Porter Kitchen & Deck

Rehearsal Dinner

The Walden

WEDDING DAY

Arrival and Ceremony Seating

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

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Please RSVP by Sunday, April 7th, 2024!

Our Wedding

It was a cold January Monday night in Chicago 2020. This night, the annual Speed Rack bartending competition was being held at Thalia Hall in Pilsen. Although we knew each other for 4 years from working in the same restaurant, this was the first night we encountered one another being single.

WHEN WE [RE]MET

Brian invited Leah out for our first date: dinner and a movie. We had tacos with a side of endless laughs at Tuco and Blondie before heading to the Music Box Theatre, where we saw our first movie together. It wasn't just an ordinary movie showing though, it was a sold-out director Q&amp;A event for the screening of Portrait of a Lady on Fire. During the movie, we naturally gravitated toward each other as if we had been on hundreds of dates before. So not only did our love story start with the fine arts, but they still hold a very active part in our relationship to this day and always will! Our favorite activities include going to the movies, watching a movie at home on the couch, seeing plays, or getting lost in the Art Institute together. This is why we chose to take our engagement photos, which are shown above and below, at the Music Box Theatre. It’s not just where we had our first date, but its where we fell a little more in love with each other and its an integral symbol of the fun times we’ve had over the years and the good times to still come!

OUR FIRST DATE

Our Story

Photo Timeline

The Wedding Party

Malorie Morris

Chase Davis

Dara Teasley

Cole Highlander

Stephanie Landes

Mustafa Salahuddin

Nagieh Omer Barefield

Will Barefield

Caroline Craig

Daniel Campbell

Katie Gallagher

Alex Clark

Taylor Rogers

Korey Gilmer

Laura Drazdys

Gage Harding

The Parents

Christa and Larry Morris

Lisa and Pete Kowalski

Wedding Party

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

We've reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate at the Kimpton Gray Hotel shown below, but please feel free to stay wherever suits you best; there's plenty in the city to choose from! Scroll down to the bottom of the page for additional recommendations.

To book your reservation, please use the WEBSITE link below or call the hotel at (877) 771-7031 and mention that youre a part of the Morris + Kowalski wedding block. Additional upgraded room types are also available at a discounted rate. If youre interested, please inquire by contacting Staci McCants by phone (312) 604-9830 or email (Staci.McCants@grayhotelchicago.com). *Reservations must be made before April 3rd, 2024 to receive the group rate.

Kimpton Gray Hotel

HOTEL Q + A

ADDITIONAL HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS

Below is a short list of other great hotel recommendations, but again please feel free to choose any hotel that suits your needs best. Want an opinion on a different hotel you're looking at? Feel free to reach out to one of us for our honest opinion!

The Hoxton, Chicago

Hyatt House Chicago / West Loop-Fulton Market

Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop, an IHG Hotel

voco Chicago Downtown, an IHG Hotel

The Godfrey Hotel Chicago

LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton

Moxy Chicago Downtown

Accommodations

Visiting and need suggestions on what to do in Chicago? Below are some of our suggestions in the following categories: Brunch/Coffee, Lunch/Dinner, Bars/Nightlife, and Activities.

BRUNCH/COFFEE

Brian's suggestion: Patty melt.Leah's suggestion: Chicken fried chicken. Share if possible, or plan to have leftovers!

Dove's Luncheonette

There are a couple of locations scattered across the city, so go to the one closest to you. Try one of their seasonal fresh-squeezed juices and add a shot of vodka because you deserve it AND you're on vacation!

Beatrix

3 Arts Club Cafe

FROTH

Sawada Coffee

Good Ambler

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

LUNCH/DINNER

Indulge in the bar that brought Brian to Chicago and is the reason that Brian and Leah met! Make sure to take an ice shot (or two) for us!

Federales Chicago

Start with either the fried garlic chicken sambal OR the tempura shrimp and goki buns. Then slurp your way to happiness with a big bowl of flavorful ramen. Top choices: umami and pozolmen. Leah prefers the wavy noodles and Brian prefers the hakata noodle.

Oiistar

Make a reservation. I repeat, make a reservation. If you don't, make sure to get there right when they open. You may just luck out if you have a small group.

La Scarola

A food court in Chicago's West Loop area where you’ll find a hand-selected array of everything you could want to eat, drink, and see in Chicago is all under one roof.

Time Out Market Chicago

Skip the long wait times and over-crowded Au Cheval and treat yourself to the stripped-down menu at Small Cheval where you'll only find burgers and fries. If it's a nice day/night, you're in luck because all of the locations have great patios!

Small Cheval- West Loop

Laid-back vibes with great fried chicken and sides. If you're feeling adventurous, try the Picklespritz cocktail and save room for a slice of the BANG BANG pie.

Parson's Chicken & Fish

Feeling like BBQ? Head here. Don't second guess it.

Green Street Smoked Meats

If you want an exotic escape from the city with riverfront seating look no further than Beatnik. This place boasts Mediterranean-inspired bites with tropical cocktails. Reservations are usually needed to sit riverfront, so plan ahead!

Beatnik On The River

No trip to Chicago is complete without shamelessly stuffing your face with a dipped Italian beef w/ giardiniera, a Chicago dog, OR the baby back ribs. Make sure to save room for a slice of their chocolate cake!

Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

Craving Chinese food? Go here. Get an iced oolong milk tea with boba afterward and thank us later.

MingHin Cuisine

BARS/NIGHTLIFE

Across the street from Big Star tacos, this intimate establishment serves up pre-prohibition style libations and small bites.

The Violet Hour

Intimate 13th-floor lounge atop the art deco Robey hotel with chic cocktails &amp; sweeping views.

The Up Room

No frills CASH ONLY bar with a stellar patio where you can catch some live music!

Phyllis’ Musical Inn

Super chill bar that plays good music. If you're hungry, check out the attached restaurant Sunnygun with a laid-back patio oasis.

Moneygun

Rooftop drinking and dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations are highly recommended for the weekend!

LH Rooftop

Another rooftop option with indoor/outdoor seating with amazing skyline views.

RAISED | An Urban Rooftop Bar

Activities

If you want to feed your creative mind while you're in the city take a couple of hours to stroll through!

The Art Institute of Chicago

Looking for a FREE activity? Take a stroll along the riverwalk and stop at Tiny Tapp &amp; Cafe if you're thirsty!

Riverwalk

Yearning to learn more about Chicago's rich architectural history? Hop aboard one of the three Wendella tours: a 90-min river tour, a 45-min river tour, or do both the lake &amp; river.

Leah & Brian

Leah & Brian

Q + A

What date should I RSVP by?

Can I RSVP online or do I have to mail in an RSVP card?

Am I allowed to bring my children?

What is the dress code?

Will your wedding be indoors or outdoors?

What time should I arrive at your wedding ceremony?

Will there be an open bar?

Could you suggest places to eat, drink and see while I am in town for your wedding?