffernan Morgan

Frost

Scarlet Petal

Cafe Brauer

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

The Ivy Room

Envent

Hall's Rentals

Tablescapes

BBJ Linen

Shutterbooth

Brides Tickets are available for $25.00

includes bridal swag bag

Additional guests' tickets are available for $15.00

Fun, food, drinks and transportation included.

Please email rsvp@magnificentmilestones.com or call (312) 226-7777 to get additional information or to purchase tickets.

Almost too pretty to eat (Well, almost!)

2009-02-09T22:08:00.000-06:00

Rich Chocolate owner, Lauren Pett, has come up with a collection of chocolates that are not only clever and cute, but they are delectable, too.

The Windy City collection features chocolates that are inspired from some of Chicago's greatest neighborhoods......

Pilsen: a layer of chili-infused dark chocolate ganache and a layer of caramelized almond praline

Humboldt Park: white chocolate with guava and coconut, topped with shredded coconut

Greektown: dark chocolate with Greek yogurt and honey

Devon Street: milk chocolate infused with garam masala, decorated in leopard print

Taylor Street: a chocolate “cannoli”- white chocolate blended with ricotta cheese, pistachios, and
hints of orange and cinnamon

Chinatown: dark and milk chocolates blended with orange and sesame

Fulton Market: a smokey salted caramel

Gold Coast: dark chocolate with champagne, dusted with edible gold

Visit http://www.richchocolates.com/ for more details!

Do your budget a favor and cut out the favors

2009-02-01T23:18:00.000-06:00

The following article was published in the Chicago Tribune's Wedding Playbook on Super Bowl Sunday!

By Emilie Le Beau Special to the Tribune
February 1, 2009

When the economy began tumbling, so did wedding spending. Couples are spending significantly less and the average cost of a wedding dropped to $21,814 in 2008, a 24 percent decrease from 2007, according to The Wedding Report, a research firm in Phoenix.Many items can be cut from the budget and most guests will not notice. "There are extras you absolutely don't need," said event planner Kara Underwood, owner of Magnificent Milestones in Chicago.Cut party favors, she suggested, because they are often left behind or ignored by the guests. Even though the wedding industry promotes party favors as a tradition adored by guests, they "also cheapen the table," Underwood said.Many other items can be crossed off the list. Here are 10 common wedding items, with advice on what to keep and what to cut.

Cut it

Ceremony décor: Flowers and elaborate decorations are not needed. "Most churches or venues are beautiful on their own," Underwood said. Add in the bridal party and bouquets, Underwood said, and decorations will not be noticed.

Two dresses: TV brides are wearing one dress to the ceremony and a second to the reception. Underwood said this idea should be cut. "Most brides don't have the budget for that."Also cut the pricey wedding gown; there are other ways to score a dream dress. Erin Sarris, 25, married in November at the Newberry Library wearing a dress she considered at Priscilla's of Boston but rejected when she saw the $3,600 price tag. Sarris searched online daily until she saw the same dress advertised in a sample sale on Craigslist for 73 percent less.

Late-night snack: Serving a 10:30 p.m. snack has become trendy, but Underwood said this pulls guests off the dance floor at the height of the party.Personalized napkins: "It's the same as favors: It's out and not worth your money," Underwood said.

Elaborate centerpieces: Couples should not feel obligated to have pricey floral centerpieces at each table. Underwood said she sees many weddings with candles used as centerpieces.

Pricey paper: Engraved stationery with the bride's maiden and married names is old-fashioned. Sarris didn't bother with either. She also didn't spend money on a save-the-date card and instead created a free wedding Web site at EWedding.com.

Keep it

Nice invitations: For guests who can't make the event, Underwood said this is their one interaction with the wedding. "Even if you're on a budget, you can still use colors and get your guests excited," she said.Sarris spent just $1 per invitation by asking a designer friend to help. She brought in ideas from magazines and the friend designed, printed and assembled the invitations.

The champagne toast: Champagne "goes hand and hand with a good toast," Underwood said.

The bar package: "Being greeted with a drink is key," Underwood said. Brides on a budget can offer an open bar during the cocktail hour but switch to wine service during dinner.

The photographer or videographer: While a photographer or videographer should be kept, ditch the posed family photos that take time away from the party. Underwood said couples now prefer candid photos.