Loft Lucia

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Taylor's Version

Joel and I met at college when we were both 19 years old. Our sophomore year, we both worked for our university’s student newspaper, became friends, then more than friends, and officially started dating one week before we got sent home because of COVID-19. The first five months of our relationship were spent doing long-distance, with him in Chicago and me in Orlando. I've never been more excited to go back to school than I was our first semester of our junior year. Fast forward two years—we both graduated in May 2022 and I followed him up to Chicago with no job or plan, just lots of love and trust in God that this was the best move for our future. And we're so glad I did. The last two years have been filled with navigating real adulthood together—finding and losing jobs, moving into our first apartments, paying bills, making new friends, discovering our favorite coffee shops and restaurants, and building our life together in Chicago. We got engaged on November 26, 2024 after spending Thanksgiving with my family in Florida, and the rest is history!&nbsp; If you’re reading this, thank you for being a part of our story.&nbsp; Love, J&amp;T

Joel's Version

To be completely honest, I don't remember the first time I met Taylor but I remember having her on Snapchat the summer after Freshmen year. I swiped up a few times with corny lines, and I guess they worked so well she joined the School Newspaper just to hang out with me in person. After more corny DM's from both sides, she asked me out by asking if I like iced coffee...who doesn't? We were 'talking' for more than 4 months until I finally asked her out while teaching her Spanish in my apartment. Covid keeping us apart made it so that we were inseparable once school started again, and have remained that way since. Approaching graduation, I had landed a job in Chicago so Taylor made the brave decision to move here with no job or savings — she is a woman that knows what she wants and trusts in God! In the last 2 years, we've moved into our respective first apartments, explored dozens of Chicago restaurants and gems, made new friends, and continued to fall in love. Of course, there are bumps in adulthood, but navigating these with Taylor has only confirmed we are meant for each other. We look forward to celebrating the beginning of our life together with you!

Our Story

Photos

Sierra Dean

Karen Guerra

Mia Clark

Angie Luna

Liz Baltazar-Miguel

Fulton Milam

Tomas Baliutavicius

Rohin Gulati

Danny Piñeiro

Juan Guerra

Erwin Guerra Jr.

Marshall Demirjian

Joel Guerra Sr.

Wedding Party

Q + A

Lodging

There are multiple lodging options via hotels, Vrbo and airbnbs. Our venue is located in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood—just west of the heart of downtown. If you'd like to be close by the venue, we recommend looking for lodging in the following neighborhoods: Fulton Market, West Town, River North, Ukrainian Village or Lincoln Park.

Airports

For those flying in, there are two airports to choose from—O'Hare and Midway. Both have direct train access to the city and beyond!

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

Chicago Midway International Airport

Train & Bus

One of the best ways to get around the city is via CTA train and bus! If you're making a trip out of our wedding and want to explore the city, we recommend downloading the Ventra app to navigate public transportation and purchase digital bus/train passes. A day pass is $5 and will get you just about anywhere! You can also purchase physical tickets at any train station. Learn more at <a href="https://www.transitchicago.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.transitchicago.com/</a>

Travel & Lodging

Restaurants

A favorite of ours for a classic Chicago dogs and crispy tater tots!

Devil Dawgs Rush St

Great baos, ramen and drinks! A great, low-lit but hip late night spot.

RAMEN-SAN

A go-to for Korean street foods—our favorites are the kalbi beef, sesame chili shrimp and sambal fish tacos, and the bulgogi sandwich!

Del Seoul

Some of the best Mediterranean food we've had! Perfect for sharing. Servings are large, so don't listen to the waiters when they say you need three platters per person.

Family-owned Puerto Rican restaurants. HUGE servings and great price point. Our favorites are all of the appetizers, and the Carne Guisado.

Jibaritos Y Mas

Top notch Thai food in Chicago's Northside. Everything is made to order and cooked by Anna herself! We recommend the Beef Roller Satay, Pad See-iew, and the Thai Spiced Grilled Chicken.

Joel & Taylor

Joel & Taylor

Photos