I Feel Exclusive

I'm the type of girl who actually has to wait in line AND pay to get into the coolest new club in LA. I'm not skinny or hot enough and I don't know the right people. So, over the years, I've developed an attitude akin to "Who needs those silly, overpriced clubs anyway? They're too dark, too loud and nobody even talks to each other! I'll take a game of darts at a pub anyday." But who doesn't like to get fancied up every once in awhile and feel G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S? I know I do.

I think that's why I'm so excited about our new venue. The Wit's Roof has all the style and trendiness of those LA hotel rooftop bars where people wear swim suits but the pool is completely empty (yes, I'm talking to you downtown Standard) - but, without all the pretension. Yes, I realize that I'm paying to gain access to this exclusive venue and that because it's my wedding I'll feel like the Queen Bee no matter what, but there is something to be said about how Chicago does cool compared to LA's cool. Well, it's just... cooler. And friendlier. And more inviting.

The first time we stopped by, we'd been out and about all day. I was a sweaty mess who was dressed for walking - not lounging on the roof top deck of Chicago's newest urban oasis. I'd asked the man to make sure he wore something cool - although neither of us really knew what that meant in the realm of his wardrobe. And then proceeded to criticize his shaving skills. It was as if I thought Laura would take one look at us and be like "you dorks, we're full, try the inn next door." But you know what, she didn't do that. And considering in the 30 minutes we spent touring the hotel with her, no less than 4 people stopped her to ask about having an event there, I get the feeling she could have if she wanted to. Instead, she asked us all sorts of questions about what WE wanted. Not what they wanted to give us for what price, but what WE thought would make our wedding special. And no more than 30 minutes after leaving the hotel were we delivered a mouth-watering menu with the things we asked for (Martini Bar for Adam) and things we didn't even mention that were right up our alley (my dad's namesake Margaritas and coincidentally his favorite pasta dish -- and the one thing he'd cook for us other than awesome crunchy pancakes growing up -- Tortollini Carbonara...mmm, bacon, peas and cream sauce).

Short story long, I think it's awesome that I was so against a hotel wedding for so long thinking they were all cookie-cutter. Because if I would have been into the idea back in January, The Wit wouldn't have been an option.

The Wit Hotel Chicago Wedding

So, let me start by saying, The Wit hotel probably isn't for everyone. For example, people who prefer boxy banquet halls  to expansive floor-to-ceiling windows or musty hotel hallways to wide, airy walkways -- they won't like The Wit. Myself, I'm a fan. A big one.

Every spot from the hotel lobby, the library, the ballroom, the rooms to the roof has its own color scheme and style, while each still complements the other perfectly. And for a relatively minimalist asthetic, no detail is forgotten. Bright splashes of color coordinate with classic damask patterns. I'll post pictures soon and you'll understand. 

Honestly, The Wit hotel is the wedding venue for you, if you want:

• the convenience of a hotel for yourself and guests (in town and out of town)
  
• a one-stop-shop of ceremony, food, beverage, planning
• the gorgeous backdrop of the amazing city of Chicago
• the modern look and feel found in the sketchy West Loop area, minus the sketchiness
• a lot of cool factor without having a creative bone in your body (although I can't even begin to imagine how spectacular it could be if I was creative)!
• extremely responsive and attentive guidance from the Director of Catering
• to blow your guests away from the moment they enter until the moment they leave

I saw the guest rooms and thought, oh yeah, people will enjoy staying here - who doesn't love an ooey-gooey cookie and a yo-yo upon checkin? THEN, I saw our suite. Living room (that happens to be decorated in my wedding colors), kitchen (yes, kitchen!), giant soaking tub for two, huge king bed with a view of the Carbide building? Yeah, I'll take it, thank you very much. In fact, I may need to stay here once myself BEFORE the wedding, you know, just to make sure it's okay. Maybe a trip to the spa too...

The anatomy of a big decision...

While I've only been engaged for a short time, I've been secretly planning my dream wedding for ages. I'm sure that's not a novel idea for many women, but for someone who is not typically very girly, the extent to which I've dreamed up elaborate plans for this perfect party would likely be a surprise to even some of my closest friends. 

At different times, my fabulous Chicago wedding has been set in a city loft, at Cafe Brauer, an intimate Irish Bistro in North Center... you get the drift, over the years, it's changed based on mood, budget, trends, etc. -- for awhile there, it wasn't Chicago at all, but a beach in San Diego, Hawaii or even Mexico -- but the idea that remained most consistent through all this time (and I swear there is proof in all of my journals), was a rooftop wedding. 

Having lived in Southern California for quite a few years, everytime I stepped foot on a gorgeous rooftop (and there are plenty), my mind immediately went to whether or not it would be a perfect locale for my hypothetical nuptials. Where would we stand to ensure the most magical view for photo ops? What time should our first dance be to coincide perfectly with the sunset glimmering off of nearby buildings? Should my dress be a glamorous Hollywood number or something modern and city chic?

