First Wedding in New Honore Ballroom of the Historic Palmer House

Pals Turn the Tables on Veteran Chicago Publicist to Make Her Feel Like Cinderella!

CHICAGO, April 24 /PRNewswire/ --
WHO: Susan Ellefson, Chicago's long time, beloved publicist

WHAT: Finding and marrying the man of her dreams, and celebrating their
wedding in the Palmer House as did President Grant's son,
Brigadier General Frederick Dent Grant and Ida Honore Grant, and
later the wedding of their daughter Julia Grant to Crown Prince
of Russia Prince Michael.

So what? Susan has worked tirelessly behind the scenes of literally
hundreds of galas, glittering events -- and weddings -- in her
job as a dedicated PR woman for many years at the Hotel Fairmont
and now at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago. Susan's roles for the
most part have always been in the background, making others look
good. What few know is that Susan secretly hoped that for just
one day she might feel like Cinderella, and that her handsome
Prince would come her way and a beautiful party befitting royalty
would take place following a romantic wedding ceremony.
Enter Kansas born Bryan Kurtz, the man to make her dreams come
true.

WHEN: APRIL 26TH, 2008 6:30PM

WHERE: Honore Ballroom at the Palmer House 17 E. Monroe St.

Once the Prince was in place, all of her many pals -- an army of catering experts, chefs, florists, photographers, make-up people, designers who Susan has befriended for more than 20 years came forward with the pledge to offer their dear friend the wedding of her dreams. Maybe not a wedding in the category of that of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, but one to properly shine the spotlight on Susan -- aka Cinderella!

ADDTIONAL INFORMATION: Susan got her bridal gown after standing in line all night before in a race on the TODAY SHOW. She was one of 50 brides chosen to compete to "run for a bridal gown"

Susan and Bryan will say their "I do's" under the famous painting of Bertha Honore Palmer in her wedding dress made in 1871.

Susan will be wearing diamond earrings on loan from Graff's Jewelers. Susan's European-Style bouquet has been specially designed featuring Stephanotis with a handle encrusted with Swarovski Crystals. The Honore Ballroom will be a floral paradise.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Palmer House Hilton

CONTACT: Ken Price, Public Relations Department of Palmer House Hilton,
+1-312-621-7326

NOTE TO EDITORS: INCREDIBLE VISUALS!! You are cordially invited to cover.

2008-04-24 18:47:51 0345062 PRNEWSWIRE