Maria and Sam's Blog

Found the dress - Jim Hjelm 8800!!!

Maria and Sam — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:20:00 GMT

Found the dress - JIm Hjelm 8800!!!

Decision to minimoon then honeymoon...

Maria and Sam — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:40:00 GMT

We decided to minimoon for several days in Ireland, right after the wedding, and then New Zealand for the actual honeymoon in October/November, when they have their spring - so excited!!!

Found THE DRESS!!!

Maria and Sam — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:39:00 GMT

I went wedding dress shopping this weekend and found THE DRESS!!! It's a Jim Hjelm, Style 8709, and I am in love with it and can't wait to wear it. It's vintage and modern at the same time, perfect for our wedding.

Where to minimoon and honeymoon?

Maria and Sam — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:35:00 GMT

So fiance and I are wrestling with the idea of minimoon-ing somewhere right after the wedding, and then honeymooning several months after, in October (really wanted to go to New Zealand and July is their winter). Wonder where we should minimoon???

Officiant booked!

Maria and Sam — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:06:00 GMT

We booked Jeffrey Sumber from Celebrate Love Chicago, since we are having a secular ceremony. His philosophy really resonated with our own, and his style is to basically individualize each ceremony to the couple. Looking forward to working with him! We also have 3 marriage prep sessions included in the package. I think the ceremony is going to be my favorite part of the wedding!

Lots done.

Maria and Sam — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:55:00 GMT

Soooo... Sam and I got engaged in May and already I've had a ton of fun booking our vendors and planning our wedding - which in my mind, is just a huge party you throw for your friends and family with the focus being you and your hubby. Really can't wait to dance my as* off.

That being said, here are the vendors we've booked already. Luckily, Sam and I have not been super picky and have been able to get pretty much first choice on all of the vendors we've chosen so far. So far, so good - all of our vendors have been FANTASTIC! Let's hope the ease lasts through the wedding. I've perused the reviews and gotten help from friends, and so wedding planning has been relatively easy!!!

The Newberry Library www.newberry.org

Pen Carlson Photography www.pencarlson.com

Simply Elegant Catering www.simply-elegant-catering.com

Emotia (videography) www.emotia.com

Starlight Makeup www.starlightchicago.com

Artistrings (string quartet) www.artistrings.com

Style Matters (DJ) www.stylemattersdjs.com

April Joy Events (flowers) www.apriljoyevents.com