Guide To Life Celebrations

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Life celebrations

By Julie Chernoff, Laura Hine, Susan B. Noyes, Kristina Tober and Kim Treger

26 9 Tips from top party pros

By Jennifer Dunham Luby

30 Get beautiful for your big day

By Jenny Muslin

34 Get the most bang for your bridal buck

By Meghan Streit

34 Caterers make the event

By Julie Chernoff

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By Julie Chernoff, Laura Hine, Susan B. Noyes, Kristina Tober and Kim Treger

Weddings and beyond

weddings and beyond

Everyone loves a party! It’s a chance to bring family and friends together to celebrate a milestone, but it doesn’t have to be once a year or once a decade. The beginning of the weekend is worthy of celebration. A teen reaching a goal deserves a party. And your birthday (whether it ends in a “0” or not) needs a cake and more.

We found inspiration and laughter from these celebrations and we hope they will move you to call, email or send an engraved invitation to your friends and family. Plan that soirée. The reward: renewed friendships and a reminder that any excuse to celebrate is worth taking.

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maximum love

Planning the perfect wedding

By Susan B. Noyes ext January, our 27-year-old son, Nick, is marrying a fantastic woman, Noelle.

Our family will have fun with the two Christmas names—St. Nick and Noelle—the rest of our lives. But before that, we want to give the affianced the best possible start, with a lovingly organized wedding.

When Nick’s siblings asked to throw an engagement party for continued u Tom and Erin Lawler, photographed at the Baha'i temple by Angel Eyes Photography - Hilda Burke

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the couple with three hours of open bar and only one hour of appetizers—maximum alcohol, minimal food, egads!— we hit the first of many complex decision-making points.

Aligning values with the endless possibilities of wedding planning can be a challenge!

Fortunately though, we found excellent advice from Second City’s Jacobina (Bina) Martin and her mother Judith, who is the syndicated columnist, Miss Manners. The Martins wrote an excellent book to guide couples and their families through the wedding planning process with wit, wisdom and common sense, “Miss Manners’ Guide To A Surprisingly Dignified Wedding.” (W.W. Norton).

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In short, Bina and her mother strongly advocate that every wedding and prenuptial event be organized around a guest list of those who know and love the bride or groom well, traditions that reflect the couple’s lives and values, and “If you drain your bank account and alienate your friends, it’s too much. Also, if there’s an elephant involved.” a budget that will not strain their future finances.

I think of this as maximum love and minimal ostentation (with minimal potential for alcohol poisoning).

A fresh-faced, chestnut-haired beauty who lives on Chicago’s North Side with her husband

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Photo by rachelle thompson

and two-year-old daughter, Bina will speak at our Make It Better Life Celebrations event on June 14, at 6:30 p.m., at The Book Stall in Winnetka. To register: makeitbetter.net/ lifecelebrations. In the meantime, she answers our most pressing questions: SBN: What is the best way to create an event and guest list that reflects the couple’s life and values?

JM: Most people plan their events backwards. They fixate on their (material) dream and then figcontinued u

ure out how many people will fit within its budget. The message becomes “my fantasy is more important to the event than having you in it.”

If your values include spending within your means and caring about others, then a celebratory event that reflects this should be easy. And usually much more dignified.

SBN: How much is too much?

JM: If you drain your bank account and alienate your friends, it’s too much. Also, if there’s an elephant involved.

SBN: What did you love about your own wedding?

JM: The cake. No seriously, it was pumpkin.

SBN: Any other tips?

JM: Let tradition prevail if your event has a ceremony.

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It will be “personal” because of the people involved. And as far as planning everything else: It’s a party. You’re not trying to get your child into preschool. Have fun and be inclusive. Yes, you are juggling a lot of personalities and opinions, but at the end of the day, you’re picking out flowers and taste-testing bruschetta. How stressful can that be?

Jacobina Martin

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celebrating the ages

By Kim Treger

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omen of a certain age used to not mention the number attached to a birthday.

But now, women are wearing a new decade like a badge of honor, and not simply celebrating a birthday, but elevating the experience beyond a party and into a life-changing transformation.

