St. Joseph Catholic Church

Church Ceremony

Ceremony

Ivanhoe Club

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

How We Met

Through Mike's Eyes

Our&nbsp;story began&nbsp;at Hope College in Holland, Michigan&nbsp;–&nbsp;a&nbsp;quaint little&nbsp;town&nbsp;in West Michigan&nbsp;whose namesake can be traced back to a&nbsp;Medieval&nbsp;Dutch fishing village. It was there, in October 2015, during the Nykerk Song Competition at Hope College, that we first crossed paths and struck up an effortless friendship. Our friendship grew stronger throughout the fall, and by wintertime, had evolved into something more. We thought this evolution subtle – much to our friends’ amusement who were wondering why we weren't a couple already – and by Valentine's Day of 2016, we were finally officially dating. The start of our story doesn't hinge on a single grandiose action or opulent event; instead, it's the charm of countless simple moments that makes it special. Our love grew in the little things over time – the shared looks, the unspoken understanding, and the warmth of our conversations. As we gradually uncovered the depths of each other's personalities, our affection grew with unwavering certainty. And that is the story of how we discovered a deep, enduring love that will last a lifetime over.

The Proposal

Through Lydia's Eyes

OUR "DATING ANNIVERSARY" IS FEBRUARY 12TH. TO CELEBRATE OUR 7 YEARS TOGETHER, WE PLANNED A FUN DATE NIGHT AND WEEKEND IN DETROIT OVER THE WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 25, 2023. THE FRIDAY BEFORE, MIKE DECIDED TO GO INTO DETROIT TO MAKE RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS. I DIDN’T THINK MUCH OF THE FACT OF HOW MUCH TIME AND OUT OF THE WAY THIS ERRAND WAS FOR HIM. I APPRECIATED HIS EFFORTS AND WAITED FOR HIM TO COME HOME FROM HIS ADVENTURE (WHICH APPARENTLY WAS DONE VIA MOTOR SCOOTER). THE NEXT DAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, WE STARTED TO GET DRESSED UP TO GO INTO DETROIT IN THE LATE AFTERNOON. MIKE SEEMED A BIT “OFF”. HE CHANGED HIS SHIRT MULTIPLE TIMES, PACED THE APARTMENT, WAS ON HIS PHONE A LOT, AND TOLD ME WE WERE MEETING HIS PARENTS AT CRANBROOK GARDENS TO WALK AROUND AND HAVE THEM TAKE NICE PHOTOS OF US. THE ADDITIONAL PLAN STUMPED ME, BUT I WAS JUST GOING TO ROLL WITH IT AS I DO ENJOY OUR WALKS AT CRANBROOK. IT WAS 20 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND SOME REMAINING SNOW WAS PRESENT WHICH INCLUDED ICE. LET ME TELL YOU, MIKE WAS TAKING ME ON A WEIRD ROUTE THROUGH THE WOODS (NOT ON A PATH), THAT WAS ICY AND FULL OF TREE ROOTS. I WAS GENUINELY CONCERNED FOR MY PERSONAL WELL-BEING (AND MIKE’S SANITY). EVENTUALLY, WE MADE IT TO OUR FAVORITE RED BRIDGE IN THE JAPANESE GARDEN, AND MIKE TOLD ME TO “TURN AROUND AND LOOK OVER THERE”. I CAN’T LIE, I BLANKED AND DIDN’T REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THIS MOMENT. WHEN I TURNED BACK AROUND, MIKE WAS DOWN ON ONE KNEE AND ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM. WHEN MIKE WAS PUTTING THE RING ON MY FINGER, I TOOK THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AS WE WERE ON A BRIDGE WHICH CLEARLY HAD GAPS IN THE FLOORBOARDS WITH A STREAM RUNNING BENEATH. WHAT COULD GO WRONG? MY CONCERN SUBSIDED AS WE HEARD “WOO-HOO’S” RESONATING FROM THE TREES AND FAMILIAR PEOPLE EMERGING. TURNS OUT, MY PARENTS, MY BROTHER CONNOR AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, MY BEST FRIEND RACHEL AND HER BOYFRIEND, AND MIKE’S PARENTS TRAVELED IN FOR THE PROPOSAL AND COMPLETELY SURPRISED ME. AFTER A LOVELY DINNER AND VENTURING INTO DETROIT, THE EVENING CONTINUED WITH MORE FUN SURPRISES INCLUDING THE APPEARANCE OF MORE SPECIAL FRIENDS FROM NEAR AND FAR. &nbsp;IT COULDN’T HAVE BEEN A MORE PERFECT NIGHT. :-)

Our Story

Engagement Photos

Adam Dawdy

Rachel Silverman

Chase Glasser

Heather Meyer

Drew Gaboury

Isabella Loffredo

Connor Mason

Landri Shannan

Sean MacLean

Madeline MacLean

Christian Erickson

Gina Hilliard

John Holly

Holly Treber

Wedding Party

Q + A

** Hotels with Group Rates **

* If a room block is full, please text or call Brian Mason at 847-530-8485 and we will attempt to add additional rooms to the block. ** NOTE: Room Blocks are only open until July 12, 2024. After that date, rooms are no longer reserved and are open to general public reservations at market rate. *

- Group Rate of $139 includes breakfast.- Shuttle service will be provided to and from the reception at the Ivanhoe Club.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Libertyville - Mundelein

- Studio King group rate of $149 includes breakfast.- Shuttle service will be provided to and from the reception at the Ivanhoe Club.

Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Lake Forest/Mettawa

- Group rate of $139 for King or Double Queen, does not include breakfast.- Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner (no lunch).- Full buffet breakfast is currently $15.00.- Shuttle service will be provided to and from the reception at the Ivanhoe Club.

Hilton Garden Inn Lake Forest/Mettawa

** Alternative hotels **

No group rate, alternative hotel nearby.

Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Libertyville

No group rate, alternative hotel nearby. Hotel was built in 2023.&nbsp;

WoodSpring Suites Libertyville - Chicago

No group rate, alternative hotel nearby. Closest hotel to downtown Libertyville.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago-Libertyville, an IHG Hotel

Travel

If you want to make a vacation out of traveling to our wedding, stop and explore the city of Chicago on your way home!

City of Chicago

Chicago Botanic Garden

Explore Lydia's hometown of Libertyville! Great stores, restaurants, and a cute park in the middle.

Downtown Libertyville

Centered around a 129-acre lake. This is a lovely spot to walk, run, bike, and explore!

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Located in Vernon Hills, right next to Libertyville, and has many stores and restaurants.

Lydia & Michael

Lydia & Michael

Engagement Photos