Evelyn Chapel

Wedding Day

Wedding

Eastland Suites Hotel & Conference Center

Reception

The Dinner Meal

Our Wedding

The&nbsp;Love&nbsp;Story&nbsp;of&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;Brianne&nbsp;Floyd&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nicholas&nbsp;Ryan&nbsp;Sherman It&nbsp;all&nbsp;started&nbsp;for&nbsp;them&nbsp;in&nbsp;2013&nbsp;when&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;freshman&nbsp;at&nbsp;Illinois&nbsp;Wesleyan&nbsp;University...and&nbsp;dating&nbsp;someone&nbsp;else!&nbsp;Her&nbsp;boyfriend&nbsp;at&nbsp;that&nbsp;time&nbsp;had&nbsp;mentioned&nbsp;he&nbsp;hadn't&nbsp;had&nbsp;much&nbsp;luck&nbsp;finding&nbsp;romance,&nbsp;especially&nbsp;because&nbsp;his&nbsp;profile&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;dating&nbsp;website&nbsp;OkCupid&nbsp;was&nbsp;"pretty&nbsp;off-putting."&nbsp;Curious&nbsp;to&nbsp;know&nbsp;what&nbsp;could&nbsp;be&nbsp;so&nbsp;bad,&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;made&nbsp;a&nbsp;profile&nbsp;in&nbsp;order&nbsp;to&nbsp;view&nbsp;it,&nbsp;and&nbsp;was&nbsp;matched&nbsp;up&nbsp;with&nbsp;Nick!&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;was&nbsp;in&nbsp;his&nbsp;last&nbsp;year&nbsp;at&nbsp;Illinois&nbsp;State&nbsp;University,&nbsp;just&nbsp;a&nbsp;mile&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;road.&nbsp;Many&nbsp;of&nbsp;his&nbsp;friends&nbsp;had&nbsp;recently&nbsp;graduated,&nbsp;and&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;make&nbsp;new&nbsp;connections&nbsp;and&nbsp;find&nbsp;new&nbsp;friends.&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;started&nbsp;a&nbsp;casual&nbsp;correspondence,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;even&nbsp;invited&nbsp;her&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;New&nbsp;Year's&nbsp;Eve&nbsp;party&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;having&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;friends.&nbsp;Unfortunately,&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;home&nbsp;in&nbsp;Milwaukee&nbsp;over&nbsp;winter&nbsp;break&nbsp;and&nbsp;unable&nbsp;to&nbsp;attend.&nbsp;Conversation&nbsp;gradually&nbsp;became&nbsp;more&nbsp;sporadic,&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;slowing&nbsp;to&nbsp;nothing.&nbsp;It&nbsp;could&nbsp;have&nbsp;ended&nbsp;there. Several&nbsp;months&nbsp;later,&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;home&nbsp;in&nbsp;Wisconsin&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;summer&nbsp;helping&nbsp;her&nbsp;mother&nbsp;move&nbsp;from&nbsp;Milwaukee&nbsp;to&nbsp;Waterford.&nbsp;Taking&nbsp;a&nbsp;break&nbsp;from&nbsp;unpacking&nbsp;boxes,&nbsp;and&nbsp;45&nbsp;minutes&nbsp;away&nbsp;from&nbsp;her&nbsp;friends&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;city,&nbsp;she&nbsp;pulled&nbsp;out&nbsp;her&nbsp;phone&nbsp;and&nbsp;logged&nbsp;onto&nbsp;the&nbsp;OkCupid&nbsp;app.&nbsp;She&nbsp;scrolled&nbsp;through&nbsp;the&nbsp;few&nbsp;messages&nbsp;she&nbsp;had&nbsp;collected&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;months&nbsp;since&nbsp;she&nbsp;had&nbsp;been&nbsp;on,&nbsp;and&nbsp;saw&nbsp;that&nbsp;she&nbsp;had&nbsp;a&nbsp;message&nbsp;waiting&nbsp;from&nbsp;Nick,&nbsp;sent&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;weeks&nbsp;prior.&nbsp;&nbsp;She&nbsp;remembered&nbsp;having&nbsp;had&nbsp;good&nbsp;conversations&nbsp;with&nbsp;him,&nbsp;so&nbsp;she&nbsp;responded.&nbsp;&nbsp;In&nbsp;the&nbsp;boredom&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;summer,&nbsp;they&nbsp;talked&nbsp;a&nbsp;lot.&nbsp;And&nbsp;then&nbsp;a&nbsp;lot&nbsp;more. Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;still&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;relationship,&nbsp;but&nbsp;coming&nbsp;to&nbsp;view&nbsp;it&nbsp;as&nbsp;an&nbsp;unhappy&nbsp;one.&nbsp;Furthermore,&nbsp;her&nbsp;boyfriend&nbsp;had&nbsp;graduated&nbsp;and&nbsp;was&nbsp;considering&nbsp;moving&nbsp;home&nbsp;to&nbsp;Colorado.&nbsp;Faced&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;possibility&nbsp;of&nbsp;continuing&nbsp;a&nbsp;relationship&nbsp;she&nbsp;was&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;frustrated&nbsp;with&nbsp;and&nbsp;adding&nbsp;the&nbsp;struggle&nbsp;of&nbsp;distance,&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;started&nbsp;to&nbsp;consider&nbsp;ending&nbsp;the&nbsp;relationship.&nbsp;Meanwhile,&nbsp;things&nbsp;with&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;were&nbsp;going&nbsp;well.&nbsp;He&nbsp;became&nbsp;a&nbsp;close&nbsp;confidante&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;sounding&nbsp;board&nbsp;for&nbsp;all&nbsp;of&nbsp;Carly's&nbsp;complaints&nbsp;and&nbsp;insecurities&nbsp;in&nbsp;her&nbsp;current&nbsp;relationship. Nick,&nbsp;meanwhile,&nbsp;was&nbsp;falling&nbsp;hard&nbsp;for&nbsp;Carly.&nbsp;He&nbsp;was&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;a&nbsp;good&nbsp;friend&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;welcome&nbsp;ear,&nbsp;but&nbsp;he&nbsp;couldn't&nbsp;help&nbsp;but&nbsp;think&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;would&nbsp;treat&nbsp;her&nbsp;better&nbsp;than&nbsp;the&nbsp;guy&nbsp;she&nbsp;was&nbsp;currently&nbsp;dating.&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;starting&nbsp;to&nbsp;think&nbsp;the&nbsp;same. Nick&nbsp;knew&nbsp;that&nbsp;whatever&nbsp;happened,&nbsp;he&nbsp;had&nbsp;to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;in&nbsp;person&nbsp;when&nbsp;she&nbsp;returned&nbsp;to&nbsp;Illinois&nbsp;for&nbsp;school.