One of my favorite readings

Sonnet XVII – Pablo Neruda

I don’t love you as if you were the salt-Rose, Topaz

or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:

I love you as certain dark things are loved,

secretly, between the shadows and the soul

I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom and carries

hidden within itself the light of those flowers,

and thanks to your love, darkly in my body

lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you simply, without problems or pride:

I love you in this way because I don’t know any other way of loving

But this, in which there is no you, or I

so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand.

So intimate that when I fell asleep it is your eyes that close

Mindy and Eric - James Hotel

This was my first wedding at the James Hotel and I was impressed. The staff were really helpful and great to work with and the room was especially attractive. Here was the team, at least the ones I met.

Venue: The James Hotel
Hillary Cavan, services manager and her staff were there to help throughout

Photographer: Pamela Luedeke Photography
Pamela has promised to provide some photos and I will post them later in a new post.

DJ: Toast and Jam
It is always a delight to work with the folk from Toast and Jam, this was no exception.

Planner: Here Comes the Party
This was my first time working with Marcy Alspach and Meghan Martinez, what a great team.

Florist: Dilly Lily
Usually the florist is gone by the time I get to the venue but this time I got to meet a couple of the people and compliment them on their arrangments.

I think Eric and Mindy were very happy with their choice of vendors and they are certainly worth your consideration.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Ballroom

Allie and Nelson were married yesterday at the Art Institute Ballroom. Their web site says the room has won several architectural awards. The high ceilings, impressive grand staircase and balcony do make it a beautiful venue. The area where the ceremony takes place needs to be reset for the reception so there are some decorating challenges but creative florists have made it work.

In my experience yesterday and in the past, the Ballroom is one of those venues that is very hands off in its approach. In other words there doesn't seem to be anyone their from the Art Institute to provide assistance. I am not saying this is bad but it does mean that couples need either a wedding coordinator or someone like me who will coordinate the ceremony for them. For instance, yesterday the band that was to play for the reception got a late start setting up and were still at work at 6:00 when the wedding was to begin. I asked them to finish after the ceremony and then got the musical prelude started, family members seated and processional started. I think Allie was completely unaware of issues with the band, and I am happy that was the case.

Dave Johnston of Chicalba Bagpiping Service played out on Michigan Avenue as the guest arrived and then he played as Allie and her father walked down the aisle. He also played as Nelson and Allie processed out at the end of the ceremony. You can contact Dave at 630.534.4964 or dave@chicalba.com. If you are looking for a bagpiper for your wedding or event Dave is an excellent choice.

Food for Thought provided the catering and Abby English was the person in charge last night. Abby and her crew did an excellent job.

Green Dolphin Street

Stephanie and Rob were married yesterday at the Green Dolphin Street located at 2200 North Ashland Avenue. I remember this place when it was a car parts dealer and I've been there recently to hear some jazz but this was my first wedding. Jessica Bergman one of the event planners told me that they have weddings there most every weekend. Be sure to look at the photos on their web site because from the outside Green Dolphin Street may not look like a place to have your wedding. However, the inside is nice, some of the rooms have a lot of natural light and they do have a very beautiful garden in the back. They also have a big parking lot and lots of on street parking, both of which are unusual for a venue in the city.

Jessica was very helpful and easy to work with, you can contact her at 773.395.0066.

Zed 451

Dora and Diego were married in August on the roof top at Zed 451 located at 739 North Clark Street in Chicago. Heather Parker was the photographer and we exchanged business cards and I asked if I could post some of her photos on this blog. She send them last week. You can see Heather's website and read her blog by clicking here.

Thank you so much Heather for the photo. She actually sent several more but they are all of me and I think one is enough for this blog. Go to her web site and her blog and you will see some great photos of Diego and Dora and Zed 451.

First and Last

The day began with a 12:30 wedding on the Trump Terrace on the 16th floor of the Trump Tower. It has very dramatic views of the Wrigley Building Clock Tower, Tribune Tower and the riverfront looking east on to Lake Michigan. I noticed that as the guests arrived and walked out on to the terrace many of them took out their cameras and started to take photos of the view, it is pretty amazing. I only had my IPhone so the quality isn't very good but at least you can get an idea of the view east.

Lin of Lin and Associates was the real photographer and I am hoping she will share some of her photos with me so that I can post them here. You can contact Lin at 77.727.9494.

Monika Lotter, who is Director of Catering at Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago told me after the ceremony that this was the first ever wedding on the terrace. As I have mentioned in a previous blog Monika and the staff at the hotel are just wonderful. You can contact Monika at at 312.588.8059 or trumpchicago@trumphotels.com

The day ended with another wedding at the Shedd Aquarium for the last wedding of the year on their new outdoor terrace. I can't find it described on their website but let me add that the views of downtown Chicago are wonderful. Again, my photos don't do it justice but you can at least get an idea.


Tara Moser of LOLA Event Productions was the wedding coordinator, you can reach her at 312.513.6531 or tara@lolaeventproductions.com. LOLA always does excellent work and I think couples who select them are well served with the right mix of attention to all the details and the ability to be flexible when last minute changes happen.

Courtney Lawhn of Chicago Harpist provided the music. We have worked together in several weddings and it's always a delight to see her again. You can reach Courtney at 847.826.5067 or at
courtneylawhn@yahoo.com.



I don't often see or interact with florists but I have come to recognize the work of Keho Designs. There designs are always both beautiful and distinctive. Check them out, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Wedding at Wicker Park Lutheran Church

David and Janeen were married on Saturday, September 26 at Wicker Park Lutheran Church, located at 1502 N. Hoyne Avenue in Chicago. In my experience it is unusual for a church to let an outside minister conduct a wedding in their church but this church just did just that. In fact I never did meet or talk to anyone from the church. The building was open and prepared when I arrived for the rehearsal and the wedding itself. It's a lovely old church and for couples looking to be married in a church with no apparent strings attached I would highly recommend Wicker Park Lutheran, their telephone number is 773.276.0263.

Music was provided by Thomas Yang, executive director of Chicago Musical Connection, a string quartet that was just wonderful to work with and did a truly outstanding job. There is no email or web page information on his business card but you can reach Thomas at 847.256.6610. I Googled him and there was a long listing of articles about this well known and respected musician.

A great venue, wonderful music and a memorable wedding for Janeen and David