First annual event (Photo:Artisan Events)

River North restaurant HUB 51 graciously played host to Chicago’s brides and grooms-to-be for Lettuce Entertain You 1st annual bridal fair on Sunday, Feb 15th. I ventured into this event sans expectations and with little information to go on. Upon entering Hub I was immediately greeted and handed a directory of activities located on the first and second floor of the restaurant. As I made my way through the substantial crowd, which consisted of mostly engaged couples, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of complimentary food and drinks available. I quickly realized that Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise (LEYE) was showcasing twenty of their finest restaurants and catering options for weddings, rehearsal dinners and other special events. I made my way to kiosk after kiosk sampling food and giving a somewhat snide answer to the question of the day “so when is your big day??”

A lovely look (Photo:Artisan Events)

I sampled Alaskan king crab with warm butter by Joe’s Seafood, tuna tartar and shrimp cocktail by Shaw’s Crab House, playful pomegranate sangrias from Café Ba-Ba-Reba and marinated sirloin on sweet potato crackers from Wildfire. I toyed with Chef Jeff Mahin about the clever lemon curd lollipops “mini cotton candy” desserts from Petterino’s and Hub hostess, Jackie, walked the crowds serving tender braised Short Rib tacos & Tuna Sashimi by the always delicious Hub 51.

Tempting (Photos:Artisan Events)

Towards the back of the room models posed in dreamy wedding gowns by Ultimate Bride and ultra modern rich deep berry bridesmaid designs by Jenny Yoo. Having endured a recent stint as a bridesmaid, I really admired Yoo’s fresh take on bridesmaid attire. All of Yoo’s designs are beautifully modern and transferable to elegant cocktail attire making the investment twice as valuable. On display was a beautiful Oscar de la Renta ivory silk organza strapless wedding gown, $7,450 at Ultimate Bride.

Enjoying "To Have and to Hub"(Photo:Artisan Events)

Aside from Oscar, Ultimate Bride host a range of top designer wedding gowns by Angel Sanchez, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Jenny Packham and Monique Lhuillier. Lanie Hartman of BBJ Linen’s explained how to select custom design fabrics for table linen or chair covers; available on a rental basis. The fair also hosted stylish table wear & designs by Tablescapes and clever wedding motifs by Revel Décor. Also on hand were famous cake designers and sisters Brenda & Mary Maher of The Cake Girls located in Chicago’s Roscoe Village. Cakes start at $600 and include a complimentary consultation. Since I’m a lover of all things sweet, especially decadent wedding cakes,  meeting these brilliant cake designers and multi-winners of the Food Network Challenge series was a saccharine pleasure.

Osteria offers so much (Photo:Artisan Events)

Learn how Lettuce Entertain You parties and special events division can create seamless wedding events from showers to rehearsal dinners to post-wedding brunches; call 312-527-9222.

www.leye.com

Ultimate Bride: 106 East Oak Street, Chicago IL. 60611 Tel 312.337.6300

www.ultimatebride.com

Jenny Yoo Collection: 730 North Franklin Street, Chicago IL. 60654 Tel 312.642.2327

www.jennyyoo.com

The Cake Girls: 2207 W. Belmont, Chicago IL. 60618 Tel 773.404.3147     

www.thecakegirls.com

Article Photos: Artisan Events

1415 N. Dayton

Chicago, IL 60657

877.227.9333

www.artisanevents.com

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