&nbsp;Despite&nbsp;how&nbsp;close&nbsp;she&nbsp;felt&nbsp;to&nbsp;Nick,&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;still&nbsp;nervous&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;idea&nbsp;of&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;a&nbsp;stranger&nbsp;she&nbsp;met&nbsp;online&nbsp;in&nbsp;real&nbsp;life.&nbsp;What&nbsp;if&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;creep?&nbsp;He&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;years&nbsp;older,&nbsp;after&nbsp;all.&nbsp;Or&nbsp;worse...what&nbsp;if&nbsp;they&nbsp;had&nbsp;nothing&nbsp;to&nbsp;talk&nbsp;about&nbsp;once&nbsp;they&nbsp;met&nbsp;face-to-face&nbsp;and&nbsp;it&nbsp;was&nbsp;awkward? So&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;devised&nbsp;a&nbsp;plan.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Wisconsin&nbsp;State&nbsp;Fair&nbsp;was&nbsp;coming&nbsp;up,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;thought&nbsp;it&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;the&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;place&nbsp;to&nbsp;finally&nbsp;meet.&nbsp;She&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;on&nbsp;her&nbsp;"home&nbsp;turf"&nbsp;so&nbsp;to&nbsp;speak,&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;place&nbsp;that&nbsp;was&nbsp;comfortable&nbsp;and&nbsp;familiar.&nbsp;Even&nbsp;better,&nbsp;there&nbsp;would&nbsp;be&nbsp;hundreds&nbsp;of&nbsp;people&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;fairgrounds,&nbsp;and&nbsp;it&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;very&nbsp;public&nbsp;place&nbsp;in&nbsp;case&nbsp;things&nbsp;started&nbsp;to&nbsp;go&nbsp;south.&nbsp;There&nbsp;were&nbsp;also&nbsp;plenty&nbsp;of&nbsp;things&nbsp;to&nbsp;do&nbsp;and&nbsp;see&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;fair--lots&nbsp;of&nbsp;distractions&nbsp;in&nbsp;case&nbsp;the&nbsp;conversation&nbsp;dried&nbsp;up! So&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;made&nbsp;the&nbsp;3&nbsp;hour&nbsp;drive&nbsp;north&nbsp;to&nbsp;take&nbsp;a&nbsp;gamble&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;girl.&nbsp;And&nbsp;far&nbsp;from&nbsp;being&nbsp;awkward,&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;really&nbsp;hit&nbsp;it&nbsp;off.&nbsp;So&nbsp;much&nbsp;so&nbsp;that&nbsp;they&nbsp;weren't&nbsp;content&nbsp;to&nbsp;end&nbsp;their&nbsp;day&nbsp;when&nbsp;they&nbsp;got&nbsp;rained&nbsp;out&nbsp;after&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;hours&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;fair.&nbsp;They&nbsp;drove&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mayfair&nbsp;mall.&nbsp;They&nbsp;went&nbsp;shopping&nbsp;for&nbsp;groceries&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;made&nbsp;dinner&nbsp;at&nbsp;her&nbsp;mom's&nbsp;house&nbsp;in&nbsp;Waterford.&nbsp;They&nbsp;watched&nbsp;a&nbsp;movie.&nbsp;Their&nbsp;time&nbsp;together&nbsp;was&nbsp;further&nbsp;extended&nbsp;when&nbsp;they&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;that&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;had&nbsp;locked&nbsp;his&nbsp;keys&nbsp;in&nbsp;his&nbsp;car.&nbsp;It&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;few&nbsp;more&nbsp;hours&nbsp;until&nbsp;someone&nbsp;could&nbsp;drive&nbsp;down&nbsp;from&nbsp;Milwaukee&nbsp;late&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;night&nbsp;to&nbsp;open&nbsp;his&nbsp;vehicle!&nbsp;So&nbsp;they&nbsp;had&nbsp;plenty&nbsp;of&nbsp;time&nbsp;to&nbsp;reflect&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;day&nbsp;and&nbsp;what&nbsp;it&nbsp;meant&nbsp;for&nbsp;them&nbsp;going&nbsp;forward. When&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;finally&nbsp;made&nbsp;the&nbsp;drive&nbsp;home&nbsp;after&nbsp;the&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;day&nbsp;with&nbsp;Carly,&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;depressed&nbsp;slump.&nbsp;He&nbsp;had&nbsp;fallen&nbsp;hard,&nbsp;but&nbsp;the&nbsp;fact&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;matter&nbsp;was&nbsp;that&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;relationship,&nbsp;and&nbsp;he&nbsp;didn't&nbsp;know&nbsp;if&nbsp;he&nbsp;would&nbsp;have&nbsp;a&nbsp;chance&nbsp;with&nbsp;this&nbsp;amazing&nbsp;Wisconsin&nbsp;girl. And&nbsp;yet,&nbsp;when&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;moved&nbsp;back&nbsp;in&nbsp;for&nbsp;her&nbsp;second&nbsp;year&nbsp;at&nbsp;IWU&nbsp;and&nbsp;found&nbsp;that&nbsp;her&nbsp;boyfriend's&nbsp;move&nbsp;to&nbsp;Colorado&nbsp;was&nbsp;looking&nbsp;inevitable,&nbsp;she&nbsp;decided&nbsp;to&nbsp;end&nbsp;things&nbsp;with&nbsp;him&nbsp;once&nbsp;and&nbsp;for&nbsp;all.&nbsp;Luckily,&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;was&nbsp;waiting&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;wings&nbsp;to&nbsp;catch&nbsp;her.&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;cooked&nbsp;her&nbsp;dinner&nbsp;and&nbsp;asked&nbsp;her&nbsp;out&nbsp;officially&nbsp;on&nbsp;August&nbsp;27th,&nbsp;2014,&nbsp;and&nbsp;they've&nbsp;been&nbsp;together&nbsp;ever&nbsp;since!&nbsp;They&nbsp;moved&nbsp;in&nbsp;together,&nbsp;adopted&nbsp;three&nbsp;adorable&nbsp;cats&nbsp;(Calypso,&nbsp;Vincent,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Koshka)&nbsp;and&nbsp;more&nbsp;recently,&nbsp;two&nbsp;birds&nbsp;(Dmitri&nbsp;and&nbsp;Clopin)&nbsp;and&nbsp;knew&nbsp;that&nbsp;marriage&nbsp;was&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;cards.&nbsp;

