An Opportunity to Win a FREE Ceremony - and Support a Great Cause!

This Saturday, May 18th from 2-5 p.m. at Marty's Martini Bar - help  support the Chainbite Gang, a team of riders participating in the Ride for AIDS Chicago!

Ride for AIDS Chicago is a two-day, 200-mile, bicycling event produced by Test Positive Aware Network. The Ride is an essential fundraiser for TPAN and its Community Partners, which include  organizations throughout Chicagoland that provide HIV/AIDS services. 

Since this is such a great cause and these organizations really need help, I am donating a hand-crafted, personalized ceremony to be raffled off at the event. 

The gift certificate can be redeemed for a wedding ceremony, baby blessing.... you name it! Here's the info on the ceremony details:

• The ceremony must take place at a location within 30 miles of O'Hare Airport
• Ceremony dates are based on my availability, through 2014
• Gift certificate may be used as a gift
• This offer is not valid for current clients. Current clients may use the gift certificate for remaining balance of officiating fee.
• Certificate valued at up to $900

In addition, there will be some other fantastic Raffle Prizes, including:

• Thomas Pheasant Lamp valued at $1600.00
• Designer Pillows from Scalamandre valued at $1000
• Broadway in Chicago Theater Tickets
• Chicago Blackhawks autographed hockey puck 
• and much, much more!

So stop by, have a martini, and buy some raffle tickets!! 

We have a WINNER!!

And the winner of the Lego Zombie couple is...... wer1weddings@aol.com!

 Yay! Congratulations! 


And in the meantime, I am counting down the days....

AnitaWeds Giveaway - Lego Zombie Couple!

It's time for a giveaway, folks!

As most of you probably know, I am a big fan of zombies. Waiting for The Walking Dead to come back is killing me!! So, as I wait impatiently, I've decided to offer a zombie giveaway! 

I have a lovely Lego zombie couple for one lucky winner. This is a brand new Lego wedding couple, but has been "turned" by Lego artist Customized Bricks (who just happens to be my son). 

The unhappy undead couple show the typical wear and tear of the zombie lifestyle, including blood splatters - and even bullet holes on the groom! 

The set also includes a veil and extra hair for the bride (blonde and brunette).

And..... you can opt to receive two brides or two grooms instead of the bride/groom combo. Just let me know what you choose if you win.

So, how can you win this amazing prize? Just leave a comment to this post telling me why you'd like to win. Please include your first name and wedding date! 

The deadline to enter is October 5th. Winner will be announced here on Saturday, Oct. 6th. Good luck, fellow zombie lovers!

For Real Equality Weddings

I'm so happy to be included on the vendor listing of the fantastic website, For Real Equality Weddings!


They feature profiles of real gay and lesbian weddings. I love the details of Steve and Joe's travel-themed wedding.Check out their invitations, designed by Joe's daughter.
(Photos are by DMPJ by Glen Cooper.)

 

                                                                           

Another favorite is the wedding of Jaqueline & Victoria. This couple couldn't be any more adorable! And I love that they had their wedding in DC. They walked around the city in their dresses - and rode the Metro!
(photos by Maggie Winters)

  

For Real was also kind enough to do a blog post on the eleven eleven giveaway. Thank you!

Eleven Eleven Wedding Giveaway!

I am so excited about the 2012 eleven eleven Wedding Giveaway!! Today is the first day to submit an entry to be considered for this incredible contest.


One lucky couple will win a complete wedding to be held on 11-11-12. The ceremony and reception will take place at the beautiful Peggy Notebart Nature Museum.


I am especially thrilled that I will be officiating the ceremony for the winning couple!


The prize includes:

• Wedding planning services by Greatest Expectations Special Events & Weddings
• Customized wedding ceremony - by me!
• Photography by Amanda Hein Photography
• Custom-made bridal gown by Mignonette Bridal
• Dresses for bridesmaids and flower girl by Bella Bridesmaid
• Tuxedos by Black Tie Formalwear
• Flowers by fleur
• Catering by Pure Kitchen Catering
• Cake by Amy Beck Cake Design
• And much more! Click here for all the incredible details.

