bride and groom charcuterie

Charcuterie for your Bridal Shower with Chi-cuterie

Charcuterie for your Bridal Shower with Chi-cuterie

In recent years, charcuterie has gone from delicious appetizers to renowned, artfully displayed meals! As you plan your bridal shower food, charcuterie is the perfect bridal shower fare, whether it’s appetizers or a full meal! Because of its design and customizable options, choosing charcuterie for your bridal shower is sure to be a guest favorite! There is no need to slave over a hot stove all morning in preparation for your bridal shower food. To set you up for success, we were excited to talk with Michelle from Chi-cuterie, a wonderful small business in quaint Geneva, Illinois, that specializes in custom charcuterie boards for events. Not only will you learn all you need to know to plan your bridal shower charcuterie, but you’ll also hear a bit about their event space, perfect for bridal showers! Here is all you need to know to plan the perfect bridal shower charcuterie with Chi-cuterie.

charcuterie bridal shower venue

Venue: Chi-Cuterie, Geneva, Illinois, Photo: Susan Ryan Photography,

Charcuterie is not just for appetizers!

Bridal showers are the perfect occasion to serve charcuterie as the main course. There is generally something that every guest will enjoy. Because ladies are typically mingling and visiting, nibbling on a variety of foods is just perfect! At Chi-cuterie, we are all about creating special experiences. We source our products from local farmers, artisans, and other local businesses. Guests are always so thrilled to learn the stories behind the items featured, especially about the cows and goats, as well as the passion behind the products! We enhance the experience by building our boards and grazing tables around the featured drinks for the event – be it bubbly, white wine, red wine, or a signature drink. This allows us to thoughtfully pair each item on the board, with great attention given to what cheeses, meats, and accoutrements pair together. For example, the Wisconsin Colby will be placed next to the local summer sausage as well as the strawberries and hand-crafted chocolate potato chips. These kinds of combinations make grazing even more enjoyable and people love trying new things and learning something new. And as we say at Chi-cuterie, we create charcuterie that starts conversations and that is what builds community! People are generally curious and ask a lot of questions. We often have guests come back to our store after attending showers because they enjoyed a particular local cheese, meat, jam, or chocolate for example. Promoting these small, local businesses is everything to us! It is not uncommon to find 30 or more represented on one of our projects.”

Don’t forget the perfect beverage pairing to go with your charcuterie.

“Typically the most popular charcuterie boards for showers are those we pair with bubbly! Nothing says bridal shower like a celebratory glass of Champagne, Prosecco, or Sparkling Wine! And our guests have absolutely loved learning about all the meats, cheeses, and unusual items we pair with bubblies! The element of surprise is part of building our experience here. We love finding new farms, products, and ways to delight the senses. Our latest hit has been our goat cheese boards with a local chèvre from a female-owned farm in Wisconsin that is bringing home award after award this year. We spread the cheese on a board, top it with one of our local jams (pear with ginger is a fave), local honey, fresh pears, thyme, candied walnuts, a beautiful finishing salt with herbs, and finished with our signature edible flowers and fresh herbs. These are served with beautiful crackers with pressed flowers and herbs.”

charcuterie

Photo: Susan Ryan Photography, Charcuterie: Chi-Cuterie

When planning your bridal shower food, it’s not just about the food, it’s about creating an experience.

“Our advice is to plan ahead and then ENJOY the experience. We take care of every detail at our event space so that the host can just arrive and enjoy the day with the bride! No need to bring any flowers, decorations, plates/napkins/cutlery/serving pieces, or even favors for guests. We can take care of all of those things for you! Want desserts? We can do those too! Want balloons? We have you covered Want a Mimosa or Bloody Mary bar? No problem! We also have a full line of wines by the glass or bottle, beer, craft cocktails, and beautiful non-alcoholic beverage options as well. Guests can even shop for wedding gifts in our retail area!”

Beautiful and delicious food for your bridal shower, what’s not to like?!

Bridal showers are all about bringing together a bride’s loved ones to celebrate. What better way to celebrate than eating delicious, one-of-a-kind custom charcuterie boards? Remember, don’t forget the perfect bubbly to go with it, because what celebration is a celebration if there’s no champagne?  Your guests are sure to rave about your unique bridal shower fare for years to come! Thank you so much to Michelle at Chi-cuterie for her advice and expertise on charcuterie for bridal showers. We hope you will not only consider using Chi-cuterie for their gourmet charcuterie but also for the incredible service at their event space. For more wedding planning inspiration and advice check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below. Happy Planning!

