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Carasco Photography worked their magic and took some really amazing photos of our team. Scott and Cara Nava, of Carasco Photography, who are our dear friends, are always a pleasure to work with! Carasco Photography is incredibly well rounded and has experience shooting corporate events, press events, launch parties, engagement photos, wedding ceremonies & receptions, galas, lifestyle shoots, fashion runway and fashion bridal shows!

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Visit Carasco Photography on Facebook!

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Jessi Sheehan, of Evolve, styled all our fabulous looks from the dresses, to the jewels, to the 6 inch pumps! Evolve specializes in personal and editorial styling and offers a variety of services that will fit your wardrobe needs. Evolve offers the following styling services: closet rearrange, closet restyle, closet evaluation, special event styling, editorial styling, bridal styling and men’s wardrobe styling.

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The day before the photo shoot the ladies of MDE had a fitting with Jessi at our office. Jessi brought numerous looks for each of us that she had picked out, pairing our heels with the jewelry and the dresses! She then exchanged any items that we needed in a different size or look. On the day of the shoot Jessi brought all of the final looks with her!

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Visit Evolve on Facebook!

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The morning of the photo shoot we visited Epoch Studio Salon to get our hair done by the fabulous ladies, Stephanie & Beth! Stephanie and Beth really understood the sophisticated but edgy look that we were going for and they nailed it! We wish they could style our hair everyday!

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Visit Epoch on Facebook!

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A behind the scenes shot of the MDE team at the Epoch Studio Salon right after we got our hair done! Just having a little fun before we headed off to the shoot!

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Here is Stephanie and Beth working their magic at another photo shoot of ours!

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Aga, of Makeup by Aga, did our beautiful makeup which we absolutely LOVED! Aga is incredibly talented when it comes to understanding what colors and shades of makeup look right on each individual face. She is the best and that is why she is our go-to makeup artist!

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Visit Makeup by Aga on Facebook!

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MDE would like to thank all of these amazing vendors for helping us to create our fabulous looks for our head shots!

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Emily joined the MDE team in May of 2011 as an intern and now one year later she is one of our full time Wedding & Event Coordinators. Since Emily joined the team she has not only worked numerous weddings and events but she has been the lead planner on a lot of those events. Emily has grown so much personally and professionally since she started working at Michelle Durpetti Events! We are so fortunate to have such a compassionate, hard working young woman like Emily as part of our team!

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HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EMILY…. We couldn’t imagine MDE without you!

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On Monday the MDE team spent the day at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel with our client PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine at the kickoff of their first ‘FOCUS on the Middle Market’ Executive Conference Series! The conference focused on bringing together subject-matter experts and middle market C-level executives for an informational and educational experience examining the obstacles that middle market companies face and the potential solutions for those obstacles.

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 We teamed up with Automated Lighting Design who created the custom backdrop for the stage, beautiful floral arrangements, branded pillows for the evening reception and designed all of the uplighting throughout the event! As always Carasco Photography and Ben Mahoney Productions did an amazing job capturing the event highlights and details through photography and cinematography.

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We were thrilled to be apart of PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine’s first ‘FOCUS on the Middle Market’ Executive Conference Series!

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On Tuesday the MDE team traveled to Notre Dame High School for Girls where we celebrated ‘A Night in Blue and White’ which was the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the school. This event was also a celebration of the Archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George’s, birthday!

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Photo Credit: Candace Jordan & Chicago Now

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We were thrilled to see Candace Jordan at the event to help support the young women of Notre Dame High School!

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Photo Credit: Candace Jordan & Chicago Now

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We rounded off the week with the Bridal Sunset event on Wednesday at Hotel 71. This event was a collaboration between Michelle Durpetti Events, Hotel 71 and CS Brides.

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The event showcased Amsale’s 2013 Bridal Collection provided by Belle Vie Bridal Couture and Bridesmaid gowns provided by Bella Bridesmaid. All of the runway looks were styled by the talented Jessi Sheehan of Evolve.

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Participating vendors included Carasco Photography, Automated Lighting Design, Leap Weddings, The Left Bank, Pulp & Ink, Bagable Gifts, The Bridal Team, Sarah’s Pastries & Candies, Factor Models, Classic Party Rentals, BBJ Linen, StemLine, Creative, Femme du Coupe, and Okyne Medialab.

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MDE and StemLine, Creative designed this warm and colorful sunset inspired table scape for the event!

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This event was upbeat, colorful and so much FUN! We think this picture speaks for itself!

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Our December 30th, 2011 wedding was intimate, colorful, elegant and edgy. Our couple, Rachel and John, wanted to celebrate their love for one another in a space that was urban yet warm such as Loft on Lake in the West Loop.

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Rachel wanted her bridesmaids to be able to choose their own dresses so that they would be able to pick out something that they each loved! Rachel’s only request for the dresses was that they be in a jewel tone. We LOVED this because it allowed Rachel’s bridesmaids to chose a dress that they would be able to wear again! All of the ladies looked FABULOUS!

