Chicago Wedding Flowers: On Location at Galleria Marchetti Chicago

Elevated Wedding Centerpiece: Silver Candelabra (by Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago)

As part of our ongoing commitment to create, to share and to inspire, we are happy to present Flowers With Feeling, Inc.’s ‘Event Spotlight’.  Today’s spotlight shines on a recent garden wedding at one of Chicago’s premier wedding and special event venues, Galleria Marchetti  (featured on Bravo TV’s Top Chef Chicago – “Wedding Wars” ).  Floral décor was designed and created by Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago.

Nestled among flowering trees and seasonal blooms in this Tuscan inspired landscape, the Pavilion and the East Courtyard at Galleria Marchetti offered a magical setting for today’s featured wedding reception.  This unique oasis in the city presented an ideal canvas for inspired floral centerpieces and décor.

Floral centerpieces were created in an elegant high / low pave’ style using minimal foliage designed in a compact spherical form incorporating romantic soft white, ivory and champagne colored flowers including large open Virginia roses, champagne spray roses, large white Hydrangea, soft green Hydrangea, white stock flower, and white Hawaiian Orchids finished with cascading green Amaranthus. 

Elevated centerpieces are displayed atop sterling silver four arm illuminated candelabras completed with scattered Virginia rose petals and flickering candlelight at the base.  Low centerpieces are created in a coordinating fashion and displayed in the exclusive low ‘Marano’ candle stand.  The head table centerpiece consists of various components with a dramatic coordinating compact long and low centerpiece as the focal point.  Bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets were also placed in pre-positioned vases spaced strategically throughout the head table following the ceremony for added enhancement.  Watch the video below to see these wedding flower designs, created by Flowers With Feeling, Inc., on location at Galleria Marchetti Chicago. 

 

Wedding Centerpiece Ideas: Using LED Lights

Whether your vision is classic or contemporary, creative and affordable lighting options can add vitality and ambiance to your event and give even a modest centerpiece depth and vibrancy.   LED lighting (light emitting diode) is more widely available than ever before and in many forms and colors.  In many cases brides and event designers are opting to replace traditional candles with equally affordable eco-friendly LED or combining LED with traditional or soy candles.   

Our featured design (right) by Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago, illustrates the combined use of both LEDs and traditional floating disk candles.  One of the clear advantages of using this technique is the dynamic feel and movement of flickering candlelight in combination with the warmth and color of the LED.  In this example, blue LED lights are masked beneath a soft cloud of white chiffon.  This somewhat traditional wedding centerpiece is brought to life by incorporating elements which by themselves might appear one dimensional but together result in a dynamic multi faceted presentation. 

These long lasting, affordable and compact reusable lights open avenues of creativity that were once limited to applications that allowed for large short lived battery packs and a limited range of colors.  Today the applications are nearly limitless and can inject an added dimension into your event that guests will surely enjoy. (www.flowerswithfeeling.com)

 

Green Events Chicago: Earth Hour 2008

On Saturday, March 29, 2008, from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Chicagoans will join together in a collective effort during Earth Hour Chicago 2008 to illuminate the effective impact of even the smallest individual contributions to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse emissions.  For one hour, between 8:00 – 9:00 PM, residents of more than 20 cities around the world are being invited to take part by switching off lights and turning off appliances.  The concept which originated in Sydney Australia in March, 2007 is being embraced by Chicagoans and by participating cities around the world including Bankok, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Manila, Tel Aviv and Toronto.

Kokua Hospitality properties including The Allerton Hotel, Chicago City Centre and The Inn of Chicago are three such businesses that will be hosting soy candlelit (soy candles)gatherings featuring low impact specialty libations including organic beer and eco-tinis complimented by a selection of upscale eco-efficient cold fare, acoustic music by Chris Gelbuda and a healthy dose of ambiance.  It is estimated that the monetary impact of this one hour “lights out” effort at these properties will result in approximately $5000 in energy savings which will be generously donated to the World Wildlife Federation to support the ongoing effort.  While many will choose to enjoy a quiet, lightless moment of tranquility others will choose to paint the town green.  Below are just a few of Chicago’s best:

Avenue M Restaurant and Lounge at the Allerton Hotel is offering an Earth Hour menu prepared without the use of heat or energy. Fabulous offerings and specialty cocktails enjoyed over candlelight are sure to make Earth Hour a memorable experience.  These special items will be available throughout the evening.

InnBar at the Inn of Chicago will host candlelight cocktails from 8:00pm-9:00pm. Join us all night for our highly anticipated Eco-Tini (made with organic vodka and raspberries) and a selection of organic beers. Chris Gelbuda will be performing at 7:00pm, acoustically of course! Soy candles will illuminate the swanky scene provided by Flowers with Feeling.

Winners at the Chicago City Centre is proud to offer a selection of organic beers and spirits to encourage our guests to get in the true spirit of Earth Hour. Soy candles, provided by Flowers with Feeling will again set the mood in an eco-friendly way.