How They Met

Nick proposed to Carly at Boo Park in Carbondale, IL. It was a special place for both of them, as it was one of the first places they visited on their first overnight trip away together in October 2014. That trip was scheduled around Vulture Fest, a music and crafts festival located in the quaint town of Makanda in Southern Illinois. It was also Carly's first time meeting Nick's family in his hometown of&nbsp;Steeleville!&nbsp;

In October of 2018, they planned a&nbsp;trip back down to Southern Illinois for&nbsp;Vulture Fest, which would be their first time back for the festival since their trip four years ago. They had not been back to Boo Park since then either, and Nick thought it would be the perfect place to propose. It was a place he had fond memories of from his adolescence, but it was also a special place from their past and a place he could picture taking any future children to visit. Knowing Carly hadn't been subtle about wanting him to propose and knowing that she would be suspicious of a sentimental trip away, he engaged in some deception. Nick told Carly that he was waiting on his commission checks to come in before he could think about buying a ring, and that there was no way he would have the money together before then. That was actually mostly true, so Carly was disappointed but understanding. Using all of his resources, however, Nick called up Carly's dad to ask for an advance on his second commission check in order to have the ring ready for their upcoming trip. Carly's father was only too happy to agree to loan him the money, and Nick sneakily made all the arrangements while Carly was busy with fall travel for her job in admissions.&nbsp;