Around the World in 18 Days

Last year, Jennifer Konz-Alt and her husband, Aaron Alt, both turned 40 and marked the occasion with a lastminute family trip around

the world. “It was the sort of airfare package that a recent college grad might use to take a year abroad, but we used it to see the world in 18 days!” Jennifer explains.

With only a month to plan their adventure, the Alts and their sons— Griffin, 8, and Zach, 6— packed everything they would need into two suitcases and took off. Visiting the Cook Islands, Hong Kong, New Zealand, L.A., San Francisco, London and Paris, the Alts found the travel bonded their family in a new way. continued u

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“We discovered that the unplanned moments were the most enjoyable,” Jennifer says. Like marking Jennifer’s actual birthday with a Domino’s pizza delivered atop a 12

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volcano in Auckland.

This trip of a lifetime marked their important birthdays by honoring two of the things the Alts hold dear—family and travel. makeitbetter.net

Photo courtesy of sharon simon

Sharon Simon and friends in Puerto Vallerta

Four Trips for Four Decades

Sharon Simon of Chicago wasn’t shy about turning 40, but wanted the focus to be less on her and more on her loved ones.

She organized a trip for each decade: San Francisco with family; South Africa with a friend on a lifelong dream trip; South Beach to reconnect with childhood friends; and finally, living it up with 13 friends in Puerto Vallarta.

Back in Chicago for her actual birthday, Sharon hosted a dozen friends for a dinner at which she refused gifts, but invited everyone to contribute to a scholarship fund created to honor her brother, who was killed in a 1993 car accident. “I was surrounded by friends from all parts of

my life who knew what that meant to me, and the feeling of support was amazing,” she recalls.

The Bucket’s Half Full!

“I’m 50, so why not?” became a mantra for adventuresome Bev Pinaire of Wilmette. “I feel younger now than I did ten years ago,” she claims, describing her hiking and rappelling trips. Ticking off the list of things on her sort-of bucket list included a jump from an airplane, which she says she would do again in a heartbeat. “If there’s a bucket list, I swear my bucket is still half full,” she exclaims.

Celebrations like these can make a woman feel ageless and make age seem meaningless.

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friday night lights Shabbat celebrations on the North Shore

very Friday night at sundown (or thereabouts), Jewish families all over the world celebrate the arrival of Shabbat, the Sabbath day of rest. Lights are kindled, prayers are said, wine is drunk, challah (the traditional egg bread) is broken, and dinner begins.

It’s a custom shared by millions, connecting past and present.

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Yet amongst all this tradition, there’s room for creativity and interpretation. Enter Highland Park artist/cartoonist Sharon Rosenzweig and her husband, Aaron Freeman, the well-known comedian, author and radio personality.

Freeman converted to Judaism more than 20 years ago, and latched onto the tradition of Friday night dinners. Rosen-

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photos by britt anderson

By Julie Chernoff

zweig joined in the fun when they married in 2004. The story of the Torah comes alive at their table, with the week’s “parsha” (portion) becoming the theme for the dinner itself. They have had as many as 25 guests, but generally keep the weekly dinner to a more manageable 12. It’s a coveted invitation on the North Shore.

“We tell our guests to try to imagine themselves into the story,” Freeman says with a chuckle.

“Aaron always finds a way to incorporate all the dishes For more info visit thecomic torah.com, a website that details their “reimagining of the Very Good Book” as a graphic novel, written by Freeman and illustrated by Rosenzweig.

into that week’s parsha, even if it’s a bit of a stretch. He makes it all fit, somehow,” Rosenzweig adds.

As you can imagine, hilarity ensues. But so does discussion and spirited debate. “We talk about the Torah portion through the lens of the food,” Freeman says. And Rosenzweig sets the tone with her continued on page 23 u

a surprising way to say “i do”

By Laura Hine

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do” and “Surprise!” aren’t generally heard on the same night, but these couples astonished their guests to make their weddings unforgettable.

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lara and ed meissner, photo page 50 courtesy of barry siegel and sheila flaherty

Photo page 48 & 51 (bottom row) courtesy of naderÉ sternberg. photo page 50 courtesy of

Jeffrey and Naderé Sternberg had only been engaged for two months when they sent out invitations for their engagement party. They told their friends that their wedding was going to be a familyonly destination wedding, so they hoped everyone would make it to the engagement party in Chicago. Of course, that was a clever cover story, which they went to elaborate lengths to make believable.