Chicago Area Highest Rated Most Reviewed for 15 Years

Music By Design – Chicago Area’s Highest Rated Most Reviewed for 15 Years. Music By Design was announced a winner of the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® for fifteen consecutive years, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire.

Music By Design The Knot Best of Weddings 2023

Music By Design is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2023 ­­winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section featured on The Knot. The Knot is the number-one wedding destination, most trusted by brides.

2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®

Music By Design was announced as a winner of the 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire, a trusted wedding vendor marketplace.

Barn venue

Wedding Venue Feature: Heritage Prairie Farm

Wedding Venue Feature: Heritage Prairie Farm

In the Chicagoland area there are endless wedding venues. For our June venue feature we chose Heritage Prairie Farm for its beautiful farm setting. Heritage Prairie Farm is a perfect destination for couples looking for a calm, country, & elegant venue. If you’ve been looking for a peaceful, farm wedding venue, our wedding venue feature of Heritage Prairie Farm is sure to fulfill your dreams.

1.) What makes Heritage Prairie Farm the ideal wedding venue?

Heritage Prairie Farm is the ideal venue for couples that are looking for truly all-inclusive services paired with delicious farm-to-table food in a beautiful, natural setting. When couples book with Heritage Prairie Farm, we provide a number of services in-house, including a Wedding Coordinator, customizable menus featuring produce from the fields, custom printed design, and a large inventory of rentable furniture and décor. You can truly craft your dream event from start to finish with our expert team by your side.

2.) How far in advance does Heritage Prairie Farm typically book out for weddings?

It varies, but typically a year or more before their date. We host a Tasting Event in the fall and winter for each upcoming season, which is a really fun way of jumpstarting the planning process, so typically couples are booked 1-1.5 years ahead.

3.) How many ceremony and reception settings does Heritage Prairie Farm have?

As an all-inclusive venue, each event has exclusive access to the property on their date. Outdoor ceremonies typically happen in front of the pergola overlooking the farm fields, or under our large maple tree.

Indoor or covered ceremonies take place in our rustic barn filled with twinkle lights.
Cocktail hour can take place around the grounds, either on the cocktail lawn, in the herb garden, or in the cooler months or in case of inclement weather, in the barn or greenhouse. Receptions take place in our paved, 5-peak century tent.

4.) We hear the food at Heritage Prairie Farm is second to none! What is your favorite wedding dish? Do you have advice for couples as they select their wedding cuisine?

Food is definitely a major centerpiece of what we do here at Heritage Prairie Farm. We source ingredients directly from the fields throughout the season, such as tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, beets, carrots, radishes and so much more. You’ll find many of our dishes topped with our delicious microgreens, and all of the produce is USDA Certified Organic.

In addition to the farm-to-table ingredients, at Heritage Prairie Farm, you are not limited to picking items from a list. We have suggested wedding dishes available, but if you’d like to add in a favorite dish or even make your menu vegan-friendly, we’ve worked with all tastes and created menus with many worldly flavors present.

Some of the most popular items seen on menus here are our ball-jar elotes, pulled pork smoked on-site, and our delicious focaccia with whipped HPF honey butter. Our Executive Chef is great at helping couples navigate the process to create a menu that is true to their style, and will be talked about for years to come from friends & family. Plus, if they really can’t get enough, we always welcome you back at one of our monthly Farm Dinners for another night of farm-to-table food!

5.) Do you have multiple wedding package options? What should couples take into consideration when choosing?

Our pricing is really custom to each event and straightforward about what is included. The options are custom to your budget, so you can find a bar or food package that works for you. Some couples opt for a fuller menu, while others opt for premium spirits or additional specialty cocktails. We take care of the details like prep, setup, and service, so that you can relax and enjoy the day with your guests.

6.) Do you have any tips for couples as they look for a wedding venue?

When picking a venue, envision the parts of your day that are important to you. At Heritage Prairie Farm, we strive to take care of the details with you so that during your celebration you can relax with your friends & family as your day comes to life.


We hope our venue feature of Heritage Prairie Farm has made your wedding venue search easier. For more information on having your wedding at Heritage Prairie Farm, you can click here to fill out their inquiry. If you are in the midst of wedding planning, check out more Chicago Wedding Blog posts below for more tips and inspiration. Happy Planning!

Wedding Reception Add-Ons, Coffee Cart

Wedding Reception Add-Ons

Wedding Reception Add-Ons

A new trend we’ve been loving is wedding reception add-ons! Wedding reception add-ons are unique options you can add to your wedding reception, usually food or activity related. These options add extra fun and uniqueness to your wedding. If you want your wedding to stand out from the rest, here are some fun, and yummy, wedding reception add-ons to inspire you!

