One Strange Year

This year is strange enough to write a book about the life at Marriott Naperville Apiary. It started off with a mild winter, not a lot of snow and we had a beautiful spring. The summer was a relatively mild one compared to the 100 degree weather we had this time last year.

I’ve had one swarm happen early one Thursday morning, then we found one on property seven days later that ended up not one of my hives, but came from somewhere else. Needless to say they have kept us on our toes and we’re keeping a pretty close eye on them now. All of our hives are working pretty hard and have produced around 100 pounds or so of honey thus far. The goal now is to keep them happy and working to create more honey before we decide to go for extraction. We will leave about 50 pounds of honey in each hive for them to feed on in winter time 2013 and 2014.

Chef Sean Patrick Curry

Real Weddings: Arianna + Ryan 7.12.13

We had the honor of hosting Arianna and Ryan's rustic-and-vintage inspired wedding at the Chicago Marriott Naperville on July 12, 2013. Arianna and her team of family and friends had some beautiful DIY projects with their burlap-wrapped centerpieces, expansive candy buffet and hand-crafted shutters to frame their dessert buffet.

Here are some of our favorite pictures from their special day:

Inspirational sayings greeted guests on their escort cards, nestled onto pine cones

 

Guests were invited to "sign a leaf" in lieu of a traditional guest book

Tiny, hand-wrapped burlap roses add great touches on centerpieces of smooth stones and pine cones

 

The bride's father created the shutters as a custom backdrop to their dessert buffet. He also created the multi-tier cake stands for the cupcakes

 

 

Gray paper straws stayed with the vintage theme 

Congratulations, Arianna and Ryan! We're so glad you chose the Chicago Marriott Naperville for your wedding!

CLICK HERE if you'd like more information on weddings at the Chicago Marriott Naperville.