***** A Wedding Video on DVD, edited (whole day coverage), which tells the story of your beautiful day for $675.00 with photo package, (which is $25.00 off the already special web price).

**** A free engagement session (one hour)

**** 25 free 5 X 7 Professional prints

Web:  Dave Price Photography and Video: http://davepricephoto.com/
Email:
Phone: (847) 904-7069

Happy planning!

Alison
WeddingChicago.com

2009 Events et Trunk Shows
At The Left Bank

MEG Jewelry
November 21 -22
The ever popular jewelry designer, Meg Lammers returns again to share her latest collection of sparkly gems.

Saturday 11-5 and Sunday Noon - 4
Open house style, but appointments for custom designs recommended
For more information, go to: http://www.leftbankjewelry.com/site/epage/18038_460.htm

Happy Shopping!

Alison
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Alison Rodriguez
Wedding Chicago, Inc.
http://www.weddingchicago.com
Ph:  (773) 456-8233

Fall 2009 Promotion
A discount of 10% will be applied off the volume group discounted price.  Have your orders in early and enjoy a special discount.

Promotion includes Bridesmaid, Maternity, Junior Bridesmaid, and Flower Girl Styles.  Alternative Bridal styles are not included in this promotion.
***Cannot be combined with any other promotion***

The deadline for June 2010 weddings will be October 31, 2009
The deadline for July 2010 weddings will be November 30, 2009

To book an appointment, contact them directly at (312) 642-2327 or email them at chicago@jennyyoo.com
.
Here’s the link for more info:  http://www.jennyyoo.com/news_promotions.html

Happy shopping!

Alison

--

Alison Rodriguez
WeddingChicago.com
http://www.weddingchicago.com
Ph:  (773) 456-8233

***Please submit any great wedding deals you hear about to WeddingChicago.com***

Now, if parents choose to keep their children home instead of bringing them to your event, then so be it!  It’s one less thing that you have to worry about.  Brides will often arrange for a babysitter to watch children during the wedding reception.  A wedding without young children will save you money, time and worry. 

The most important thing is to have fun.  This is a crazy time - swine flu anxiety, bad economy, crazy balloon boy hoaxes - so might as well enjoy your day to the fullest.

Have a great one!

Alison Rodriguez
WeddingChicago.com

Many museums rent out their spaces for weddings and other events. And, if you think having your wedding at a museum would be boring, think again. Consider the attractions your guests would be surrounded by at some of the following museums:

Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois

For a unique wedding venue in Chicago, consider the Museum of Science and Industry, located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. The Museum of Science and Industry has so much to offer that it’s hard to know where to begin. You have your choice of numerous unique spaces within the Museum, such as the U-505 Exhibit, where your guests will have the opportunity to dine alongside a 252 ft. submarine. But not any submarine. This submarine was the only German submarine captured during WWII. Seating capacity is 120 guests.

Another space within the Museum is the Rotunda, which is a spectacular hall of marble, featuring a 120-ft. domed ceiling. The seated capacity in the Rotunda is 800 guests.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago also has several themed venues within their space which would make any wedding or reception stand out. These include “The Bronzeville Blues Club” with a theme of Chicago’s musical roots. Entering through the Rotunda, guests will enter the “Bronzeville Blues Club” awash in candles and blue lighting; dine on Creole inspired hors d’oeuvres, while enjoying the sounds of an authentic Blues Trio.

Or, perhaps you’d like to try the “Hollywood Canteen” - a recreation of The Hollywood Canteen, which opened its doors in 1942, and quickly became a hot spot for servicemen and Hollywood’s biggest names. Your guests will be welcomed into this recreation by a long red carpet, lined with red velvet ropes.

The Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona

Located in Central Phoenix, the Heard Museum has been a Phoenix institution for more than 75 years. Encompassing more than 130,000 square feet of gallery and education space, the Heard Museum has one of the finest collections of Native American art and cultural exhibits. And, the exhibits aren’t the only things worth seeing at the Heard; there’s also the interesting architecture and grounds, which include arched walkways, brick patios and lovely courtyards, which serve as picturesque backdrops for your wedding photos.

The Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts

The Higgins Armory Museum is the only museum in the Western Hemisphere devoted to arms and armor, housed in an Art Deco building with a vaulted Medieval Great Hall. Talk about a unique wedding venue! How many people have their wedding amid suits of armor from the Renaissance?