The night of their party, they greeted guests in cocktail attire, socialized for the first hour, then quietly slipped away. When Jeffrey’s grandfather took the stage to welcome everyone with a toast, he said, “We have a little surprise for you before dinner.” At that, a curtain parted, revealing a room set with chairs, an aisle,

flowers— clearly ready for a wedding.

“We could hear the guests screaming, cheering and laughing,” Naderé says.

“There was just so much energy in the room,” Jeffrey adds.

“People were so happy and surprised.” Including one aunt and uncle who were doubly surprised because Jeffrey and Naderé had secretly flown in their daughter from Paris to be there for the wedding.

A great cover story is clearly a must for a surprise wedding. For Evanston poet Barry Siegel, his 60th birthday party was already planned. As he was writing a poem about his longtime girlfriend, Sheila Flaherty, he decided that he makeitbetter.net

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would surprise her, and not only ask her to marry him at the party, but actually get married that night.

“I got up to read ‘November Sun,’ ” Barry recalls. “And everyone assumed it would be about turning 60, but when I got to the lines, ‘Marry me now, Marry me please,’ there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”

Sheila admits she would have worn a different sweater if she’d known, but loved every minute of the surprise and their wedding.

For Lara and Ed Meissner, their cover story was their eminent move from Chicago to London. To say goodbye 18

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to friends and family, they planned a bash at Salvage One. Lara told 20 of her closest friends that a magician was going to start the evening off, so she needed each of them to hold a flower and envelope as part of the act. Instead, when the surprise was revealed, Lara walked down the aisle, kissing and hugging her girlfriends; their flowers became her bouquet. Each envelope held a letter, telling why Lara valued their friendship.

Again, not a dry eye in the house.

The usual surprise party has one honoree who’s shocked, but the dynamic changes when every guest gets to have that moment of thrill; when they all realize that the evening is not what they expected and a magical makeitbetter.net

Surprise!

Tips for Secretly Planning Your Nuptials If you’re considering a surprise wedding, the three couples we talked to recommend these steps: Have a plausible cover story and stick to it.

Keep your mouth shut.

Plan for the moment of surprise. Both the

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event is about to happen. For these couples, their weddings

Meisners and Sternbergs had a curtain open after a toast for the reveal.

Accept that not everyone will come. Every couple mentioned that one or two people didn’t make it, but the people who care the most will make it.

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were the beginning of a lifetime of surprises.

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Children with special needs—and their families—gain confidence as they become bar or bat mitzvahs

By Kristina Tober

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arenting a child with special needs on the journey to the bima reminds us that sometimes taking a leap of faith—in your child, in yourself as a parent and in your God—can deliver unexpected miracles.

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Despite unique challenges, Michelle Rappaport, Jack Rosen and Scott Tepperman each made their bar or bat mitzvah. Michelle has been diagnosed with familial dysautonomia, a rare genetic disorder; Jack and Scott have autism.

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Photo courtesy of the rosen family. *note: all photos taken in the synagogue were taken before or after the service.

mazel tov!

Photo courtesy of rappaport family and temple chai in long grove

For Michelle, her journey began at Keshet. Dedicated to helping individuals with developmental disabilities reach their personal potential in all areas, including Jewish religious growth, Keshet has helped hundreds of youngsters through their bar and bat mitzvah tutoring program.

For Jack, it was his rabbi at B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim who preached acceptance and welcomed children with special needs to worship. For Scott, it was his love of Shabbat services at Beth Emet Synogogue, music and the peace of a beautiful sanctuary. With the support of their home synagogues and the help of Keshet tutors, each was able to demonstrate the enormous growth and maturity that any bar or bat mitzvah must, through study and practice.

“So often we focus on a child’s deficits,” says Audrey Tepperman, Scott’s mother.

“On his bar mitzvah, Scott reminded us all of his many strengths. He wore his tallit, opened the Ark and walked with the Torah. All of these were big things that required lots of practice. It was his turn to stand on the bima in his own way.” Standing beside him, as with each milestone, were his parents: Audrey read Scott’s Torah portion and his father, Dan, delivered the sermon.

