The Best of 2014 Dejanae Events Style (Day #31)

I'm so thankful for the wonderful 2014 wedding and event season!!!  I have worked with some of the most amazing Chicago and national vendors.  Now having been in business 14 1/2 years, I'd like to say I've seen and done almost everything, but that wouldn't be the case because every couple leaves me open to learning more. 

I am so honored to have been asked by newspapers, blogs and magazines for articles, quotes and even to bring my Partyscape vision to life.  I'm honored to have worked with Diann Valentine for 6-weeks of the summer as the Lead Event Producer on one of her fabulous weddings and to be the Transportation and Logistics Manager of Nike's World Basketball Festival.  I am so honored to now hold Best of Weddings by The Knot in the wedding coordinator category for 6 years and to be apart of their Hall of Fame.  Wow!  And last I'm honored to have the most amazing team of professionals who have had my back.

To my past and 2014 clients...to my vendor friends...and to my amazing family, I toast to you as this year and series of blog post comes to an end.  The year 2014 was great BUT 2015 will be EPIC!!!

Until tomorrow...WEDologize!

The Mirrored Effect Partyscape (Day #10)

I'm so very excited to share what I consider to be my BEST partyscape to date...The Mirrored Effect...as seen in Wedding Guide Chicago's Winter/Spring 2015 magazine!!!  Take a look as I celebrate the ahhhhhhhhhhhmazing team of vendors who assisted me in bringing this design to life.

A special thanks...no a HUGE thank you to the team of vendors
for working with me to bring my vision to life:

Location - Meson Sabika

Photography - Robyn Photography

Floral Design - Floral Expressions

Cake and Sweets - Delish Cakes

Stationery and Mirrors - CT Designs, Inc.

Rentals - Classic Party Rentals

Videography - Wedding Connections

Until tomorrow...WEDologize

(Photo credits - Robyn Photography)

Real Wedding: Amaka and Hugh

On an sunny, gorgeous Saturday in September 2013, Amaka and Hugh were married in front of their family and friends on the beautiful campus of Loyola University Chicago.  The wedding color palette was tangerine, apple red and purple and balanced nicely off Lake Michigan and the amazing Chicago skyline.  Take a look at some of the wonderful photos of this wedding:

Gorgeous bride in her Enzoani wedding gown

Beautiful bride and her bridesmaids...two of which are her sisters

The groom's first glimpse of his soon-to-be Mrs. in the lobby of the Dana Hotel

Lake Michigan was the backdrop to this beautiful ceremony
on the Loyola University Chicago campus.
Bouquets by Juliet Tan Floral Design

Professional photography captured by
Rush Event Photography & Video Productions

Bouquets by Juliet Tan Floral Design

Custom designed escort cards by CT Designs, Inc.

The 95-person reception took place at Palm Court at Loyola University Chicago.
The reception decor was provided by Tablescapes Chicago, BBJ Linens and Rosemary's Garden

The Mr. & Mrs. First Dance to the sounds of DJ John Young

And they lived happily ever after...

You can also find this Real Wedding in the latest edition of
Wedding Guide Chicago

Until next time...WEDologize!

Wedding Guide Debuts Summer/Fall Magazine

Excited to share the gorgeous cover of Wedding Guide Chicago's Summer/Fall magazine!  Take a look at a Dejanae Events Real Wedding of Amaka and Hugh on pages 62-63 and you will find our Partyscape design, Urban Tranquility, on pages 144-145.

The Summer/Fall issue of Wedding Guide Chicago is on newsstands!  Order a magazine online or pick up a copy near you! http://bit.ly/UfeWw0

Until next time...WEDologize!

Best of 2013 Dejanae Events Style!

What an amazing year 2013 has been for the Dejanae Events Team! 

The year started off with us learning that Dejanae Events was named Best of Weddings 2013 in the wedding coordinators category for the 4th time!  I can't thank our clients enough for the wonderful reviews!  Then we went right into the planning the kick-off of Inspire Smart Success Experience Tour in Chicago at the InterContinental Hotel in mid-January.  This was the seconded time Stacie Francombe, the Founder of ISS, entrusted us in bringing this awesome educational experience to Chicago.

Then we headed into February as the event planner for Wedding Guide Chicago's annual industry event called, WEDBash.  What an honor to bring over 250+ industry professionals to Pinstripes Oak Brook to celebrate successes and prepare for the upcoming 2013 wedding season.  I'm so thankful to the 22 sponsors that assisted in making the event a total success!

