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| | Since
I started Frank Event Design almost a decade
ago, my consulting service has been featured on several occasions in many local
and national newspapers and magazines.
Enjoy a collection of excerpts
from selected print articles...
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| | The
Daily Herald | | | | "WEDDING:
MANY WILLING TO PAY FOR GRANDEUR"
"People are back to formality,"
says Frank J. Andonoplas, a Chicago are wedding consultant and State Coordinator
for the Association of Bridal Consultants. "They want the pomp and circumstance
as well as the special touches that make their wedding unique." | |
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| | Daily
SouthTown | | | | "HERE
COMES THE PRICE TAG"
"Princess Di, not Cinderella got the ball
rolling," according to Bridal Consultant Frank J. Andonoplas who typically
works with brides spending an upward of $35,000.00. "It all started when
Diana married Charles," Andonoplas said. "The entire country watched
the fairy tale." | | | | | |
| | Chicago
Wedding Magazine | | | | "WAYS
TO WED"
Frank J. Andonoplas, Master Bridal Consultant has been planning
weddings for 12 years and knows that the details, such as special napkin treatments
and ties and embellished menu cards at each place setting makes the difference. | |
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| | Chicago
Wedding Magazine | | | | "ON
THESE DAYS"
"One of best decisions was to hire a wedding planner,"
Theresa says. "Frank was so helpful and made sure that on the wedding day
I didn't worry about a thing. Our wedding was truly everything we wanted and a
day I will never forget." | | | | | |
| | Chicago
Wedding Magazine | | | | "YOUNG
AT HEART"
Enter Frank Andonoplas, whom Diane called to help with
planning the Wedding Reception. "I told her to give me 5 words that described
her and her fiancé. She said words like fun, gregarious, whimsical and
carefree. I told her let's close FAO Schwartz and have a party in the toy store."
Diane remembers, "At first I thought 'this guy is nuts. But the more I talked
to family the more we realized it was what we wanted to do." | |
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| | Chicago
Tribune | | | | "FINISHING
TOUCH: HOW COUPLES CAN FIND A WEDDING CAKE TO SAY, 'I DO'"
Andonoplas
believes that the prices of cake in Chicago compared to New York area bout $1.00-1.50
less per slice with each level of distinction. "The big kickers are elaborate
icing and detailing on the outside of the cake" notes Andonoplas. | |
| | | |
| | The
Brides Guide | | | | PUTTIN'
ON THE RITZ
Frank Andonoplas brings expertise and creativity to wedding
planning. At each table you might find hand tied napkins with a rose inside, both
escort cards and placecards, menus tied with ribbons, tassels or monogrammed waxed
seals. | | | | | |
| | Special
Event Magazine | | | | WEEDKEND
WEDDINGS: SAYING "I DO" TO ADDITIONAL EVENTS
Although most
coordinators never carry one theme though all the wedded events (you don't want
the prenuptial dinner to steal the thunder of the wedding itself, notes Frank
J. Andonoplas, Master Bridal Consultant.
"Each event should play
up the destination." Andonoplas stages weekend weddings that show off the
Windy City, often including before the ceremony events as a boat tour that highlights
the city's formal architecture. The welcome baskets he places in guest's rooms
feature Chicago products and lists of the couple's favorite Chicago eateries,
museums and stores. | | | | | |
| | Wedding
Bells Magazine | | | | THE
WEDDING PLANNER
The brides and consultants we spoke with had developed
a relationship with their planning partner. "I get to know my clients intimately,"
says Frank J. Andonoplas, Master Bridal Consultant. "We usually work together
for at least a year. We go through each step of the wedding together. We make
choices together. It is very personal." | |
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| | Wedding
Bells Magazine | | | | RECEPTION
TRENDS: OLD TRADITIONS KEEP ON CHANGING WITH THE TIMES
Andonoplas considers
the personal interests of each couple when planning the wedding. "I had clients
who were real wine enthusiasts, so instead of a full bar, I created a wine bar.
