Wedding Blog
My mom and I had an amazing meeting with our florist, Viv at Petal Play Designs, yesterday. I came equipped with my laptop so that I could show her all the photos that I have been collecting, as well as my room layout from Perfect Table Plan. We walked through our plans for the day and listed all the items that we will need to set every table. Viv is very conscious of my budget and so, to help offset some costs, I walked out of there with a long list of things to buy and to do. I am so excited that I can actually start moving on some of these things!
The three of us talked for a long time about bathroom baskets. My reception venue is owned by the Lincoln Park Zoo and the bathrooms have a bit of a public outdoor restroom feel to them. They have tried really hard to use nice finishes, but you can’t avoid the floor to ceiling tile. My mom has taken on the task of warming them up with candles and little floral arrangements as well as amenity baskets. Viv agreed to supply the decor and to help my mom collect any extra amenities at the end of the evening. That’s when she laid the bad news on us.
A friend from high school also got married at Cafe Brauer and used our florist. She borrowed some fancy basket from her mom and purchased soap and lotions from Anthroplogie to dress up the restrooms. When Viv went back to collect her items at the end of the night, everything was gone- as in the ENTIRE basket, all of her toiletries and the little vases that she had purchased for arrangements. I had assumed that the mouthwash and tampons would be gone, but I never thought that someone would take the container! Viv was under the impression that the catering staff had cleaned her out, but she wasn’t positive. She stressed that we shouldn’t put anything in the bathroom that is valuable. We hadn’t had anything in mind, but it really bugged me that I would have to worry about that.
I saw Miss Sundae’s cute baskets and I thought I would just throw this out there as a word of caution. For my venue, I have to rent everything and so I open myself up to theft quite a bit more than someone using a hotel or banquet hall. I am a little more worried about my guests not being able to use my mom’s carefully planned baskets because they are MISSING! Any words of advice or horror stories to share?
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Share this post: Bathroom Burglars
Unfortunately, this is the reality of events. Things do get stolen as aweful as that sounds- it is true. Typically, as a wedding coordinator, I feel it is my job to round everything up and to check in on certain things often. Additionally, a really reputable staff of people will cut down on this… and it is often the GUESTS believe it or not, who take certain — liberties –. I would not stress about it too much… just don’t place anything valuable in there and if you have any extra funds in your budget then hire a bathroom attendant (typically this can be done through the caterer or service staff provider for your wedding)…and it is a nice touch…
are you able to hire someone who can serve as a bathroom attendant? Perhaps your caterer can provide one more attendant OR if someone close to you has a cleaning lady or nanny who’d be willing to pick up the gig?
At my venue (which is the same as Miss Sundae’s), the MEN’S basket was taken but not the women’s! Which just seemed odd to me. The baskets weren’t expensive or valuable or anything, but I was still super-annoyed.
I wouldn’t be as concerned about relatively cheap bathroom ammeneties going missing as I would be about cards with money in them! I’ve heard horror stories about those being swiped from reception sites. Definately have someone keep an eye on the gift table instead, and consider anything you buy for the bathroom a throw-away.
I think some people think “oh, this is free so obviously I can have it” which is completely weird to me. I even think it is a bit odd that people take centerpieces. I know it is common and expected, but I would never feel comfortable doing so.
This is especially unfortunate if you are looking for cute things (like Miss Sundae’s buckets) that you can use again, so are willing to spend a couple extra bucks.
Our bathrooms are right off the cocktail lounge so hopefully someone would feel strange taking off with a basket full of tampons and breath mints.
Ah well crap. Thanks for the head’s up…this seriously never crossed my mind! I would be pissed if someone stole our baskets! Looks like I can go ahead and use them at home now 
My sister in law got married at Cafe Brauer, and while the nice soap in beautiful containers was still there- the flower arrangements in the bathroom “walked off”. I actually suspect it was guests.
I think the best thing is that you’re now prepared- just expect this stuff to be gone by the end of the night, relax, and then, if it still is there, bonus!
For what it’s worth, Cafe Brauer is just an amazing place to have a wedding, and you will have a wonderful time no matter what. (my SIL had the ceremony on the right porch, the cocktail hour on the left porch, and the reception in the middle. It was absolutely perfect.)
people take centerpieces all the time! It irked me to see people take a couple of centerpieces from my wedding each!
I just had to comment because Viv is my florist too! She is great — I love our meetings, even though I am so indecisive that they usually last a really long time.
I am not too surprised that bathroom stuff gets taken, but it’s weird that guests would walk away with centerpieces without being given them! I think we are going to do some sort of trivia thing at the end of the night for people to win centerpieces (unless that is tacky or taboo or something… I’m not really sure… what do others think?)
I am planning a wedding and thought about the centerpieces being taken so I incorporated them as guest gifts. There will be a cluster of arrangements on each table with a note for “the choosen one to bring me home” I will figure this out once seating chart is done. I will be on my honeymoon and flowers will dye anyway. They cost so much that I may as well give them away then let the flowers dye. The bathroom baskets if taken I am considering the contents as a gift as well and not concern myself if taken; just hopefully all guests will be able to use thru to the end of the night.
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Miss Peacock, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 26, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Internet Whiz
Engagement Date: December 5, 2006
Wedding Date: September, 2008
Blogging Since: December 13, 2007
Venue: St. Clement Church, Cafe Brauer (or a big church wedding and a fancy party at a cafe in Lincoln Park.
About Me: I am a grad student with a secret obsession for all things wedding related. I also love to read, travel, drink champagne and go for walks with our dog, Maisy, and Mr. Peacock. We are planning our very vintage wedding in the greatest city in the world, our hometown of Chicago. I am so proud to be a Bee!
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