To enter, all you need to do is share your love story. Rules for the contest, including an explanation of what your entry must include, can be found HERE.


To enter, click here HERE and explain why you want to win the eleven eleven Giveaway. The deadline to enter in March 25th.


In the meantime, check out this news clip about the eleven eleven Wedding Giveaway from 2011. My wonderful colleague, Life-Cycle Celebrant Bev Albert, was the officiant!

Contest for 2012 Brides - sponsored by Michaels

I just came across this contest and wanted to share the information with you. 


Michaels is sponsoring the "Customize Your Wedding" 2012 Bride Contest!

The Grand Prize winner will receive: 

• Michaels™ Custom Invites products and services - up to a $2000 value
• Round trip-airfare To Dallas for for two, plus three days, two nights meals and lodging
• $500 Michaels gift card to spend on custom framing 
• $500 Michaels gift card to spend on floral products and services
• One 12" by 12" 20 page hardcover wedding scrapbook (up to a $50 value).
• Photographs and/or video clips of the Grand Prize Winner's wedding will be featured on the MiDesign@Michaels™ Custom Invites website.

Click HERE for all the details, including rules and more info on prizes. 

The deadline to enter is March 31st. Click HERE to enter.

Love Never Fails 2012 Wedding Giveaway!

I just came across this wedding giveaway and wanted to help spread the news!

It's the Love Never Fails 2012 Wedding Giveaway

All you need to do is share your love story in order to be considered. 

Details on entering can be found by clicking HERE


The winning couple will receive:

• Wedding day photography coverage and a custom designed photo album from rojo foto//design 
• A complete wedding ceremony floral package from Forget Me Knodt, including bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and ceremony décor 

Photography AND flowers?!? How cool is that? Now go enter. And good luck!

In the meantime, check out the story of Gina & Jordan, last year's winners. 

And the Winner is.......

ALEX CANTU 


Alex, you are the lucky winner of a pair of tickets to Indie Wed! Congratulations!!


See you there!

Indie Wed Ticket Giveaway!

Indie Wed is coming up very soon...... and I want to see you there.


So I'm giving away a pair of free tickets!


Here's the scoop:


Indie Wed is on Saturday, January 28th, from 10am to 4pm at the Ravenswood Event Center in Chicago (entrance is at 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave.)

Indie Wed will feature:

*two floors with 100+ vendors (like me- AnitaWeds!)

*food & beer tastings - Yum!

*musical & dance performances

*wandering models featuring spectacular bridal fashions

*swag bags for the first 50 people in line (for which I am making a very cute goodie bag, if I do say so myself)

*free workshops & lectures, including a workshop on personalizing your ceremony, called, "The Perfect 'I Do' for You" - presented by yours truly.

*and much more!

 Tickets are $20 per person at the door - but I have a pair to GIVE AWAY!

Interested? Here's how to enter the giveaway:

Leave a comment here at the AnitaWeds blog by this Friday, January 20th at 11:59 p.m. 

Include the following:

your first name & wedding date

why you're interested in attending IndieWed  

The randomly selected winner will be announced here on Saturday, January 21st. 


Good luck!

DEADLINE for Under a New Moon Extended to May 6th

In order to allow more couples the opportunity to enter, the deadline for Under a New Moon has been extended. Submissions will be accepted on the Facebook page through Friday, May 6th.

But don't wait to enter! Enter now and have your friends & family like your entry!

Good luck!

The AnitaWeds Giveaway: And the Winner Is........

And the WINNER is........

Sarah & Teresa's Dia de los Muertos wedding - 10/8/11

Okay, folks - fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the juicy details of this way cool wedding! Just look at these two - you know this is gonna be FUN!

Teresa and Sarah are having their reception at Catalyst Ranch in Chicago, one of my all-time favorite venues. This fun spot definitely lends itself to their Day of the Dead theme with its bright colors and funky decor. Perfect choice.

