Art of Imagination loved creating this intimate dinner at the Stan Mansion. The room was much larger than what was desired for this intimate affair, so we designed a space focused on the dining experience and the guests themselves. We started with a large square table scattered with mercury glass candles throughout, and paired with stunning crystal candelabras.

The lighting was key in bringing everything together, we lit the surrounding wall with a leaf pattern that created a softness to the overall feel. The ceiling above the guest were strung with Italian globe lights that were hung from posts covered in fabric. Our team added fresh curly willow branches and greenery to the upright poles to create more of an enchanting indoor/outdoor experience.

// Vendors // 
// Venue: Stan Mansion // Event Styling & Lighting: Art of Imagination //
// Photos by Deborah // Flowers: Juliet Tan Floral //

Art of Imagination was thrilled to create a romantic setting for April and Matt’s Bridgeport Art Center wedding.  The guests were greeted with floor-to-ceiling, ivory crepe-back satin fabric, pulled open by crystal-studded cuffs.  As they entered the ceremony space, guests were transported to a lush, romantic setting.

Complimenting the venue’s beautiful wooden pillars, we created the most dynamic aisle for the bride to walk down.  The long aisle had three stunning chandeliers on each side paired with two main chandeliers at the beginning and at the end.  Our designers created a romantic ceremony backdrop with luxe, ivory crepe satin fabric, pulled open to reveal a classic white voile drapes behind it.  The entire focal area was lit with a soft diffused white light to enhance the ethereal setting. The bride looked absolutely stunning walking down this custom aisle.

The space transformed magically from ceremony to reception, with the help of the tall fabric. The white color palette continued with pop of soft blush and candlelight throughout the tablescapes. April and Matt were such a joy to work with, we wish them years and years of magic in their new marriage.

// VENDORS //
// Venue: Bridgeport Art Center // Fabric + Lighting: Art of Imagination //
// Photo: Amanda Crean Photographers //

Sang and Frank came to our creative studio to meet with our designers for their Room 1520 wedding, and we were so happy to have met them!  They were such a delight to work with and their wedding featured artistic details at every turn.

The couple’s color palette was perfect for this all-white loft space, pairing a navy blue with pops of bright orange, purple, soft yellows and a natural undertone in all of the earthy details.  The place settings did not fail to impress with bright pink chopsticks and lovely natural toned menu cards.  The stationery pieces were some of our favorite details, the invitations were a custom spinning wheel in navy that gave all the detailed information as you spin the card.  We have never seen such a great way to invite your guests.  The stationery flowed into the centerpieces that were a mixture of earthy elements with a simplistic style.

Our designers created a beautiful lit backdrop that hung mini lights vertically to pair with the couple’s gift table. For the finishing touch, we included strings of Italian globe lights to add a romantic feel overhead.  The fun, earthy ambiance matched the couple perfectly, and the guests truly enjoyed celebrating with the couple, as did we!

// Vendors // 
// Venue: Room 1520 // Lighting & Fabric: Art of Imagination //
// Photos: Gerber and Scarpelli // Event Coordinator: JEM Weddings // DJ: CAS Music //
// Cinematography: WM-Films //

Francesca and Martin were married at A New Leaf, the beautiful rustic space located in the North side of Chicago. Our designers at Art of Imagination were delighted to assist the lovely couple with their romantic winter wedding theme. From the custom chandelier, that we constructed in our creative studio, to the antique silver candelabras; this wedding was dripping with decadence.

One of the focal points of the space was the living archway that was up-lit on both sides. We created this green wall using custom built frames and chicken wire. The team at A New Leaf added the fresh foliage to grow vertically and give the couple’s wedding the etherial feel of romance all night long.

The custom chandelier was our absolute favorite to design detail we created for the couple. This chandelier, with over 350-crystal beads encased in a wire ball, was covered with moss and was simply breathtaking, if we do say so ourselves!