When&nbsp;they pulled up to Boo Park with his parents on October 20th, 2018, Carly thought about what Nick had said about this being the perfect place to propose, and thought that he might have been fooling her about not having the money. Her hopes were quickly dashed when Nick once again apologized for not being able to make it work, and lamented about having to find a place with just as much significance. Before leaving the park, Nick mentioned wanting to stop at the big dragon statue to take a few pictures. Nick snapped a few pictures of Carly with his parents, and then asked if they would take a picture of Nick and Carly together. Carly posed for a few silly pictures, thinking that his parents&nbsp;were snapping shots. In reality, they were filming, and captured the moment when Nick got down on one knee. Carly was so surprised and&nbsp;excited that at first she forgot to say yes! The happy couple spent the rest of the day enjoying Vulture Fest and the shops in Makanda, and wrapped up with a wonderful dinner at the famous Quatro's Deep Pan Pizza.

The Proposal

Our Story

Finding Parking

Ceremony Parking

Ceremony&nbsp;parking&nbsp;is&nbsp;available&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;lot&nbsp;behind&nbsp;the&nbsp;chapel&nbsp;and&nbsp;across&nbsp;the&nbsp;street&nbsp;behind&nbsp;the&nbsp;Myers&nbsp;Welcome&nbsp;Center&nbsp;(both&nbsp;lots&nbsp;accessible&nbsp;from&nbsp;University&nbsp;Ave).&nbsp;

Limited&nbsp;street&nbsp;parking&nbsp;is&nbsp;available&nbsp;along&nbsp;University&nbsp;Ave.&nbsp;In&nbsp;case&nbsp;of&nbsp;snow,&nbsp;please&nbsp;be&nbsp;aware&nbsp;that&nbsp;local&nbsp;street-side&nbsp;parking&nbsp;bans&nbsp;may&nbsp;apply.



 



Getting to the Chapel:



From Emerson St





- turn onto Franklin Ave (entering IWU campus)





- follow road around, take first right onto Park St







- Evelyn Chapel will be on your left





 







From Empire St







- Turn right onto Park St







- Evelyn Chapel will be on your right

Reception Parking

The reception will be held in the Conference Center at Eastland Suites, nearest the entrance off of Eastland Drive. Plenty of lot parking is available.

Details

Ciera&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;"She"&nbsp;to&nbsp;Carly's&nbsp;"Nanigans."&nbsp;They&nbsp;met&nbsp;through&nbsp;their&nbsp;(at&nbsp;the&nbsp;time)&nbsp;boyfriends,&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brent.&nbsp;&nbsp;When&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;first&nbsp;met&nbsp;Nick,&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;sharing&nbsp;an&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;with&nbsp;Brent&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ciera.&nbsp;As&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;spent&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;more&nbsp;time&nbsp;over&nbsp;at&nbsp;their&nbsp;place,&nbsp;she&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ciera&nbsp;became&nbsp;fast&nbsp;friends&nbsp;(essentially&nbsp;becoming&nbsp;roommates&nbsp;themselves)&nbsp;and&nbsp;always&nbsp;hung&nbsp;out&nbsp;when&nbsp;the&nbsp;boys&nbsp;were&nbsp;away&nbsp;playing&nbsp;table&nbsp;tennis!&nbsp;&nbsp;Although&nbsp;they&nbsp;no&nbsp;longer&nbsp;live&nbsp;together,&nbsp;they&nbsp;still&nbsp;spend&nbsp;a&nbsp;LOT&nbsp;of&nbsp;time&nbsp;in&nbsp;each&nbsp;other's&nbsp;company.&nbsp;(You&nbsp;can&nbsp;often&nbsp;catch&nbsp;them&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;night&nbsp;eating&nbsp;sushi&nbsp;bowls,&nbsp;watching&nbsp;Doctor&nbsp;Who, discussing Harry Potter fanfiction,&nbsp;and&nbsp;annoying&nbsp;anyone&nbsp;in&nbsp;earshot&nbsp;with&nbsp;their&nbsp;loud&nbsp;cackling.)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ciera Lacheta

Truthfully speaking, it's hard to recall exactly how Brent and Nick became friends. They lived on the same floor at ISU, which explains the opportunity - if not the exact catalyst. Throughout their college years, and beyond they found many a shared interest and a fairly deep bond of friendship was formed. To this day they maintain a plethora of shared hobbies and social circles as well as a penchant for staying up much later than is reasonable.

Brent Lacheta

Nicki and Carly first met in college, where they both majored in Sociology&nbsp;and worked as Multifath Ambassadors in Evelyn Chapel as part of their interest in interfaith work. Since then, they have literally been around the world together:&nbsp;from attending the 2015 Parliament of World Religions in Salt Lake City, to living in the Philippines for two months as part of the IWU-Freeman Asia Internship Program, and&nbsp;taking a trip to Ireland together with their friends Loreto and Chris! Nicki and Carly are also lucky enough to once again be coworkers: Nicki also works for IWU Admissions as the Denver-based Western Regional Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director of Regional Recruitment.

