lgbt Wedding Expo 2017

3700 N. Halsted St. #2-S advertising
Chicago, IL 60613
773.975.0264 Dave: [email protected]
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Tammy Annarella: Publisher Newlyweds: Rolando Dario Ruelo &
Mike Macharello: Editor Christopher John Gesselle

layout & design Photography: Carlos Marquez,
Soreal Photography
Titanium Graphics, Inc.
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Wedding Experts
advice for planning the big day

“The most “Find a venue that offers exceptional customer
important advice I service from the start because when the Big Day
can give to anyone arrives so do many last minute surprises, tweaks,
planning their exasperations and unexpected-s, despite the
wedding is to most carefully laid plans. A venue that is flexible
HAVE FUN! Being and accommodating and does it with a smile can
engaged and almost always save the day!”
wedding planning Jody Devins, Client Services and Marketing
should be a joyous Director, Catalyst Ranch
time. If it starts "When considering an outdoor venue for your
to be too stressful, take a step back. It will ALL special day, first you must be flexible and have
work out, and in the end, all that matters is that an alternate plan in place. You have control over
you and your partner make that commitment, planning but not the weather. You don’t want
so don’t sweat the small stuff in the process. to make any last minute decisions on the day
Surround yourself with vendors that you trust of your wedding. It will be stressful already. All
and LIKE. This makes the planning part more the time and effort put into the planning of
enjoyable, and on the day of the wedding, you this special day should be able to move to an
can breathe easy and focus on LOVE!” alternate with ease. Your B plan will be ready if
Ingrid Bonne Photography Photo of Reggie & Brad Mother Nature decides that this is his is the plan
“Make sure that you have good chemistry with to be used. Your venue should be able to offer a
your suppliers. The wedding planning process backup. This should be planned after you have
can be stressful and you need to know that your First plan in place. This extra planning is
you can not only trust but be able to lean on well worth the time and effort. Keep control of
your supplier for honest advice. As with any your special day no matter what Mother Nature
relationship it takes time to develop trust but throws at you. A experience wedding coordinator
sometimes your first impression is spot on!” can be very helpful especially one that’s work
Wendy Dall - Destination Wedding and with Outdoor weddings."
Honeymoon Specialist - That Travel Lady  Scott Zizic Owner, Bennett-Curtis House

“Enjoy the moment and be true to yourselves. “So you decided to show your love and
Surround yourselves with only the best commitment for each other in front of your
vendors who listen to your needs and allow friends & family by getting married & now you
you to customize a wedding celebration that have to be lovey-dovey all day on your big
truly reflects the two of you. Whether it’s day! FALSE! Everyone doesn’t expect you to be
incorporating your four legged children into comfortable with (PDA) over night. Plan ahead
the ceremony or highlighting a partners ethnic and share this with your photographer (and
cuisine or love of wine as part of the menu, DJ), look for a small area of seclusion (ideally a
discuss these points with your venue so that garden) and this can be a very special private
they may customize their packages to align with moment in the middle of the crazy busy day and
your vision and deliver a fabulous celebration save all the romantic shots for here.  Otherwise,
for you and your closest friends and family.” it’s ok to touch noses, kiss on the forehead, stare
Chris Schmidt, Director of Catering, into each others eyes & smile, these all translate
InterContinental Hotel as uber romantic, so relax and enjoy your day, in
your own special way.”
“If you’re having a serious wedding as opposed Carlos Marquez, Soreal Photo
to a “glorified elopement,” plan well in advance, “The most authentic, heartfelt weddings tell the
at least a year, if possible. The good officiants, story of who you are as a couple…  So chat often
venues, and other wedding vendors book up about the details that each of you wishes to
early. Pick an officiant whose heart is into it, include in your celebration, and stay true to your
preferably a hopeless romantic. Don’t accept vision!  There are so many creative ways to ensure
any old ceremony. Tailor it to your own tastes.”  that your ceremony and reception are exactly
Hon. James A. Shapiro (ret.)

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what you’ve been dreaming of! 1. Make use of
online resources for creative ideas, trends and
DIY tips. 2.  Consider a Sunday wedding, or an
evening celebration on a weeknight, these are
helpful for maximizing your budget. 3. Network
with your wedding vendors: many will work
with a group of colleagues to create customized
packages. For more articles, ideas and resources,
check out Your Trusted LGBT Wedding Resource
at www.RainbowWeddingNetwork.com”
Marianne Puechl, co-founder,
RainbowWeddingNetwork.com