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida

This tropical wedding venue is historic as well as beautiful. You can get married on a bridge overlooking a koi pond, then provide your guests with a private tour of Ernest Hemingway’s home. For guests who cannot attend, they can watch the wedding on the Museum’s live web cam.

The Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newberry Park, California

For those history buffs who love stagecoaches and the American pioneer period, the Stagecoach Inn Museum is for you. Located off the 101 Freeway halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the Stagecoach Inn has a rather long history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is actually a replica of the original Stagecoach Inn built in 1876, as well as spacious grounds which feature replicas of a pioneer home, a Spanish-Mexican adobe and a Chumash dwelling. Live oak trees, flower gardens, wooded areas and rose arbor grace the lawns.

Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia

The Poe Museum is dedicated to, who else, Edgar Allan Poe, the American author of short stories, detective fiction, poetry and science fiction. Imagine the theme wedding one could have by getting married at the Poe Museum! Treat your guests to a wedding and reception in Poe’s Enchanted Garden, which can accommodate up to 100 guests. The garden was inspired by one of his poems, “To One in Paradise.”

Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

If the two of you are into football, why not consider the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Instead of a bouquet, the bride can toss a football. Well, it’s just an idea.

No matter where you live there is bound to be a museum near you that hosts weddings. Museums offer a truly unique venue which your guests will remember years after the wedding. The museums can be historical, fun, or downright odd and you’re sure to find one which suits your tastes. Now, if only the Spam Museum would offer weddings.... Oh, well, one can’t have everything.

About the Author

Shari Hearn is a writer and website creator. Go to her websites and learn more about planning a wedding, destination weddings, and wedding engagement rings.

Your monogram can be a combination of letters, swirls, and various design elements - it all depends on your personal sense of style and the feel of your wedding day. It is essentially a “logo” for your wedding so make it as funky, elegant, classic, or fun as you are. If you’re getting married at a unique location, such as a beach, consider integrating a sea shell or palm tree in to your monogram.

A monogram is typically made up of three letters: the bride’s first name initial, the groom’s first name initial, and the first letter of their shared last name. For example, the monogram of Sarah and Brendon Chase would be S-C-B. You may choose to use a variation of block and cursive letters. Try experimenting with various size and types of fonts. For the example above, you may choose to make the C bold and prominent while the other two letters are slightly more delicate.

Typically, the bride’s first initial comes first. If the bride is choosing to keep her own last name, you may consider a four-letter monogram. Or, to simplify things, just use your first initials and have a trendy, simple two-letter monogram.

You and your fiancé may be able to create your own monogram, or visit a graphic designer who can create something unique for you. There are also a number of web sites that specialize in creating monograms. Or, maybe a friend in the wedding party has an flare with graphic design and font styles. If so, they will probably be pleased to add their signature touch to your wedding.

Let Your Monogram Shine

Now that you’ve created a monogram you love, you can work on thinking of creative ways to enhance your wedding day. Most couples with monograms decide to include their work of art on all written communications, so consider adding it to your invitations, envelopes, reply cards, and programs. You can even get a stamp or a gold seal made out of your emblem for a touch of old-world class.

You can create an entire theme around your motif by having it printed on everything from napkins to table cloths. Your baker can create a stunning cake with your monogram as part of the design. Include your monogram on your guest book, and even have it adorn your ribbon decorations.

Consider special ordering a cake topper designed just for you, or using your monogram to embellish gifts for the guests, such as cookies, wine bottles, or personalized jellies. You can take this theme as far as you like - or keep it more understated by reserving monogram use for only a few key items like a personalized wedding tote.

After The Wedding

Your monogram can become a family crest of sorts - consider giving your partner a bathrobe with your new family monogram embroidered on the pocket as a wedding or anniversary gift. Your monogram can grow with you over the years - and one day may even include a few more names.

About the Author

Mary W. Brophy is a writer, serial entrepreneur and the creative force behind a new handbag trend - personal logo bags. Her company, Bizz Bag, Inc., gives fashion savvy brides ways to display their monogram in custom prints on luxury wedding totes. For our best personalized gift idea for the bride, bridesmaids or maid of honor, visit http://www.BizzBag.com/Bridal

Source:  Go Articles

Next, find a spa that will work with you in creating an unforgettable day of pampering. For instance, at the Willow Stream at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona, girlfriends are treated to a yoga class, followed by a waterfall massage in the eucalyptus gratto pool, a healthful lunch, and a spa treatment of each girl’s choice. The day ends with prickly pear lemonade at the rooftop pool.