We were also able to add unique details using the existing architecture of the space. Our designers worked with the bride to turn a plain partition wall into a personalized gallery wall. We hung beautiful gold frames in a unique arrangement … it was the perfect touch of romantic against the bare wall.

To create an elegant, softer look upstairs, we draped an ivory sheer voile fabric diffused with a soft amber glow. The entrance of the space was draped with the same ivory voile fabric and swung open, creating a special entrance for the guests.

The tables were set with a beautiful contrast of ivory linens with a ruby red napkin at each place setting. The centerpieces were created by A New Leaf and the antique silver candelabras were provided by Art of Imagination. They were perfect for the romantic feel of the room. The taper candles and lighting throughout the room created the diffused candle light amber glow that we were wanting for this romantic winter wedding.

// VENDORS //
// Venue & Floral: A New Leaf // Decor & Lighting: Art of Imagination //
// Photos: Olivia Leigh Photographie //

Lauren and Jason’s wedding had a grand, elegant tone throughout the whole ceremony. Their ceremony and reception took place at the historic Stan Mansion. The main entrance featured sky blue lighting, washed onto a brick wall. In the main ballroom, our team provided accent lighting to create a warm, romantic glow.

Our designers also draped the ballroom with twenty feet of natural ivory fabric; it was absolutely stunning! The fabric was softly pleated, creating a touch of elegance to the space. We also hung teardrop crystals within an ivory, Japanese crystal-studded fabric over the dance floor. Paired with the elegant chandeliers and candles, the entire space was glowing with a soft, romantic feel.

The amber lighting throughout the room was paired wonderfully with the ivory linens, gold chairs, and the deep red found on stage.  Everything about this wedding surrounded sophistication and elegance, and Lauren and Jason couldn’t be happier celebrating with their friends and family.

// VENDORS //

// Venue: Stan Mansion // Lighting & Design: Art of Imagination //
// Photo: Miller + Miller Photography //

Monika and Dennis’ wedding was set in one of our favorite venues in Chicago, Stan Mansion. With its classic style and rich architecture, our designers at Art of Imagination were able to create a romantic look by adding custom fabric and lighting.

For a more intimate setting in the mansion’s large room, we lined both sides of the ballroom with a beautiful pleated ivory fabric. The floor-to-ceiling draping was just the right touch adding a softness to the existing interior architecture.

On the stage our team designed a custom chuppah reflecting the design of the bride’s wedding dress.Elegant white voile fabric was swagged open with designer crystal cuffs and up lit with a pure white illumination.

To bring the entire look together from ceremony to reception, we bathed the ballroom with a candle light glow to compliment the venue’s golden color scheme. We were delighted to be a part of their perfect day and work with such great vendors. And, of course, a big shout out to Jason for capturing this beautiful day in these stunning images!

// VENDORS // 

// Venue: Stan Mansion // Fabric & Lighting: Art of Imagination // Catering: LaMirage //
// Photo: Jason Kaczorowski Photography // Music: DJ Kesh //

We loved putting together Sheila and Edward’s wedding at the chic Room 1520. Our team at Art of Imagination created the couple’s stunning ceremony setting. Playing off the bare bones of the industrial space, we designed an all-white color concept for this romantic wedding.

The ceremony backdrop for the couple’s wedding was a beautiful and luxurious, soft-white, voile fabric. We pleated and swagged the front layer revealing another light layer of the white voile underneath. Our designers projected a wonderful ethereal glow onto the backdrop.

With proper spatial planning, we were able to utilize one of the venue’s chandeliers as a focal point to the ceremony. The finishing touch was the two artificial tree branches lit on both sides of the ceremony space, creating a romantic focal point for the couple to exchange their vows. To ensure that guests felt included in the experience, our designers lined the ceiling of Room 1520 with Italian globe lights brought the room a bit of romance to compliment the stunning chandeliers throughout.