“When searching for a venue or vendors, from
that very first conversation be upfront and let
them know you are a same sex couple. Do a
little research into ones that will be supportive
of LGBT couples or have been popular among
the community. Whether you are looking for a
traditional day or something totally out of the
box, planning is a task in itself, so make sure your
wedding day team is a dream team!”
Lindsay Mackey, Events & Program Manager ,
Chicago Flower & Garden
Photo by: Rick Aguilar
“Stick to your gut, and do what makes you
happy, once you start listening to everyone else, “When you look back on your amazing day,
your vision can get lost, and the process stops your wedding photos will remind you of your
being fun. Your wedding should be a reflection most cherished moments. So choosing your
of you… What we are really trying to say is photographer is very important. You’ll want
don’t get white cake with vanilla butter cream to choose someone that you are comfortable
because grandma says it’s traditional, if you love with, someone you can trust to capture your
chocolate cake, get chocolate cake!” day perfectly. Your photographer should be
Bogna Solak , Owner, Oak Mill Bakery someone who has experience shooting gay
weddings, and should be someone who is as
excited as you are on your wedding day. It is
“These are perilous times. I have eight same essential that you choose a photographer who
sex weddings booked in 2017, and have made can encourage you to share your love in front
this offer to all. If you want to get the legalities of the camera, whether your loving interactions
done before your actual date, I will gladly marry are affectionate and subdued, or lively and fun.”
you right now, free of charge. Then we do your Rick Aguilar, President, Rick Aguilar Studios
formal wedding whenever you like. This was a
request from one of my couples, worried about
what might happen later this year, and I’m “I would say enjoy the journey. Have fun,
delighted to assist them. Truly, I would prefer but remember that you should keep in mind
to write something lovely and lyrical about quality and not just price point. Discounted
your upcoming wedding, but this is what this flowers will wilt faster than you can sneeze.
moment demands. Blessings to you!” Alternative metal rings are street fair rings, and
Rev. Marian Hale not wedding rings. A wedding ring should be
All Ceremonies Beautifully Done of silver, gold or platinum. This is a ring you
are going to be wearing a long time! Avoid
the internet, listen to friends who have gone
“Book your Wedding on a Friday! Most venues through their own fun filled wedding.”
offer awesome discounts so you can have your Donald R. Strzepek
dream wedding without having to break the Tucker Company-President
bank. You can save money to spend on your
future vacations or a new home. At Arrowhead,
we offer $15 off per person for Friday dates!” “All that matters is your love for each other! 
Brittiny Gibson & Alexis Wiley, Wedding Don’t get caught up in the details.”
Specialists, Arrowhead Golf Club Sophie Evanoff, President, Vanille Patisserie

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Invited to a Same Sex Wedding?

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK!

While a wedding is just a wedding, same-sex What is the general makeup of the wedding
weddings are relativity something new. You party if there aren’t separate maids of honor
might wonder if there’s a specific etiquette and groomsmen? There’s a lot of role-bending
and set of rules to follow. Here's a little help. and gender-bending around these positions.
In an opposite-sex proposal, generally, Modern couples of all sorts are choosing people
the man proposes to the woman with an whom they’re closest to to fill these roles, so that’s
engagement ring. How does it work in same- a slight difference.
sex relationships? What tends to happen is What are common faux pas that you’ve seen
that they will go to a jewelry store together, guests commit at same-sex weddings?
and they will pick out either matching rings or Some people don’t understand that weddings
complementary rings. start right on time. That’s probably the most
Does it make sense to still host separate important thing that you should know. When we
bachelor/bachelorette parties? It’s more that look at more specific things, it’s how each member
there are post-wedding parties, brunch or after- of the couple refers to each other.
party type of thing, because there’s not really a The default is “husbands” and “wives.” But
necessity to escape to Vegas. it’s taking a while for straight friends to get
As a couple, are you obligated to invite family habituated to that. It’s kind of gone from “lovers”
members who have spoken out against gay in the early ‘90s to “partners,” and partners was
marriage in the past? The inclination to avoid so confusing because are they business partners
drama and hurt feelings is a normal reaction. It’s or are they lover partners? Now it’s husbands or
suggested that you be the bigger person on this wives. Be sure to listen to how two men or two
special occasion and invite them. Family should women are referring to each other, and follow suit.
trump politics and religion. Parents should open How much of a kiss will that kiss really be?
their hearts and say, “No matter what, this is our For many straight guests this is the moment of
son or daughter and we want to see them happy.” truth, seeing two men or two women lock lips. This
Family first. That’s often how political beliefs may be the first time a lot of straight guests will
change, by knowing LGBT people who get see that in the flesh. It’s different than cheering for
married and seeing these type of ceremonies and equal rights. It’s more visceral, it can make some
understanding they are about love. people feel uncomfortable.

