Wedding Day

Twin Brook Dairy

Ceremony

Bimbo's Italian Restaurant

Reception

Snuggery River Roadhouse

After Party

Our Wedding

Dating in this day and age is hard. Technology has hindered this generation’s ability to meet organically. While Christopher and Alyssa were in the dating scene, they both tried multiple dating apps. Searching for a Christian relationship, they both ended up landing on an app called Salt. Alyssa was discouraged from other dating apps and did a random search for Christian dating app in the App Store. After creating a quick account, she came across Christopher’s profile the same day she downloaded the app. Skeptical, she kept closing and opening the app for two more days, always landing on Christopher’s profile. Meanwhile, Christopher was headed toward a dating break. He said he was giving it three more days until he deactivated all his dating apps. Alyssa then mustered up the courage to match with Christopher, who promptly messaged her. Talking to each other was easy. After a couple days, they had their first date at Willow Creek Church, where they stopped at the cafe for coffee (or a frozen hot chocolate), and attend service together. They both left their first meet ready for a second date. The next week, they went bowling together and grabbed ice cream after. They talked until the ice cream shop closed and ended up sitting in Chris’s car talking for (no joke!) another 3 hours. Being together was effortless. They quickly fell in love and their relationship went into hyper speed. Extremely confident in their relationship, they soon were engaged! Christopher, Alyssa, and Bradley are incredibly excited for their future together as an official family. After marriage, Christopher and Alyssa will be working to have Christopher officially adopt Bradley. Christopher stepped into their lives and quickly grew into a father figure for Bradley. With his big heart, goofy personality, and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, Alyssa and Bradley weren’t and aren’t going to let him go for anything in the world, and Chris would do anything for Alyssa and Bradley. May 17th marks the family's first official day to their forever.

Our Story

Photos

Bradley is the best kiddo we could have asked for. Full of energy, jokes, and stories, he will always leave you with a smile on your face!

Bradley Gutkowski

I met Amanda our sophomore year of high school while on the Color Guard squad. We soon became good friends, to best friends, to sisters at heart. Amanda truly is an amazing soul, is always there to lend a helping hand or give me a good laugh. She’s been with me through it all and I’m so thankful to have her as a friend! 

Amanda Ferrara

Have you ever met such a beautiful baddie? Elena is my amazing sister. She is strong, independent, and sassy. She will do anything to protect the people she loves. But most importantly, she’s a person I can be a weirdo with. We share the same laugh and humor. She’s the best big sister!

Elena Miller

Ellie has an amazing spirit! She kept me active in my faith and is an honorary aunt to Bradley. She has the amazing talent to connect with anyone - especially kiddos. She’s a wealth of knowledge and can give you tips and tricks for almost anything!

Ellie D'Avello

I met Erika in our church small group. She is known to me as Erika CowboyBootMan because her husband always wore boots to small group and I could never remember names. Erika is an amazing mom to Theo, a strong, independent woman, and a straight shooter. She’s an amazing friend and advocate to all she loves. 

Erika Fiantago

Ms. Moreland! Kaylin is a fourth grade teacher full of adventure and good dance moves. I met her in small group at church. She connected with Ellie and Bradley, and we soon became good friends. Ask her about line dancing tips! 

Kaylin Moreland

I met Nikki in fifth grade when she had the coolest hairstyle ever. We spent several summers where our parents never saw us because we were always at each other’s houses. Now an incredible mom to Rylee and Brooke (who are also the cutest flower girls), Nikki has been there as not only a good friend, but a sports resource for me when Chris and I were dating (I know nothing and wanted to impress him!)

Nichole Farr-Termini

Josh is the brother I never had. He is the best guy to have by my side during this new journey in my life. He has had my back through thick and thin. Josh is a slightly better golfer than me (again - SLIGHTLY). He is also an amazing father of two girls, Nevaeh & Ari, with his kind and supportive wife, Michele.

Josh Larson

Popa is my best friend. I met him during my senior year at Loras College, which is a good thing! I probably would have not graduated if we met early on during my freshman year. Popa is hands down the craziest and funniest guy I know. The stories I have with this guy are nothing but legendary!

Nick Popa

Matt is my oldest cousin and is like an older brother to me. He is an extremely motivated and strong individual who has taught me a lot about persevering through challenges and learning from my mistakes. Matt is one of the kindest people you will meet and is a great big brother to two other groomsmen.

Matt Melhorn

Brad is the middle of the cousin trio standing with me. Out of all the groomsmen, I'd say I have the most in common with him. Brad's love and passion of sports is what causes us to talk about sports for upwards of seven hours. Like me, he's a family guy. Dude is a go with the flow kind of guy and super smart.

Brad Glaser

Cam is the youngest of the three groomsmen brothers, but unfortunately for me, he is now the tallest in the family at 6'6". He is an absolute beast of an athlete and shares my love of sports. He is one of the kindest people, always puts family first, and will end up playing college baseball one day.

Cam Glaser

I've known Justin the least amount of time out of all of my groomsmen, but having him standing with me to support me was a no brainer. Justin is a God fearing man and a faithful husband of the Maid of Honor, Amanda. As my relationship with Alyssa has grown, both Amanda and Just have been and will continue to be very big parts of our lives.

Justin Ferrara

Wedding Party

Q + A

We can’t wait to see you! If you need hotel accommodations, the list below are a few hotels within 20 miles of our venue. There are other options in the area if these don’t fit your fancy! (Please note that hotels no longer accommodate room blocking for events.)

Best Western

Counrty Inn & Suites

Holiday Inn

Both the ceremony and reception will be held at:The Gardens of Woodstock5211 Swanson RoadWoodstock, IL 60098

Alyssa & Christopher

Alyssa & Christopher

Photos