Just as the planning of industry events came to an end, the first of 19 weddings took place on March 9th and continued with the last being held on Sunday, December 15th.  And then the Editor of Pretty Pear Bride featured the wedding of Michael and Hareder in their spring issue and the features just kept coming!  The Real Wedding of Nikkol and Dion was featured in Chicago Style Weddings in July and the Real Wedding of Amaka and Hugh was featured in Wedding Guide Chicago in December.   And if it couldn't get any better than that, I was afforded the opportunity to work with an amazing team of vendors to bring my Partyscape, Urban Tranquility, to life!

But the BEST part of this year...was being named Best of Weddings 2014 in the Wedding Coordinators category which now places us in the The Knot's Hall of Fame with 5 wins!!!  And last, we held WEDologyEDU - Winter 2013 at Flossmoor Country Club and it was our most successful workshop yet with the launch of the new coursebook! What an amazing 2013!!!  I'm just so thankful!!!

Keep your eye out for plenty more useful wedding planning posts and Real Wedding features in 2014!!!

Until next time...Happy New Year and WEDologize!

WGC Partyscape: Cocktail With Details

I had the most fabulous team of vendors to help me in creating my latest Partyscape for Wedding Guide Chicago which I titled "Cocktails With Details".  The inspiration comes from an increase in the number of cocktail receptions to celebrate a couples wedding nuptials. Rich colors, gorgeous flowers and delicious desserts makes this style of reception over-the-top fabulous! Take a look:

I'd like to personally thank my team of vendors for bringing this vision to life:

Location: Eaglewood Resort & Spa		Photography: Artistic PhotoGraphics		Floral Design: Jane's Blue Iris
Cake: Luscious Layers Bakery		Invitations & Favors: CT-Designs & Calligraphy		Tableware & China: Classic Party Rentals		Linens: Classic Party Rentals
Videography: Wedding Connections

Look for our newest Partyscape coming to Wedding Guide Chicago in December!!!
 
Until next time...WEDologize!

Our Partyscape in Wedding Guide Chicago!

I love Wedding Guide Chicago magazine and their wonderful staff!  And I'm so appreciative of them for asking me to be apart of creating a partyscape to be featured in their Winter/Spring 2013 edition and online.  My Partyscape is named Cocktails With Details.  The inspiration comes from an increase in the number of cocktail receptions to celebrate a couples wedding nuptials.  Rich colors, gorgeous flowers and delicious desserts makes this style of reception over-the-top fabulous!   Check out some of the pictures!

Also check out the video. Thanks to Wedding Connections for capturing these amazing moments!

Again, thanks to my team for bringing Cocktails With Details to life - Eaglewood Resort and Spa; Artistic PhotoGraphics; Jane's Blue Iris Ltd.; Luscious Layers Bakery; CT Designs, Inc.; and Classic Party Rentals.  It was GREAT working with each of you!


Until next time...WEDologize!

Best of 2012 Dejanae Events Style!

I'm so excited and thankful when I reflect back on the wonderful year of press and media for Dejanae Events!!!

The year started off fabulous when I was told by Chicago Style Weddings Editor that I was one of six selected to be apart of the Designer's Challenge.  My team was awesome and I thank them so much for bringing my vision of Refreshingly Simple to life!!!  And to top it off, I'm also a featured contributor of the magazine and was quoted 11 times in various articles.  Then I woke up in April and learned I was tagged in a post on Facebook from Stacie Francombe's Inspire Smart Success blog that I was selected as an "Wedding Entrepreneur That Inspires"! WOW!  I was also quote in the inaugural issue of Inspire Smart Success magazine and just recently in the Fall 2012 have a full page article that I wrote entitled, "Marketing To Make Happen". YES!

2012 got even better because I was selected as Best of Weddings 2012 in the Wedding Planners category as well as had a full page feature in the Fall/Winter The Knot Chicago apart of the Wedding Planners Dish.  Then I forged a wonderful relationship with Wedding Guide Chicago and was asked to create a Partyscape for their Winter/Spring edition that I entitled, "Cocktails With Details" which can be seen on pages 140-141!  But it doesn't stop their, I'm also now the Co-Host of a Webisode called, "The Wedding Planners" where we talk about "all things weddings" on a monthly basis.

And to top off 2012, I hosted two Wedology Experience training workshops for aspiring wedding and event planners and I have a MAJOR announcement coming out this month.  Last, I was called by one of The Knot Editors and was told that not only has Dejanae Events been selected for the 3rd time in a row as Best of Weddings for 2013, but I'm also an Editor's Pick!  Amazing and Blessed!!!

I'm so excited about 2012 and all its blessings, but I know the best is yet to come in 2013!!!


Until next time...WEDologize!