And why the theme? Teresa explained, "This colorful celebration fits our lives in a few very symbolic ways. The first is the death of our lives separately, and the rebirth of our lives together for eternity." She also explained that her grandfather

is from Mexico and the theme is a tribute to him and a celebration of his culture.

It also doesn't hurt that Sarah and Teresa are both fans of punk rock, So the Day of the Dead images "are very fitting."

Sugar skulls are the symbol of the day and will be incorporated in a variety of ways. First of all, they have a tattoo artist friend who designed a sugar skull portrait of the couple. See the photo of the drawing? Note the sunflowers, which are a tribute to Sarah's grandfather, who had a spectacular sunflower garden. The wedding flowers will be sunflowers and marigolds, known as Flor del Muerto.

But, who the heck is Clover? That's Teresa's nickname! So, this really is them, in case you were wondering. I'm glad we have that cleared up. Moving on....

They're incorporating the sugar skull portrait by having a stamp made of the drawing, so they can adorn their wedding invites with the skulls. They're considering having tattoos made of the drawing to give out as wedding favors. Ooh! I totally want one!

The couple will be making their own wedding favors, which will be sugar skull-shaped soaps. Cool, huh? Plus - they're making actual sugar skulls which will adorn their wedding cupcakes as well as the tables. Squeee!! I can't stand all this fabulosity!!

Of course, you know the cupcakes are a big hit in my book. But, did you notice the cupcake tattoo? I did!

Prior to the wedding, they're inviting friends over for a sugar skull decorating party to help them make the favors. What a great way to get people involved!

For the reception, the Day of the Dead theme will carry over into the menu. Guests will get to dine on a taco bar and made-to-order guacamole. Plus, lots of chips and salsa.

The beverages will include Mexican beer and wine, and a specialty drink - Margaritas. These women know how to throw a party!

Other great details? How about an awesome sugar skull cake topper?! They're having one custom made by the etsy shop, dnacreations. See the photo of an example. Sweet!

And one of my favorite details of all?? Teresa's proposal. For Sarah's birthday, Teresa created a painting that said "Marry Me" and tied an engagement ring to the middle. Here she is with her painting. I guess Sarah liked it, 'cause she said "Yes."

Clearly I am in love with this wedding! So, congratulations to Sarah & Teresa! Your AnitaWeds Giveaway prize will be on its way to you shortly.

Just PLEASE send pictures of your Big Day..... I'm DYING to see them!

AnitaWeds Giveaway - Honorable Mention #2

Honorable Mention #2.....

Alison- getting married on 9/11/11

Alison is planning the most amazing Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding! Check out the fantastic engagement photos. (She did ensure me that they don't dress up as Alice and the Mad Hatter on a regular basis!)

The bride is a graphic designer and her groom is an artist, so this will be one amazing DIY event! They wanted "lots of unique touches and mismatched eclectic items," so most of their purchases have been from thrift stores, antique shops. yard sales, and flea markets. Thrifty and creative - I love it!

The ceremony will take place in a rose garden, followed by a tea party reception. Here's how Alison described the scene: "We are going to have long tables with mismatched chairs (painted by yours truly), hand-sewn chair pads, napkins, and tablecloths. Our guests will dine on mismatched china, and the tables will be decorated with playing cards and teapots filled with flowers and silver tea trays filled with little tea sandwiches and 'eat me' cakes."

They'll also be making topiaries covered in "twinkly lights" and will be stringing colored lanterns from the trees. Alison put together an inspiration board of photos, which will give you an idea of what this will all look like. Although, I know she will make it much incredible!

Alison's dress will have a light blue sash and she'll be wearing a pocketwatch necklace on a long strand of pearls. Her groom will have a pocketwatch boutonniere and is even considering a top hat. I think he should go for it - he looks pretty dashing in one, don't ya think?

