Our dear friends Brannon & Michael were married at the historic Union League Club in downtown Chicago this past fall.

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Brannon was a vision in her Carrafina gown which was purchased at A Joyful Occasion. Michael also looked stunning in his custom tuxedo from Nicholas Joseph.

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We got inspired this morning while reading a little newspaper article titled ‘A proposal for the ages’. It got us to thinking…what really goes into an elaborate proposal? From the limo, to the restaurant, to the flowers, to maybe even the top of the Eiffel Tower… AND of course THE RING! Today’s proposals are more extreme and over the top than ever before!

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With help from our friends at Leap Weddings, we put together this FABULOUS promotional video to showcase our work and talent!  Check it out!

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Michelle Durpetti Events Promotional Video

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Just a little bit about our friends at Leap Weddings….

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Recently, we had a bride and groom who were struggling with narrowing down their guest invite list. In order to assist them with their troubles, we found this chart to be super helpful, so we had to share! Enjoy!

Ceremony & Wedding Reception: The Rookery

Caterer: Jewell Weddings

Beverages: Binny’s Beverage Depot

Cake: Tipsy Cake

Floral: Exquisite Designs

Stationer: Erickson Design

Photography: Carasco Photography

Music: Stu Hirsh Orchestra

Rentals: M&M- The Special Events Company & Classic Party Rentals

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Chicago

 Hair & Makeup: Aga Kaskiewski

Transportation: Exquisite Limousine & ABC Transportation

While the weather outside is frightful, dreary and bereft of sun & fun, we started dreaming of exotic destinations to warm our chilly hearts…and since many of our couples ask us about fabulous honeymoon destinations, we thought we would share with you!

We have scoped out the scene with these 5 exotic places- French Polynesia, Fiji, Morocco, Bali, and Thailand! — and with the sun, fun and romance abounding, your honeymoon will be beyond memorable!

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FRENCH POLYNESIA

We are loving the tourquoise waters and powder sugar beaches of the French Polynesia. Many couples do a Moorea-Bora Bora combo, since the islands are all so close…. On Morrea, the Hilton’s, over-water bungalows come with marble tubs; the current here is peaceful, so you can swim right off your deck! Doubles from $734 (low season) and $845 (high season), with breakfast, hilton.com.

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Don’t forget a fabulous pair of sunglasses and a sassy scarf because you are off to Bora-Bora! At the Four Seasons, the over-water bungalows have major Mount Otemanu views and palatial living rooms. Book the Kahaia spa suite, and see the fish floating under the massage bed! Doubles, from $835 (low season) and $945 (high season), fourseasons.com.

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Are you up for some water sports amid your glam getaway? The swanky St. Regis boasts some of the biggest over-water bungalows in town. Doubles from $1,235 (low season) to $1,390 (high season), stregis.com. Wherever you stay, do a reef shark-swim excursion. It’s a rite of passage in these parts and the finned ones won’t bite. Probably. Just don’t watch shark week before you go!

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For most of us, this time of year brings with it excitement, time with loved ones, so much eating and just plain old flurry! Attending holiday parties, finding presents for family & friends, firming up plans for Christmas and New Year’s Eve…Now, throw in two MDE team birthdays, a wedding and planning for several events looming on the horizon, and I don’t know about you but for me, after a while it can really blur together.  However, some how, there is always a moment in the blur of moments in which I always find myself looking back and taking stock of the year that has passed.  Finally, this evening, after a delightful day spent celebrating Rachel’s birthday, on the night before our last wedding of 2011 and two nights out from ringing in the New Year, I had a few blissful hours to myself.  I made dinner, watched a movie, and, afterward, I found myself a bit restless to be honest. So, as I learned from my grandmother long ago (she believed a good cup of hot tea could remedy most anything), I set a kettle on the stove, brewed some tea, curled up on the couch with a mug full of piping hot chamomile, and let my mind wander over the last year.

Where do we start? As you know, we love to be inspired – and there are so many fun and interesting things inspiring us right now!  We are constantly looking for inspiration whether it be in pictures, books, songs, colors, fashion, you name it! The list could go on and on. We wanted to share some of the FUN things that are inspiring us today and also where to find them!

If you are looking for a downtown chic city feel for your wedding venue we are loving Paris Club! Salon Prive offers an elegant and sexy setting perfect for any private event. This space can comfortably seat 72 guests and hold a 100 person cocktail reception. Not only can you have your wedding reception at Paris Club, you can also have your wedding after party there! For more information on Paris Club click here!

Recently, on a trip to New York City, we discovered the Oheka Castle in Long Island, NY. The Oheka Castle is referred to as the historic Gold Coast Mansion. The castle is known for making your wedding an exclusive one allowing only one wedding per day! Located just one hour from Manhattan, Oheka Castle offers plush formal gardens, luxurious ballrooms, 32 guest suites, and award winning Cuisine. This is truly one of the most elegant wedding venues in the world! For more information on this amazing venue click here! (We sort of want to live there!)

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Brides, Bubbles and Bliss TM evolved out of Carasco Photography’s vision of bringing together a clever medley of top wedding vendors and art-driven brides and grooms for an avant-garde bridal soiree. From the venue, décor, culinary delights, couture gowns to ambiance, we want couples to be inspired about their wedding day possibilities. We are so excited to be working on this event! See below to discover the 6 things that you don’t know about Brides, Bubbles, & Bliss!