Il Palazzo

Check In and drinks at the Pool

Welcome Dinner

Wedding Day

Cultural Experience

Walking Tour of Arezzo

Dinner in Arezzo

Farewell Brunch

Our Wedding

Sam spent two years at the University of Illinois doing Army ROTC with Jessica's brother, Tommy, before Jessica came as well and also joined the ROTC program. Jessica and Sam built a friendship consisting of unsanctioned explorations of the Armory and Steam Tunnels, late night studying, occasional partying (first known pic together at 2010 Halloween Party), and competing together in several ROTC clubs before he awkwardly asked her out. He attempted to pop the question at a nice steakhouse following a run club workout while still wearing recently salt-stained running clothes. He couldn't gather the nerve, so he asked the next day at Panera instead... Solid start to the next 14.5 years!

How we met

After a fun two years together in college, we went through 6 years of long-distance dating while Jessica finished her degree and began working at a Tech Startup in Chicago and Sam was away in the Army and later living in Springfield, Illinois as he started his manufacturing career.

Early to mid years

Our long distance saga came to an end when Sam worked his way back to Chicago in 2018. It was around this time that our world travels together kicked off, taking our first big trip to Greece together. In the following years we expanded our travels and experiences greatly, taking 15 international trips to 22 different countries, not to mention domestic trips to Alaska, California, Florida, New York, Utah, and our many visits to family all over the country.

Later years

During the hardest time of our lives while we struggled through Appa's illness and the pandemic, Sam decided to propose so that he could get Appa's approval and we could have the option to get married while Appa was still alive. It was during the depths of the pandemic on a chilly November evening, while Appa was being cared for at home. Sam arranged some gas heaters for the backyard, cooked a "delicious" steak dinner and told Jessica to dress her finest for a backyard meal. He booked a photographer to act like he was doing landscape photography next door, then he dropped to a knee and tearfully popped the question. Jessica said yes, and while we decided not to rush a wedding, we were comforted knowing Appa and Grandad both knew of our engagement prior to their passing. In typical Sam fashion, he did a crash course in Gemology, found a trustworthy Asian family owned jewelry store on Jeweler's Row and designed the ring, without seeking any advice in the process. He chose an oval cut diamond to go with Jessica's stick thin fingers and paired his Grandma Hazen's engagement diamond with a matching one to go on the sides.

Engagement

Over the last few years, we've established a new normal, upgraded our living situation in Chicago, continued building our careers, found a shared joy in running and restarted our world travels. We're so happy to force our joy of travel onto y'all as we celebrate our Marriage in one of our favorite places, Tuscany!

Current Day

Our Story

Photos

Inseparable friends since birth, Sam and Casey grew up together all the way through the end of college. They explored every nook and cranny of the neighborhood of their youth, played all the sports together more competitively than organized leagues would be, lived it up in college as Freshman and Sophomore roommates, and now compare notes on their slum lord/house hacking lifestyles in Chicago.

Casey Merchant

Sam and Hoss initially met in childhood as non talking baseball competitors. The friendship kicked off in earnest in college where they played sports and partied together. Later in college Hoss joined ROTC and they were roommates the final two years of college. Hoss served diligently as a loyal 3rd wheel for Sam and Jessica during those years. When Sam came back to Chicago and became a property mogul in Bridgeport, their bond was strengthened with a shared love of the White Sox.

Alex Hossfeld

Sam and Tommy met in ROTC initially exchanged pleasantries, managed through the transition of Sam dating his kid sister, and now exchange career advice, talk shop, compare travel notes, and try to act like adults around each other. Going through the adversity of Appa's passing together, solidified their bond as brothers.

Tommy Ahn

Sam and Terrance met at Fort Riley, Kansas, serving in the same company while playing Army. They got to go on a 9 month vacation together to sunny Kuwait and Iraq, where they hung out 24/7, ate 4 meals a day together and hit the gym multiple times a day. Terrance continues his heroic service as a Secret Agent Man today.

Terrance Burch

Jessica and Monal first met in an interview process in 2018, and even then, Monal’s warmth and vibrant personality were impossible to miss. What started as a workplace connection quickly grew into a deep and meaningful friendship.From being a “hip and cool” mom, to being a fiercely loyal friend, Monal's firecracker personality sparked so many great memories cherished by both. From lamenting over office politics over Just Salad lunches, to becoming running buddies, to navigating life’s challenges, Monal has been by Jessica’s side with unwavering love and fierce friendship and a warmth that has never faded and a laughter that surrounds their friendship.