In Chicago, girlfriends splurge with the bride for a spa tea party at the Ruby Room in a historic neighborhood of Chicago. The loft-like setting creates an unforgettable ambiance with services including yoga, a beauty bar, the healing lounge, and the Rejuvenation Spa to refuel and relax spirits.

Most spas can arrange food and cocktails for the celebration, and this is an ideal time to gather for a light lunch, cake and present opening. Most spas will handle scheduling details as well. Be prepared to pay a nonrefundable 50% deposit of scheduled services.

When it comes to bridal shower gifts, encourage guests to think of pampering items for the bride-to-be. Guests might go into together for a spa certificate or choose items such as a plush robe, pampering cream, hair product, or beauty accessory. The host may also treat guests with a goody bag to remember their day of pampering and to thank them for coming. At-home, mineral-essential facial masks, manicure accessories, or department store samples make fun and appreciated gifts.

For those who enjoy the privacy and comfort of home, consider throwing an at-home spa bridal or bachelorette party. These days, girlfriends are throwing off the tired ideas of strip clubs and silly games to indulge in a spa party with the bride-to-be. Many cities offer mobile spa services that bring the spa to your home.

Baring as much as they dare, groups may book a mobile spa service to perform on-site Brazilian waxes and bikini waxes (done individually). Bathing suit or lingerie shopping is an obvious add on and make a great gift for the bride. Martinis and appetizers are also popular choices.

With locations throughout the United States, Sparty! was featured on Access Hollywood for show host Nancy O’Dell’s bridal party. Facials, massages, pedicures and cocktails highlight, as well as plush robes for the guests make Sparty one of the hottest ways today to celebrate this special time. Additional spa services can be added on to packages for a truly indulgent party guests will be talking about for months to come.

The Signature Martini and Manicure Party is popular with brides and their girlfriends who enlist the services of Spa On The Go in Chicago. Each guest is served Apple Martinis while receiving a professional manicure. For groups of 7 or more, groups enjoy everything from spa treatments to professional makeup services.

The focus on today’s bridal showers is on pampering and fun. Spa bridal showers give friends and family an opportunity to enjoy one another’s company, renew, and relax during an exciting and sometimes stressful time. It’s a perfect way to give the bride-to-be a chance to catch her breath, enjoy the day, and create memories which will last a lifetime.

About the Author:
Geologix Inc. manufactures spa, massage, skincare, and therapeutic pain relief products using a proprietary formula featuring 34 natural minerals contained in the ancient sea water from the famous Michigan Basin. For more information, please visit AcheAway or Mineral Essentials.

Our wedding party was made up of a lot of mutual friends from college so we decided to do a co-ed bachelor and bachelorette party. We started the night at my maid of honor’s house with tons of beer and great food in the backyard. The guys and girls split up after dinner - we went dancing for our portion of the bachelorette party and the guys went to do their “guy” things. Then at about midnight we all met back up at the house for more drinks and ended up having a loud, spontaneous dance party. I may be partial but I think it’s one of the best bachelorette party ideas I’ve ever heard of!

Wine Themed Bachelorette Party

Last year I went to my cousin’s bachelorette party with a wine and cheese theme. The bridesmaids got a big hotel suite and brought in glasses, plates and cloth napkins from a party rental place so it was a pretty upscale event with about 15 or so people. We were having a great time until the cops showed up. Turns out they were actually the evening’s “entertainment” provided by the maid of honor! My cousin was SO surprised but loved that her fancy little bachelorette party turned out to have a little naughty side too.

Taste of the Tropics

I have about ten girlfriends from college and between us we’ve come up with some pretty great bachelorette party ideas over the years. My favorite of all the parties was a tropical night theme in the dead of winter. We were all instructed to come dressed appropriately and some people went all-out with grass skirts and bikini tops. We rented one of those executive coaches and after driving around for a while listening to Jimmy Buffet and drinking fruity drinks, we went to a Polynesian restaurant for dinner. Afterward we hit the clubs and attracted a lot of attention with our tropical outfits - it was a blast and probably the best bachelorette party I’ve ever been to.

