Andonoplas left the bank and moved into the wedding industry, which he had dabbled in part-time helping friends. After all, “weddings are my passion,” he said, “and I never feel like I’m at work; I love what I’m doing.”
He helps others on their special days with every detail—from the “Save the Date” card to the good-night gift, and literally everything in between.
Frank—as he is known a la Oprah, Cher and others who simply go by one name—has orchestrated weddings that are truly out-of-this-world. In 2010, for instance, he produced a wedding at a sports arena in Troy, Mich., for a gold medal-winning figure skater—and he converted the ice rink into a wedding area.
Then there was the wedding at the Drake Hotel that included a meandering path. There was also the one Andonoplas made it appear as though it were snowing since the night’s theme was Winter Wonderland.
He’s coordinated weddings for as many as 962 people and even the wedding of former Chicago Bulls player Randy Brown.
Andonoplas also has endured a death during a wedding. There was also the time a bride accidentally flushed her veil down the toilet minutes before the ceremony was to start.
Once, a maiden of honor forgot the rings—so they had to use the two rings that Andonoplas wears during the ceremony.
He accepts only one wedding gig per weekend to give full support and dedication to the no doubt nervous bride and groom.
“I establish relationships with my clients and ultimately most turn into wonderful friendships,” he said.
Andonoplas is one of 59 master bridal consultants in the world, and was the first male to achieve the title, presented by the Association of Bridal Consultants.
“For me, the best part of the job is the call or email the day after the wedding, when the couple tells me that everything was beautiful, better than they expected and that they couldn’t have done it without me,” he said.
Andonoplas, who is hoping to expand his business with more civil union ceremonies in Illinois, has appeared on every mainstream media outlet locally and even has appeared on 20/20 and The Early Show.
He won the 2010 Gala Award from Special Events Magazine for best wedding (budget of more than $1,000 per guest), a trophy that now sits front and center of the 16 awards he has won in the wedding industry over the years.
Reach Frank at his website,
www.frankeventdesign.com.
THE STATSName
Frank Andonoplas
Age
48
Relationship status
Partnered with Shawn for 22 years; the two had a small, private civil union ceremony June 13
Hobbies
Theatre, going to Las Vegas
and baking
Neighborhood
Garfield Ridge
High school
John F. Kennedy HS,
Class of 1981
College
DePaul University, Class of 1985
It’s a fact
He never becomes Facebook friends with clients until after their wedding.
Pets
A bichon fries named Fenwick Abercrombie Gaylord (FAG)