But when I moved back to Chicago, there just didn't seem to be that many rooftop options - or at least my lifestyle no longer led me to many to drool over. Going about my business of being a 30-something confirmed workaholic - who by the way, was single - that dream wedding seemed to fade off further and further into history. When I'd come across girls snapping pics in Lincoln Park, the glimmer of hope would return, but I'd bash it down with thoughts like: "You're in your mid-thirties, you've passed the point of the big poofy dress" or "It doesn't make sense to spend money on a party instead of saving for retirement - which is JUST around the corner!"

However, just like "they" say, when you're not looking, love will find you. Okay, they DO say that, but in my case, Eharmony took over to do the looking for me and the next thing you know, I was a giggling, love-dovey school girl again -- falling hard and fast for my perfect match. Cut to a year later and here we are planning our wedding! FOR REAL! Due to budget and timing issues (the desire to get a house, have children, etc.), I thought quick and simple should do the trick. A getaway to Mexico perhaps, or a casual beachside bash in San Diego. Due to the crumbling economy however, we were concerned that it would be difficult for some of our closest friends and family to make the trip and the man REALLY wanted to have a Chicago wedding being that he's new to town and is ecstatic to show his friends and family the amazing city we met and fell in love in.

We each had our own set of "must haves" - mine included Jenn, Theresa, Erika, Stacey, Megs, Janell, Bianca, great photos and great music. His included his parents, his brother/Avie/Porter Colin, dancing, Sweet Mandy B's cupcakes (okay, they'd be on my list if they weren't on his) and Chicago. Secondarily, I wanted something unique, something with character, style, and personality. So, we eliminated hotel ballrooms immediately, didn't even look at one. Then, after starting a new job that would likely take up a TON of my time, I felt I should eliminate stark white or wood-based lofty spaces because I determined that we didn't have the budget and I didn't have the sense of style to put all the $ and effort into making the space special. 

Enter The Grand Terrace Suite at The Conrad Hotel. WOW. Most amazing Chicago View, check - more than that - triple CHECK! Cool factor - check! Menu options - check! Size - sure, yeah, we can do an intimate gathering for 40, right? Well, no, it turns out that when you have 6 parents and 10 siblings (including step) between the two of you who are all married and most with kids, you really can't do intimate. Nor do you actually want to. So, while I have been holding onto the idea that some part of my wedding weekend would be held on this magnificent mile rooftop, it wasn't going to work for the wedding itself.

Finally, we came across Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro and I fell hard. Exposed brick, stained glass, hardwood floors and a gorgeous lounge area with piano (plus a Wii room for the kids)! It was THE place, no doubt. The only small problem was, well, it's sort of small. So, as we started working on a guest list, we felt like we were cutting people we'd love to have with us to celebrate. If it were budgetary reasons only, so be it, you have to cut SOMETHING. But the idea of leaving people out AND making people who were there feel just a little bit out of the loop due to 5 smallish rooms where outside of the ceremony nobody would ever be in the same room at one time started to wear on me. Where would we be for our 1st dance? People wouldn't see the toasts of other folks outside of "their" room. Being extremely (annoyingly) over-analytical, it only took 2 months for me to talk myself out of this venue. But now what? Less than 3 months to go? Countless places eliminated in the early planning process now totally booked. Am I crazy to think I can possibly find a new location now? Probably. Am I just crazy? Definitely.

Enter desparity. Maybe a hotel ballroom wouldn't be so bad? Who really looks at the carpet and curtains anyway? TONS of weddings just have a plated chicken dinner, why do I have to be special? Say Hello to Janet Donovan at the Allerton Hotel. So responsive, so friendly, honest and open - and, you know what, the Renaissance Ballroom is actually freaking gorgeous and hey, instead of being outside the Conrad looking at the Allerton, what's wrong with being inside the Allerton looking at the Conrad? At least you know we'll all stay dry!

Then, I think back to when I was going to go the catering route and how awesome Stefani's Catering & Events was. Let's give them a call... Jennifer Monti seriously took me from eloping to being excited again in just 30 minutes. She was real and personal and flexible and friendly. Everything I needed. Not to mention a ton of information and advice about potential venues off the top of her head and great ideas for personalizing the event without blowing our budget after only speaking for a few minutes. A true pro. I'd be so happy to have her planning our event. Why then, you ask, isn't she?

Three words: The Wit Hotel.

One more word: Roof.

Now, an acronym: O.M.F.G.

Laura Ekker you are my special angel, sent from the place crazy people who don't deserve angels are deployed, on a mission to make me passionate again, not just about marrying the man I love, but celebrating that event with everyone who has made me me over the years.