Cornerstone Chinese Church

Ceremony

Salt Creek Golf Club

Wedding Reception

Our Wedding

Itzel and Tyler first met one another in early winter of 2018, December 21st. What was initially meant to be a “simple hangout” became the couple's most memorable first date. Itzel and Tyler spent time getting to know one another by walking around the mall. Later, they grabbed dinner at Cheesecake Factory and then ended the night at the movie theater where they saw, "Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse". On this special day they both spoke about their current lives and future goals. Tyler revealed that he would be leaving for California to study Psychology in the upcoming year. Itzel was finishing up her time at Oakton Community College and was looking into applying at Northeastern Illinois University for Psychology as well. Despite knowing long distance was in their future, they decided to roll the dice and see where things would go. Together, they dated for 8 months before Tyler left for Biola University. Itzel and Tyler made the decision to continue dating and committed to a 2 year long-distance relationship. Fortunately, due to Covid-19, Tyler was forced to come back home and take a pause on his studies and their time in long distance was shortened to a year and a half. Despite Covid-19 being tragic for the world, both Tyler and Itzel were able to make the best of a bad situation and it was during this time together that their relationship evolved and their bond grew significantly. Since then, they have continued to enjoy one another's company and have their mind and heart set on growing and walking together with their faith leading them as they plan the upcoming wedding.

How it Started

Tyler's Perspective:Sometimes the best way to find something is to stop looking all together and just let it come to you. Before I met Itzel, I spent a considerable amount of time searching for what I thought would be the ideal partner for me. Much of my efforts led to disappointment and heartache. They say that each time you commit yourself to another person you leave with them a small piece of yourself. In the fall of 2018 I had been accepted to Biola University in California. I had made it up in my mind to take an indefinite break from dating and to focus on my studies. Ironically, it was in the fall of 2018 where I first met Itzel. I truly believe what people say about God having a sense of humor. In comedy, timing is everything and I find that to be equally true when searching for the right partner. When I met Itzel for the very first time I felt like a deer caught in the headlights (Minus being hit by a car). Our first date felt natural and came with ease. I felt no pressure to impress her or act different in any way. Time flew by because it was spent with a friend. Over the course of 5 years that Itzel and I have been together, we have gone through many challenges and trials, and all have allowed us to grow. As we approach this next period of our relationship I am eager for all that is in store, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Itzel’s Perspective:What can I say, I’m a keeper ;)Over the course of five years, I’ve learned a lot about Tyler, about myself, and what it means to be in a loving relationship. I have learned that those three things have one thing in common, they require time and effort. But that is what it’s all about. Nothing in this world is perfect, therefore our relationship isn’t perfect. It’s lovely, messy, chaotic, and fun. Meeting Tyler meant meeting someone completely different from myself. It took a person so genuine, passionate, and strong minded like Tyler to bring what was missing in my life. With opposite personalities we can sometimes bump heads, but we have also learned how to come together and learn from one anothers unique perspectives. In a way, I think that's what makes us a perfect match. Over time our relationship has faced many growing pains. Together, we endured long distance, crazy work hours and different schedules, and always supporting each other’s own personal battles. Our relationship has seen it all. The challenges and trials are worth it because we both have: A person we can lean on when things get tough. A team that knows we are playing the same game for the same goals. A therapist for when the days get long and challenging. And a home we can feel safe in and be our authentic self, the good and ugly.Some say, you have to experience life to the fullest in order to find out who you are. I believe that life can be lived to the fullest when you share it with someone like a friend, a partner, or a family member. And I am so happy to have found all those three types of people in one person. Now we are taking our first big step, into a wonderful yet terrifying life experience, marriage. I can’t wait to dive in and maybe even gain five more pounds of pure joy.

Our Story

Engagement 

A collage of our engagement photo shoot.

Favorite Memories 

Some of our favorite memories over the past five year's.

Our Gallery

Meet the Wedding Party (the homies)

Itzel Cuautle-Palillero

Tyler J Pullen

Garrett is Tyler’s younger brother.
Growing up with Tyler for an older brother sure came with its own set of challenges. Sharing toys, constantly receiving hand-me-downs, and the occasional older brother hazing. During their childhood, Tyler exhausted the majority of his energy attempting to annoy or make Garrett laugh. Despite becoming adults, the two brothers continue to find entertainment in the many inside jokes they have made throughout the years. Together they have maintained a close relationship and even spent the last year sharing an apartment before Tyler prepared to get married. 