If I attend a same-sex wedding, what are some That first kiss seals the deal on the new marriage,
new traditions I should be aware of? It’s less so concentrate on the love and the commitment
common that parents will be escorting either of it represents, nothing else, and you’ll be fine. It's
their children down the aisle. The ritual of being suggested that all couples use a little discretion, this
given away by a parent doesn’t quite make sense is not the best time for any couple to have a make
there. However, it does happen from time to time, out session. Grandma might have a heart attack!
and it’s still a lovely gesture, nonetheless. Will there be a drag show? Probably not, but
now more gay weddings are starting to include
You may have also seen in some of the weddings elements such as “drag, burlesque and go-go boys
you’ve been to that the bride’s family sits on one for entertainment.
side and the groom’s on the other side. Again, Which partner is the husband, which is the wife?
because so many of the friends have been This frequent, yet personal question is likely a stand-
intermingled for a long time, there’s mixing from in for all the ways same-sex nuptials can wreak
the very start in terms of where people sit. If there’s havoc with tradition. Guests look for clues about
any one moment that seems the most different, gender roles in the couple’s attire, in who dances
it’s in the pronouncement when you hear them with whom, but might be surprised to find out that
pronounced as “husband and husband,” or "wife there is no "man and woman" role. If you are that
and wife." This is marriage. The words are a little curious, ask one of them at the right moment.
tweaked, but it’s the same thing. It may take some
people a little getting used to.

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On The Go . . .!

in the know

Spring Fashion Party @ Cram Fashion & Andrew “We’ve seen a spike in RSVP’s for our upcoming
Christian’book signing, Thursday, March 16 2017 events ever since November 9th,” Puechl
Join Cram Fashion for their Spring Fashion continues. “Couples aren’t frantic, but they’re
Party starting at 8pm with complimentary wanting to take real action. Moving ahead with
cocktails, a Live DJ, models, and meet their plans to marry is one way they can empower
Andrew Christian who will be signing his themselves.”
newly released book! Cram will be donating Food & Cake Samples, Trendy LGBT Planning
10% of the evening’s sales to TPAN and every Ideas & Raffle Giveaways are also highlights of
purchase enters you in the raffle to win prizes. every ‘Same Love, Same Rights’® event. The
http://www.cramchicago.com/ for more info. Expos are free for couples to attend, and all
Chicago Tattoo Convention @ Donald Stephens budgets are welcome. Friends, family, hetero-
Convention Center, Rosemont, March 17-19 allies & other advocates of equal rights are
Villain Arts is back for the 8th Annual Chicago welcome to join in the excitement.
Tattoo Arts Convention at 9291 Bryn Mawr http://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/
Ave. in Rosemont! Get tattooed on site by 700 Shamrock Shuffle Run/Race @ Grant Park
of the world’s BEST tattoo artists. Show off your Downtown, Chicago Sunday, April 2
tattoos or plan out a few new ones. The three Long recognized as an annual rite of spring, a
day convention is a paradise for hundreds of celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the kickoff
ink-stained artists from across the nation, who to the outdoor running season in Chicago,
come to town to show off their skills. See some the 38th annual Shamrock Shuffle 8K takes
unique burlesque acts, sideshow and plenty runners on a scenic tour of downtown Chicago,
of vendors. Meet TV celebrities from Best Ink, starting and finishing in Grant Park. The race
Tattoo Nightmares, and Ink Master, and VH1’s will begin at 8:30am. on Sunday, April 2, and
Black Ink. http://www.villainarts.com/ will conclude with live music at the traditional
Chicago Flower Show @ Navy Pier, March 18-26 Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of
One of the most cherished annual events at the event, the two-day Shamrock Shuffle
Navy Pier, the Chicago Flower & Garden Show 8K Health & Fitness Expo will take place at
draws upwards of 40,000 garden enthusiasts McCormick Place on Friday, March 31, and
and newbies each year from across the Midwest. Saturday, April 1, featuring more than 80
With all this Chicago spirit and love, you have industry-related exhibitors. The Health & Fitness
to be asking, “What does this have to do with the Expo is free and open to the public. For more
show?” Well, in honor of this city in a garden, the information about the event and how to get
2017 show theme will be applauding all that involved, go to www.shamrockshuffle.com.
is wonderful about Chicago’s neighborhoods, Walkers will be treated to a scenic 2 mile course
cultural institutions and the green scene. along Chicago’s lakefront, starting and finishing
BTW: Don’t miss HGTV and DIY Network host, in the same location as the 8K run. The walk is
landscaper and green expert Ahmed Hassan a perfect introduction to the Shamrock Shuffle
as he makes for a lively discussion on the and is ideal for aspiring runners or those looking
Gardening Live Stage Friday March 24th, 2pm to take part in the celebration without tackling
and 4pm, and Saturday March 25th, 12pm and an 8K (4.97 miles).
2pm! http://chicagoflower.com/ for more info. Art AIDS America concludes on April 2
The Rainbow Wedding Expo @ Crowne Plaza The national tour is at the new Alphawood
Chicago Metro, Sunday, March 19 Gallery, and was established just for this
Returning to Chicago is the 9th Annual ‘Same presentation by the Alphawood Foundation, at
Love, Same Rights’® LGBT Wedding Expo! 2401 North Halsted Street (at Fullerton Avenue).
This year’s event will be held at a brand new The exhibition opened on World AIDS Day,
location off West Madison St. at the Crowne Thursday, December 1, and continues through
Plaza Chicago Metro, 733 West Madison Street Sunday, April 2, 2017. Admission is free. Info. at:
in Chicago from 12:30pm-3:30pm. http://www.artaidsamericachicago.org/