#1 A Lemonade Stand

If your wedding is during warm weather this is a great add-on idea for you! You could do different flavors of lemonade or iced tea. You can also add fruit to your lemonade/tea options. This is a refreshing way to keep guests cool and happy.

#2 A Donut Stand

Who doesn’t love donuts? Donuts come in all flavors and designs from classic to gourmet. If you love dessert or just want an extra fun snack for your wedding donuts are the in choice; and delicious. The donut displays are equally as unique as the donut options. You could add the donuts around your cake, or you can even have a wooden donut display. The sky’s the limit if you love donuts!

#3 Coffee Bar

Do you love coffee? If you don’t want sleepy guests on the dance floor, choose a coffee bar! You can have a signature drink, or have options for your guests. So many people are coffee-obsessed, so this option has become very popular. Also, coffee pairs very well with desserts.

#4 A Photo Booth

There are many fun ways to do a photo booth. You can make it in to a guest book by using the photos for the guest book. It even works as a wedding favor so the guests can take their keepsake photos with them. Who doesn’t love taking funny photos with props with your friends? This fun activity is great for a break from the dance floor, or right after dinner before dancing.

#5 Graham’s Homemade Ice Cream Bars

Graham’s in Geneva, Illinois will provide their homemade ice cream at your wedding reception! Their chocolate is to die for and their ice cream is like the cherry on top! Your guests will talk about these desserts for years!

Did you have add-ons at your wedding reception? Are you planning on having wedding reception add-ons? We’d love to hear what you are doing and see photos! E-Mail them to hello@chicagoweddingblog.com . Happy Planning! For more helpful wedding planning tips read the blog posts below!

Wedding Wire Couples Choice Awards

2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®

Wedding Wire Couples Choice Awards DJ Music By Design

2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®
Music By Design Named Winner in 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®

Chicagoland, January 13, 2020. — Music By Design was announced a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire
Couples’ Choice Awards®, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality,
service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire.

Music By Design is the highest rated most review DJ in the Chicagoland Wedding Wire Network.

A leader in the global wedding planning industry, WeddingWire continues its celebration of local wedding
vendors with the announcement of its twelfth annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® winners. To
determine these distinguished wedding professionals, WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20
service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers to find the most highly rated vendors
of the year. These winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when
interacting with the millions of consumers who turn to WeddingWire to help ease their wedding planning process
each month.

Wedding professionals who win WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® are members of WeddingPro, the
leading B2B wedding brand. As the largest marketplace and community for wedding professionals, WeddingPro
connects businesses with more than 13 million visitors per month who are planning weddings on WeddingWire
and The Knot, as well as with hundreds of thousands of pros in the industry. Through its online marketplaces,
educational programs and community-building events, WeddingPro is dedicated to helping wedding
professionals build relationships with couples and pros that grow their businesses.

Music By Design is honored to be one of the top wedding businesses in Saint Charles on WeddingWire.com.
For more information about Music By Design, visit the Music By Design website. To learn more about the
WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.

About WeddingWire
WeddingWire is a trusted global online marketplace, connecting consumers with local wedding professionals
and a suite of comprehensive tools that make wedding planning easier. Operating within a $250 billion industry,
WeddingWire helps millions of users every month find the right team of wedding professionals to personalize
and pull off their special day. Consumers around the world are able to read more than 5 million vendor reviews
and search, compare and book from a directory of over 500,000 vendors local to them. Founded in 2007, the
WeddingWire portfolio serves couples and wedding professionals across 15 countries in North America, Latin
America, Europe and Asia. The company is headquartered in Washington, DC with international headquarters in
Barcelona, Spain. Visit WeddingWire online at WeddingWire.com and follow on social media at
Facebook.com/WeddingWire and @WeddingWire on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
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BBB Torch Award Winner – Music By Design

BBB Torch Award Winner – Music By Design

TorchAwardBBB Torch Award Winner – Music By Design.

The Better Business Bureau of Chicago & Northern Illinois (BBB) announces the winners of the fourteenth annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, which spotlights companies that exemplify ethical business practices. Music By Design, Ltd. is the Torch Award Winner for Category V – The awards luncheon ceremony will be hosted at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza in Chicago on Thursday, December 2nd.

“As the headlines have reflected, ethical business practices have taken a beating on Wall Street, the banking industry, housing and other marketplaces,” says Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “The Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics honors companies that make a demonstrable effort to promote ethical business practices, and we are pleased to see the number of businesses who, in the eyes of their customers and other associates, meet that threshold.”