Garrett Pullen

Isaac is Tyler’s oldest school friend of 11 years. They met before the first day of kindergarten for Isaac’s 5th birthday party at Dino Rex. Since that day, Isaac and Tyler have grown incredibly close. They experienced graduation together, played trombone in band together, and both even chose to pursue a career in counseling. Tyler is also very close with Isaac's family after many years that they have generously opened their home to him and their friends. To this day, they have been like a second family to Tyler and the two of them have become as close brothers. Now, one of their favorite things to do is spend summer nights in the backyard around the fire pit. 

Isaac Nuñez

Tyler and Josh became friends around the age of 7 after Josh's’ father was hired at their home church. They quickly became friends, bonding over sports, sleep overs, and videogames. One of Tyler’s favorite memories with Josh is when they would play at the Labor Day basketball tournament in Chinatown. Although Tyler and many other members on the team had little knowledge of basketball, Josh was their reigning champion. Through sheer willpower and Josh’s three point stroke, they were able to beat the rival team from Milwaukee. Today, Josh and Tyler have managed to stay close and regularly spend time together playing golf and showing one another their favorite films.  Josh was and has always been one of Tyler’s most loyal and trusted friends. 


Josh Christodoss

Tyler was first introduced to Kaelan at Godx (Church Youth Group).  In their early friendship, Kaelan and Tyler spent a lot of time playing chess and getting into skateboarding and longboarding. There was a time when Tyler, Josh, and Kaelan attempted to longboard in the Charlestown mall, but shortly after were stopped by a lone security guard. Today, Kaelan has put skateboarding behind him and set his eyes on med school, where he goes to Case Western in Cleveland Ohio. Even though they are a few states apart, both Kaelan and Tyler have remained close. 

Kaelan Wong

Tyler and Nick first met at an American Red Cross Blood Drive in Paris, Tennessee. It was amongst the donating of blood that the two of them discovered they shared a mutual friend, Isaac Nunez. Together the three of them have been close friends to this day. Nicholas was raised in a strong Jewish household. Growing up he spent much of his time studying the Torah and Talmud, as his parents wanted him to become a Rabbi. Later in life Nick recognized that his true passion was in the law rather than the church and he decided to leave the Yeshiva. Today, Nick is attending law school at UIC with the hopes of one day entering a judgeship. 

Nick Bashor

Ray and Tyler first met in 5th grade when they shared the same teacher for homeroom. It was during this time they also realized they shared the same feelings for a girl in their class which caused them to break out into a fist fight on the school playground. Fast forward to the end of Senior year, Ray reconnected with Tyler after helping Isaac and him make a film for Economics class. The film was titled, "Vietcong Thunder". Ray along with the majority of the guys who helped on the film, managed to become close friends long after high school. Recently, Ray moved to Tightwad, Missouri where he has dedicated his time in Agriculture Mechanics. Although, he lives in another states, both him and Tyler have managed to stay very close.

Raymond Palatine

Lesly and Itzel are always attached to the hip! Lesly is Itzel’s younger cousin on her dad’s side, but they have been raised like sisters. Having this sister bond, Itzel credits Lesly for keeping her “child like” spirit alive. It’s never a dull moment when they are together and their parents can agree they can cause some trouble together! Nonetheless, Itzel can always count on Lesly for anything even if it is just to accompany her to run errands. One of their favorite things to do together is going on “mini adventures” around the local area and enjoy each other’s company ;). Some fun facts about Lesly are: she is a Scorpio sun sign, her family & friends find her to be pretty funny, she is a Liga MX enthusiast and has amazing music taste!

Lesly Herrera 

Linda and Itzel meet in their early 20s through a mutual friend. Since then they’ve been the best of friends for over 7 years. One of their favorite memories happened early on in their friendship, the first time they spent an entire day together. Linda, Itzel, and their friend Joshua all decided to wake up early and drive to Chicago to run along side the lake and watch the sunrise together. After that they had a full day of running errands, enjoyed brunch, and then closed out the day with the best nap ever. Itzel likes to say that this was when the trios bound grew stronger.  One of their favorite things to do is, spending quality time together and indulging in creative activities. Some fun facts about Linda are: she is an Aries sun sign, her puppy Coco is her everything, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and was a fashion major.

Linda Hernandez

Adriana and Itzel are like magnets, they are inseparable. Adriana is Itzel’s younger cousin by 3 years, on her dad’s side. Despite this, they grew up like sisters. One of their favorite things they would do was exploring the City of Chicago and going to the biggest Barns and Nobel bookstore in the city to read and find new books together :D. Adriana liked to credit Itzel for her likeness to reading and for introducing her to the “City life” :D. Some fun facts about Adriana are: she is an Aries sun sign, she enjoys the art of dance, rest is the utmost important thing to her and she is within the 4% of people in the world that have aphantasia.