Crystal wine stoppers with the wedding date etched on them were the favor." | |
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| | Chicago
Sun-Times | | | | NOT
WEDDED TO TRADITION
"It's definitely increasing," says Frank
J. Andonoplas, who designed Surbie and Anderson's wedding at FAO Schwartz. "They
want things that they have not seen before. I find off premise weddings interesting
and much more challenging". | | | | | |
| | Red
Eye | | | | WEDDING
BELL BLUES
Chicago wedding consultant Frank J. Andonoplas agrees with
the make it special but makes it affordable strategy. People say why cut back,
it's a once in a lifetime thing. He explains, "Still everyone, even celebrities
have a budget in mind to influence their choices," Andonoplas adds. | |
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| | Chicago
Greek Circle Magazine | | | | THE
BIG DAY PLANNER
Frank J. Andonoplas, a full service wedding planner and
coordinator has been planning dream weddings for busy couples for over a decade.
One of only 22 Master Bridal Consultants in the world, Andonoplas is best known
for his personal touch, from creating a meandering garden in the Gold Coast room
of the Drake Hotel, to a wedding at FAO Schwartz. | |
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| | Crain's
Chicago Business | | | | "LUXURY
WEDDINGS GET A BIG RECEPTION"
Chicago based wedding consultant Frank
Andonoplas already has as many weddings booked this year as he did for all of
2002. "It's a once in a lifetime event," he says. Mr. Andonoplas, who
has handled weddings ranging from twenty thousand dollars to over 1 million dollars. | |
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| | North
Shore Magazine | | | | "HERE'S
TO THE HAPPY COUPLE"
"People are hungry and want to eat,"
says Frank J. Andonoplas, Master Bridal Consultant. "If the toasts are too
long you can totally screw up your first course so if more than two or three people
want to toast, slip them in between courses." | |
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| | Chicago
Tribune | | | | "TRIAL
BY CEREMONY"
Frank J. Andonoplas, a Chicago wedding planner has
an elaborate emergency kit and never leaves home without it. "You name it,
I got it," says Andonoplas. | | | | | |
| | The
News Sun | | | | "SURVIVING
THE WEDDING MAZE"
The job of a wedding consultant is to expect the
best but plan for the worst. Just ask Frank J. Andonoplas, a Chicago wedding planner.
He once had a bride flush her veil down the toilet (by accident!) just 20 minutes
before she was to walk down the aisle. | | | | | |
| | Chicago
Magazine | | | | "A
HITCH IN PLANS"
"Anyone can have a dream wedding at about any
price," says Frank Andonoplas, a Chicago wedding consultant. "First
set your three top priorities and focus on them," Andonoplas says. "If
food is your thing, cut back on flowers, he explains." | |
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| | Today's
Chicago Woman | | | | "WEDDING
PLANNERS: A MUST FOR THE CAREER GIRL"
"Also, brides choose
to listen to their friends instead of their planner. Sometime friends try to help
by offering advice, but they are not privy to the industry like the planner. They
can give inaccurate or truly inappropriate ideas. The planner who knows what is
available to the couple getting married as well as the Bride and Groom's vision
of the wedding. | | | | | |
| | Modern
Bride Chicago | | | | "CUSTOMIZE
IT: 50 WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR BIG DAY"
"Serve your favorite
dessert whether it is milk and cookies or Godiva Chocolates," says Andonoplas.
"A waiter can pass them on a silver tray at a formal reception." | |
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| | Traditional
Home Magazine | | | | "AT
THE TABLE, ....AN EVENT PLANNER AND FLORIST ADD PERSONALITY AND ORIGINALITY..."
Frank notes that the best tables are about creating something that is your
own. "Make it personal and distinctive. I tell clients that and always take
my own advice when entertaining at home." | |
| | | |
| | The
Greek Star | | | | "ANDONOPLAS
ONE OF CHICAGO'S TOP WEDDING EXPERTS"
"Every couple is different
and everyone has ideas in mind. I really get to know you and to plan what is best
for you." His events are not cookie cutter. Each varies by client and are
very detailed. He speaks a lot with his clients, developing the relationship,
defining their style and more. He is there from concept to the big day, which
is crucial. | | | | | |
| | The
Wedding Pages of Chicago | | | | "A
GIFT YOU GIVE YOURSELVES"
"Professional bridal consultants,"
says Frank, "work within your budget, preferences and lifestyle, and give
service that extends beyond the ceremony. We want your memories to be perfect." | |
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| | Giftware
News | | | | "CHICAGO'S
ANDONOPLAS PROSPERS PLANNING WEDDINGS"
Even in today's equal opportunities
society, it's exceptional to find a man working as a bridal (wedding) consultant.