Nicki Chlebek

Matt has been a staple of Nick's group of close friends ever since their not so auspicious beginnings in college. When Nick found himself going through roommate roulette in his sophomore year of college, he eventually took matters into his own hands and kidnapped Matt, who had previously lived next door with a not so great roommate of his own. It turned out to be a pretty good fit! Matt did eventually escape the confines of Illinois, but the two stay in regular touch and continue their great hockey rivalry.

Matt Certa

You&nbsp;couldn't&nbsp;reasonably&nbsp;try&nbsp;to&nbsp;figure&nbsp;out&nbsp;how&nbsp;long&nbsp;Nick&nbsp;has&nbsp;known&nbsp;Ian,&nbsp;there's&nbsp;plenty&nbsp;of&nbsp;room&nbsp;for&nbsp;debate&nbsp;-&nbsp;their's&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;friendship&nbsp;born&nbsp;of&nbsp;text&nbsp;based&nbsp;gaming,&nbsp;after&nbsp;all,&nbsp;but&nbsp;however&nbsp;you&nbsp;date&nbsp;it,&nbsp;Ian&nbsp;clocks&nbsp;in&nbsp;as&nbsp;one&nbsp;of&nbsp;Nick's&nbsp;oldest&nbsp;and&nbsp;most&nbsp;enduring&nbsp;friends.&nbsp;He's&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;a&nbsp;victim&nbsp;of&nbsp;wanderlust,&nbsp;and&nbsp;that's&nbsp;the&nbsp;key&nbsp;reason&nbsp;the&nbsp;two&nbsp;were&nbsp;able&nbsp;to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;in&nbsp;person&nbsp;and&nbsp;form&nbsp;the&nbsp;friendship&nbsp;they&nbsp;have&nbsp;today.&nbsp;Ian&nbsp;has&nbsp;proven&nbsp;a&nbsp;good&nbsp;friend,&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;reliable&nbsp;DM,&nbsp;through&nbsp;thick&nbsp;and&nbsp;thin.

Ian Weiss

Rylee and Carly have a long history together, which started in the first grade when they both had a crush on the same boy! Luckily they were able to overcome that hurdle&nbsp;and got to know each other as teammates on the third grade soccer team at Milwaukee German Immersion School, and finally as friends when they shared a classroom in the fourth grade. They bonded over their love of fantasy and spent every recess inventing rules to new games and role-playing as dragons from the Deltora Quest book series. They were even neighbors for a time, where Rylee would occasionally orchestrate "kidnappings" and whisk Carly away for some new adventure. Rylee and Carly are excited for the adventures to continue -- Carly with Nick, and Rylee with her fiancé Patrick.

Rylee Geiger

John&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;were&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;same&nbsp;class&nbsp;at&nbsp;IWU,&nbsp;but&nbsp;their&nbsp;friendship&nbsp;actually&nbsp;had&nbsp;quite&nbsp;the&nbsp;rocky&nbsp;start:&nbsp;John&nbsp;thought&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;was&nbsp;an&nbsp;insufferable&nbsp;know-it-all&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;thought&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;loud&nbsp;and&nbsp;obnoxious!&nbsp;But&nbsp;in&nbsp;their&nbsp;senior&nbsp;year&nbsp;they&nbsp;both&nbsp;landed&nbsp;the&nbsp;same&nbsp;internship&nbsp;and&nbsp;were&nbsp;forced&nbsp;to&nbsp;work&nbsp;together,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;that&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;actually&nbsp;a&nbsp;pretty&nbsp;cool&nbsp;guy!&nbsp;&nbsp;After&nbsp;they&nbsp;graduated,&nbsp;they&nbsp;were&nbsp;both&nbsp;hired&nbsp;by&nbsp;IWU&nbsp;Admissions&nbsp;and&nbsp;had&nbsp;offices&nbsp;next&nbsp;to&nbsp;each&nbsp;other,&nbsp;so&nbsp;they&nbsp;had&nbsp;the&nbsp;opportunity&nbsp;to&nbsp;become&nbsp;very&nbsp;close.&nbsp;&nbsp;John&nbsp;is&nbsp;one&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;kindest,&nbsp;most&nbsp;genuine&nbsp;people&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;has&nbsp;ever&nbsp;met,&nbsp;and&nbsp;now&nbsp;she&nbsp;considers&nbsp;him&nbsp;one&nbsp;of&nbsp;her&nbsp;best&nbsp;friends.&nbsp;Whether&nbsp;having&nbsp;deep&nbsp;conversations&nbsp;about&nbsp;religion&nbsp;to&nbsp;belting&nbsp;out&nbsp;the&nbsp;Game&nbsp;of&nbsp;Thrones&nbsp;theme&nbsp;song&nbsp;at&nbsp;the&nbsp;top&nbsp;of&nbsp;their&nbsp;lungs,&nbsp;their&nbsp;times&nbsp;together&nbsp;are&nbsp;never&nbsp;dull.

