US
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Caitlin & Ashmer
BEGinning
It began as many modern love stories do... on the interwebs. A simple app, Coffee Meets Bagel (https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/), connected us via a mutual facebook friend and we began texting uncontrollably. Eventually, we determined the time had come to meet IRL. Ash, being the romantic that he is, arranged a dinner at a restaurant in Evanston - Boltwood. We finally met, much engaging conversation later, we were surprised to see the restaurant was ready to close around us!
Love blossomed... and... when you know, you know.
Engagement
The path of our relationship was long decided, but we wanted to make it official. On January 16th, 2016, Ash got down on bended knee and asked the age old question, "Will you marry me?" Caitlin replied with a much anticipated, "...yes." This happened at the Lincoln Park Conservatory (photograph above)! We celebrated that evening (much to Caitlin's surprise) with friends and family at the location of our first date - Boltwood!
Planning
Many have wondered, few have inquired; but Caitlin is not pregnant. We discussed myriad ideas for what our wedding could and should be to reflect the love, respect and commitment we share. Like a lot. Really. Overwhelmed by the possibilities, we decided that we should at least have the ceremony this year. We considered the mountains for an intimate ceremony, Banff, Canada (actually), beautiful, but more planning. Banff is high on our list of places to visit.
While researching the civil ceremony process performed locally in Chicago, we discovered something very exciting... The Chicago Cultural Center performs a lovely, yet short, marriage ceremony for 10 couples each month, no more! And it's basically free, bonus!
The ceremony process: This particular ceremony, which is in lieu of performing one in a drab courthouse, must be reserved exactly 60 days prior, or the length of a marriage license. Emboldened with hope, we began the mad dash to get our license and race at least 9 other couples to the courthouse... we were lucky number 7! The last few pictures in PHOTOS are of the process we went through to secure our Cultural Center spot, to give you an idea, it was a lot of early morning queuing-up.
wedding
On July 19th, 2016, our place in line was ideal... and we were lucky enough to secure our spot at the Cultural Center for September 17th, 2016! Thankfully, technology allows us to rapidly share this information with you. We have planned a joyful celebration to share this incredible milestone in our lives and can't wait to share in the festivities together. Kindly visit THE DAY for details on the events and RSVP by August 19th, 2016.
As mentioned once before, much merriment will ensue!