Calligraphy Club

Labels: - Monday, February 8, 2010



Photos Courtesy of Written By Esther

We received a wonderful response from readers about Bernard Maisner, New York's superb calligrapher {post here}. Mr Maisner's style is amazing, but not ideal for every budget {invitations start around $3,500}. Therefore, I wanted to share one of our favorite Third Coast resources for calligraphy, the Chicago Calligraphy Collection. This non-profit organization is dedicated to keeping the art of calligraphy alive. They also provide a list of calligraphers that you can get in touch with. Here are some of our favorites:

Moscato Design: A Downer's Grove-based calligrapher with a unique and beautiful style.
Written by Esther: This Chicago-based calligrapher's love of the art shines through in every sample.  

Pen Graphic Studio: This Third Coast artist provides more options for calligraphy styles than we've ever seen.  We love all of the options!



Corinna Calligraphy:  This Chicago-based calligrapher addresses wedding envelopes, response cards and more at wonderful prices and a variety of styles.

Taste of Chicago

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Photo Courtesy of Carasco Photography

The must-attend event for Chicago brides-to-be this month?  Carasco Photography and CS Brides event, Brides, Bubbles and Bliss, which will take place on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at the Tasting Room. Enjoy music by Style Matters DJ, event stylings by the Flower Firm, and an incredible runway show featuring gowns by Giselle Chicago (available at Belle Vie Bridal Couture).  A portion of proceeds will benefit PAWS Chicago.  For more information and for last-minute tickets, visit here.  We'll be there walking around, so come find us!

Happy Monday!

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Photo Courtesy of We Heart It

What are you looking forward to this week?

Ready to Bloom

Labels: , - Sunday, February 7, 2010

Photo Courtesy of Emersonmade

Breaking news! Chances are you've heard about the adorable company, Emersonmade, which creates hand stitched blooms and accessories for all special occasions. What you may not have heard is that this week they are launching wedding bouquets. These bouquets will be special order only and their requests will fill up very fast. Brides-to-be can work with the emerson team to customize the bouquet colors, sizes, and more {but all will be made out of 100% linen so they will last forever}.  Keep checking emersonmade.com for more information!






Other Emersonmade favorites include their Big Poppy pin, which retails for $54-$84 depending on which size you choose {5", 7", and 9"}. We love the bold look of these and the variety of ways that you can incorporate them in a wedding {table decor, bridesmaid gifts, etc}.  Go big or go home, right?


Witty Remarks

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Photos Courtesy of Carasco Photo

We cannot get over these STUNNING, stylized photos taken at theWit Hotel in Chicago.  The Wit has some of the most beautiful views of the city and as you can see, provides great locations within the hotel for wedding photos.  This photo shoot was composed by Carasco Photo to give brides and grooms an idea of what it would be like to hold their wedding at the hotel and show off some pretty incredible vendors.  For more information and to obtain a proposal from the Wit Hotel for your wedding, visit here.

Location:  The Wit
Photography: Carascao Photo
Shoes: James Ciccotti
Videography: Ben Mahoney of BMP
Jewelry: Ani Afshar
Flower Design: Topiarius

Brides Dress:  Giselle Chicago
Groom's Suit: SITTAR by Gibeon Tolbert
Models:  Lyric Lincoln and Josh Crews
Makeup: Eunita Carter of ecc Artistry
Stylists: Giselle Ghofrani and Kari Garza









Heart & Sole

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Photo Courtesy of Mish Media

Third Coast-based designer, James Ciccotti is helping brides-to-be start off their married lives off on the right foot with a beautiful collection of bridal shoes.  He offers over 40 exclusive shoe styles that have been carefully crafted out of silk satin and made in Italy. The majority of the styles are also dyeable.  Prices for the shoes range between $200-$800.  Visit his Lincoln Park neighborhood store location or shop the website here.  Here is some advice from James about picking the perfect shoe for the big day:

1. Allow yourself enough time to find the perfect pair of shoes before your fitting begin

2. Comfort should be your highest priority and you'll know if it's right the minute you try on the shoe. There's no need to be seen on the dance floor without shoes

3. Choose a heel height which allows you to walk comfortably and with confidence. You'll want to feel secure walking down the aisle, on the stairs and dancing the night away

4. Choose a shoe style which is appropriate for your dress, time of year and your image, whether it be elegant, sophisticated or romantic

5. It is essential to have your shoes for your dress fittings. Never substitute or suggest a certain heel height. Finding the exact same heel at a later date may prove more difficult than you think

    Nicoletta, $395, here

    Aida, $465, here

    Diana Shoes, $465, here




      Sweet Simplicity

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      Photos Courtesy of Jen Huang Photography

      We are big believers that weddings don't have to cost a fortune in order to be special, beautiful, and memorable.  A perfect example of this are photos of New York-based couple, Dory and Chris who got married at City Hall in NYC.  You can totally tell how in love they are and the vintage style of their outfits are awesome.  Dory's dress is by French Connection and Chris wore a vintage suit by Ermenegildo Zegna Napoli Couture.  Dory also made her feather headpiece by hand.  Congratulations you two!

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