Art of Imagination was asked to collaborate with the wonderful Katie Jayne Events for a one-of a kind wedding show called Indie Wed. This show is one of Chicago’s biggest weddings shows that showcases brilliant work from many independent vendors. We were thrilled when Katie asked us to assist her with creating a space in the top floor of the Ravenswood Art Center. We transformed the space into a state of Zen for the couples to enjoy while sipping on bright libations in our mystically alluring Moroccan cabana.

We created the Moroccan cabana and set the space lighting ambiance with globe lights above and adding Katie Jayne’s many feet of handmade paper garland that we placed in-between the strings of lights. This custom cabana was created with furniture pieces that came from the town of Casablanca, Morocco from our Art of Imagination collection. The structure itself was made of a soft sheer white fabric that was back light with globe lights. A gold roof above was accented with metallic and lavender beads and gold fringe.

I’m sure as the couples walked through the space could envision their own VIP space at their impending nuptials.

// VENDORS // 

// Fabric, Lighting & Lounge Area Rentals: Art of Imagination //
// Venue: Ravenswood Event Center // Event Planner: Katie Jayne Events //
// Catering: Publican Quality Meats // Cake: Elysia Root Cakes //
// Other Rentals: Bowery and Bash and Chicago Farm Tables //
// Flowers: Fox Glove Studio // Paper Details: Layers of Loveliness //

Creating Susan and Matt’s intimate, romantic wedding was fun!  We started with the simple elegance of The Ivy Room, one of Chicago’s most beautiful wedding venues. The fabric draping and lighting, provided by our team at Art of Imagination, was a perfect backdrop to the classic features of the venue, and paired nicely with the couple’s color palette of eggplant and burgundy.

The main room was set with amber up lighting to enhance the romantic feel. We projected  a candle-like golden color onto the beautiful backdrop of luxurious and shimmering satin fabric.  To complete the design, we created a custom “summer budding leaf” pattern effect on the walls, complimenting the overall ambiance.

The white and burgundy floral paired with the ivory linens and tan napkins were simply stunning alongside the amber toned candles. One of our favorite details, was the table signage that displayed the couple’s favorite places they had visited. Their guest book was also unique; Susan and Matt displayed the classic game of Jenga, having each guest write their well wishes on the pieces. Detail to detail, everything was exactly as Susan and Matt had envisioned for their dream wedding.

// VENDORS //
// Event Planning: Livin It Up Events // Venue: The Ivy Room //
// Design, Lighting and Fabric: Art of Imagination //
// Cake Bakery: Elysia Root Cakes // Florals: Juliet Tan Floral Design //
// Photo: Olivia Leigh Photographie //

Warm amber lighting casted tropical leaf patterns within the office and created an enchanting night for Olson Communications. Each year, the event reflects travels and worldly inspiration curated by the owner. The guests entered into a world of Turkish delights. They were greeted with visual flavors of sky blues, glistening gold and warm ambers. Flowing fabrics created a Cabana type structure accented with water wave reflections – enhancing the theme of “Feztival of Turkish Delights”.

An existing conference table became a stunning Grand Bazaar of a Turkish foods by Entertaining Company. A sign reading “Festival of Turkish Delights” hung over the table, which was surrounded by an array of Moroccan lanterns and richly colored glass, setting the ambiance for the night.

// VENDORS //
// Venue: Olson Communications // Event Design: Art of Imagination //

// Caterer: Entertaining Company //

Guests entered through a long hallway, leading into the 6th floor event space. They then encountered swags of globe lights shimmering between winter garland adorned with natural berries and acorns. The whole setting was very enchanting! It was the 2014 Holiday Party for employees and guests of a large Chicago corporation.

Art of Imagination was fortunate to work with these clients, creating a magical winter garden with a three-piece band, passed hors d’oeuvres, and elegant cocktails. To help with the room’s flow, we placed both high-top tables and cabaret rounds throughout the space, all featuring fresh greens and candles.  The VIP tables also included special floral arrangements with fresh winter florals, berries, and snowy branches. It was a beautiful event, and we were thrilled to be a part of it.

