{Event Recap} Great Taste: Shades of Desire, Ribbons of Fire

Room 1520 was ablaze with stunning pink and red ombre decor at Thursday's third annual Great Taste event. Guests were greeted with acrobatic dancers and fire throwers outside the modern venue at 301 N. Justine Street.

As any regular Chicago event-goer knows, an event designed by Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event is guaranteed to be a visual feast for the eyes. And Debi surely did not disappoint. 

An evening of bridal couture at the Waldorf Chicago

All the stops were pulled out last Thursday evening at the newly converted Waldorf Astoria Chicago (formerly the much-acclaimed Elysian) to impress fashionistas and bridal couture connoisseurs alike for Belle Vie Bridal Couture's spring show. 

Guests were led to the fifth floor and into a mirrored ball room, featuring grand cylindrical chandeliers, stylish black and white decor, and of course a red carpet. The audience was ironically a sea of mimicry: sleek, black mini dresses and slim skirts, with the odd pop of cherry red from a bright blazer or a pair of tights, served as the unspoken dress code for the evening. 

An evening of sophistication with the likes of Valentino and Lanvin is surely not complete without Dom—and 2002 Vintage it was, flowing freely from the bottles of the servers in anticipation of the main event. After passed first-course nibbles of fish and chips and shrimp cocktail, the lights dimmed and the first models emerged from the curtains: two beautiful little girls escorted by a handsome little man in fine leather oxfords who couldn’t have been more than five. They scattered rose petals around the mirrored platform and arm in arm, retreated back down the aisle without so much as a misstep. The show was surely off to a perfect start!

Defining Moments, one wedding at a time

When I received a package in the mail from the crafty mother-and-daughter duo behind Defining Moments, I knew this company was something special. After a brief meeting at a bridal event a few days prior, they had taken the time to reach out and provide some outstanding examples of their work: inside the large envelope I found a handmade guide to their paper products, delicately wrapped in bright tissue and tied up with a bow. Only fitting for the nature of their business, perhaps—but still, it was quite a nice touch and I was interested in learning more.

Owner Jocelyn Tobias and her daughter Sammy began Defining Moments as a scrapbooking store in Wilmette two years ago. But it has since evolved into much more than that—they recently moved to a new location in Evanston and are becoming known for their whimsical custom paper products for weddings.

Some popular projects include name cards, table charts, menu cards, candy table labels, paper cones, banners, table numbers, display letters, and rehearsal invitations—but whatever a bride (or wedding planner!) can dream up, Defining Moments can create. One of my favorites is the out-of-town guest folder, cleverly customized to fit the wedding theme and filled with information about the big event, places to see, restaurants to try in the area, etc. 

Toni Patisserie & Café

65 E. Washington, Chicago 312‑726‑2020

51 S. Washington, Hinsdale 630‑789‑2020

  

Contact: Toni Marie Cox, owner

Order: 3 to 6 months before date

Price point: $4.25 to $10+ (custom pricing)

Popular flavors:

French sponge cake filled with white chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries or dark chocolate mousse and bananas

White buttermilk cake with caramel buttercream

Toni Marie Cox of Toni Patisserie & Café

Toni Marie Cox sits down with me, albeit briefly, in her new space—a vintage-inspired, art deco style, former jewelry shop and optometrist office—that is now the second home of Toni Patisserie & Café. By adding another location to her flagship store, which she began 16 years ago in Hinsdale, Toni hopes to capture more of the downtown crowd—both for special occasion cake orders and for café treats, espresso, and gourmet lunches throughout the daily rush hours. 

But the expansion came with a hefty price tag—though Toni wanted to keep much of the original molding and design, a full kitchen and counter had to be installed. She also had to hire quite a few new employees (many of which are part-time for now), making her an employer of around 60 people.

Polka-dot perfection

Sarah Jessica Parker show us that it doesn't get much classier than this. A long, strapless polka-dot number could be perfect for a glamorous engagement party or rehearsal dinner party, or wear it in your engagement photos for a timeless, sophisticated look you'll smile back on for years to come.