Wedding Day

St. Philomena Church

Ceremony

Venue Chisca

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Spring

Our Wedding

I can’t ever remember not having a crush on Gaudas. I used to refer to him as the “blonde Clark Kent in my nursing class”. Of course, I was never outgoing enough to even entertain the idea of approaching him. I remember being in skills lab with a broken ankle, and desperately wanting to sit down. I like to think that Gaudas noticed because he quietly pulled up a chair for me, assuring me it was okay to sit down. The nerves from that tiny interaction just about killed me. We didn’t see each other for years after that, both of us ending up in different nursing classes. During my junior year of college, Gaudas and I randomly matched on bumble, an app that neither of us normally used. We went on our first date shortly after, and I immediately knew I was a goner. Later, we exchanged similar stories about it being a done deal as soon as we saw the other on the app. And, as they say, the rest is history.&nbsp;

the one where she falls in love...

McKenna and I noticed each other from afar sophomore year, during the first proper nursing lecture for our group at Bradley University. She sat near the front of the lecture hall, with all of the best students, whereas I sat in the back, near all of the people who were funnier and more social than me. McKenna stood out to me. We had never talked with one another, but I still did my best to remember her name. I noticed whenever she was absent; I silently laughed at her when she had to roll into class on a scooter after she broke her ankle. Beyond lecture, we only ever interacted once or twice in our first nursing skills lab, where we were learning things like how to wash our hands bright and early at 0700. While we were waiting for things to start, I did my best to make small talk with her without putting my foot in my mouth, while she was trying not to panic because I was talking to her. What followed was a few years of dating other people, discovering and ironing out toxic traits, and occasional thoughts of what happened to one another. The next time we crossed paths was during my senior year, when we both independently found the gumption to endure the psychic damage that comes with sifting through Bumble. I was floored that I found such a pretty and familiar face smiling at me to begin with, followed by the feeling of pressure to not fumble the opportunity. We matched, and after she showed she was able of holding a real conversation (something I learned was a rarity), we stumbled into our first date. She told me she was cramming for an exam, but let slip that she had not eaten anything that day. I mandated that she come with me to the McDonald's drive thru for some fries, at ten in the evening. I wore my best Taylor Swift shirt, strictly ironically of course, so that she could see I wasn't being deathly serious so she could relax. I'd say we ended up liking one another's company.

the one where he falls in love...

Our Story

Photos

Bridesmaids

Allie 

Rachel

Emily

Anna

groomsmen

David

Tadas

Wedding Party

Q + A

Our hotel block is through Hampton Inn at Grand Prairie. You can book through the link below. If you need to arrive early or leave late, please contact the hotel directly instead of booking online. <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=PIEWEHX&amp;arrivalDate=2026-03-20&amp;departureDate=2026-03-22&amp;groupCode=AHW&amp;room1NumAdults=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=PIEWEHX&amp;arrivalDate=2026-03-20&amp;departureDate=2026-03-22&amp;groupCode=AHW&amp;room1NumAdults=1</a>

Hampton Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie, IL

Wingate by Wyndham Peoria

Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie, an IHG Hotel

While we only have a hotel block at one hotel listed, the others are nice and include multiple price points. Please feel free to check Airbnb and VRBO for other options as well.

Travel

McKenna's favorite coffee shop in town

CxT Roasting Company - Keller Station

Gaudas's favorite coffee shop...we debate which one is better frequently so feel free to try both and report back :) Zion is also conveniently located close to our reception/cocktail hour venue

Zion Coffee Bar

They have gifts, they have plants, they have all things happy... protect your wallet lol

Indie Gift House

One of our favorite Irish pubs in the area, and it is close to our venue!

Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery

It needs no explanation...we love books

Barnes & Noble

If you would like more recommendations on things to do in Peoria, please dont hesitate to reach out :)

Gaudas & McKenna

Gaudas & McKenna

Travel

Hampton Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie, IL

Wingate by Wyndham Peoria

Holiday Inn & Suites Peoria at Grand Prairie, an IHG Hotel