In addition to being crafty, Alison is also a baker. Her hobby is baking cakes, so she's creating their "topsy-turvy teapot shaped wedding cake." How cool is that??

Lewis Carroll has even inspired the invitations that Alison's designing! They include original illustrations and whimsical wording.

Man, I wish I could be there to see this!! I only hope Alison may wish to share some photos after the wedding. Hint! Hint!!

Thanks, Alison for sharing your amazing wedding plans. I know your day will be spectacular!

AnitaWeds Giveaway - Honorable Mention #1

The Giveaway ended on Monday and then the hard work began - selecting a winner! I received such fantastic entries, so I had a hard time deciding. I narrowed it down and then enlisted the help of my website guru (aka - my husband!) and my logo designer (a brilliant artist who happens to be my BFF). We finally came to a decision. We also felt that it was necessary to also have two honorable mentions. They were just that good!

So, before I announce the winner on Friday, I'll tell you about the entries who made it so darn hard to choose.

The first:

Cori and Steve, getting married on 9-10-11

They're planning on a ceremony that will be "a bit of

sweet and a dash of funny." They come from different religious backgrounds, but plan to include her Jewish heritage by ending the ceremony with the breaking of the glass. As Cori put it, "...honestly, who doesn't love to stomp on glass till it breaks and yell out Mazel Tov! Sounds like a good time to me!"

Their reception will include other personal touches. For example, the customized cake topper. As you can see from the photo, they're Hawks fans, especially Steve.

In fact, the Blackhawks even had a role in their engagement! Just look at their engagement photo, if you have any doubts! Well, the wedding cake topper will feature a bride and groom made to look just like them..... with Steve in a Hawks jersey- and both of them perched on a hockey puck!

Cori's favorite flower is the orchid, so she'll be carrying a bouquet with the beautiful blooms. The picture here is a photo that inspired her choice. Steve will also have an orchid boutonniere. And since they both like bamboo, they'll have bamboo in the centerpieces and will offer guests mini "lucky bamboo" as wedding favors.

Cori said, "We're hoping some of our luck in love will rub off on our guests!" How can you not love these people?!?!

She also mentioned that their "ultimate favorite thing" is their families, explaining, "Without our family's love and support we don't know where we'd be!" They plan to include special items from both of their families into the ceremony and reception. So sweet!

See why it was so hard to choose, with fabulous couples like Cori and Steve?

Details on the other Honorable Mention will follow tomorrow. And the WINNER will be announced here on Friday! Stay tuned.....

Fun Giveaway Entries!

The entries for the AnitaWeds Giveaway have been coming in and I can already tell - it's going to be hard to decide! You creative people out there have some fabulous ideas!

I've seen some amazing personal touches, ranging from a Blackhawks-inspired cake toppers to sugar skulls for a Dia de los Muertos theme. I love it!!

Keep 'em coming, folks! This is so much fun!

AnitaWeds Giveaway Extended - More of "A Few of My Favorite Things"

Due to several requests, I've extended the deadline for entering the AnitaWeds Giveaway - and made the prize even better!

One lucky winner will receive a box filled with A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

How to enter: Send an email to AnitaWeds@gmail.com with the heading: "A Few of My Favorite Things Entry."

1. In 350 words or less, tell me how your wedding is going to be ALL ABOUT YOU! How will your ceremony reflect your personality? Which of your favorite things will be seen at your reception? I want to know that fabulous, unique details!

2. Include your name,

wedding date, and a way of contacting you (phone # or alternate email) in case you're the lucky winner!

3. Entries must be received by Monday, Jan. 31st. The winner will be notified by email.

This contest is open to all couples having a wedding, commitment, or civil union ceremony in the U.S. this year (2011). By sending an entry, you agree to allow me to publish excerpts from your story on my blog and/or Facebook page.

The winner will be announced here on the AnitaWeds blog on Friday, February 4th!

