Atmosphere Bar

Welcome Happy Hour

The Crystal Ballroom & Lounge in Evanston

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Ridgeville Tavern

Wedding After Party

Chicago Pride Fest

Our Wedding

We had our first date August 5, 2011, meeting for happy hour after work at Dada bar in downtown San Francisco. Dan was leaving the next day for a friend's wedding in Hawaii and asked Jose if he'd like to meet up once he got back. Jose thought he was being blown off so was surprised when Dan called a week later. We met for another drink and have been together ever since! We got married at San Francisco City Hall on August 5, 2014 - 3 years exactly after our first date. A week later we packed up and moved to Chicago for Jose to start grad school. Now we're excited to finally be able to celebrate with friends and family from around the world!

San Francisco to Chicago

Our Story

Photos

Dan and Elina met at USC all the way back in 2001 when they both joined the mock trial team. They've traveled around the world together, spent 5 years as roommates in San Francisco, and remain best friends to this day!

Elina Agnoli

Jose and Lucinda met in college at Syracuse in 2003. They both subsequently moved to San Francisco where more good times were had! She'll be reprising her role from our legal wedding in 2014.

Lucinda Waysack

Jose met Dawn through mutual friends in San Francisco and they hit it off right away. Dawn officiated our legal marriage at SF City Hall in 2014, and we remain good friends with her and her wife Amber, with them visiting us in Chicago and all of us even meeting up in Scotland!

Dawn Paulinski

Wedding Party

Q + A

The room block is nearly full at the Hyatt House (as of 3/21). If you are trying to book this hotel and running into issues, contact Marlena Karwowski &lt;marlena.karwowski@hyatt.com&gt; who can try to assist. We have also secured a discount at the nearby Holiday Inn. Please note there are a number of hotels walking distance from the venue, and there are also options with Airbnb and VRBO if you want to book on your own. Some of you coming from out of town may prefer to stay in downtown Chicago. Please note if you do so you can take public transportation to and from the venue 24 hours a day; Uber and Lyft is also available.

The Hyatt House is right across the street from the venue in beautiful downtown Evanston. All rooms come equipped with fridges and microwaves, and rooms with full kitchens are available. Breakfast is included in the group rate. We actually stayed here for a few nights in early 2021 while our house was being painted. The area is amazingly cute with some nice restaurants. Northwestern University is a short walk away with a pretty campus to walk through, and there are also lakefront beaches nearby. Transit is available to downtown Chicago, with both the Metra commuter rail and the Chicago Transit Authority (El) Purple Line just a couple blocks from the hotel. Note parking at the hotel is valet only for $30/night with unlimited in-out privileges. There is also a parking garage one block away with lower hourly rates (max $18/day) but no in-out privileges.

Hyatt House Chicago/Evanston

The link below should automatically add the discount code, but if not you can insert "100235822" into the Corporate Special Rate field. This provides a 15% discount on the current rates for this hotel.

Holiday Inn Chicago North-Evanston, an IHG Hotel

Travel

Chicago is a bit different than other cities in that the annual pride festival happens the weekend before the parade. That means that the festival will be happening during our wedding weekend! If you are looking for something to do Friday evening after the welcome reception, Saturday before the wedding, or on Sunday, check out the annual Chicago Pride Fest in Boystown. There will be live music, tons of food to choose from, drinks, dancing in the streets, local artisans selling their wares, and many other activities to enjoy.

If you want great views from the top of one of the tallest buildings in Chicago skip Sears (Willis) Tower and grab a drink at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Tower. Unlike Sears it is free to ride up to the top, there's just a one drink minimum. We recommend going early in the day to avoid the lines that form later. This is a great starting point to explore the Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue.

The Signature Lounge at the 96th

Known affectionately as "The Bean" this artwork in Millennium Park is a can't miss photo opportunity!

Cloud Gate

Ranked best museum in the world multiple times over the years, this at the very least is the best museum in Chicago with a massive collection of art from various periods. Plan what you want to see ahead of time as you could spend days there without seeing everything.

The Art Institute of Chicago

After Cloud Gate or the Art Institute, swing by Cindy's on the roof of the Chicago Athletic Association for a great cocktail and views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

Cindy's Rooftop

This northside beach is not only the one closest to our house, but also the nicest in the city. The southern end closest to the lighthouse is unapologetically queer, while the northern end near the restaurant and restrooms is more families. Make sure to Uber or take the Red Line to Bryn Mawr as there's no parking!

Kathy Osterman Beach House

This neighborhood sports bar and pizzeria is our favorite pizza in the city. If you want to skip the big chains but still experience a deep dish (or Chicago tavern style pizza which is what the locals actually eat) we would highly recommend it.

Michael's Original Pizzeria & Tavern

Our favorite restaurant in Andersonville where we live. One of the best burgers in town plus fantastic tacos, baos, salads, fried chicken, mac &amp; cheese and more creative fusion dishes (plus a great cocktail selection) in a cool, hip space.

Little Bad Wolf

This 21+ brewpub has been an anchor of the Andersonville neighborhood for over 25 years. It offers an amazing selection of beers, largely imports from Belgium, both on tap and in bottles. It's a great stop for a drink or for a full meal, especially if you enjoy steamed mussels which is the house specialty!

Hopleaf

The best ramen we've had outside Japan! The space, which is located in the basement of Green Street Meats, is VERY small and only seats about a dozen people. Get there 60-90 min before they open, grab a pitcher of beer from the Green Street Meats bar and get in line. Note we would not recommend trying to go here with more than 4 people.

High Five Ramen

Many different companies offer architecture cruises on the Chicago River. The one from the Chicago Architecture Foundation is the most informative as they will know the most about the buildings and history. However if you want one that's a little more exciting, you'll still learn and see a lot on the SeaDog cruise, but they also take you onto Lake Michigan for a speedboat ride!

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

June 18-19, 2022 will see the US Sail Grand Prix come to Chicago's Navy Pier. This could be a fun outdoor activity if you're looking for something to do the morning of the wedding or the day after.

US Sail Grand Prix at Navy Pier

The Cubs are in town playing at Wrigley Field June 13-19, so if you are in Chicago early or looking for an activity the day after the wedding, check out a game!

Dan & Jose

Dan & Jose

Wedding Party