Monal Shah

Jessica and Jennie first crossed paths while working at a tech company in Chicago. Initially, Jessica sought to keep her personal and professional lives separate, but over time, Jennie revealed that a genuine friendship, one grounded in trust, depth, and quiet resilience, can transcend any bounds. With unwavering steadiness and thoughtful grace, Jennie has been a constant source of gentle support to Jessica. Whether pulling all-nighters to meet pressing deadlines or exploring the streets of Detroit, London, and Dublin, their friendship has flourished through shared growth, inspiration, and an enduring, unshakable mutual respect and support.

Jennie Crichlow

Jessica met Janice through unconventional means - as the soon to be bride of one of Jessica’s college best friends. When Jessica flew to New York City to celebrate their engagement, any initial uncertainty between them vanished instantly, replaced by a genuine and immediate bond. Over the next decade, life brought them back together time and again: from reuniting with the entire obpa crew to cliff dive in Cebu, to sharing joyous moments at weddings, naming the guest bedroom of their marital home as the “Jessica’s room”, meeting Janice and Jason’s daughter Hari for the first time, and visiting them in Singapore. Together, they’ve woven countless treasured memories across Asia and beyond. JJessica and Janice’s relationship holds a truly special place in Jessica’s heart, woven tightly with the deep bonds shared among Jessica, Janice, Sam, Jason, and little Hari. Jason and Jessica had always dreamed of a future where their families would intertwine, and through this friendship, that beautiful vision has been realized and cherished.

Janice Chae

Jessica and Faith first met through work, but their connection quickly grew beyond the office, built on a shared love of food, adventure, and family. Faith’s quiet resilience and unwavering innocence in the face of life’s challenges sparked a deep affection in Jessica that never existed prior. In the beginning, Jessica saw Faith almost like a younger sister, someone to care for and protect. But as the years unfolded, their friendship deepened into something far more rich. Through shared meals, conversations that started about work then grew into deeper talks about life, and moments of both laughter and vulnerability, Jessica came to see Faith not just as someone to support, but someone who's quiet resilience, depth, and sincerity offered strength of its own. From bringing dozens of balloons to brighten up the house during dark times, to sharing life’s worries over facetime, to sharing a delicious meal and photographing every part of it, Faith always showed up. Through all seasons, their friendship weathered the long distance and continues to grow.

Faith Ringor

Our first nephew, Hans has been a mainstay throughout most of our courtship. The leader of the Cousin Squad, and frequent tag along to bike rides, runs, and trips to the donut shop, Hans has earned to right to escort our rings down the aisle. His occasional Facetime dates with Jessica and one time of holding her hand on a hike proved permanently endearing moments. Even if he had to be bribed into the position with donuts, we are excited to see him perform his duty!

Hans Bauschlinger

Such a sweetheart who doesn't currently like us. Hopefully things will change... After a wonderful visit with Hari in Singapore where she chose Jessica as her Mom, we met again a few years later in Korea. The later meeting went differently, with Sam causing a tumultuous cry session and Hari wanting us to leave. We're confident she'll love us again and look like a little angel walking down the aisle.

Hari Kim

Wedding Party

We&nbsp;started&nbsp;in&nbsp;Chicago,&nbsp;touring&nbsp;all&nbsp;types&nbsp;of&nbsp;potential&nbsp;venues&nbsp;but&nbsp;nothing&nbsp;was&nbsp;quite&nbsp;perfect.&nbsp;Jessica&nbsp;kept&nbsp;whispering&nbsp;sweet&nbsp;nothings&nbsp;about&nbsp;her&nbsp;dream&nbsp;Italian&nbsp;wedding,&nbsp;when&nbsp;finally&nbsp;we&nbsp;decided&nbsp;to&nbsp;take&nbsp;the&nbsp;plunge&nbsp;and&nbsp;seriously&nbsp;consider&nbsp;a&nbsp;destination&nbsp;wedding.&nbsp;After&nbsp;doing&nbsp;a&nbsp;fair&nbsp;amount&nbsp;of&nbsp;research&nbsp;we&nbsp;hopped&nbsp;a&nbsp;plane&nbsp;to&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;and&nbsp;toured&nbsp;several&nbsp;venues&nbsp;before&nbsp;choosing&nbsp;Il&nbsp;Palazzo.

Venue Search

Nestled on a hillside overlooking Arezzo and the beautiful Tuscan landscape, Il Palazzo won us over due to it's class and charm and the exquisite service provided by the Banelli family. We hope you enjoy the relaxation, fresh air, beauty and family atmosphere at Il Palazzo as much as we have! https://ilpalazzo.eu/en/

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