Wedding in the Rotunda at Orchestra Hall

The Rotunda at Symphony Hall was the venue for Elizabeth and Peter’s wedding on Saturday evening. It’s hard to describe the room and its long spiral staircase and skylight and my photo doesn’t do the room justice but I think you can get an idea. Michael Lewis, rental events manager worked behind the scenes to handle the details.

Anne Harman, private event consultant for Rhapsody, and her staff attended the rehearsal and then coordinated the details of getting the ceremony underway. They also were responsible for the reception that followed. It was a pleasure to work with Anne and her staff.

JD Music, which for this event included James Hahn on the violin and a cello and piano, provide the music for the ceremony and they did a superb job. I’ve worked with James at other weddings and now with this Blog it’s fun to be able to tell my readers about the really good people that I have the pleasure of working with.

Aaron Rojas of Aaron’s Photography took the pictures, not the ones on this Blog but the official ones, which we haven’t seen yet.

Couples looking for a non-traditional setting will find the Rotunda is a good choice and then coupled with excellent service provide by Michael Lavin, lavinm@cso.org and Anne Harman, aharman@rhapsodychicago.com, this venue is a true winner in my book. I hope I have the opportunity to conduct another wedding their soon.

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Minister, Spiritual, Chicago, Non-Denominational, Wedding Officiant

University of Chicago, Bond Chapel

Bond Chapel located at 1050 West 59 Street in the University of Chicago was the setting for Sogol and Aren’s wedding on Friday afternoon. Earlier in the day they had a Persian ceremony led by Sogol’s uncle, then their guests boarded a shuttle bus to the chapel for the 2:30 ceremony. The chapel is small and although their webpage says it seats 300 people that seems hard to believe. There are beautiful stained glass windows in the front of the chapel, above the altar but other than the window the rest of the chapel is rather unadorned.

There is a small balcony with a pipe organ but Aren and Sogol had hired Parkwest Strings. They were very professional and easy to work with. I think you will find their website contains a wealth of helpful information. They can also be reached at 773 412-7753.

Kurt Gerber from Gerber & Scarpelli.was the photographer. Kurt and I have worked together in the past and just a couple of weeks ago I worked with another of the photographers from the firm. Their website is very nicely done and you will find all the information that you need about them there. They can also be reached at 312 455-1133.

I also worked with a very nice and extremely helpful “Day Of Coordinator” whose name was Kerry. Unfortunately she didn’t have her business card with her so I don’t have her full name of the name of her company. She promised to email her contact information to me and when it arrives I will add it to this posting. I am finding that a increasing number of brides are using a “Day Of Coordinator” so Kerry’s information may be helpful to you.

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Minister, Spiritual, Chicago, Non-Denominational, Wedding Officiant,

Weddings in Chicago Parks

We have had beautiful weather for the last two weekends in Chicago which has worked well for the couples who chose to be married out doors.

Yasmin and Scott were married at the Grant Park South Rose Garden, which is located just south of Buckingham Fountain, it provided a magnificent backdrop for their ceremony. Yasmin had secured a Chicago Park District permit, hired two security guards, rented chairs for the 100 plus guests and a PA system. Symphony Sounds provided the music and they did a great job. Their site contains detailed information on all of their musicians, musical services, fees and forms to use to book them for a wedding or other event.

Wendy and Eric were married at the Cancer Survivor's Garden in Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph Street. The garden is a very nice venue for weddings, it’s kind of off the beaten track and so it feels private even though it’s in Millennium Park.

Eric and Wendy had worked hard to include Wendy’s daughter Payton in the ceremony and at the end of the ceremony I was pleased to introduce this new family to their guests. Carol Kalvonjian a violinist and leader of Artistrings

Mara and Charles chose Buffalo Park, located at 4501 North California, in Ravenswood Manor for their wedding. It’s a tiny little park in a residential neighborhood but it was a perfect setting for this small wedding. It had been raining earlier in the day and they had set up an umbrella but the sun came out just as we were about to begin their wedding.

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Minister, Spiritual, Chicago, Non-Denominational, Wedding Officiant

Galeria Marchetti

Emily and Ben were married on Sunday, July, 6^th at, Galleria Marchetti located at 825 West Erie Street, Chicago. Galeria Marchetti was founded by the late Joe Marchetti of Como Inn fame. It was located nearby but closed a few years ago. Joe's wife, Mary Jane, and their only son, JP, now operate the Galleria.

The wedding itself took place in The East Courtyard where Ben and Emily’s 150 guests waited for them to arrive in a vintage convertible. Emily’s mother Betty and Ben’s father Ghansham stood up with them. It was a warm and sunny day so as soon as the wedding was over we all moved to the shade. The music was provided by Joe Marino and Lugig Lenzi, who call themselves the, “Complete Italian—American Experience!” Joe plays the accordion and Lugig sings, with great passion I might add.

The dinner reception was held in The Pavillion which is actually a huge tent that is very stylish and quite beautiful. I’ve conducted several weddings at Galleria Marchetti and each time the Pavillion looks entirely different.

I think the people at Galleria Marchetti do a nice job; you can contact them at 312 563-0495 for more information.

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Minister, Spiritual, Chicago, Non-Denominational, Wedding Officiant

Wedding at the Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park

Joyce and Pedro and a small group of family and friends, including Pedro’s father from Madrid, Spain gathered this morning at the Lily Pond, 2391 North Stockton Drive, to exchange vows and rings. I’ve lived in Chicago for 30 years but I had never been to the Pool.

After being there this morning this is what I learned, Alfred Caldwell designed the Lily Pool in the late 1930s as a refuge from the city. With his prairie style Caldwell redeveloped an old Victorian pond to one and one-half acres of naturalistic sanctuary. After years of neglect it was recently restored and was a beautiful setting for Pedro and Joyce’s wedding.

Couples looking for a beautiful setting in the heart of the city that creates a feeling of being miles from civilization should check out the Caldwell Lily Pool.

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Minister, Spiritual, Chicago, Non-Denominational, Wedding Officiant

Joe's on Weed Street

Carol and David got married last Sunday at Joe’s on Weed Street in Chicago. I talked to Katelyn Lobascio, the special events manager after the ceremony and she said they have had three or four weddings at Joe's but this was the first wedding that she had been involved in. It seemed like the perfect venue for David and Carol and I think the 150 or so friends and family that were there enjoyed it as well.

The ceremony itself was fairly traditional and included a reading by Carol’s daughter, her maid of honor and David’s son, the best man. David wore a tux and Carol a white wedding dress. The rest of the wedding party was dressed casually, with the men in matching Hawaiian shirts.

Music was provided by David and Carol’s favorite band, Mr Blotto. Apparently the band is well know in Chicago and has a devoted following and David was afraid that their fans would crash the wedding so all the guests had to be checked off of the guest list prepared by David and Carol.

I think that couples looking for a informal setting for a wedding would be well served at Joe’s. They also have an outside patio that would be great for weddings. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate last Sunday so plans were changed and we moved inside.

You can contact Katelyn at partyjoes@comcast.net or at 312 337-8818.
Technorati Tags: Wedding, Minister, Spiritual, Chicago, Non-Denominational, Wedding Officiant