Adriana Castillo

Mandy and Itzel met when Itzel’s brother, Isaac decided to marry Mandy and have her become apart of the Cuautle Family. Over the years Mandy and Itzel’s have developed a strong sister bond! One of their favorite times they spent together was when Mandy would come over to the Cuautle residence during the weekends. Itzel and her would spend their morning together. They would talk for hours, getting to know each other and how much they had in common. Now Mandy enjoys when Itzel has a chance to come over and spend time with her and her daughter. Some fun facts about Mandy are: she is a Scorpio sun sign, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and seeing her grow up, she loves Milka chocolate bars and she was born and raised in Birmingham, England until she was 10 years old.

Mandy Cuautle

Joshua and Itzel met through their time at Oakton Community College. Coincidentally, the same mutual friend that introduced Linda and Itzel, was the reason why Joshua and Itzel met as well! Over the last 7 years they’ve become a trio of best friends! Over the years Joshua and Itzel have bonded over their “Boba Tea Time.” Their favorite thing to do during that time is indulging in deep conversation, learning about each other and occasionally learning about themselves :). Some fun facts about Joshua are: he is a Capricorn sun sign, he is father of three chihuahuas, he enjoys his time in the kitchen baking pastries and cakes ( Itzel loves his macaroons!) and knows three languages. 

Joshua DeLeon

Tejal and Itzel have been best friends for over 14 years! They met in 8th grade through a mutual friend at the time. Itzel likes to say her friendship with Tejal is and always be her longest committed relationship (sorry Tyler) ;). They plan weekly hangouts where some of their favorite activities include: watching a movie at home, buying take out, and making their weekly boba run from their favorite boba spot. No matter how busy their life gets they always make time for each other and enjoy each other’s company. Some fun facts about Tejal are: she is a Pisces sun sign, her favorite drink/ flavor is matcha tea, she enjoys learning and indulging into Asian culture and loves listening to music.

Tejal Patel

Matthew and Henry are twins on Tyler's mothers side of the family. They are Tyler's second cousins. Both Henry and Matthew are the youngest out of 6 in their family; as the fall begins the two of them will be getting ready to enter middle school. They, and many other second cousins of Tyler's live in Columbus, Ohio. One fun fact about Tyler's relationship with the twins is during the time he stayed with their family during spring break. Tyler always cherishes the moments he has gotten to spend with his younger cousins and aunts and uncles in Ohio. He is still in disbelief at how old they have already become. 

Matthew and Henry Becknell

Meera is Itzel’s baby niece of her older brother Isaac. Meera is only two years old and yet has already developed quite the personality! Meera loves her “Tia” and enjoys when Itzel can spend time with her, ALOT of time :D. Itzel believes she has a deep connection with Meera since she was in her mom’s belly. Itzel spent most of her time with Mandy (Meeras mom) during her pregnancy. Some fun facts about Meera are: she loves tomatoes and cherries, her plushy collection has grown so much and will most likely continue to grow upon every holiday, and her current favorite movie is Pixar's  Monster University. One of her nicknames is Mimi because that’s how Meera likes to say her name.

Meera Jain Cuautle

Wedding Party

Brought to you by Butters our cat! spanish: Nuestro Gatito Butters puede contestar sus preguntas importantes para ese día!

Q + A 

Butters wants to make sure that all our esteemed guests find a suitable place to stay for our weekend celebration! Spanish: Butters quiere asegurarse de que todos nuestros estimados huéspedes encuentren un lugar adecuado para alojarse para nuestra celebración de fin de semana!

Itzel & Tyler

Itzel & Tyler

Travel

Hotel Suggestions within the Reception Spanish: Sugerencias de Hoteles dentro del Área de Recepción

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Chicago Wood Dale Elk Grove

Hyatt Place Chicago/Itasca

Courtyard Marriott Wood Dale/Itasca

The Westin Chicago Northwest

Hotel Suggestion within the Ceremony Area Spanish: Sugerencia de Hotel dentro del Área de Ceremonia

Courtyard Chicago Elmhurst/Oakbrook Area

Clarion Inn Elmhurst - Oak Brook near I-88, I-290, I-294

Hotel Suggestions close to the airport Spanish: Sugerencias de hoteles cerca del aeropuerto

Hampton Inn Chicago-O'Hare International Airport

Quality Inn O'Hare Airport