|
"A ROYAL WEDDING IN A
PIANO STORE"
Making
a Dream Come True
With money tight and expectations still high, building
the perfect wedding is a true challenge. One way to this
goal is to find an unusual place to hold your event and
creative people to transform what could be a mundane
location into a wonderland.
What about holding it in a piano store?
Consider the following case, orchestrated by event
planner Candice Kuhnen of ABC Communications for former
Chicagoan, Carolyn Coulter, who is flying in from
Houston to be married Dec. 18 in the treasured environs
of her upbringing.
Kuhnen, drawing on her extensive network of Chicago
connections, plotted with Dennis Saphir, the owner of
Kurt Saphir Pianos in Wilmette, to transform his
25,000 square foot chandelier-hung show room into a
pitch-perfect wedding venue. The Saphirs brought their
ivory-keyed appetite from Austria to America generations
ago, with Dennis’ son the seventh generation of piano
technicians in the family.
Kuhnen added to her mix florist and artist Evgeni
Pritsker from Prestige Wedding Decoration, noted
for creating spectacular environments. Pritsker, who
believes inspiration comes from each unique bride-to-be,
set out to transform the retail space. Choosing among
his offerings of gorgeous bouquets, centerpieces,
backdrops, chuppas, arches and celebration décor, Evgeni
took inspiration from the uprights and baby grands that
grace this special space. Natalia Meils with a
multitude of chair cover designs will be covering the
chairs from Satin Chair Covers Rental.
But that wasn’t the whole team, since weddings are
events designed to tantalize all senses.
In charge of satisfying the guest's tastes, Ala Carte
Catering, specializing in fresh, gourmet food,
agreed to supply delicious appetizers, dinner courses,
wine and lots of celebratory bubbly. Owned and operated
by Chrisi Harlow, Ala Carte has been featured on The
Food Network’s “The Best Of” Gourmet Groceries, as well
as, ABC7’s Hungry Hound. The
Winnetka Wine Shop is providing wine and
champagne.
The cake was left to the sugar styling's of executive
pastry chef and owner, Peter Rios, of Alliance Bakery
in Wicker Park. The website alone of this sweet,
hometown gem will make surfers salivate.
Music for the occasion will be provided by Mobile
Music Interactive Entertainment. DJ Carey Smolinksy
has been crafting ambiance for 32 years through event
coordination, scenic and lighting design, and special
effects. And what would music be without a fabulous
spot to dance? Arlington Rental will lay out the
dance floor holding the wax to keep bride and groom on
their feet.
Joseph’s Florist, in Libertyville since1968, will provide floral accents for the big
day. Dan Dugo is creating a breath taking bouquet for
the bride and centerpieces for the buffet table.
 Steven Rosengren from Room and Board will be adding
warmth to room’s atmosphere with beautiful sofas from
his store in the heart of The Magnificent Mile.
Then there’s The Dress. No one could have given a more
sisterly welcoming to the bride-to-be and her family
than Mira Horoszowski, owner and designer of Mira
Couture. The bride ultimately fell in love with the
second dress she tried on. For the rest of the wedding
party, it was Jackie Sebaaly from Ralph Tailor
tending to all tailoring needs, as well as designing and
stitching the burgundy velvet dress to be worn by the
mother of the bride.
Bride, sister of the bride, mother, and mother-in-law
will have their hair styled by Nick Molitor of the
Roman Room Salon, which has been in Wilmette for 44
years. Nick’s motto of “personal service” is
demonstrated through his attention to eye color, face
shape and skin tone before choosing a style for each
client. Later in the day the bride with family and some
close friends, they will have flawless makeup done by
Katrina Busse of Mobile Spa Girls at the
Hilton Northbrook where the Bride and Groom will
spend the night in the presidential suite and then wake
up to a delicious breakfast at Allgauer's at the
Hilton in the morning.
To further tend to all the unique details that make a
wedding memorable for the blissful couple and its
guests, Kuhnen contracted Minister, Felicia Walsh of
Blushing Bride Boutique to marry the bride and
groom. In addition, to ministering, Walsh will provide a
winsome story to go along with their vows. Another
special touch will be Josef Puehringer’s crystal
engraved copy of the wedding invitation from The
Crystal Cave in Wilmette. And,
The Kenilworth Press printed the
invitation.
After all the champagne is drunk and the event is past,
the bride’s dress will be dry cleaned by Schultz and
Odhners Cleaners. In business since 1901, Schultz
and Odhners is known for its excellent care and cleaning
of wedding gowns.
This is where they will spend their first
night - Hilton Northbrook and have Allgauer's famous
brunch the next morning
The newlyweds will travel back to their new house, new
dog, and new life as the last tink of glass on glass
echoes in their memories: a unique event in a unique
place, one off the beaten wedding path and therefore
holding unlimited possibilities.
The Wedding Photos |