For more than two years, Jack practiced his prayers. On the day of his service, he gave

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Photo courtesy of tepperman family

voice to his potential. “Here was our child, who has minimal speech, reciting prayers in Hebrew,” Wendy Rosen remembers. “He looked out at the congregation, seeing all the people who have been so present in his life, and gave them the composure and performance of a lifetime.”

While also largely non-verbal, Michelle recited her Aliyah, prayers and chants, proving to herself and everyone how capable she is. “Michelle has her good and bad days, but that was one of her best,” explains her mother, Barrie Rappaport. “She reminded us

of how present she is and how, with acceptance and a willingness to find a way to make it work, we can help her accomplish so much more than we ever anticipated.”

These services were also a time to thank the people who worked with their children for so many years. Therapists, nurses, teachers and aides joined friends and family.

Michelle’s father Rick gave a special toast to “Team Michelle.”

“Our rabbi reminds us that special needs kids are closer to God because their emotions are so authentic,” Wendy Rosen says. “Jack held it together until the end of the service and finally broke into giggles, and we all joined in.

It was a complete and utter expression of joy, of the happiness that is Jack.”

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challahs, sculpted to fit the theme.

It can be a challenge to make something routine— even a ritual as important as Shabbat—into a familyfriendly event that will keep the children engaged. That’s why Evanston maven Emily Nidenberg has organized a “Gaming Shabbat,” where a bunch of families gather at her home for a potluck dinner and board games afterward.

“It’s a communal experi-

ence; we do it a few times a year,” Nidenberg explains.

For her family, it’s often an international affair: They’ve hosted exchange students from around the world, most recently from China. “We make an effort to integrate the home customs and ethos of our exchange students into our own celebrations,” she says.

“But I’d really love to get invited to Aaron Freeman’s,” she exclaims. “Now there’s a Shabbat!” Aaron and Sharon, consider yourselves notified.

m eet the authors Julie Chernoff, Evanston When Julie and Josh married in 1988, Julie's parents insisted that she sing to her new groom. She chose "I've Got a Crush on You"— then and now. continued u

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Laura Hine, Wilmette When Laura and Clarkson married 23 years ago (yikes!) their song was Style Council’s “You’re the Best Thing.” Still true today.

Susan Noyes, Wilmette Susan's sister-inlaw, Kathy Canada, composed and performed a song for their wedding, "Now All Of My Life Is For You." Hear the song (it's really beautiful!) and see their outdoor Canadian wedding at makeitbetter.net/ido

Kristina Tober, Lake Forest A Sunday morning wedding, so no dance—but 17 years later Kristina's husband Steve swears by Lyle Lovett's "She's No Lady...She's My Wife."

Kim Treger, Lake Forest The band at Kim's wedding brought the microphone onto the dance floor, inviting guests to sing, so her dad serenaded her with "The Way You Look Tonight," her husband with "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You," but the best was the group number she and her friends did to "I Will Survive."

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The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy

he Armour House at Lake Forest Academy provides a unique and timeless setting for your special event. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this prestigiously located Italian villa combines old world charm with modern needs, the elegance of art with the grandeur of nature.

1500 W Kennedy Rd, Lake Forest | 847.612.3219 | ArmourHouse.com

top party pros 9 tips from

By Jennifer Dunham Luby

Whether your soirĂŠe is once in a lifetime or an annual neighborhood bash, top party pros have insider ideas and tips just for you.

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of an event’s 1 Unsure dress code? Consider the person or organization throwing the party. Cocktail attire for a corporate party should be conservative, whereas the same dress code for your niece’s 21st birthday bash is the time for youthful silhouettes and bold colors.

No matter what the dress code, always choose a garment that makes you feel confident, and that you won’t mind being photographed in.

—Julie Blake, Women’s Division Manager and Store Co-Manager, Mark Shale at Northbrook Court Every summer in June or 2 July, Vintage Pine has a huge tag sale, and that’s when Heffernan Morgan Designs cleans out their warehouse. It’s

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a great source for props for an event—everything from superhero cutouts to holiday garlands. (Check vintagepine.com for the exact date.)