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Rachel and John started the weekend off right by having their wedding rehearsal dinner at Diversey Rock & Bowl. Guests enjoyed dinner and were treated to a little bowling competition. This rehearsal dinner definitely  set the tone for a FUN wedding weekend!

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The day of the wedding Rachel wowed her friends, family, and especially her new hubby, John, in her ivory satin Nicole Miller dress and golden mink stole (a gift handed down from Rachel’s beloved grandmother). John could not take his eyes off of his beautiful bride to be as Rachel walked down the aisle. Rachel and John wrote their own lovely vows for one another.

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Rachel’s bouquet of deep red roses, created by StemLine, Creative, and custom dyed cranberry red Angela Nuran shoes, definitely complimented her elegant old hollywood look. John didn’t look so bad himself. He wore a classic black suit and bowtie.

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Rachel and John opted for a variety of vases with floating candles surrounding a smaller floral arrangement as the table centerpieces. This type of centerpiece has become very popular in the last year and is a great alternative to one large floral arrangement. It allows for your guests to be able to easily converse with one another. Ryan Turner, of StemLine, Creative, created all of the stunning centerpieces.

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It was very important to Rachel and John to have a fun and colorful display of sweets for their guests to indulge in. These delicious mini cupcakes were created by the talented artists at Sweet Mandy B’s.

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Guests danced the night away to the sweet sounds of Chicago Live Music!

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Catering: Pure Kitchen Catering

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Beverages: Binny’s Beverage Depot

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Linens: BBJ Linen

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Rentals: Classic Party Rentals

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Accessories: The Left Bank

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Photography: Carasco Photography

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Collatoral: Erickson Designs

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As you may have heard, one of our favorite shoe designers Christian Louboutin, is going to be unveiling a new Cinderella inspired shoe this summer! Inspired by the re-release of the classic fairytale, Cinderella’s glass slipper will be getting upgraded with the iconic red sole of Mr. Louboutin. For more of the scoop click here!

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Not only will Cinderella’s glass slippers now be available for your big day, there is a whole line of gorgeous dresses inspired by all of the Disney Princesses!

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Alfred Angelo has designed a line of bridal gowns fit for a princess. With dresses that would thrill Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Jasmine, there is sure to be one that will fulfill all your Disney dreams!

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In addition to having princess shoes and a dress, there is a line of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings jewels that will complete any princess outfit!

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Whether you see yourself more as the Belle of the Ball or an exotic Jasmine princess, there are dresses and accessories that can make your dreams come true!

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Evolve is our go-to styling company! Jessi Sheehan, of Evolve Chicago, is an absolute genius when it comes to putting together fabulous looks for gorgeous editorial shoots and fashion shows as well as taking the looks from the expensive runway shows all over the world and transforming them into outfits that work for everyday.

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Evolve offers a variety of services that will fit your wardrobe needs. Evolve offers the following styling services… closet rearrange, closet restyle, closet evaluation, special event styling, editorial styling, bridal styling and men’s wardrobe styling.

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Jessi, along with her business partner Ben Mahoney, of Ben Mahoney Productions, founded Evolve earlier this year and the company has already been extremely successful! From closet evaluations to magazine photo shoots, Jessi’s forte is understanding the vision of her clients and helping them come to life. We are really looking forward to seeing what she comes up with for our team lifestyle shoot with Carasco Photography early next week!

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Jessi’s best fashion tip this year: Color and patterns are your best friend!  Don’t be afraid to take a chance with bright colors and fun patterns.  Add it into your wardrobe with an accessory like this Teal Beaded Necklace or the Queen’s Necklace! Take it up a notch with these Alice + Olivia pants (my personal favorite) or these Alexander Wang Botanical Ombre Jeans.

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In the words of Jessi Sheehan…

Working with a stylist is not completely about the glitz and glam (although it can be!). A stylist makes your wardrobe more cohesive and tells the best story about who you are and how you want people to see you. Many men and women already have great style and look to a stylist for fresh ideas and to take it up a notch. It is also about the convenience. You no longer have to dread shopping, getting dressed each morning, packing for a trip or finding that amazing piece to wear for your next gala or attending a birthday dinner with friends.

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Jessi is the MDE team’s personal stylist for all creative photo shoots and personal styling needs!

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Some of the recent work that Jessi and MDE have collaborated on…

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Brides, Bubbles and Bliss 2012 Promotional Photo Shoot

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Brides, Bubbles and Bliss 2012 Promotional Photo Shoot with Cindy Chiang

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Brides, Bubbles and Bliss 2012 Runway Show

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Jessi created amazing runway looks with bridal gowns created by the one and only Alice Padrul and custom suits by Nicolas Joesph.

