Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

People usually have a "how you met" story to tell, but neither of us remember that day. Our story really starts almost 20 years ago- when Mike and my brother Colin became friends in 1st grade. Growing up, there was no way I would have EVER considered dating one of my brother's friends. Luckily, Mike had other ideas! He likes to say that he played the long game- slowly working his way into my family and our hearts over the years (by inviting himself on family trips, showing up at the house uninvited, winning over Grandma, "working" in Muncie, IN while I was there for grad school, etc.) until I finally came to my senses. Thankfully, Colin doesn't seem to mind letting me steal his best friend!

The "Long Game"

Mike and I share a love of two very important things: travel, and Harry Potter. Our first few dates consisted of an extended Harry Potter movie marathon that has never truly ended. We have also been lucky to have traveled to more than a few places together over the years. Mike was able to combine both in his proposal! Last summer (2016) we were on a Marsden family trip to England (Mike was actually invited this time!). My family had visited the Harry Potter Studio Tour near London four years prior, and I had since raved about it being the "best day ever". New additions to the tour and the fact that Mike had never been meant that we obviously had to go again. On July 4th, we all spent the first part of the day walking around Cambridge, then headed to the studios for our early evening tour time. The tour takes you through two airplane hangars full of everything that was used during the filming of the Harry Potter movies- actual sets, costumes, props, models, interactive exhibits, the Hogwarts Express, and more. At one point, guests can walk down Diagon Alley- and this was where Mike decided to pull a silver globe out from his pocket. He asked if I knew the words to open it ("I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good"), got down on one knee, opened the globe to reveal a beautiful ring, and asked me to marry him! Because Mike decided to propose in public in front of strangers, he also was able to do it in front of my siblings and cousins (my mom, aunts, uncle, and Grandma missed it by a minute because my mother did not believe it was happening!). But everyone was there to celebrate, which made a perfect day even better.And now, on October 7th, we can finally say, "Mischief Managed"!

Mischief Managed - The Proposal

Our Story

Details

Photos

Alison Johnson

Colin Johnson

Chris McIntyre

Alissa Link

Scott Friedlander

Alyson Cybulski

Brittany Marsden

David Kelly

Colleen Mooney

Kris Mizel

Kelcey Hall

Graham Johnson

Bill Rixon

Megan Toal

Tyler Sliz

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

For your convenience, we have reserved a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lake Forest for both Friday, Oct. 6th and Saturday, Oct. 7th. Please ask for the Johnson-Ziegler wedding block or follow the link provided <a href="http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/O/ORDLFGI-JOHZIE-20171006/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG">here</a> when you reserve your room for the discounted rate! Rooms can be reserved through September 15th. Check-in begins at 3:00 pm. There will be a free shuttle service to transport you between the hotel and the wedding reception- more details will follow!

Hilton Garden Inn Lake Forest Mettawa

From O'Hare International Airport: Get on I-190 E (2 min, 0.8 mi)Take exit 1C to merge onto I-294 and I-94 W (toward Milwaukee)Follow I-294 N and I-94 W to IL-60 E/ E Townline Rd (~20 min, 20 miles)Take the IL-60/ Townline Rd exit from I-94 WTurn right onto IL-60 E/ E Townline Rd (signs for Lake Forest; 1.4 mi)Turn left onto Waukegan Rd (2.0 mi)1566 N. Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

O'Hare International Airport

Parking will not be available at the house due to space limitations and other restrictions. Please do not attempt to park anywhere on the driveway or along the front of the house. A parking lot will be available directly across the street at Smedbo Inc (see the address listed above). We are offering a free valet service to transport you safely across Waukegan Rd to and from your cars throughout the evening.

Parking: Smedbo Inc

Travel

Things to Do

M & M

Meghan & Mike

Meghan & Mike

Wedding Party