—Bill Heffernan, Founder, Heffernan Morgan Designs, Chicago you get engaged, 3 When don’t panic and immediately start booking venues.

Take a deep breath and start with your budget, and what you really want guests to take away from your event. The priority should be getting down the aisle and saying “I do.” Everything after that is frosting!

—Mindy Weiss, Author of “The Wedding Planner & Organizer,” and event planner for celebrities including Heidi Klum and Katy Perry 2 0 1 2 G u i d e t o l i f e c e l e b r at i o n s

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a surprise parIf your celebration is a 4 Planning 6 ty? When considering multicultural one, share music, pick a playlist from when the honoree was between the ages of 13 and 22. Upbeat music from the formative years creates a mood of fun and familiarity that will coax even the most surprised guest of honor out of their shell.

—Jeff Bizar, CEO, Bizar Entertainment, Deerfield is the key to 5 Confidence looking great in candid photos. Relax, be in the moment and avoid over-posing (that means ditching the handon-the-hip stance). Keep your arms natural, stand with one foot slightly ahead of the other, and shift your weight backwards. Now think happy thoughts, and smile!

—Chuan Vo, Owner and Photographer, Vofotos, Chicago

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the “best of” from each culture with passed hors d’oeuvres. They can be sampled or turned away, so there’s no pressure! Try to incorporate as many elements from each tradition as possible. Do research into each culture’s food and symbolism to avoid offensive foods or colors.

—Wendy Pashman, Owner, Entertaining Company, Chicago to give the hostess 7 What with the mostest? Unless you know her tastes very well, wine, chocolates and scented candles can be risky. The best gift is something small and useful, yet a piece she’d never buy for herself. Opt for a beautifully wrapped serving item for her next soiree, or a leather-bound notepad.

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—Gayle Cohen, Manager, Material Possessions, Winnetka

on a dime with 9 Decorate this party stylist secret:

that emotional big 8 Before day, ask your makeup artist to use silicone-based waterproof airbrush makeup. It will stay put through sweat and tears, until you take it off. This type of makeup also has the added benefit of creating a smooth surface over pesky fine lines. Also, avoid using moisturizers or foundations containing titanium dioxide, a common SPF ingredient. It reflects light and will give you a ghostly appearance in photos.

—Holly Kasprisin, Owner and Lead Artist, Chicago Bridal Hair and Makeup (For more tips, check out “Get Beautiful for Your Big Day” on page 95)

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Group candles in different heights and sizes on coffee tables, mantles, bars and buffets. The tiered, colorful collections of pillar and votive candles will make your party shine with hardly any effort.

—Debi Lilly, Chief Eventeur, A Perfect Event, Chicago

meet the author Jennifer Dunham Luby, Chicago Jen talked her husband Dan into the jazz standard “My One and Only Love” after her best friend introduced her to Sting’s version of it, from the “Leaving Las Vegas” soundtrack. makeitbetter.net/meetour-writers

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get beautiful for your big day

By Jenny Muslin Whether it’s your class reunion, a milestone birthday, a wedding, a child’s bar or bat mitzvah, or another important event, you want to look your most radiant. Follow our countdown guide to help get you ready for whatever momentous occasion you have coming up.

 2 Months Prior W hiten your teeth. Get whitening trays from your dentist or start applying whitening strips to make your smile sparkle. (Check out makeitbetter.net/whiteteeth for our review of whitening methods.)

T est your tan. Are you applying a natural self-tanner or being spraytanned by a professional? Make sure you like the shade and effects of your faux bronze.

S hop your closet or hit the stores for a fabulous ensemble. Once you’ve selected what you’re wearing, choose matching jewelry, shoes, a purse and wrap.

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3 Weeks Prior Get a gentle facial.

1-2 Weeks Prior 

 1 Month Prior ritique your skin care regiC men. If your current products are working well, don’t change them now. Keep skin hydrated by applying moisturizer, eyecream and sunscreen daily.

Book appointment for a hair and makeup trial. Bring pictures to show your stylist. If you’re considering fake eyelashes, this is the time to try them out. We love MAC’s falsies.

Test your undergarments to ensure smooth lines.

G et a haircut or trim to avoid the “just shorn” look. (Remind your spouse or date to book an appointment, too.)