Earth Hour 2008 will begin in Christchurch, New Zealand and will cascade through 14 time zones including participating U.S. cities Phoenix, Atlanta San Francisco and Chicago.  This dramatic and symbolic initiative is yet another step in Chicago’s ongoing commitment to being one of the greenest cities in the nation.  Visit http://www.worldwildlife.org/ or http://www.earthhour.org/ for more information.  

 

Green Events Chicago: Recycled Glass

With the emergence of all things green, some are left to wonder how to incorporate eco-consciousness into the fabric of their lives.  For many, the decision to make eco-friendly choices is directly affected by the effort necessary to make a contribution.  In a result oriented society, some find it difficult to make decisions which, by themselves, seem insignificant.  Weddings and events offer the ideal opportunity make a contribution with minimal effort.  In the special event / wedding design industry, this budding concept has been widely embraced. 

With nearly 2.3 million weddings projected nationwide in 2007, many small contributions can clearly make a significant impact.  One popular choice being made by Chicago brides is the use of recycled glass vases.  Recycled glass vases, often used for centerpieces and wedding reception décor, are widely available in hundreds of forms, shapes and colors to accommodate a wide range of style and budget needs.  Recycled glass bowls, bottles or platters paired with seasonal organic, hand picked or locally grown floral can add the perfect finishing touch to any holiday table.  Growers of organic and transitional organic flowers, once overshadowed by the more abundant organic produce growers, now make available an ever expanding selection of “green” botanicals to complete your eco-friendly design without compromising style.  From Roses to Calla Lilies, rustic to formal, eco-friendly floral selections are more readily available than ever.

Recycled glass vases can be recycled an infinite number of times without loss of quality, require considerably less energy to process and conserve natural resources.  Recycling a single glass vase saves enough energy to operate a television for 90 minutes.  To put this in perspective, if each 2007 wedding chooses to recycle just one vase, enough energy would be saved to operate a single television continuously for nearly 400 years. 

Whether planning an elaborate wedding or simply sending a floral arrangement to someone special, making eco-friendly choices is easier than you might think. 

For more information on recycled glass vases and organic flowers for your next event call Flowers with Feeling at 312-829-1141 or visit them online at http://www.flowerswithfeeling.com/.

What are organic flowers? (click here)

 

Press Release: Chicago Shop Gets Camera Ready

Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago featured in Floral Management Magazine, A Society of American Florists publication (author: Mary Westbrook):

“Customers who visit Flowers With Feeling’s website, www.flowerswithfeeling.com, get to see more than run-of-the-mill bouquets and contact information.  For more than a year, owners Jeff and Tammy Warden have been turning to video to promote their Chicago store, a move that has helped them better educate their customers, improve their search engine results and have a little fun.

‘The intention we had was to do videos periodicly-to choose an event, wedding, and to show it from start to finish,’ Jeff says.  “It’s a promotional tool and it has broad wide reach and broad interest.’

After they shoot a video, the couple uploads the file to a third party host, such as Yahho Video ( http://www.video.search.yahoo.com) or Revver, and imbeds the file in their site after “tagging” the video with pertinent key words such as “Chicago”, “wedding” or “centerpieces.”  To reach a wider audience, they also post the videos to http://www.YouTube.com.  

‘When people find our videos online, it’s a way us to introduce them to our shop,” Jeff explains.  ‘Our physical location is off the beaten path.  Through the videos, we’re trying to generate cyber foot traffic.  We want people to press their noses to our window, virtual and otherwise.’

So far the Wardens have created three videos, including a behind-the-scenes look at a wedding at the Drake Hotel.  In the future, they would like to post videos weekly, on a wide range of topics.

People tell us they like them, and every time we post a video our web site traffic goes up.”   

-View Flowers with Feeling videos here.
-View original article here.
-View Flowers With Feeling photo gallery here.

 

Flowers With Feeling: On Location: Cafe Brauer

Preview Cafe Brauer Chicago (click video below), a character rich wedding and special event venue in Chicago’s near north Lincoln Park Neighborhood.  Floral designs by Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago (www.flowerswithfeeling.com) . 

More Videos: Click here  More Photos: Click here

 

Q & A: Pomander Ball

Question from “Urban Bride” (super modern wedding « urban bride.)

Q. What are the balls of flowers called in this photo?

A. The ball of flowers is referred to as a “pomander ball” from the French word pomme dambre.  Pomander balls originated in the middle ages and were hung from a neck chains or carried in a vase.  These fragrant objects were used to ward off infection or to mask foul smells and often contained perfumes such as musk or civit.  Today, pomander balls have evolved into a sleak contemporary componant in many weddings and special events most commonly carried by a ribbon by flower girls and bridal party attendants.  The pomander balls pictured in the photo appear to have been constructed using Daisies which are both cost effective relatively durable.  The design process is a bit tedious and labor intensive but well worth the end result.  “Urban Bride” mentions the possibility of floating pomander balls in a pool.  Be careful, if designed in standard Oasis floral foam, they will sink.  Try using a circular piece of foliage covered styrofoam with the pomander ball seated atop.  Depending on the size of the styrofoam “float”, candles can be added for warmth and ambiance to any poolside evening event. 

Do you have a floral or event design related question? Click here. We’ll post the answer for you.

Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago: Floral, wedding and event design. (www.flowerswithfeeling.com)
Visit our photo gallery for inspiration: Photo gallery , Video Gallery

 

Chicago Green Events: Organic Flowers

 by Jeff Warden: Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago

In an increasingly eco-conscious society, special events are following suit by going green.  In contrast to many overtly themed events, green theme events can be somewhat more subtle but no less engaging for partygoers.  Green events are more about creating a socially conscious undertone, a common thread that begins with the invitations and ends with the parting favor.  Read Sara Snow’s post “After the Green Wedding” for an excellent example.  One increasingly popular component to Chicago area “green events” is organic or transitional organic Veriflora certified floral products. 

Most associate “organic’ with food products, but many flower farms are transitioning to crop production practices that build soil fertility and control pests without the use of dangerous farm chemicals.  The approach, however, extends beyond the field including improved working conditions, storage, packaging and transportation techniques. 

The QAI Certification Program is designed to certify every step of the organic chain: from the land on which the product is grown; to the producers growing the product; to the post-harvest facilities preparing the product; to the processing and handling facilities transforming the product. This includes the use of sustainable farming techniques that rely on natural systems of production, pest management, and weed and fungal control, such as: cover cropping, composting, beneficial insect release, crop rotation, and prohibited use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It also prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals commonly found in industrial pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The purpose of organic agriculture is to enrich the soil, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and maintain environmental quality.

Flowers With Feeling, Inc. offers the finest floral products sourced from growers that are committed to the highest social and environmental standards. Our certified floral selections are grown and harvested using practices that aim to improve the quality of farm working conditions, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and enhance environmental quality for future generations.

Ask your Flowers With Feeling representative for more information about “green event” ideas and product availability or visit us on the web at www.flowerswithfeeling.com. 

Related Articles:

Chicago Special Events: Going Green (http://flowerswithfeeling.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/chicago-special-events-going-green/)

Green Events Chicago: Soy Candles  (http://flowerswithfeeling.wordpress.com/2007/08/06/green-events-chicago-soy-candles/)

 

Green Events Chicago: Soy Candles

Green Events Chicago: Soy Candles by Jennifer VanDonsel, Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago

We all love candlelight, right? It’s romantic. It makes us look younger and more beautiful. Team it with the right bottle of wine and anything can happen… Now we can team our love affair with candlelight with our love for the environment. Thanks to nature’s cute, little soybean, there are many candles on the market for environmentally conscious consumers.

Unlike paraffin wax based candles, 100% soy candles burn cleaner. They don’t produce the soot residue and carcinogens that you find with paraffin wax and they are made with cotton wicks rather than lead. This healthier alternative will keep the air in your home as well as your walls, ceiling and furniture cleaner.

Consumers also have the added benefit of knowing that they can help support the American farmer. Consumers can purchase candles made from soybeans harvested right here in the Midwest, grown by farmers in America’s heartland.

So the next time you’re thinking of adding a little romantic ambiance with some candlelight, share the love with mother earth and light a soy candle.

Consider using soy candles for your next green event. What could be greener?

For more information or for assistance with designing your next event email jennifer@flowerswithfeeling.com or call 312-829-1141.

Flowers With Feeling, Inc. Chicago: Floral / event design and plant rental for weddings, conventions,  meetings and more. Visit www.flowerswithfeeling.com.

Related Articles:

Green Events Chicago: Organic Flowers (http://flowerswithfeeling.wordpress.com/2007/08/07/chicago-green-events-organic-flowers/)

Chicago Special Events: Going Green  (http://flowerswithfeeling.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/chicago-special-events-going-green/)

 

Chicago Special Event Venue Spotlight: Shedd Aquarium

The John G. Shedd Aquarium Chicago is an extraordinarily unique venue which offers an engaging and inspirational atmosphere for private corporate and social events.  Dimly lit galleries feature rare and exotic aquatic species give the Shedd Aquarium a certain charm and character unlike any other Chicago special event venue.  The Caribbean Reef ,centrally located in the Grand Rotunda on the main floor, boasts a 360 degree view of an under-water reef community.  Typically the hub of many special events at the Shedd Aquarium, several galleries radiate from this center point and offer additional seating for larger events.  Each gallery presents a one of a kind dining experience enhanced by surrounding exhibits.   Buffet style service is common and allows guests to stroll and mingle among the exhibits.  The uniqueness and charm of this Chicago venue makes large scale events feel quaint and personal.  The aquarium can accommodate up to 1200 guests for a reception and 550 guests for a seated dinner in the Caribbean Reef Rotunda and adjoining galleries.In addition to the Grand Rotunda and surrounding galleries, the Shedd Aquarium offers the unique opportunity to hold your event on its outdoor terrace which offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s lakefront, Grant Park and Navy Pier.  For more information on the John G. Shedd Aquarium visit www.sheddaquarium.org.  For floral and event decor ideas, photos, videos and more visit www.flowerswithfeeling.com or call 312-829-1141 to schedule a free consultation. Whether planning a simple event, wedding, bar mitzvah or grand gala, or simply sending an arrangement (shop online) to someone special, Flowers With Feeling will strive to exceed expectations…Chicago’s full service florist since 1986.

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