The award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges each year. Bernas continued, “This year’s participants and winners have reaped many rewards as a result of their commitment to achieving and maintaining high ethical standards including stronger customer loyalty, enhanced reputation, and greater employee commitment.”

The competition had the largest number of nominations and entries with nearly 2,000 nominations from a wide variety of businesses, explained Bernas.

“This variety in entries and the subsequent winners and honorable mentions reflect an increasing interest by more and more companies in using ethical business practices in their operations as their primary method of self-regulation,” Bernas said. “This belief is the cornerstone of the BBB system.”

Companies are judged in five categories based on their number of employees. Bernas noted that the presentation of awards is just the tip of the iceberg for companies that do it right by working with their customers, suppliers and other organizations in an ethical manner. It remains important for people to inform the BBB when they have done business with a company that did an exemplary job. Many of the nearly 2,000 nominees for this award were the result of consumers alerting the BBB to companies who ‘do it right’.

Music By Design The Knot Best of Weddings 2020

Music By Design The Knot Best of Weddings 2020

Music By Design The Knot Best of Weddings 2020.

Music By Design named winner in The Knot Best of Weddings 2020

Music By Design The Knot Best of Weddings 2020
Chicago, IL (December 1, 2019) — Music By Design is pleased to announce they have been selected as a 2020 ­­winner in The Knot Best of Weddings, a special section featured on The Knot. The Knot is the number-one wedding destination, most trusted by brides.

The Knot Best of Weddings 2020 provides a “by brides, for brides” guide to the top wedding professionals across the country, and is a must-have when it comes to selecting the best-of-the-best wedding resources. Whether they’re trying to find the wedding dress salon with the best service in Chicagoland, the most creative wedding photographers, top cake bakers or a chicago wedding dj, engaged couples across the country want the inside scoop on the best from real brides.

Music By Design is also included in The Knot Hall of Fame. Comprised of winners of the annual Best of Weddings, a by-brides-for-brides guide to the top wedding vendors in 80-plus cities across the U.S., the Hall of Fame inducts wedding vendors who have won four or more Best of Weddings awards. This honorable list of includes less than 5 percent of wedding professionals. Music By Design The Knot Best of Weddings 2020.

# # #

About XO Group Inc. 
XO Group Inc. is a global media and technology leader devoted to weddings, pregnancy and everything in between, providing young women with the trusted information, products and advice they need to guide them through the most transformative events of their lives. Our family of premium brands began with the #1 wedding brand, The Knot, and has grown to include WeddingChannel, The Nest, The Bump, TheBlush and Ijie. XO Group is recognized by the industry for being innovative in all media – from the web to social media and mobile, magazines and books, and video – and our groundbreaking social platforms have ignited passionate communities across the world. XO Group has leveraged its customer loyalty into successful businesses in online sponsorship and advertising, registry services, ecommerce and publishing.

For more information, please contact theknot.com

Tiffanny and Steven at Riverside Receptions

Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions

Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions October 13th, 2019

In the words of Tiffany…

It was amazing and my florist knocked my vision out of the park! My photographer captured all the perfect moments and all the feels! Dillon from Music By Design kept everyone on the dance floor all night long!

I wanted a romantic enchanted fairy tale fall wedding and I knew from the second I tried it on that the gorgeous Casablanca Bianca dress from Bijou Bridal in Oak Brook Terrace would set the tone for me to build around. This dress was the only dress I did not want to change a single thing about and that is how I knew it was the one.

I have to stay that for my Husband Steven as well, just like the dress I wouldn’t change a thing!

As for my day of wedding look- Annetta Michelle, award winning makeup artist (two years in a row!) from Rockford, IL, gave me the perfect romantic fall glam and Kathya from Meld Studio in Naperville gave me the bun of all buns to top it all off (no pun intended)!

MK, my florist- Flour & Flowers By MK, completed the whole look with the beautiful floral arrangements to go with my romantic fall fairy tale theme!

Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions – Let’s recap all my vendors:

Venue – Riverside Receptions in Geneva
DJ – Chicago Wedding DJ Music By Design
Photographer – Bridgette Burgman Photography
Flowers – Flour & Flowers By MK
Award Winning Makeup – Annetta Michelle
Hair Style – Meld Studio Naperville
Wedding Dress Style #2340 BIANCA – Bijou Bridal – Oakbrook Terrace

All images of Tiffany and Steven at Riverside Receptions is courtesy of Bridgette Burgman Photography.