St. Sabina Catholic Parish

Wedding Day

Wedding

The Dearborn Inn, A Marriott Hotel

Reception

The Nguyen's Residence

Traditional Vietnamese Tea Ceremony

Our Wedding

Winding down&nbsp;her dental residency in Chicago, Stephanie had&nbsp;accepted a dentist position back&nbsp;in her home state of Michigan. &nbsp;She looked forward to returning home&nbsp;and being&nbsp;near family.&nbsp;&nbsp;Dan had recently moved back to Chicago, excited to&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;life&nbsp;in Lincoln Park. &nbsp;For the first time in years, each would be back in their home states without the prospect of a move. &nbsp;Their paths crossed during Stephanie's last month in Chicago, the attraction was instant,&nbsp;and after&nbsp;several great dates&nbsp;they knew&nbsp;that&nbsp;plans of&nbsp;geographic stability&nbsp;would be pleasantly disrupted. &nbsp;

The pair&nbsp;shared natural chemistry, mutual interests,&nbsp;and infatuation--just&nbsp;not a zip code. &nbsp;They&nbsp;weathered&nbsp;Friday nights at Flint &nbsp;and Midway&nbsp;Airports to share&nbsp;the&nbsp;shortest-yet-sweetest&nbsp;weekends together. &nbsp;After a year of&nbsp;&nbsp;back and forth, being apart was no longer an option. &nbsp;Using&nbsp;his finest lawyering skills, Dan managed to successfully&nbsp;persuade Stephanie&nbsp;to&nbsp;return&nbsp;to Chicago.













Together again, the two love life in Chicago--exploring new neighborhoods,&nbsp;watching fireworks over Lake Michigan, spending time with family and friends, going to&nbsp;plays and musicals,&nbsp;discovering new foods,&nbsp;and&nbsp;creating new&nbsp;memories.&nbsp;

How It Started

"Isn't this a little far for a day trip?"&nbsp;Stephanie questioned as they sped past St. Joseph.&nbsp;

"Nah,"&nbsp;Dan insisted,&nbsp;"just a little&nbsp;farther."











The plan had been a quick leaf-peeping&nbsp;day trip to enjoy the fall colors of Michigan. &nbsp;But Stephanie sensed something amiss&nbsp;as the pair kept going. &nbsp;Past South Haven. &nbsp;Past Holland. &nbsp;Past Muskegon. &nbsp;Very quickly, four hours turned to six. &nbsp;











"We're almost in Ludington,"&nbsp;Stephanie remarked quizzically. &nbsp;"Don't we have to drive back to Illinois tonight?"











"The leaves are still&nbsp;too green,"&nbsp;Dan pressed. &nbsp;"The pictures won't look good."











And they continued.&nbsp;&nbsp;First through rain. &nbsp;Then hail. &nbsp;Then snow. &nbsp;











When she saw the sign indicating 21 miles to Manistee, Stephanie became especially concerned. &nbsp;"We're almost in the Upper Peninsula!"&nbsp;











"Just a little more north, it'll totally be worth it."











Arriving at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Dan grinned.











"Perfect. &nbsp;Look at these leaves."











Surrounded by snow, bitter cold, and extreme winds, Stephanie was less enthused. &nbsp;When he insisted they get out of the car, she thought he was joking.











"It's snowing."











With the promise of hot chocolate,&nbsp;Stephanie finally relented. &nbsp;The two trekked through the fall leaves and into the sandy&nbsp;dune,&nbsp;greeted by&nbsp;icy&nbsp;cold winds,&nbsp;daggers of rain-snow, and frigid temperatures.











"Seriously,"&nbsp;Stephanie carped, forgetting about the time spent on hair, nails, and make-up. &nbsp;"Let's just go back to the car. &nbsp;We really don't need these pictures that bad."











Just when she could take no more, they reached Overlook 9 and stared over a&nbsp;sea of blues. &nbsp;











"Isn't this beautiful?"&nbsp;Dan asked.











"Sure. &nbsp;Now let's go back to the car."











"One thing first."











Having shielded her face from the elements, she did not notice it at first. &nbsp;But when she peered out from her jacket, she saw Dan down on one knee.







"Stephanie, will you marry me?"







&nbsp;In that moment, all the weather-inflicted tension evaporated.











"YES!"&nbsp;she exclaimed.&nbsp;











After a quick photography session in the frozen tundra, the two returned to the warm car where Dan explained that this would not be a day trip but&nbsp;a weekend getaway to Traverse City. &nbsp;Excited, Stephanie&nbsp;texted her family and friends to share the news. &nbsp;They defrosted their frozen bodies at the hotel, and&nbsp;agreed to an easy dinner.











