AELO Design | Ciara Says

Very exciting news! Our creative and wonderful Event Design Consultant, Ciara Kentner, is going to be sharing her ideas and talent with you once a month here on the AELO Blog! Please enjoy her tips and ideas, and Contact Us to book her for your event!

How to Ask Your Bestie to be Your Maid of Honor

I never questioned who I would have as my Maid of Honor …the question was HOW would I ask her. I am a very creative person. With that, I find the need to cover every detail on any project I am working on.  We are having a destination wedding in Mexico so my fiancé and I decided to each have one person each stand up with us. He decided on his best friend and I decided on my best friend. This was an easy decision for the both of us, done and done. 

As most guys do, they keep serious conversation simple and to the point. I wasn’t involved in the asking of the best man but I’m positive there were beers and one shot (probably more) of liquor. Hey, to each their own! 

This is where it gets cute. My best friend and I live over an hour away from each other and we both work so meeting up easily isn’t an option. I thought about surprising her for dinner or just a quick FaceTime session. That didn’t give me the “feels” so I opted for a box of treasures. We have had a lot of fun times together and we both know each other very well so filling the treasure box was easy and so fun!

I used scrapbook paper for the background of the poem to give it a nice touch. Silver and gold metallic filler made the box pop with fun and her cat thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Off to the post office I went to bubble wrap and box it up! I had the box tracked via text messaging so as soon as the box arrived I let her know to call. I got antsy pants and FaceTimed immediately. 

She opened the box, pawed through, got to the poem and well…she cried. The girl who doesn’t cry, cried. Mission accomplished. 

 

The treasure box contained the following items: 

  • Glow sticks and a glow wand (We were avid EDM followers for a few summers, so very appropriate)
  • Sunscreen. Obviously a necessity for the Mexico sun!
  • Nail polish (Essie Topless and Barefoot)
  • Maracas. Self explanatory
  • Ceramic ring dish with a plastic light up diamond ring!
  • Small notebook journal with her first initial on the front
  • Framed hand drawn photo of a bride and bridesmaid
  • And last but not least, a poem.

I often get ideas from Pinterest, Etsy, and blogs on the Internet. I’ll list some of my favorite blogs below, check them out! 

The Sweetest Occasion

 Style Me Pretty

Ruffled

 Lauren Conrad

 

 

 

Treasure box items purchased from:

Target, TJ Maxx, Michael's, Party City, Etsy

AELO Alumni | Lauren + Brian 9/5/15

VENUE: CITY VIEW LOFT | CATERING: LM RESTAURANT | PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRISTOPHER FOLTZ | FLORIST: OH MY! FLORAL | BAND: MAGGIE SPEAKS | CEREMONY MUSIC: PARKWEST STRINGS | HAIR & MAKEUP: REBELLIOUS BEAUTY SALON | SWEETS & CAKE: DINKEL'S BAKERY

We absolutely loved working with Lauren and Brian! A laid back couple who knew exactly what they wanted, they had an gorgeous wedding day in September. We loved planning with them from day one, and with the awesome vendors, had a great time coordinating their day. Lauren was stunning, Brian was handsome, and their guests danced the night away to the awesome sounds of Maggie Speaks. Such a fun time.

Congratulations, you guys! We're so happy for you!

Flashback Friday | Jessica + Nate 5/3/14

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Photographer: Katie Derus | Ceremony: St. Joseph’s Wilmette | Reception: Women’s Club of Evanston | Caterer: Froggy’s | Florist: MilleFiori | Band: Mark Little Band | Photo Booth: Music 4 Life

Katie Derus Photography captured Jessica and Nate’s day flawlessly! These two cuties from North Carolina had a beautiful day in May to get hitched, and we absolutely loved being a part of it. It was wonderful to witness how in love they were and how much fun they have together.
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AELO Alumni | Andrea + Tim 9/5/15

VENUE: THE GROVE, GLENVIEW | CATERER: EVERYDAY GOURMET | PHOTOGRAPHY: GISSELLE CREECH | DJ: DJ-CHICAGO | FLOWERS: PURPLE ROSE FLORIST | VIDEO: LEXORIA WEDDING FILMS | CAKE: DINKEL'S BAKERY | HAIR: LINDSEY WATTS | MAKEUP: ALBERTO DANIEL SALON

Andrea and Tim were married on a lovely (and toasty) sunny day surrounded by the forest at the gorgeous Redfield Estate in Glenview. The elegant affair was filled with a ton of laughter and love. We can't get over the sweet first meeting photos! Congratulations to this beautiful couple!

AELO Alumni | Katie + Brian 5/30/15

VENUE: QUADRANGLE CLUB | PHOTOGRAPHY: SEAN MOLIN | DJ: KEVIN HSIA | FLORALS: CARRIAGE FLOWERS

Finding a librarian's wedding venue was so much fun! The Quad Club was teh perfect setting for these two lovebirds. They are so in love, and their ceremony reflected that so well. The reading from a children's book about penguin's was perfect, and we loved their huge atlas as a guest book! We loved everything about this wedding, even though it rained all day! The rain didn't put a damper on these two cuties. It was just perfect. Congratulations, you two!