It's even more unique that the man's background is in finance. But the combination
has made Frank Andonoplas the toast of Chicago's wedding circuit...and one of
the market's most savvy (and successful) salespeople.
His company is
called Bridal Consulting & Event Planning by Frank. And, Frank is frank about
every aspect of every event.
"When you work with people on one of
th most important events in their lives, you form a strong and personal bond,"
explains Frank.
| | | | | |
| | Chicago
Wedding | | | | "POETRY
IN MOTION"
With the help of their wedding consultant, Frank Andonoplas
of Bridal Consulting & Event Planning by Frank, the couple added
poetic touches to their ceremony and reception...
..."Frank took
it a step further and helped us include poetry in everything." The wedding
programs and menus contained poems. And instead of table numbers, guests were
assigned to tables named after various poets.
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| | Special
Events, April 1, 2002 | | | | AFTER
16 YEARS AS A BANKER FOR A CONSERVATIVE Chicago trust company, Frank Andonoplas
was ready for a promised promotion to a much-coveted new position. So when he
found out his job had been offered to another candidate, he was distraught. "I
went over to Fourth Presbyterian Church and cried," he says. "And in
the middle of crying I felt this presence say to me, 'Stupid! You're not meant
to do this! Forget them!'"
Within a year, Andonoplas, who had been
indulging his lifelong love of weddings by helping friends plan theirs in his
free time, decided to turn his passion into his profession. He set up shop at
home, joined the Association of Bridal Consultants and launched a new career.
Now one of only 22 ABC-certified Master Bridal Consultants worldwide, Andonoplas
works on about 24 weddings annually - most in the $40,000 to $150,000 budget range.
That's a far cry from the $200 he charged his very first client to coordinate
her wedding-day activities, but Andonoplas says his commitment has remained constant
from day one. "My tag line is 'There is no such thing as a small detail,'"
he says. "That's why they're hiring me."
Andonoplas, winner
of ABC's Dorothy Penner Heart Award for Passion and Excellence, and the current
Chicago wedding expert for wedding Web site TheKnot.com, explains that personalization
is his specialty. "I work with a lot of sisters. They don't want what their
sister had. I make it really clear to them: 'Everything is going to be about you
now. It doesn't matter what your sister had. That was a lovely wedding …
Next!'"
A gift for the personal touch has helped Andonoplas design
memorable celebrations, including one he created for a young-at-heart couple in
toy store FAO Schwarz that featured balloon artists, jukebox dancing, macaroni
and cheese, and gooey S'mores. "People played with the toys, there was a
Silly String fight - they absolutely had a ball," he says. "I loved
it because I got to think outside the box."
A dedication to detail
means Andonoplas is always seeking ways to enhance a theme or doll up a tabletop.
While clients are "going back to simplicity," Andonoplas says, thoughtful
touches such as fresh blossoms on every napkin or orchid florets under inverted
wine glasses have an enduring appeal. Client gifts such as Tiffany crystal boxes
engraved with the couple's wedding invitation - a token of appreciation he reserves
for top customers - never go out of style, he adds.
BORN TO DO IT
"I have loved weddings since I was a child. We'd be going to my grandmother's
house - we had to drive clear across the city - and we'd pass bridal shops and
I remember looking out the window to see the dresses. I went to my first wedding
when I was six years old and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.
I even remember getting up to watch on TV when Princess Anne got married. Not
Diana - Anne!"
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
"I spend the first
half-hour with clients asking them questions and letting them do the majority
of the talking. I'll ask: 'Where do you like to go out to eat? Where do you like
to shop? Do you have a favorite designer? Who is your favorite author or playwright?
If you could take a day off from work, what would you do - would you stay in bed
and read comic books, or watch Oprah and eat bonbons, or go golfing?'"
LEARNING CURVE
"I've seen people fail in this business by
going out and saying, 'I'm a wedding planner,' and not knowing diddly. Do your
homework. Don't walk into this and hang out a shingle without knowing your resources,
your vendors, and how much things cost. I really recommend the training that the
Association of Bridal Consultants puts out - they have a great set of courses."
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