John Fegan

Carly and Tess both went to IWU&nbsp;and graduated a year apart ('17 and '16, respectively), but didn't really get to know each other until they met through mutual friend&nbsp;John Fegan. Shortly after, Tess joined the IWU&nbsp;Marketing team and they saw a lot more of each other! Tess and John are recently wed themselves (just this past September!) and Carly has been so grateful for their support and kindness throughout the engagement and wedding planning process. Tess even put her talents as a graphic designer to work for the save-the-dates and invitation suite! Carly is&nbsp;so excited to have her there as part of the&nbsp;special day, and as a partner&nbsp;in starting this adventure of married life together around the same time.

Tess Fegan

Cal&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;met&nbsp;in&nbsp;college&nbsp;while&nbsp;attending&nbsp;the&nbsp;weekly&nbsp;interfaith&nbsp;gathering&nbsp;and&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;bonded.&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;went&nbsp;on&nbsp;to&nbsp;co-found&nbsp;Illinois&nbsp;Wesleyan's&nbsp;Pagan&nbsp;Student&nbsp;Association&nbsp;and&nbsp;worked&nbsp;together&nbsp;as&nbsp;Multifaith&nbsp;Ambassadors&nbsp;in&nbsp;Evelyn&nbsp;Chapel.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;and&nbsp;Cal&nbsp;are&nbsp;kindred&nbsp;spirits&nbsp;in&nbsp;their&nbsp;academic&nbsp;and&nbsp;spiritual&nbsp;interests&nbsp;and&nbsp;pursuits,&nbsp;and&nbsp;could&nbsp;often&nbsp;be&nbsp;found&nbsp;having&nbsp;intense&nbsp;conversations&nbsp;about&nbsp;religion,&nbsp;anthropology,&nbsp;or Pagan&nbsp;pop&nbsp;culture&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chapel&nbsp;basement.&nbsp;&nbsp;In&nbsp;their&nbsp;roles&nbsp;as&nbsp;co-presidents&nbsp;for&nbsp;PSA&nbsp;and&nbsp;as&nbsp;close&nbsp;friends,&nbsp;Cal&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;have&nbsp;planned&nbsp;many&nbsp;rituals&nbsp;together&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;past,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Carly&nbsp;is&nbsp;so&nbsp;honored&nbsp;to&nbsp;have&nbsp;Cal&nbsp;officiating&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;marriage&nbsp;ceremony.

Cal Rydzinski

Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

Registry

If coming in from Milwaukee, make sure you check your GPS -- don't let it route you through Chicago!

Take I-43 S and follow signs for I-39 S Bloomington-Normal. This route will take you through Beloit and Rockford, and then it's straight south from there!





The travel time from Milwaukee to Bloomington is approximately 3 hours.

From Southern Wisconsin

A&nbsp;block&nbsp;of&nbsp;rooms&nbsp;is&nbsp;reserved&nbsp;at&nbsp;Eastland&nbsp;Suites&nbsp;Hotel,&nbsp;which&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;the&nbsp;site&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;wedding&nbsp;reception.&nbsp;&nbsp;Included&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;stay&nbsp;at&nbsp;Eastland&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;daily&nbsp;hot&nbsp;breakfast&nbsp;buffet,&nbsp;cocktail&nbsp;hour&nbsp;hosted&nbsp;from&nbsp;5-7pm&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;through&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;with&nbsp;one&nbsp;complimentary&nbsp;drink&nbsp;per&nbsp;guest,&nbsp;free&nbsp;WiFi&nbsp;Access,&nbsp;and&nbsp;an&nbsp;indoor&nbsp;heated&nbsp;pool&nbsp;open&nbsp;daily&nbsp;from&nbsp;5am&nbsp;-&nbsp;11pm.&nbsp;Eastland&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;pet-friendly!&nbsp;

 Please&nbsp;mention&nbsp;the&nbsp;Floyd/Sherman&nbsp;Reception&nbsp;or&nbsp;Group&nbsp;Code&nbsp;3215&nbsp;when&nbsp;booking&nbsp;to&nbsp;qualify&nbsp;for&nbsp;our&nbsp;special&nbsp;event&nbsp;discount&nbsp;rate.&nbsp; If booking online, you can enter our group code under the "Optional Fields" menu when searching for rooms.&nbsp;Pictures of rooms can be viewed online at the Eastland Suites website.&nbsp;Please&nbsp;note&nbsp;that&nbsp;all&nbsp;bookings&nbsp;must&nbsp;be&nbsp;completed&nbsp;prior&nbsp;to&nbsp;November&nbsp;15th,&nbsp;2019&nbsp;in&nbsp;order&nbsp;to&nbsp;guarantee&nbsp;availability.