C olor hair or touch up your roots.

Tweeze or wax eyebrows.

B uy hosiery, if needed, including a back-up pair.

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3-4 Days Prior Enjoy a mani-pedi—splurge on the paraffin treatment.

Get your beauty rest and drink lots of water.

 2 Days Prior Spray tan or self-tan.

Reconfirm hair and makeup appointment time.

Make a checklist or timeline of everything you need to do to get ready and work backwards to make sure you’re not rushed or stressed.

Day Of Event F ollow your plan—a fashion or beauty “don’t” is usually a last-minute “improvement.”

Throw key items in your clutch: safety pin, Band-Aid, aspirin, lipstick, lip-gloss, mints, keys, and cell phone.

Have fun and smile!

For a list of area salons to assist with your event preparation, visit makeitbetter.net/the-better-list

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Celebrate with Friends

Setting the bar since 1936 Wine, spirits, beer, party platters Free glassware • Free delivery Schaefer’s welcomes your unopened returns

9965 Gross Point Road, Skokie 847.677.9463 • Schaefers.com

bang buck

get the most

for your bridal

By Meghan Streit

B

ejeweled invitations in elaborate boxes, lavish gardenia centerpieces, mile-high fondant-frosted cakes and designer gowns—there’s no shortage of ways to spend money on a wedding.

Of course you want to give your daughter (or yourself!) a dream wedding. But, you don’t have to drain your savings to throw a party to remember. We asked local wedding planners for insider tips on how to spend wisely.

Spend on the music

Chuck Share is the owner of Northfield-based Weddings, Inc. His family’s business has been helping North Shore couples plan elegant weddings since 1950. Share says splurge on the reception music with a live band.

“Music is what keeps the party going,” Share says.

“Live music really creates a wonderful feeling, whether you are 80 or 18 years old.”

If your daughter has visions of out-of-touch wedding singers crooning oldies, she’ll be pleasantly surprised. Share says today’s wedding bands cover pop songs, and some even incorporate DJs, giving you the best of both worlds.

Better Location & FOod

Megan Estrada helped arrange hundreds of weddings

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in her hotel catering career.

Last year, she launched her own event planning company. Estrada says food and beverages are usually 50% of wedding budgets, so choose your venue wisely. “It’s worth it to spend $5,000 to $10,000 more for a better location that is more beautiful and has higher food quality.” linens & Lighting

Estrada says the biggest mistake brides make is using standard linens. For a bit more money, upgraded linens can completely change the look of the room. You can also up the ambiance with carefully placed lighting and flowers like lilies that draw the eye upward.

“Linens and lighting are surprisingly the things people don’t think about,” Estrada 2 0 1 2 G u i d e t o l i f e c e l e b r at i o n s

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says. “But, when you put floral, linens and lighting all together, that gives people that ‘wow’ effect.” buy the photo rights

Another tip: Invest in a good photographer. When the big day is over, the thing you’ll take with you is the photos, Estrada says. That’s why she tells clients to choose an experienced photographer and to buy the rights to pictures so you can share with family and friends. what’s important to you?

Catherine Gatto of Chicago’s Birch Design Studio tells couples to let their own interests guide the wedding budget. “If the bride and groom are foodies, we might focus on creating a really 36

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unique menu—maybe having a multi-course dinner, paired with craft beers.”

On the other hand, if the couple is into music, Gatto suggests sinking more money into that aspect of the wedding by hiring multiple performers like a calypso guitarist for cocktails and a big band for dancing. “We want guests to leave the event saying, ‘Wow, that was so that couple,’ ” she says.

Do You Need a Wedding Planner?

A wedding is the biggest and arguably the most important party most of us will ever host. Tremendous effort goes into choosing the ideal venue, creating cohesive menus, hiring florists, musicians and stylists—and making sure

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everything goes off without a hitch on that big day. That’s why many people consider hiring wedding planners.

Taste & Pulling It Together: North Shore event planner Megan Estrada likens hiring wedding coordinators to using interior decorators. “Do you feel competent in your own tastes?” she asks bridesto-be. “A lot of people know what they like, but don’t know how to put it together.”