The prizes of A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS include:

• A copy of OffBeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides
• And to to keep you crafting, a copy of Crafty Ideas for the Bride on a Budget
• Colie's Cookies fabulously delicious Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
• Bead for Life necklace and bracelet in blue
• Samples of my favorite teas and coffee
• And of course - some chocolate (ya gotta have chocolate)!

So hurry up and enter now -

I can't wait to hear about your fabulous wedding!

AnitaWeds Giveaway: A Few of my Favorite Things!

ANNOUNCING the first ever AnitaWeds GIVEAWAY!! (Yay! Hooray! Woo hoo!)

As a Celebrant, I feel it's important that your wedding is a reflection of YOU. From the ceremony to the flowers to the dessert - your guests should feel that your wedding is uniquely yours. So, I want to know how you are planning on including your favorites on your special day!

One lucky winner will receive A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

How to enter:

Send me an email at AnitaWeds@gmail.com with the heading:

"A Few of My Favorite Things Entry."

Tell me how your wedding is going to be ALL ABOUT YOU! How will your ceremony reflect your personality? Which of your favorite things will be seen at your reception? I want to know that fabulous, unique details!

This contest is open to all couples getting married or having a commitment ceremony in the U.S. in the coming year (2011).

Be sending an entry, you are agreeing to allow me to publish excerpts from your story on my blog and/or Facebook page.

Entries must be received by Monday, Jan. 3rd. The winner will be notified by email.

Please include (1) your name, (2) wedding date, (3) city where the wedding is taking place, and (4) another way of contacting you (phone # or alternate email) so I can get your address to mail your prize!!

The winner will be announced here on the AnitaWeds blog on Monday, January 10th!

I will be posting my favorite entries on the AnitaWeds blog and on my Facebook page after all entries have been received.

This is your chance to win A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS!

The prizes include:

• A Copy of one of my favorite wedding references, OffBeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides
• Colie's Cookies fabulously delicious Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
• Bead for Life necklace and bracelet in blue
• Samples of my favorite teas
• .... and a few other little surprises!

So, hurry up and email me your entry now!!

Creative Chicago Weddings Contest!

I have some exciting news to share!

Wedding Creativo photography is sponsoring a Creative Chicago Weddings contest for couples who are getting married in the Chicago area in 2011.

The submission that is deemed the most creative wedding will be awarded a FREE complete wedding package!

I had the experience of officiating a wedding that was photographed by Wedding Creativo. Not only were Sarah and Giorgio lovely to work with, the photos I saw of the "Sneak peak" are fabulous! Check out their blog to see what I mean. The winner of this contest will certainly be getting a fabulous prize!

So, if you are a creative type who is planning a creative wedding, be sure to enter this contest. This means YOU!

The eleven eleven WEDDING giveaway!

It's the eleven eleven WEDDING giveaway!

You can enter to win a dream wedding worth $60,000, to be held on Nov. 11, 2010!
Eleven eleven - get it? Entries must be received by May 1st. The finalists will be posted at the website and visitors to the site will be able to cast votes.


To enter the contest, just click here.

One of the best parts? The ceremony will be created and officiated by my wonderful Celebrant colleague, Toni Hassett of Unforgettable Ceremonies. Yay!

Another Great Giveaway - Invitations!!

Style Me Pretty is hosting another fabulous giveaway!

Visit the blog and leave a comment about your favorite style of invitations by Hello! Lucky!!

One comment will be selected and the winner will receive a set of 100 digital invitations.

Hurry, the winner will be announced on Friday afternoon!

Cupcakes + Contest = Check it out!!

Okay, everyone knows I love cupcakes. But, if you love them too, then this is the contest you have been waiting for! Intimate Weddings is sponsoring a giveaway in which the winner (lucky dog!) will receive a $100 gift certificate to Gourmet Gift Company for gourmet custom label cupcake mix wedding/shower favors.

The best part? The cupcake mixes available include chocolate cupcake mix, champagne cupcake mix (I'm drooling) and even red velvet cupcake mix (now my heart is racing).


The contest ends on April 20th. Click here for the details of the giveaway!