BigCityBride Blog

Easter is coming a little early this year and will be here before you know it.  Whether you participated in the 40 days of Lent and restrained yourself from indulging, or you want to celebrate the holiday; there are a number of restaurants offering a special menu.

If you want to enjoy some of the scenic views that Chicago has to offer, then we suggest going on one of the Odyssey Cruises.  They will be serving brunch- $64.90 or dinner- $79.90.  The early brunch at 11:30am offers a complimentary mimosa or glass of champagne and a visit from the Easter Bunny!

If you would like to stay on land, but still enjoy a scenic view, then we suggest going to the Signature Room.  There you will enjoy roasted lamb, made to order omelets, challah french toast and much more.  The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance to hand out candy and pose for photos!  Brunch will take place from 9:30am-4:00pm and will be $65 for adults and $25 for children.

Our final brunch recommendation is The Grill on the Alley.  They are offering a filling brunch with lamb or prime rib carving stations, a seafood bar, a breakfast station, and hot food stations.  At $42.95 it is sure to please your taste buds!

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Finding the right wedding favor to give your guests can be somewhat of a challenge.  You want to be personable, but it might be hard when you have 150 or more guests!  You also want to show your guests how much you appreciate them coming to celebrate your special day.  So how about giving them a creative gift that will sure make them feel welcomed!

Our first idea is to give them these cute tin tea containers that have a special little note attached.  These come with a special note that reads “The Perfect Blend.”  Now every time your guests have a cup of tea they will remember your wedding day!

Another cute and eco-friendly idea is boxed moss with fertilized tree seeds!  This is a sure way to have your guests remember you and your special day!  The trees begin to grow in 3-5 weeks and can last for years!!

With the warm weather sneaking up on is, sitting through a hot, non air-conditioned wedding ceremony can be quite uncomfortable.  One idea to please your guests that can also double as a wedding favor is to give them straw fans.  And if you are an environmentally conscious person you can have them made out of bamboo if you want to go green!

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Planning a party for St. Patty’s Day?  Well, first you can wow your guests with a little trivia about the day.   You can even make it into a game and the winner gets a prize…possibly a 4 leaf clover?

FACTS: St. Patrick’s Day is an annual feast that celebrates the most patron saint of Ireland.  Origionally the color of St. Patrick’s Day was blue.  Christians started the tradition of drinking different ale and other beer products to take a break from fasting during the 40 days of Lent.

On that note, let the party planning begin!  Here are some great Iris food and drink ideas to serve your guests!

Beef & Guinness Stew

Irish Coffee

Brown Soda Bread

Black & Tan Brownies

For more information on these recipies check out www.cookinglight.com.

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Are you looking for a way to make your bridesmaids look more cohesive, and in a fun way? Well, why not have your girls accessorize in style!  If you are already getting them a thank-you gift for being there for you on your big day, then give them jewelry, a wrap, or a handbag to wear at the wedding!

If you anticipate a little chill factor, get your bridesmaid a cute shawl to wrap themselves with.  You can even make it more personal by giving them each a different color.

If you want a more classic look, then get your bridesmaids pearls!  Whether you get them pearl earrings, a necklace, or bracelet, your girls are sure to look elegant.

If you’re wondering where you should keep your lip-gloss and tissues, then I’m sure your brides are wondering the same.  Give them a cute handbag to bring to the big day!  Make the bags more personal by designing them at 1154 Lill Studio located at 904 W. Armitage Ave.  There you can customize handbags by choosing the style and fabric that you want.

Whatever you choose your girls will look great for your wedding day.

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If you have seen the movie 27 dresses, you know how every bride says the infamous five words, “You can wear it again!”  Most brides want her bridesmaids to be able to wear their dress again, and with the fashion and styles of today, this is definitely a possibility.  No more ruffles, uncomfortable fabrics, or unflattering figures, it’s time to let your bridesmaids feel pretty too!

One idea is to have your bridesmaids wear the same color but different styles.  Retailer J. Crew has a number of cute dresses.  They offer solid colors in a variety of colors and the styles are form fitting and wont swallow you whole.

Another idea is to have your bridesmaids wear different shades of the same color.

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Are you looking for a way t be creative and innovative with your bridesmaids?  By having your bridesmaids carry different styles of bouquets it not only is special to each of your girls, but also adds a great dimension to your wedding photos.  It is such a unique twist to the typical bridal bouquets!

One example is using a graduated shade of color.  For instance, one bridesmaid might have a pale pink color, another a brighter pink, and the third with a hot pink bouquet.

Another idea is to have your bridesmaids carry all the same color, but different types of flowers.

If you really want to spice things up with color, you can have each bridesmaid carry a different color bouquet and maybe even have them match their shoes to their bouquet color!  This idea works great with neutral bridesmaid dresses like gray, white, and black.

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Recently there has been a trend with creative place card designs and we always have one ear to the ground looking for new ideas.  Instead of having the traditional place card table, there are a number of unique ways for you to display the cards designating your guests’ seating assignments.  You can find inspiration around the house, around the office, or even walking down the street.

Here are a few ideas that may get your creative juices flowing!

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Are you tired of seeing the same thing at every wedding?  Do you want to do something different from the rest?  Well why not have your flower girls and ring bearers carry something a little more creative?

There are some great ideas to decorate a flower girl’s basket, or instead have her carry a small bag or purse!  Little girls always feel a little extra special when they have a purse.

Instead of having your ring bearer carry a plain white pillow with a ribbon on it, add a fun splash of color!

Here are a couple of cute ideas.

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Are you the type of person who loves to accessorize?  So why not spice up your wedding gown with a few fun accessories?  There are so many ways in which you can add your own touch to your gown.  You do not have to limit yourself, let your something new be a colorful clutch or shoes!  We have come up with a few new ideas for you to get your creative juices flowing.

If you have a few necessities that you want to keep handy, like lip gloss and blush, you do not have to keep it in a plain handbag.  There are so many colorful and sparkling handbags out there!

If you’re all about the shoes then we definitely think that you should go for it!  Whether you want to match your shoes with the bridesmaids’ dresses, or you want to add a little flavor to your gown, please don’t be afraid to add some color!

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