Illinois State Fairgrounds - Orr Building

HARDWICK WEDDING

Fall

Welcome to our wedding website – we’re so glad you’re here. We’ve created this website as a helpful resource for all of the need-to-know details that will lead up to our big day. Here you’ll find our schedule of timings, venue locations/directions, accommodations, along with commonly asked questions. We’d love for you to take a look around and learn more about our wedding day plans as well as our wedding party and story. Don’t forget to RSVP and leave us a song request for the dance floor, too! And finally, we are so incredibly excited to share this special day with our favorite people – a big thanks for all of your love and support. We can’t wait to see you there!! Love, Sam &amp; Sarah

Ceremony - 4:30 P.M.

RECEPTION - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING

Our Wedding

OUR STORY

Sarah &amp; Sam’s story starts in the fall of 2016 at SIU in Carbondale. They first crossed paths over a game of beer pong at a party thrown by a mutual friend. Sarah remembers this first game of beer pong, Sam does not. Sam had made an impression on Sarah, she thought he was really cute &amp; funny. However, she must have not made the same impression on him, she was really good at beer pong and Sam hates losing... Fast forward 4 months and they cross paths again. This time at a bar in the middle of nowhere, a magical place for SIU students known as Beer and Chicken. This place marked the start of their relationship, a relationship that would be put to the test not long after it started. You see, Sam would be graduating soon and had accepted a full-time job. And it was only a couple weeks into his and Sarah’s relationship when he found out where he would be moving for work…. NEBRASKA. When he broke the news to Sarah, she did what any normal person would do… quit her job to spend as much time with him as possible before he left. They didn’t know if this would be it or if they could make things work. They decided to try long distance without having any idea how it would go. Turns out it wasn’t as bad as either one of them thought it would be. Love always finds a way of making things easy. Sarah would make the 8-hour drive to see Sam, and he would come back to seeher every chance he got. Two years fly by, and Sarah is finishing school. Decisions have to be made if she will be moving to Nebraska or if Sam will be moving home. Luckily, Sam was able to find a job in Saint Louis, and jumped at the opportunity to get back closer to Sarah. In Saint Louis things are going great. Sarah and Sam are cherishing being able to spend life together daily again. Between date nights, drinks out with friends, Cardinals/Blues games, making trips to visit family, and welcoming Laker (cat) and Bonnie (dog) to the family, they have stayed busy! Which brings us to current day life.

OUR ENGAGEMENT

In September 2021, Sam and Sarah take a trip to Tampa for a football game. Sam invites his parents down for the game and Sarah decides to invite hers to spend the weekend at the beach. Presumably that was all the trip was to be, at least in Sarah’s mind... The first night started with a Buccaneer win, the second day was spent enjoying the beach. After coming in from the beach and getting ready to go out Sarah’s mom, Cheryl, suggested to go to the beach to get family pictures. The walk to the beach began and Sarah expected nothing more than some pictures in her near future.&nbsp;When arriving at the beach Sarah noticed a wedding proposal set up to the side. She quickly became annoyed, thinking ‘oh great, another person getting married that isn’t me’. She had no idea it was for her! Sam pulled her over and dropped to a knee. She was so surprised/in shock when he asked the question, she responded with “thank you” instead of saying yes!&nbsp; And that is Sarah &amp; Sam's story. September marked 4 1/2 years, now only a lifetime to go!&nbsp;

Our Story

Photos

Ellie is Sarah's younger sister. Although Ellie & Sarah couldn't be more different, they have always been each other's best friend. Ellie is the funniest person Sarah knows, she loves sushi and hot wings, and she has a pup named Annie.

Ellie Carlson

Jordan and Sam first became friends the summer before high school and have been close ever since. Jordan is the father of two little boys; Wyatt and Waylon, he loves duck hunting and his yard has better stripes than Busch Stadium.

Jordan Snyder

Madison and Sarah were freshman year roommates at McKendree University. They have been friends since 2013! Madison lives in Reno, NV where she works for Tesla. She is  loves to snowboard and she is marrying a Sam too!

Madison Dauch

Matt and Sam met in college at SIU, where they spent many nights together at Pinch Penny Pub and weekly trips to Beer & Chicken. Matt will sing every word to Africa by Toto, beat you in every game of darts and goes by Hal.

