Anthony Gowder Designs was lucky enough to host Christa Vagnozzi, editor of The Knot for their “Chicago Insider’s Guide” segment on The KnotTV.  Anthony had a fantastic time touring Christa around the studio and taking about some wedding trends.  Click this link to see the entire segment: The Knot- Chicago Insider’s Guide

Anthony Gowder Designs is proud to announce that we have been named “Best Of Weddings 2012″ by The Knot!  Check out our listing on The Knot’s website for some reviews from our happy clients.  Visit the Best Of page to see all the winners!

 

AGD was featured in the national issue, Winter 2011, of The Knot magazine.  We were thrilled to have Rachel and Scott’s Drake Hotel wedding featured in a four page spread.  The rich purples, fuchsia, lavender and spring green floral played up the refinement of the Gold Coast Room.

Winter 2011 national issue of The Knot magazine

 

 

 

 

Floral: Anthony Gowder Designs

Photography: Riverbend Studios

Wedding Consultant: Frank Event Design

 

Venue: The Drake Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful centerpieces of roses and hydrangeas

Classic bouquet of hydrangeas, roses and gardenias

Bridesmaids bouquets of hydrangeas and roses

Thanks to Steve Koo Photography for these beautiful photos.

We truly enjoyed working with Jenny and Jeff on their October 29, 2011 wedding at the Harold Washington Library.  They chose a classic palette of white and spring green incorporating flowers such as roses, hydrangeas and sweet-smelling gardenias.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGD is proud to partner for the third year with Macy’s and Waterford Crystal.  On Sunday, December 11th at Macy’s Oak Brook, Jim O’Leary , design director of Waterford Crystal will be introducing a new collectible series and Anthony will be designing elegant florals to compliment these beautiful pieces.

 

Where: Macy’s Oak Brook, 3rd Floor, Waterford

When: Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2:00 pm

RSVP: Macy’s- 630.684.2068

Click here for additional information and the Macy’s event flyer

We love Jackie & Mark’s summer St. Pat’s and Chicago Cultural Center wedding!  These two tied the knot on Saturday, July 30, 2011 and the sun was shining for them.  Jackie chose a floral palette of soft pinks, peaches and tangerine roses, hypericum and stock with touches of cream and spring green hydrangea.  These florals were presented on gorgeous nile blue linens for a classic look at the Cultural Center.

Beautiful hand tied bouquet of fully bloomed roses, spray roses, stock and hypericum berries

 

The bridesmaids bouquets of cream hydrangea, freesia, star of bethlehem, baby lime hydrangea and fully bloomed roses looked beautiful against their dresses.

 

Unique shades of roses in the bridal bouquet

 

Combination of elevated and low centerpieces in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center

 

Beautiful muted blue damask linen selections

 

Low dome arrangement accented with cut crystal votive candles

 

Head table florals

 

Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center

 

Lush cake flowers separating each tier

 

Thank you to Gerber & Scarpelli for these beautiful photos!

Contact Anthony Gowder Designs to set up a consultation.

Lauren and Joe tied the knot in July at one of our favorite Chicago venues, The University Club in the 2nd floor Michigan Room.  They added to the elegance of this room with lush white and green florals including hydrangeas and fully bloomed roses.   Although it was mid-July and the end of peony season, Anthony tracked down what seemed like the last white peonies in the Chicagoland area for Lauren’s bouquet since they were by far her favorite flower.   AGD also served as Lauren & Joe’s day-of wedding coordinators.   Thank you to Sally Ryan from Kevin Weinstein for these beautiful photos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are a busy bride and you need to make the most of each wedding appointment!  Here are some tips from AGD to make the most of your wedding floral consultation:

 

1.  Bring examples- Find photos from magazines or websites that showcase different elements that you love- color, style, texture.  This part of your wedding planning is so visual, so it is important that you bring visual aids to help get on the same page with your designer.

2.  Compromise- It’s best to be somewhat flexible with flower types.  Some flowers are limited to specific seasons, while others tend to be on the pricey side.  There are types of flowers that are very delicate and aren’t the best options for bouquets.  Your designer can offer the best suggestions that match your budget and your style.

3.  Don’t be budget shy- Come to the appointment with some kind of budget range.  We can guide you to designs that fit in your budget if you share this information with us.  We will work hard to come up with the style you are looking for at a price that makes you feel comfortable.

 

We are available Monday – Saturday for consultations.  Contact us to set up an appointment- 312.563.1306.

Karen & Rob tied the knot at The Mid America Club on Saturday, July 30, 2011.  The light touches of purple and lavender really played up the space and highlighted the magnificent views of the Club.  Check out some of these photos from the day!  (Click on the photo for an enlarged shot.)

 

Beautiful bouquet of picasso calla lilies

 

Simplicity at its finest!

 

Ceremony setting using portions of the guest table centerpieces

 

Bride and Groom at the ceremony setting

Candlelit aisle treatment

 

Adorable junior bridesmaid with her bouquet of various varieties of orchids

 

Low centerpieces of white hydrangeas, purple lisianthus, fully bloomed roses and orchids accented with floating candles

 

Shades of purple, pink and white- always a gorgeous choice!

 

Elevated centerpieces atop glass trumpet vases

 

Room shot of the Mid America Club

Thanks you to Orange2 Photo for these beautiful photos.  You can see more of this wedding on their blog: http://orange2photochicago.blogspot.com/2011/08/karen-rob.html

We would love to work with you on your wedding day!  Please contact us for more information.

 

Here is an email I recieved from the Mother of the Bride from our wedding at the Palmer House this Saturday.  Pictures of the day to come!Good morning, I just wanted to tell you how beautiful the flowers on each of the tables were.  When she said tulips you out did yourselves.  I was able to bring one of the large arrangement home and just took it apart, now we have tulips in the living room, roses in the den and greens in the sunroom.  I even took some of the flowers to dry so Anne can have them for a while.  Thank you so much for making everything so beautiful.