 













One&nbsp;Bed&nbsp;King&nbsp;Suite&nbsp;&nbsp;$85/night Room&nbsp;includes:&nbsp;&nbsp;1&nbsp;King&nbsp;Sized&nbsp;Bed,&nbsp;1&nbsp;Full&nbsp;Size&nbsp;Sleeper&nbsp;Sofa&nbsp;(perfect&nbsp;for&nbsp;kids!),&nbsp;Living&nbsp;Room&nbsp;Area,&nbsp;Complete&nbsp;Kitchen&nbsp;and&nbsp;Gas&nbsp;Fireplace







 









One Bed Queen Suite $75/night









Room includes: 1&nbsp;Queen Sized Bed, Desk,&nbsp;Mini Refrigerator, Microwave & Coffee Maker Two&nbsp;Double&nbsp;Bed&nbsp;Guest&nbsp;Room&nbsp;&nbsp;$75/night Room&nbsp;includes:&nbsp;&nbsp;2&nbsp;Double&nbsp;Beds,&nbsp;Desk,&nbsp;Granite&nbsp;Countertops,&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;Microwave&nbsp;and Mini Refrigerator.&nbsp;







 









Double King&nbsp;Two-Story Loft Suite $145/night









This room is great for large families! The main floor features a&nbsp;complete kitchen, living room area with full-size&nbsp;sleeper sofa, king bed and full bathroom in a spacious open floor plan. The second-story open-air loft includes&nbsp;a second king bed, TV, and full bathroom in the open air loft.

Take IL-4 N to I-55 N.&nbsp; Stay on I-55 N and follow signs for Bloomington-Normal. Follow that all the way north, passing through Springfield.

The travel time from Steeleville to Bloomington is approximately 3.5 hours.

From Southern Illinois

Uptown Station in Normal, IL (less than two miles from Evelyn Chapel) provides service through Amtrak, Greyhound, and Peoria Charter, as well as local taxi service.&nbsp;

Please check&nbsp;the travel provider of your&nbsp;choice for timetables and&nbsp;ticket costs.

Taking the Train or Bus

Bloomington-Normal is home to the Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA), with service through Allegiant (nonstop flights twice weekly&nbsp;from&nbsp;Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) and&nbsp;St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)), American Airlines (nonstop flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)), Delta (flights from&nbsp;Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) and&nbsp;Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)), and Frontier Airlines (nonstop flights from&nbsp;Denver International Airport (DEN) and&nbsp;Orlando International Airport (MCO)).

Please check the appropriate airline for ticket information.

Flying In

Travel

Modern&nbsp;brewpub&nbsp;with&nbsp;gourmet&nbsp;American&nbsp;fare&nbsp;plus&nbsp;craft&nbsp;beer&nbsp;flights,&nbsp;organic&nbsp;wines&nbsp;&&nbsp;spirits.&nbsp;Their&nbsp;brunch&nbsp;menu&nbsp;is&nbsp;also&nbsp;fantastic!

DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works

With&nbsp;a&nbsp;selection&nbsp;of&nbsp;house-made&nbsp;signature&nbsp;salsas&nbsp;and&nbsp;hand-smashed&nbsp;guacamoles,&nbsp;freshly&nbsp;prepared&nbsp;tortilla&nbsp;chips,&nbsp;signature&nbsp;tacos&nbsp;and&nbsp;other&nbsp;fresh&nbsp;takes&nbsp;on&nbsp;classic&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;fare&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;trendy&nbsp;setting,&nbsp;Ancho&nbsp;&&nbsp;Agave&nbsp;doesn't&nbsp;disappoint!&nbsp;&nbsp;They&nbsp;offer&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;selection&nbsp;of&nbsp;drinks,&nbsp;too!&nbsp;Also&nbsp;has&nbsp;a&nbsp;great&nbsp;weekend&nbsp;brunch.

Ancho & Agave

Upscale bi-level restaurant & bar serving seasonal American fare, pizzas & over 30 drafts in a modern space.&nbsp;

Medici in Normal

Rated the 19th best Irish pub in America! Maggie's is a&nbsp;Dublin-inspired pub with cottage-meets-Victorian decor, classic Irish fare, import beers & Irish whiskey.

Maggie Miley's

Traditional Thai fare and vegetarian options.&nbsp;

Thai House 

Best Indian food in town!&nbsp;Lunch buffet, tandoori dishes & other classic fare plus beer & wine.

Puran Indian Restaurant

Casual and modern, brick-walled place for Mediterranean options & American eats, from gyros to burgers.&nbsp;

Try the baklava!

The Rock Restaurant

Straightforward, family-friendly eatery serving pizza & Italian-American standards in cozy digs.&nbsp;The bread is famous!

Avanti's Italian Restaurant

American taphouse serving flatbreads, burgers & pasta in Abraham Lincoln's former law office.

