The Benefits of a Hotel Wedding!
On December 12th Kristi & Jake tied the knot at Chicago’s Historic Intercontinental Hotel. Thanks to Rachel at Metropolitan Images for these great photos!
This smart bride made life easy for herself and eliminated the ‘X factor’ of December travel around the city (forget the crowds and the weather!) and had both the ceremony and reception on-site at the hotel - where they exchanged vows in the Grand Ballroom under the room’s signature Baccarat Chandalier. Here are some great things to inquire about when looking at a hotel for your wedding:
1. What sort of upgrades are included that you otherwise may need to pay for? At the Intercontinental, the gorgeous chargers pictured below are standard issue for all the place settings, and their standard linen is an elegant ivory brocade. Upgrades like this can cost as much as $10-15/pp if you need to bring in outside rentals.
2. Kristi chose her colors wisely – as they coordinated with the existing holiday decor within the hotel.
3. As dog people, we LOVE that Kristi and Jake’s dog Porkchop wasn’t excluded from the festivities! He got to stay in the bridal suite which truly made the happy couple feel like the entire family was there with them.
Winning Winter Weddings
Congratulations to Stephanie and Aaron Phillips who had a fabulous reception for 300 guests at the River East Art Center on January 17, 2009.
Colors and Lighting
Stephanie chose striking red gowns for her bridesmaids – but didn’t want to go overboard with the color red since it makes such a strong visual statement. LOLA accented Steph’s chosen color with elegant texture layering of cream and gold in the linens and floral centerpieces then tied in the red with dramatic up-lighting to maximize the natural drama of the high ceilings in this modern loft-like venue.
Low Temperatures Outside = Max Savings Inside!
People are always asking us how we can save them money. I have one word for you… JANUARY. Real savings come when we can negotiate pricing because a vendor wants more business. Booking your event in the off-season is the #1 best way to get the most “bang” for your buck. REAC rents for about $15K in Spring, Summer and Fall on a Saturday night. We were able to negotiate the rental for a fraction of that cost and the atmosphere couldn’t have been more stunning. Candles glitter more warmly in the winter, receptions seem more cozy, and guests aren’t torn between multiple event invitations on the same night. Many event related companies (including LOLA) offer discounts for planning an event this time of year. Consider all the extra choices and perks you’ll be able to enjoy!
Photos compliments of Sarah Alair Photography
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