Matt Halloran

Heather and Sarah have known each other since they were 5 years old. They were friends through childhood and now adulthood! Heather is always the life of the party, she was a college golfer and she is a fashionista!

Heather McDaniel

David and Sam became friends in high school shortly after David moved to Beardstown in 2009. The two have made a lot of memories since then. David is a local mail carrier, hosts their annual friends float trip and loves pool volleyball.

David Sullivan

Whitney and Sarah met in Lincoln, Nebraska. Sarah was scared of Whitney at first, but the two became the best of friends. Whitney loves the Wisconsin Badgers, traveling all over the world and goes by WINKS.

Whitney Belike

Tyler and Sam have known each other since they were in preschool at BCA and have always stayed close. Tyler has two dogs, Paige & Jade, loves Tito's Vodka and works on a farm in Mount Sterling.

Tyler Workman

Megan and Sarah have been close since they were little kids. Megan pretty much lived with the Carlson's while growing up. Megan is a nurse, she was Sarah's neighbor for 6 years and she is Sarah's without a doubt sassiest friend.

Megan Barczewski

Nolan and Sam met and became friends after he started dating Sarah's sister Ellie. Nolan is a correctional officer at Pinckneyville Prison, he loves golfing and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball.

Nolan Luke

Lexi and Sarah knew each other in high school but weren't friends until college! Since, Sarah & Lexi live in STL they spend a lot of time together. Lexi was the one that gave Sarah, Sam's number, she loves mac & cheese, and she has 4 pets!

Lexi Galli

DJ and Sam's friendship began when Sam moved to STL and was introduced through Sarah and Lexi. DJ enjoys bar hopping on his golf cart, has 6 pairs of Yeezy's, and you can always catch him ordering crawfish from his favorite bar; Dukes.

David Dobbs

Peyton and Sarah met at Southern Illinois University! They became friends at the same party where Sarah met Sam. Peyton is an agriculture teacher in South Carolina, she owns her own dog bandana company and she loves PIGS.

Peyton Schultz

Alex and Sam grew up together, but because Alex stole Sam's beer they weren't friends. Their friendship began when Alex started college at SIU. Alex lives in South Carolina where he is in the Air Force, he is a twin and weird enough amphibious. 

Alex Schultz

Molly and Sarah although living 15 minutes away from each other growing up, weren't friends until college. Molly is the most destructive human Sarah has ever met, she will eat a dollar bill for fun and she has 16 tattoos.

Molly Clark

Quinn and Sam met freshman year of college at SIU where they both were studying agriculture and lived in the towers. Quinn loves going out to the parlors, enjoys the Fighting Illini and has a pup named Indy.

Quinn Trewartha

Claire is Sam's younger sister. Sarah and Claire became friends after Sam and Sarah started dating. Claire is notorious for not texting back, she loves reality TV and will most likely force you to drink 12 shots.

Claire Hardwick

Austin and Sam became friends at a young age. They both attended preschool together and grew up in the same town. Austin works for Hardwick Farms, owns several apartment units in Jacksonville and loves to hunt.

Austin Jones

Rachel and Sarah became friends shortly after Sarah started coming to Beardstown. Rachel is obsessed with dogs, she is one of the sweetest people Sarah knows, and she is a seltzer connoisseur.

Rachel Deacon

Jed and Sam have been friends since birth. They grew up a block away from each other and spent most of their childhood together. Jed lives in Chicago where he is a cardiac therapist. He loves the Green Bay Packers and unfortunately the Cubs.

Jed Lux

Wedding Party

Q + A

Hotel & Shuttle Information

We have reserved a block of rooms for our guests at the Crown Plaza in Springfield, IL for the evening of October 8th, 2022. When making reservations please ask for the Hardwick - Carlson wedding or use code C4H. Please make your reservation by September 5th, 2022. If the code doesn’t work please send me a text and I will call to add more rooms to the block! We know that some of our guests may be loyal to specific hotels, therefore we picked an area with hotels nearby such as the Holiday Inn, which is within walking distance from the Crowne Plaza. The Hilton, Comfort Suites & Marriott are close nearby. If you are a state worker you can get a lower rate using your government ID.     Transportation will be provided to our guests. Shuttles will depart from the Crowne Plaza starting at 3 p.m. and will begin returning every half hour beginning at 9 p.m. If you are staying at other hotels and want to be shuttled, you will need to meet the shuttles at the Crowne Plaza. There is a large parking lot at the Orr Building for guests who plan on driving. There will be Ubers & Lyfts in the area if you need a ride. Please be responsible and safe!