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Healthy Life+Style
ways to reduce Belly Bulging in time for summer

Artificial sweeteners are frequently found Feasting on fiber-rich foods can push stomach
in many reduced-calorie foods, processed clogging materials out of the body. Fiber moves
products, and diet or decaffeinated drinks. They food through the gastrointestinal tract quickly
contain chemical compounds called sucralose, for better digestion.
aspartame, and cyclamate that the digestive About 25-30 grams of fiber is recommended
tract cannot break down easily. Sweeteners, per day, but most people usually get only
which can be up to 300 times sweeter than 10-12 grams. Incorporate fiber into your diet
natural sugar, are known to increase appetite by including foods like oatmeal, bran flakes,
and result in overeating. Be on the lookout for raspberries, lentils, and artichokes into your
artificial sweeteners, and when possible, steer meals. You can also try fiber supplements that
clear of them. contain psyllium, a soluble fiber that can help
Carbonated drinks, like soda, cause air bubbles regulate digestion and prevent constipation.
to form and expand in your abdomen. When White bean hummus is a great fiber-rich food
they burst, carbon dioxide particles are that can actually soak up water in the intestines.
dispersed in the stomach. They fill up your belly It helps to move the bloating, causing foods to
and cause bloating. push through your body faster.
There’s plenty you can do to prevent bloating, Probiotics are made up of “good” living bacteria
but sometimes it is unavoidable. For those similar to those that naturally exist in the body
times, there are simple cures you can recourse and aid with digestive health. Probiotics regulate
to alleviate bloating and aid digestion. These the amount of healthy bacteria in your system
effective solutions will remedy a bloated belly and normalize bowel movements. Through
and cleanse the body. nutritional supplements or probiotic-enriched
When your stomach feels like it’s about to food sources like yogurt, miso, soy drinks, and
pop, downing water may be the best quick fix. juices, probiotics can be integrated into your diet. 
Good old H2O restores the sodium balance Look for “live and active cultures” listed on their
in the body and normalizes your digestive packaging labels.
tract. Be sure to keep hydrated. Drink the daily Massage is sometimes a helpful way to keep
recommendation of eight 8-oz glasses of water the bulge at bay. Massaging the abdominal area
to rid the body of harmful toxins. helps relax the muscles that support the bladder
Dandelion tea is a mild diuretic that will also and intestine. Press your fingers near your right
help get rid of the water your body is holding hip.  Start massaging in small circles. Move
onto. It stimulates bile to help break down fatty hands from right to left making an arc under
meals that also make you bloated. Try drinking your breastbone. Massaging stimulates bowel
one cup per day. activity to help push out excess stool and reduce
bloating.

Try taking 200 milligrams of magnesium daily See your doctor if you find that bloating is
to fight fluid retention and to expel gas. This interfering with your daily activities. It could
crucial mineral eases constipation by relaxing be attributed to many “silent” disorders
the muscles in the intestinal walls. You can also such as endometriosis, peptic ulcer, liver,
find magnesium in green leafy vegetables such kidney, gallbladder, celiac, thyroid, and pelvic
as spinach, legumes (beans and peas), nuts and inflammatory diseases as well as cancers such as
seeds, whole grains and fish (such as halibut). stomach, colon, and ovarian. It’s also frequently
Potassium ensures that all cells, tissues and linked to irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory
organs are operating properly. It can provide bowel disease, and other gastrointestinal
relief from bloating by balancing and circulating conditions. If you notice that your abdomen
body fluids. Try eating potassium-rich foods is looking persistently and unusually inflated
such as bananas, kiwis, and strawberries. and/or you’re experiencing intense pain, be sure
to schedule an appointment.

Disclaimer: Matters regarding health require supervision by a licensed professional. boiMAG shall not be be liable or responsible for any
loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestions in this publication.
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