// VENDORS //

// Venue: Company Offices // Event Production: Art of Imagination //
// Catering: Wolfgang Puck // Photos: Carasco Photography //

To create the intimate soft look for Lori & Matt’s wedding reception, we accented the urban loft setting of Bridgeport Art Center with shades of turquoise, taupe, natural wood and a wonderful candle light glow!

Upon entering, a very personal picture vignette with escort cards greeted guests. We lit the area with a soft turquoise to create a textured and magical backdrop. On either side of the table, we placed two signature birch trunks in natural pots filled with moss and curly willow accents. The nearby high-boy offered a variety of heights and we placed a vintage suitcase belonging to the bride’s grandmother to collect cards and envelopes for the couple. Additional personalization included a custom menu board and a photo tree that the guests could sign.

Within the main room, the head table doubled as a feasting table set for 22 guests down the center aisle. A wonderful glow was created down the middle of the room with strands of globe lights hung from side to side. This created an indoor/outdoor feel, and we set the lights on dimmers to create the more intimate atmosphere that the bride and groom requested.

The band was perfectly placed in front of the large windows with the gorgeous Chicago skyline in the distance. To create the perfect framing of this area, we up-lit the windows on either side. Additional lights near the bar created an inviting and energetic space for the dance floor!

VENDORS: Design & Lighting: Art of Imagination // Florals: Fasan Florist // Catering: Beyond Events // Venue: Bridgeport Art Center // Photographer: Kina Wicks Photography

From The Bride:

Thank you so much for making the Bridgeport Art Center extra beautiful for my wedding! Matt and I had such an amazing time. It was the most picture-perfect weather and everything went so well. It was the best day of our lives…just like people say! Thank you again for all of your help with our wedding.    ~Lori

Wedding Ceremonies are getting more and more creative… and we love it! One of our most recent couples, Heather and David, worked with our designers to create a personalized wedding structure. The custom ceremony backdrop included soft voile linens draped behind a wall of more than 300 paper cranes. The origami birds represented part of the brides’ culture and heritage.

To complete the runway look, organic florals and pedestals were placed as anchors on both sides of the aisle. We also placed large paper lanterns high above the aisle, creating a playful sense as guests walked in.

As each guest entered the ceremony, we created a wonderful glow with candles, leading them down the stairs. They were welcomed by the beautiful ivory crepe back satin fabric swaged open. Inside the ballroom, the walls were accented with tall fabric panels polished by a diffused light that created the enchanting atmosphere.

At the focal point of the room, we covered a large stage and added a luxurious ceremony structure that allowed all of the guests to experience the traditions of the two families. From flower garlands, to custom monogrammed light patterns, the entire setting was filled with embellishments that meant the world to the bride and groom as they celebrated with family and friends.

To see the entire vision come together, watch the production video here: http://vimeo.com/101168614

VENDORS: Kai-Duc Luong | KDL Productions // Greg Stephen Reigh // Marcin Tomaszczyk // Heather Stone Photography// Kristina Taheri // Juliet Tan Floral Design //  Art of Imagination // Crizen Hasewaga // Peninsula Hotel

The bride’s style was simple yet overlaid with a modern elegance….the natural light that filter through the inner voile drapery and the hanging teardrop crystals above added a wonderful ethereal feel for the ceremony. Later the up lighting in a soft candle like amber shimmered on the ivory crepe back satin drapes that were swaged open framing the sweetheart table setting.

VENDORS: Art of Imagination: Luxury Fabric backdrops & Lighting // Venue: Room 1520 // ​Caterer: Calihan Catering -Todd // Day of Planner: Event Less Ordinary-Carolyn // DJ: Style Matters-Spencer

The contemporary setting of this space with the minimal yet stunning architectural design was the perfect match for this collaboration. The theme was creating a modern enchanted winter atmosphere with a touch of sparkle and fun.