CHECK IN: OCTOBER 8, 2022 - CHECK OUT: OCTOBER 9, 2022

Rooms:&nbsp;Make yourself at home in one of the 288 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with Egyptian cotton sheets. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature designer toiletries and hair dryers. Amenities: Take advantage of recreational opportunities offered, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary fitness center, concierge services, and shopping on site.

Crowne Plaza Springfield - Convention Ctr, an IHG Hotel

Rooms: The Holiday Inn has 140 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Also includes coffee/tea makers. Amenities:&nbsp;Enjoy recreational amenities such as an indoor pool, a complimentary buffet breakfast and a fitness center.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Springfield, an IHG Hotel

Rooms:&nbsp;Make yourself at home in one of the 117 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wireless Internet access is complimentary, while 32-inch LED televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Amenities:&nbsp;Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities including an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, shopping on site, and a ballroom.

Hilton Garden Inn Springfield, IL

Rooms: The Comfort Suites has 92 guestrooms featuring microwaves and flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed, and all rooms are furnished with double sofa beds. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary and cable programming provides entertainment. Bathrooms have bathtubs or showers and hair dryers. Amenities:&nbsp;Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as an indoor pool, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and a fireplace in the lobby.

Comfort Suites Near Route 66

Rooms:&nbsp;The Residence Inn by Marriott has 108 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with refrigerators and stovetops. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, while 32-inch Smart televisions with satellite programming provide entertainment. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily. Amenities:&nbsp;Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, tour/ticket assistance, and a picnic area

Residence Inn by Marriott Springfield South

Accommodations

TRAVEL

St. Louis Lambert International Airport

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV)

General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport

THINGS TO DO

Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the location of the two-story home of Abraham Lincoln, and the only home he ever owned. Constructed in 1839, Abraham and Mary Lincoln lived here from 1844 until Mr. Lincoln's election to the presidency in 1861. This 12-room, Greek revival home is a popular national attraction, and a ranger-led tour is the only way to see inside this historic residence. Available routinely throughout the day, guided tours are free, and tickets are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lincoln's Home

The Audubon Society is an important legacy of 19th century America. The Illinois chapter of this wildlife preservation-minded organization is based at and runs the Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, a 40-acre park near downtown Springfield. Built around the Adams family estate dating from the mid 1800s, the Sanctuary is covered with walking trails where regional flora and fauna can be glimpsed in their natural habitat.

Margery Adams Wildlife Sanctuary

As the state of Illinois grew, so did the need for more space at the state capitol. As a result, the "old" state capitol was replaced with a new building, and the first legislative session was held here in 1877.The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield is one of the tallest buildings in central Illinois and features an intricate design both inside and out. Visitors are encouraged to tour the State Capitol on their own during operating hours, and guided tours can be reserved ahead of time.

Illinois State Capitol Building

D’Arcy’s Pint is a family-friendly Irish themed bar/restaurant that opened in 1998 and moved to its new, bigger location in May of 2005. They are known for their horseshoe sandwich … also known as a heart attack on a plate. D’Arcy’s serves over a dozen varieties of horseshoe. Since 1998, owners, Glenn Merriman and Hallie Pierce all have worked hard to maintain its charm while ensuring there is plenty to keep guests coming back. There's even an outdoor beer garden to enjoy when the weather is nice.

D'Arcy's Pint

Cooper’s Hawk Winery &amp; Restaurant combines modern, casual dining with award-winning, handcrafted wines. The menu features fresh contemporary-American fare infused with flavors from around the world. In addition to dining, Cooper’s Hawk offers a full-service bar where guests can enjoy sipping and sampling wines in a traditional winery setting. Sourcing the highest quality grapes from the best vineyards around the world has earned Cooper’s Hawk a growing list of more than 200 wine awards.

Sarah & Sam

Sarah & Sam

Registry

Please know that your presence at our wedding is present enough! However, for friends and family who have been asking for gift ideas, we’ve created an online registry with Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/thehardwickwedding