"Place is packed, I&nbsp;couldn't get us reservations until 8:15,"&nbsp;Dan informed her.











Clinging to the heater and a blanket, Stephanie agreed.











When they arrived at the restaurant, Stephanie&nbsp;found it strange that the hostess did not seat her but&nbsp;told her to walk past the bar. &nbsp;As she walked, she noticed a large group. &nbsp;What a coincidence!--she thought, when she spotted her uncle. &nbsp;But then she noticed&nbsp;another familiar face. &nbsp;And another. &nbsp;











"Congratulations!"&nbsp;the group greeted, full of loved ones&nbsp;from&nbsp;both families who had traveled from Chicago,&nbsp;Detroit, Kansas City, Dallas, and Los Angeles to surprise her for an engagement celebration.











Feeling very loved, Dan and Stephanie capped off their engagement with a celebratory dinner with members of both families, and&nbsp;enjoyed a long weekend in Traverse City.

The Engagement

Our Story

Details

Brother of the Groom

Brother of 35 years, Steve has always looked fondly upon his brother, Dan, whether it was his clever jokes that drove their parents nuts, winning his wrestling matches at St Edwards High School, or receiving advice on how to craft a proper resume. The only thing that Steve found disappointing was that those wrestling matches didn’t involve loud entrance music prior nor steel chairs or ladders during. &nbsp;Steve is a connoisseur of anything Nintendo, 1980s Pop Culture, and American Horror Story. He enjoys traveling around the world, trying new restaurants in Chicago, and seeing all the dogs play in the dog park. Steve is proud that Dan has found a wonderful woman in Stephanie to spend his life with and keep in check when Dan belittles nerd culture.



Stephen Janes

Sister of Bride

"Hi all! I’m Jessica, sister of the bride. I graduated last summer from the University of Detroit Mercy with&nbsp;a Bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene, and I am currently working full time as a dental hygienist in a private&nbsp;practice in Plymouth, MI. In my spare time, my boyfriend and I like to go to events in&nbsp;downtown Detroit&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;find new crafts and games to enjoy.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have always enjoyed ceramics and pottery, as it gives me another&nbsp;excuse to work with my hands, and have continued my interest by participating in a wheel throwing&nbsp;class."

Jessica Nguyen

Brother of Bride&nbsp;

Brian, younger brother to Stephanie, met each other when he was just a wee baby; which resulted in meeting Dan many years thereafter. &nbsp;Brian couldn't be more excited to spend more drunken nights together with these two in the future to come. &nbsp;As Brian likes to say, "these two go together like frosted tips and the mayor of flavourtown!"&nbsp;

Brian Nguyen 

Cousin of Bride"Hi, I’m Danielle! &nbsp;I have known Stephanie since birth and we have been best cousins since day one. &nbsp;I guess you could say I was Steph’s first “long-distance relationship” because although we lived an 11-hour drive away, we spent countless hours on the phone talking about the color blue, Harry Potter, and the number 44. &nbsp;I am currently a packaging designer based in NYC."

Danielle Pham

Friend of Groom&nbsp;

Destiny turned on her spotlight when Dan met Matt one auspicious evening while navigating a high society soiree in Wrigleyville. &nbsp; The resulting friendship has led to multiple revolutions started, dragons slain and countless bars emptied. &nbsp; Matt has an MBA from Michigan State and is a skilled Facebook advertiser. &nbsp;If your Facebook personal information ends up in the hands of the Russians, it might be his fault. &nbsp;Matt grew up in South Lyon, Michigan and currently lives in Chicago. &nbsp;

Matthew Baran

Friend of Bride

"Hi, my name is Stephanie Bailey!&nbsp;I am a newlywed and a&nbsp;cardiology veterinary technician. Yes, you read that right;&nbsp;there are cardiologists for animals. I am a proud cat momma of two (Callie and Stella). Stephanie and I met in undergrad at U of M-Dearborn. I'm pretty sure we had almost every science class together. We have been friends ever since! Although Steph has moved several times (sometimes very far), we speak often and have a bond that only two Stephanie's can have!"

Stephanie Bailey

Friend of Bride&nbsp;

"My name is Tamera. I’m currently in my last year of my medicine residency, which is what brought me to Chicago and how I met Stephanie. We both started residency at the same time. Although she is in dentistry and I am in Family Medicine, as she would say, she “forced herself on me” during orientation and that’s pretty much how it all began. We became good friends over a short time. If we weren’t hanging out in the city or seeing each other in the hospital, we were usually talking on the phone. Many of these conversations eventually became about Dan so I feel like I’ve known him about as long as Stephanie has. It’s been so great to see how it all started and now to be a part of their wedding day!"