Beach Bonfire

I knew my friend wasn’t going to be into the club scene or a drunken scavenger hunt for her bachelorette party so I was looking for some non-traditional bachelorette party ideas. I got a permit to have a bonfire on the beach and we had a big cookout on a beautiful night in August. I had a couple of the other bridesmaids bring all the supplies to the beach about an hour before.We grilled hot dogs and made s’mores and they even managed to somehow sneak a keg out onto the sand. We had a great time just telling stories and laughing. My girlfriend has told me about a million times that her bachelorette party is one of her best wedding memories.

Bowled Over Bachelorette Party

This is one of those parties people are skeptical about at first, but turned out to be so much fun. We hosted the bachelorette party at a bowling alley and made it a 70’s theme. We reserved four lanes for the night and we all dressed up in hilarious outfits. We ordered a bunch of food and pitchers of beer, and about an hour after we got there, the bowling alley shut down the lights, switched to “glow in the dark” pins and played disco music at full blast. I thought it was a great bachelorette party because some people really got into the bowling, others just wanted to sit at the tables and talk and some of us even got up and danced, so there was a little something for everyone.

About the Author:
TeamWedding.com - Home of Top Bachelorette Party Sites > Get more bachelorette party ideas now. http://www.topweddingsites.com/bachelor-and-bachelorette-party.html

Source:  Go Articles

Personalized tote bags are a great way to create a “gift basket” for your bridesmaids. Choose a different color for each bridesmaid according to her personal tastes. In fact, you do not even have to choose the same totes - you can choose different styles for each bridesmaid. Then, fill the tote bags with smaller items that your bridesmaids can enjoy, like cosmetics, keepsakes, and so forth. You can give them all the same items or vary it according to their tastes, but make sure to spend about the same amount of money on each person so it does not look like you are favoring certain girls over the others.

Wedding Party T-Shirts

On the day of your wedding, will you be wearing bridal clothing that lets the world know it’s your big day? Consider picking up some t-shirts or other clothing items for your bridesmaids as well. There are fun T-shirts that say things like “maid of honor,” as well as clothing that simple says “wedding party” and has your names and dates on it. Avoid anything that the bridal party may not wear, such as shirts with your picture on it, and do not make it required that they get dressed up - but give them that option as a gift!

Photo Albums

Your bridesmaids may love having memories of the big day. A picture frame is nice, but for a special gift, choose a picture album instead. Include your announcement photograph and when your prints come in; provide a small set for each bridesmaid as a gift, along with information in case they want to order more from the photographer. You can also include copies of pictures from the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and other events you did together to get ready for the wedding. Some brides even like to include pictures that show how you became friends, even before the wedding.

Jewelry

As a bride, you might want to decide what jewelry your bridesmaids wear on their wedding day. There are renting options, but instead, why not give each bridesmaid a jewelry set as a wedding gift? You can find very affordable options that should all match. When choosing a jewelry gift, try to go for a classic style that your friends should be able to wear long after your first anniversary. Do not forget to find out about metal allergies, especially if you are going to give them earrings to wear. Some girls cannot wear certain types of jewelry.

Spa Gift Cards

Gift cards are often not appropriate, but at the end of the day, it is important that you help your wedding party feel relaxed and refreshed. Being in a wedding is hard work, so while you are away enjoying your honeymoon, set up a day at the spa for your bridesmaids. Treat them all to facials, manicures and pedicures, massages, and other spa services. It is the least you can do for them. If you have bridesmaids flying in from out of town, you do not have to plan a day at the same spa for them all to go together. Instead, let them choose their own days at a spa near their home. Along these same lines, you can instead treat them to a fancy restaurant, a concert, or another event if you do not think they are going to enjoy the spa.

Another gift option you have is to wait until you get back from the honeymoon and plan time together. If you are planning a very low budget wedding, you might not have a lot of money to spend otherwise.Spread out your gifts so you can easily plan for them much better by giving each bridesmaid a card requesting a dinner date in the future months. That way, you can thank for their hard work, while staying within your budget. Do not go the easy way out and choose a generic gift. Take the time and find something that shows how much you care. These gifts should be appreciated by your bridesmaids not matter how much you spend.

About the Author:
Rachel Jackson is a freelance writer and blogger who writes about everything from fashion to family, cooking to pet care. Ms. Jackson also focuses on family events, such as weddings, as well as specific aspects of a wedding such as bridesmaid gifts.