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Cheeky Chicago’s “Real People of Style” Fashion Show

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Jessi styled the looks at this years Cheeky Chicago ”Real People of Style” fashion show (Rachel and Emily of MDE were happy to lend a hand back stage. Being behind the scenes of a fashion show is quite the experience… we loved every minute of it!) which took place at the 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops.

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Mad Men Inspired Creative Photo Shoot at Germania Place

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When it came time to choose a stylist for our creative Mad Men inspired photo shoot at Germania Place, there was no question who it would be. These photos speak for themselves.

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Jessi pulled together stunning Mad Man inspired pieces from BHLDN including accessories and dresses.

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Make sure to like and follow Evolve on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the stylish happenings!

Vendors are essential to any wedding or event. Photographers, florists, lighting designers, wedding coordinators and videographers, to name a few, all work together to make sure that your wedding or event is as seamless as you always dreamed it would be.  This is why it is very helpful to get a group of vendors that know each other and work well together. Vendors with good working relationships are essential to the success of any event because they work with each other, to make sure that every detail is cohesive.

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Here at MDE, we are fortunate to work with some of our favorite vendors all the time!

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We recently did a creative shoot for Germania Place and Kenmare Catering with some of our favorite industry professionals including Carasco Photography, Automated Lighting Design, Femme Du Coupe, BBJ Linen, Evolve Chicago, Sugar Chic Designs, Sarah’s Pastries and Candies, Ben Mahoney Productions, and Epoch!

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“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” -Henry Ford

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Bridal Sunset will feature Amsale‘s 2013 bridal collection by Belle Vie Bridal Couture and bridesmaid gowns from Bella Bridesmaid!

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Guests will…

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Savor the culinary flavors of Hotel 71,

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Engage with Chicago’s Premier Wedding Vendors including…

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 Chicago Social Brides, Michelle Durpetti Events, Automated Lighting Design, Belle Vie Bridal Couture, Bella Bridesmaid, The Bridal Team, Carasco Photography, Classic Party Rentals, Evolve, Factor Models, Leap Weddings, Pulp & Ink, Sarah’s Pastries & Candies, and Stemline Creative.

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Enjoy the sounds of Okyne Medialab,

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Relish in libations from Layer Cake and custom cocktails from Femme Du Coupe,

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and celebrate the joy of planning your wedding in the hands of professionals!

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To rsvp for the Bridal Sunset event click here!

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This years event is sponsored by GE Capital, Deloitte Growth Enterprise Services, PROS Pricing, Allegiance Capital Corporation, OSU National Center for the Middle Market, and CEO Connection.

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The PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine ‘FOCUS on the Middle Market’ Executive Conference Series focuses on bringing together subject-matter experts and middle market C-level executives for an informational and educational experience examining the obstacles that middle market companies face and the potential solutions for those obstacles.

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The talented vendors that we will be working alongside with on this event include Carasco Photography, ALD Shows, and Ben Mahoney Productions.

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Click here to learn more about PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine.

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Click here to learn more about the PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine FOCUS on the Middle Market Executive Conference Series.

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Brides, Bubbles, and Bliss was created by Carasco Photography in the hopes that they could bring together creative industry professionals and the “art-driven” bride and groom for an evening of wedding day possibilities and they did just that.

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The event was held at the Bridgeport Art Center in the Skyline Loft where modern met rustic. From the real wood floors and pillars to the skyline view of downtown Chicago, this space was truly beautiful and unique.

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This event brought together brides and grooms to-be, their families and friends for a visual feast of bridal fashions. The bridal fashion show featured Alice Padrul Bridal, Ultimate Bride, and Nicholas Joseph Custom Suits. Guests were also treated to the Brides, Bubbles, and Bliss short film which was created by the talented Loudbyte Cinematography.

To view the film click here BBB Film.

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Guests enjoyed the refreshing wine and craft spirits by Cream Wine and tasty Hors d’ Oeuvres by Boutiques Bites.

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Cakes and sweets were created by Tipsycake Chicago and Truffle Truffle. The ever so chic sweets table was created by SugarChic Designs.

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The BBB 2012 Ice sculpture was created by Johnson Studios Ice Sculpture.

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Guests enjoyed the live entertainment provided by Sway Chicago.

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Floral and decor was collaborated by Topiarius and Michelle Durpetti Events.

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Lighting Design was created by Automated Lighting Design.

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The following items were provided by these fabulous industry professionals…

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Photography: Carasco Photography

Fashion Show Hair & Makeup: The Bridal Team

Invitations: Erickson Design

DJ: Style Matters DJs

Photobooth: Shutterbooth

Wedding Registry: Foodie Registry

Valet: VIP Valet

Styling: Evolve Chicago

Party Rentals: Halls Rentals

Linens: BBJ Linen

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All proceeds from Brides, Bubbles, & Bliss 2012 were donated to Hephzibah Children’s Association.

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We would like to give a BIG thanks to Scott and Cara Nava of Carasco Photography for all of their hard work, dedication, and creative vision. You two are truly inspiring. THANKS!

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