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Miss Snapdragon, Chicago/Dallas Age and Occupation: 32,Associate Producer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Lighting Designer Blogging Since: November 14, 2008 Engagement Date: January 1, 2011 Wedding Date: March 2012 Venue: Marie Gabrielle About Me: Voracious reader of short stories, Russian literature, National Geographic and Cosmo. I'm a GENIUS at spicing up Weight Watchers recipes and a pathological cheater at board games. I run a slow marathon, but my feet are learning to move faster. Mornings aren't my thing, but I can night owl with the best of them. Don't tempt me with your Cherry Cokes---I'm trying to quit. Tomorrow. Or never.
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My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1

November 28th, 2008 @ 2:32 pm by Miss Snapdragon

When Mr. Snapdragon and I decided to start planning our wedding, I was most worried about our venue. We needed a place that consolidated all of these elements:
  • Close to Chicago
  • ADA-standard accessibility
  • Affordable hotel block
  • Ability to have all of the wedding events in one place
  • Over and above being practical… we need to LIKE IT :)

We need to hold the wedding close to Chicago so Mr. Snap’s family can get there (they are true city folk, with minimal cars!) We needed the ADA-accessibility and affordable hotel rooms for reasons explained here, and the need for a one-stop wedding is a bit obvious. Would YOU want to load up and transport all of the Snapdragons from party to party? Mmmm, no, and I AM a Snapdragon. :) It will be much better structured in such a way that I get ready at the hotel, my mom can pop in whenever, my siblings can go wherever they want, and my poor Snap-dad (who would have just driven a boatload of Snapdragons 18 hours one-way) can take a break from driving.

Believe it or not, we found such a place, and I am head over heels in love with our location. When everything worked out… I literally felt a spotlight from heaven and heard the angels singing - SUCH a load off of my mind!

Our venue search actually began before we even officially decided to start wedding planning…. way back on a cloudy day in May…. Mr. Snapdragon and I attended my college buddies’ wedding out in the Chicago burbs. B and I lived together with about five other girls in college, and then we were apartment roomies for about four years after graduation, so I was extremely excited to see her married off.

B and her beau met in college, and we were all so happy to see them tie the knot. Many of our friends from college attended, so we had the added element of a reunion, which is also so nice. B shares my love of all things crafty, and she is so creative! We could SO tell that this was THEIR wedding, their personalities were so reflected in everything throughout the night.

All pro-pics by Mike Schneider Photography.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z174043.jpg 

When Mr. Snaps and I drove onto the property, we were immediately wowed by how BEAUTIFUL everything was. One second we were on the highway… the next in the middle of a beautiful forest, next to a shimmering lake. For city peeps…. that is pure gold! In the midst of the natural surroundings, the hotel is uber-modern. Minimalist decor, floor to ceiling windows (wall to wall, might I add,) - lots of straight lines. So beautiful. The clouds were threatening rain - bad for bridal nerves, good for photos (cloudy days make for the best photog days.) Thankfully, the actual raindrops held off long enough for our friends to get married. :) See these pics from the ceremony…

Waiting, waiting…

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17404301.jpg

B in her beautiful dress - I love that she chose an rose-aisle… it worked so well with the natural surroundings.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17404302.jpg

Mid-marrying… about right here is where we were all praying that the clouds would hold on to their rain for 15 more minutes!

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17404303.jpg

Success!

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My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17404305.jpg

Party time!!! So, now that B and Beau are hitched - hereafter known as B&B - it’s time to drink, dance, and model! Yes, that’s right, I said model. Although photobooths have caught on like wildfire, B booked one way back at the beginning of the trend, and I had never seen one at a wedding before. Best. Idea. Ever. I am a total photobooth ’ho (that’s right, I said it!). If there is a photobooth within five miles of myself, you best believe I will force all my friends into said booth for a ridiculous photo session.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z174814.jpg

I gave B a hug following her ceremony for two reasons: 1) I wanted to congratulate the new married lady 2) I was in tears from sheer happiness at the prospect of unlimited photobooth happiness alllll night. (sigh) It was a special moment.

B&B’s entire wedding took place at the same hotel, which is actually a retreat of sorts, hence the mass numbers of trees, grass, and flowers. We loved that after the ceremony, we only had to walk about 20 steps to pick up a flute of champagne… Their reception included a cocktail hour and then dinner and dancing in the hotel’s grand ballroom. Very special phrase: Floor-to-ceiling windows. Really gorgeous. There was so much natural light, that you didn’t need the electrics ’til after sundown.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17481401.jpg

As we Bees love the details - here’s a taste…

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17481402.jpg

Flowers, flowers everywhere…

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My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17481404.jpg

B&B’s escort cards were so cute. The bride halved wine corks and then used each half to hold up the individual cards. Simple, easy, and elegant.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17481405.jpg

Ummmm, lots of dancing, hence the bare feet you see below. There *might* have been mass Soulja Boy reenactments. ;) They also had a custom gobo made, which was really beautiful, especially once the light started to dim.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17481406.jpg

B made table numbers by taking a B&W photo of her dog Comet holding a blank sign. She then Photoshopped in the different table numbers and set them up on easels for each table. It was really fun and personal, especially since Comet couldn’t come to the wedding (he’s sprightly!). The signs were narrow and tall and matted. Highly recommended.

My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 :  wedding venues Z17481407.jpg 
(Image Source: B!)

There were few things for which I do not have photos… (Bad Bee!) B also put together a yummo candy bar. This was back before candy bars caught on - B is a trendsetter! I had never heard of such a thing, and as you might imagine, I was over-the-moon delighted. I pretty much made myself sick off of Sourpatch Kids - Success!

Completely exhausted and partied out, Mr. Snapdragon and I dragged ourselves back into the city. About a month later, this wedding ’specially came back into play…

Yes, I am sure you can guess where this set of blogs is leading…. bear with Old Snaps. ;)

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4 Responses to “My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1”

1.
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Bee
Miss Taffy (message)  3,104 posts, Sugar bee

That venue looks great! You & Mr. Snap are sooo cute! :)

 
2.
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Guest
My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog | ultimateweddingblog

[...] Continued here:  My Magical Wedding Venue: Part 1 » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog [...]

 
3.
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Bee
Miss Champagne (message)  1,334 posts, Bumble bee

agree with taffy- you two are adorable!

 
4.
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Guest
My Magical Wedding Venue: Part Two » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog

[...] may have guessed, we are totally getting married at B&B’s wedding site, The Hyatt Lodge. (This is also the venue of Mrs. Emerald fame!) I am so excited, I can’t stand [...]

 

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Miss Snapdragon
Miss Snapdragon

Miss Snapdragon, Chicago/Dallas Age and Occupation: 32,Associate Producer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Lighting Designer Blogging Since: November 14, 2008 Engagement Date: January 1, 2011 Wedding Date: March 2012 Venue: Marie Gabrielle About Me: Voracious reader of short stories, Russian literature, National Geographic and Cosmo. I'm a GENIUS at spicing up Weight Watchers recipes and a pathological cheater at board games. I run a slow marathon, but my feet are learning to move faster. Mornings aren't my thing, but I can night owl with the best of them. Don't tempt me with your Cherry Cokes---I'm trying to quit. Tomorrow. Or never.

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