Rosie's Pub

Cheerful cafe serving hearty, diner-style breakfast, burgers & salads in bright, welcoming digs. One of Blo-No's most popular breakfast spots!

Fort Jesse Cafe

Bloomington-Normal's most beloved locally-owned&nbsp;coffee-shop. Famous for their bubble and boba tea, it's also a&nbsp;great place to find cocoa, coffee, tea, espresso, smoothies, and more!&nbsp;

Carly's Favorite: Fusion Milk Tea with Yogurt Pop Boba (served cold)Cranberry Orange Slush (served cold)









Nick's Favorite: White Chocolate Symphony with whipped cream (served hot or cold)

Fusion Brew

Bloomington's first and only arcade bar, specializing in craft beer and vintage games. Great selection of drinks, and games are free so long as you're drinking!

8 Bit Arcade Bar

Explore a vibrant part of Central Illinois' twin cities! Uptown Normal, located adjacent to Illinois State University, is a great place to do some window shopping, grab a coffee or cupcake, and snap a photo in the Circle garden or in front of one of the colorful murals!

Nick and Carly's recommendation:&nbsp;Stop into the Garlic Press -- you never know what you might find in that quirky little gift shop! Bonus: an attached old-fashioned candy store!

Explore Uptown Normal

Kids get a hands-on education in science & engineering with 3 stories of interactive exhibits.

Children's Discovery Museum

Spend some time with Bloomington-Normal's most exotic residents! Miller Park Zoo is open year-round with affordably-priced tickets.

Nick and Carly's recommendation: See the kangaroos! You can get up close and personal in the marsupial open enclosure.

Miller Park Zoo

Get your kicks on Route 66! Experience a bit of local history in the heart of historic Downtown Bloomington. Located in the old Courthouse, you can dress up like a pioneer and learn about homesteading life, or about the mobsters that made Central Illinois their home!

Nick and Carly's recommendation: Sit on Abraham Lincoln's lap!

McLean County Museum of History

Beautiful in every season, see the home of Bloomington's cement tycoon of yesteryear. Admission to the manor grounds is free, with parking across the street at St. John's Lutheran Church.

Nick and Carly's recommendation: Stop and sit in the tranquil Japanese Garden.

Stroll the Grounds at Ewing Manor

Admission for the open skate is $6/person, and skate rentals are available for only $2.

Open Skate at the Pepsi Ice Center

Things to Do

To Our Friends and Family

Thank you so much to everyone who is willing to take the time to be with us on our special day. We know that for some of you this means travel obligations and financial commitments to be able to attend, and it means so much to us. We can't wait to see you!

Our Vendors

Tess Fegan, Alline Design

Thank you so much to Tess, who just planned a wedding of her own (to bridesman John Fegan)&nbsp;this past&nbsp;September! Tess is our friend, but also our stationer, and is generously donating her time and talent in&nbsp;designing our save-the-dates and invitations (as well as all the other design projects I've thrown her way)&nbsp;as a wedding gift.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tess,&nbsp;thank you so much for all you do!

Kate Spencer Photography

Kate did such an amazing job making us feel comfortable in front of the camera for our snowy engagement shoot, and her photos are simply beautiful! We are so excited to have her there to capture our special day.

Blu Couture Wedding Films

Blue Orchid Event Planning

Thanks so much to Amy Roberts for handling all of the day-of details!&nbsp;

Lauren Foran Bridal Beauty

Casey's Garden Shop & Florist

Thanks so much to Jessica and all the crew at Casey's for creating&nbsp;all of our bouquets and&nbsp;boutonnieres&nbsp;and providing the greenery!

DJ4U

Illinois Wesleyan Conference Services and Evelyn Chapel Event Staff

Faye Bartley, Organist

Illinois Wesleyan School of Music Students

Palace Events

Thanks to Mike Pohlmann and everyone at Palace Events for bringing our cozy winter wedding&nbsp;vision to life with lighting, draping, and decor!

Jon Young, Next Step Dance Studio

Thank&nbsp;you to Jon, who we've taken private ballroom dancing lessons with as well as group swing dance classes! Besides being a really fun activity for Nick and I to do as a couple, because of your instruction and friendly lessons&nbsp;we'll be ready to rock our first dance and dance the rest of the night away besides!

Brea and Janice, Adore Bridal

Thanks so much to Brea and Janice who helped me find my perfect dress! Adore Bridal is a beautiful salon, by far the prettiest of the stores I visited, but they were also so personable and were great in helping me figure out what my preferences were in a dress.&nbsp; I can't wait to walk down the aisle in it!!

Mark Schneider and Jack Lewis Jewelers

So happy to wear our stunning Mark Schneider rings for years to come! We met Mark in November 2018 to commission&nbsp;custom-designed&nbsp;wedding bands to match the elegant leaf design of my engagement ring, and they turned out beautifully.

Carly & Nicholas