IY Pressure: There are D plenty of blogs and websites for brides who want a DIY wedding. Chuck Share of Weddings Inc. says access to all of that information is actually one of the most compelling reasons some people hire planners. “The way the world is now, there are so many resources available, it’s overwhelming,” he observes.

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Value of Your Time: Estrada says she spends up to 200 hours planning a wedding— and she’s a professional. Many busy couples simply don’t have that time to devote to wedding planning.

Birch Design Studio’s Catherine Gatto says a planner can streamline communications with vendors: “If we get 20 emails from vendors, the bride and groom will only see two.” uest at Your Own G Wedding: Share encourages families, even those who have experience planning charity and social events, to hire a professional for one simple reason: You want to be a guest at your own wedding. “Doing it yourself sometimes turns into a negative,” he says, “because everyone is so stressed out that it takes away from the excitement.”

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Limelight: Food Illuminated

caterers make the event

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’m going to be honest with you. My enjoyment level at any celebration is directly proportional to the quality of the food. Yes, sure, the company I’m with is also important, but come on now.

Feed me something tasty!

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I’m not going to leave you hanging. I’m happy to share my sources! Here are the caterers I turn to for help with special events, whether it’s a backyard BBQ in Glencoe, a 50th birthday luncheon in Evanston, or a glittering charmakeitbetter.net

photo by kevin weinstein photography

By Julie Chernoff

ity ball downtown. These professionals make it work no matter the venue… and I lick my plate every time.

Big Ticket Charity Galas

Chairing an intimate gathering of 600 at the Field Museum? You might want to give one of these companies a call.

Calihan Catering They’ll provide service for up to 5,000. Known for their high-powered clients and their willingness to do anything to make an event work. 833 W. Haines, Chicago, 312-587-3553, calihancatering.com Jewell Events Catering For forty years, the choice of high society at all the top galas, known for excellent service.

424 N. Wood St., Chicago, 312829-3663, georgejewell.com

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Limelight: Food Illuminated Owned by Wilmette native Rita Gutekanst; known for innovative presentation and delicious food at some of the toniest venues in town. 2000 N. Racine Ave., Chicago, 773-883-3080, limelightcatering.com

Special Celebrations and Corporate Events

Whether it’s a wedding for 200 at the Botanic Garden or a business dinner for 50 at the Kenilworth Club, any of these caterers will give you the service and quality you’re looking for.

An Apple a Day Catering Twenty years of catering on the North Shore means that they know their client. 317 Park Ave., Glencoe, 847-835-2620, anappleadaycatering.com Catering by Michael’s Specializing in outdoor events, they’ll make any event fun. 6203

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Park Ave., Morton Grove, 847966-6555, cateringbymichaels.com J & L Catering Service and food are terrific; their event planners are totally hands-on and make everything run smoothly. 1229 N. North Branch St. #120, Chicago, 312280-7900, jandlcatering.com Pear Tree Catering Extensive chocolate and dessert buffets are a particular specialty, as well as big outdoor events. 950 Woodlands Pkwy., Vernon Hills, 847-459-1100, peartreecatering.com

New Ideas for Entertaining at Home

Want to entertain at home, but tired of the usual trays or potlucks? Any of these choices will provide both conversation starters and fantastic eats.

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Hummingbird Kitchen They’ll park in front of your house in their mobile kitchen and take care of business, whether it’s a plated dinner or food-truck eats. Evanston, 847-475-6680, hummingbirdkitchen.com Homemade Pizza Company HPC will bring their custommade mobile ovens to your home and provide fresh-baked thin crust pizzas, salads and desserts for your party. Multiple locations throughout North Shore, 312564-5610, homemadepizza.com Sunday Dinner With a commitment to sustainable, organic ingredients, they’ll provide restaurant quality food in a home setting. Intimate multi-course dinners for up to 15. Chicago, 773-878-2717, sundaydinnerchicago.com For a list of caterers, visit makeitbetter. net/the-better-list

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Y o u A r e I n v it e d T o J o i n M a k e I t B e tt e r F o r O u r F i r st

June 14, 2012 6:30 PM at The Book Stall in Winnetka Free admission Featuring author Jacobina Martin

r e g ist e r o n l i n e at : ma k e itb e tt e r . n e t / l if e c e l e b r ati o n s

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