By combining wood elements in the design with the tables and chairs this offered an organic nature feel. The farm tables made the perfect setting for the gold and white chinaware with the linen napkins tied with fresh seasonal foliage which offered a slight fragrance reminisce of the holidays. Table decor doesn’t have to be about flowers as the focal so we incorporated greens, berries, white painted branches with a collection of clean and gold votives for a warm glow.

For a playful use of the taller ceiling we hung white tree branches with floating gold and platinum glass ornament balls over the tables and larger white round balloons at different heights.  Lighting is always an important element as it helps set the mood. White glowing circles were projected onto the balloons and surroundings to help add that perfect touch.

Creating the right signature bar at every party is always a challenge. To keep with the same theme, two wooden farm highboy tables were placed together for a champagne station that displayed a triple cream goat brie with rosemary bread from a local bakery, petite grapes and of course delicious bottles of Champagne. A Holiday greeting was displayed on a blackboard easel surrounded with gold glitter painted leaves. Behind the bar, tiers of white vertical thin branches twinkled from white LED lights woven throughout to add that magical sparkle next to Chez‘s beautiful glass staircase.

Planning Corporate Holiday parties can be fun keeping to a simple yet creative theme, knowing your budget and selecting that perfect venue. Chez offers such a clean and modern palette that you can let your imagination be adventurous.

Vendors:  Venue: Chez // Design + Decor – Art of Imagination // Photographer- Amanda Hein // Rentals – Tablescape Chicago Party Rentals // Balloons – Balloons by Tommy

Stop Motion Film shows how our team of professionals preps the magic of aisle.

Stop Motion: http://vimeo.com/105923115 // For the Full Wedding Video: http://vimeo.com/101168614

Vendors: Kai-Duc Luong | KDL Productions // Greg Stephen Reigh // Marcin Tomaszczyk // Heather Stone Photography// Kristina Taheri // Juliet Tan Floral Design //  Art of Imagination // Crizen Hasewaga // Peninsula Hotel

To help illuminate the Glessner House Museum‘s courtyard, we hung several strands of Italian globe lights to create ceiling effect. The decorative lights were on a dimmer to control the mood of the atmosphere throughout the evening.To complete that enchanted garden look the sidewalk railings next to the Coach House, featured a twinkling path for Janel & Tyler’s guests. Inside the historic venue, the Art of Imagination team hung our own sparkling chandelier over the sweetheart table to create the focal point where the couple enjoyed their first meal as husband and wife with their family and friends.

Terrell and Michaela had such loving energy and wanted to share their feeling for each other with their guest. They loved how cafe globe lights always gives such an enchanted warm feeling so they had us design and install strands above the guest tables for an intimate glow.

The alter for their ceremony was designed with two layers of sheer white volie with white twinkling lights in between creating the perfect backdrop for the ceremony later to be repurposed for the sweetheart table.

The groom, made the “Love” marquee sign inspired by Robert Indiana to express his love for his bride. Michaela, in turn, surprised Terrell by having his sport’s jersey on a pulley system we designed that as they enter the room for the reception they will pull it up together.

The dancing area was placed by the east widows so as it became dusk you could see the city’s fabulous view and to complete the look we added sky blue lighting onto the brick creating an organic texture.

Vendors: Venue: Bridgeport Art Center // Space Placement + Lighting + Fabric Treatment: Art of Imagination // Caterer: Beyond Events // Photos: Adam Novak 

KIND WORDS FROM THE BRIDE: “Terrell and I just wanted to say thanks again to you, Deborah, and all of your staff! We had high expectations for what you guys would do, and we were blown away!!!!!!!!! Everything was as magical as we expected and we can’t thank you guys enough for making our space so beautiful, and SO us!!! We attached a few pictures that you guys can use to show other clients, if you want. Thank you again!”