WHERE TO STAY
Room blocks have been secured for August 14-17, 2025! They are both a short drive to the venue and all very close to popular sights, great restaurants, and will have great views of the city, lake, or river.
More details and special booking links for each are below.
IF YOU WANT
TO SEE THE SIGHTS
IF YOU ARE FAMILY
or WEDDING PARTY
THE BRIDE & GROOM
THE BRIDE
THE GROOM
THE COUPLE
ORIGIN: Summerville, SC → Brooklyn at 17 → Chicago since 2018
Education: FIT, then MBA at Northwestern
Work: Public policy researcher, improving how public service programs work for people
Is always: Carrying floss and multiple chapsticks; the whitest person with the whitest hair
Loves: Dateline, her garden, organizing "girly hangs"
Mother to two unreasonably perfect cats Opal & Doe
ORIGIN: Long Island → Brooklyn at 19 → Chicago since 2022
Education: Pratt Institute
Work: Graphic and architectural design, builds things
Is always: Wearing a white t-shirt, a pair of blue Dickies and black Vans
Loves: Chess, drumming, painting, typography
Outgrew a "severe" cat allergy and embraced cat parenthood
The Missed Connection: Lived in the same Brookyln neighborhood for years, went to rival design schools, but never met until Chicago, a decade later
First Date: July 13th 2023: Bonded over Brooklyn, Always Sunny, and apparently enough chemistry to move in together four months later.
Shared Obsessions —
- Our cats (Opal & Doe) who we call "chickens" for no logical reason
- The genius that is Taylor Swift. Yes, both of us.
- learning new things, mid-century aesthetic, making art together - coloring books are art, long road trips with the chickens
-Ikea, MUJI, Bauhaus, Waffle House
TIMELINE
07/13/23
08 / 23
09 / 23
10 / 23
11 / 23
12 / 23
01 / 24
02 / 24
03 / 24
04 / 24
05 / 24
06 / 24
07/13/24
FIRST
DATE
FIRST ROAD TRIP
MET THE PARENTS
MOVED IN
TOGETHER
FIRST PENGUINS
GAME (RELATIONSHIP MILESTONE?)
BOUGHT A JEEP, NAMED IT "RUDY"
CROSS-COUNTRY DRIVE TO DENVER TO VISIT SAM'S SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW
JOE PROPOSED, EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER THEIR FIRST DATE.
THE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
REHEARSAL & WEDDING
PARTY DINNER
For our wedding party, both sets of parents, and those with official ceremony roles, we'll run through the ceremony at the venue in the afternoon followed by dinner at our apartment. We'll share exact timing directly with this group as we finalize details with the venue.
EVENING
HANG
We're hosting a gathering at our apartment and rooftop from 6-10PM for friends and family. Space is limited due to capacity constraints, so we'll ask folks to filter in and out throughout the evening. Heads up: There will be a Taylor Swift singalong portion of the evening.
ATTIRE: SUMMER COCKTAIL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
CEREMONY — 6PM SHARP
Bridgeport Art Center - Sculpture Garden
Please arrive by 5:45 PM to get settled
RECEPTION
Immediately following the ceremony
Same location (just follow the champagne)
Your presence at our wedding is truly the greatest gift. However, if you'd like to help us celebrate with a gift, we've created two funds that would mean the world to us:
Help us kick off marriage with unforgettable experiences instead of more stuff for our apartment. Your contribution will go toward adventures in Italy and an inconceivable amount of pasta.
We're planning to grow our family in the coming years, and your gift will help us prepare for the adventure of parenthood. Think of it as investing in future tiny humans who will one day learn that you helped bring them into existence (no pressure).
We've chosen to keep our registry simple and focused on experiences over things. Thank you for understanding and supporting us in ways that truly matter to our future together.