Tamera Akarah 

Friend of Groom&nbsp;

Brandon has been Dan's lifelong friend. &nbsp;The two spent their childhood together swinging baseball bats, playing night games, and dialing 1-800 numbers after their parents fell asleep. &nbsp;Brandon serves as a police officer in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is a&nbsp;proud husband and father of two beautiful children.

Brandon Reichert 

Niece/Daughter of Groom's Cousin&nbsp;

Lora is six years old and the bridal couple is ecstatic to have her make&nbsp;her flower girl debut at their wedding. &nbsp;She is excited to start the first grade this fall. Lora is an excellent reader who loves to ride horses, play soccer and basketball, dance, and be a&nbsp;big sister to Victoria.

Lora Kendrick 

Godson/Cousin of Bride

"Hi! My name is Everett Walker, and I'm five years old. I like to read, and my favorite book right now is Rainbow Fish. By the time the wedding comes, I'll be in the Kindergarten! I have the honor of being Stephanie's and Dan's ring bearer.&nbsp;She's my cousin and also my Godmother, and I love her very much. I'm awfully shy so I hope I do a good job. She may have to entice me with a Hershey's bar if she wants me to walk the rings down the aisle. ;)"

Everett Walker 

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

First come, first serve.&nbsp;Click on the link below to reserve your room. 

<a href="http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Nguyen/Janes%20Wedding%5Edtwdi%60injinja%7Cinjinjb%7Cinjinjd%7Cinjinje%60149.00%60USD%60false%604%608/23/19%608/25/19%607/26/19&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes">Book your group rate for Nguyen/Janes Wedding &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</a>

<h3>This hotel does not provide shuttle service.&nbsp;</h3>

<ul><li>Complimentary on-site&nbsp;parking</li></ul>



<h4>Driving directions&nbsp;</h4>



Take I-94 East to Detroit. Exit at Southfield Freeway North. Go 3 miles to Oakwood Blvd., left 2 miles.

From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) Airport

By Amtrak train

Hampton Inn (1.5 miles from Dearborn Inn):&nbsp;<a href="https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/michigan/hampton-inn-by-hilton-detroit-dearborn-DTTMAHX/index.html">https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com...</a>Comfort Inn Greenfield Village (1.5 miles from Dearborn Inn):&nbsp;<a href="https://www.choicehotels.com/michigan/dearborn/comfort-inn-hotels/mi385?source=gyxt">https://www.choicehotels.com/m...</a>Edward Hotel & Convention Center (2.8 miles from Dearborn Inn):&nbsp;<a href="https://edwardhotel.us/en-us">https://edwardhotel.us/en-us</a>The Henry, Autograph Collection - Marriott (3 miles from Dearborn Inn):&nbsp;<a href="http://www.behenry.com/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2">http://www.behenry.com/?scid=b...</a>

Other hotels nearby:

Travel

"The&nbsp;Henry Ford&nbsp;provides unique educational experiences based on authentic artifacts and stories from America's traditions of ingenuity and innovation." 0.2 miles N from Hotel

Shuttle bus to museum provided by hotel.&nbsp;

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

"Experience firsthand the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s fascinating formation, where over 80 acres brim with resourcefulness and ingenuity. Here, 300 years of American perseverance serve as a living reminder that anything is possible. Step foot in the lab where Thomas Edison had his lightbulb moment or the workshop where the Wright brothers taught us to reach for the sky. Take a ride in a real Model T, or a walk through four working farms. Rub shoulders with world-class artisans, and explore the place where America’s can-do spirit inspires you to go out and get it done."0.5 miles&nbsp;from hotel

Shuttle bus to Village provided by hotel

Greenfield Village

Unfortunately, the Tigers will be away during the week of the wedding but are back in town on Monday,&nbsp;August 27 for guests who are staying in the area after the wedding.&nbsp;

Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers Stadium 

"The Detroit Institute of Arts has one of the largest and most significant art collections in the United States. With more than 65,000 artworks that date from the earliest civilizations to the present, the museum offers visitors an encounter with human creativity from all over the world."

Detroit Institute of Arts

Three enormous casinos in downtown Detroit:Greektown Casino:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greektowncasino.com/casino/">https://www.greektowncasino.co...</a>MotorCity Casino:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.motorcitycasino.com/default.aspx">https://www.motorcitycasino.co...</a>MGM Grand Detroit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mgmgranddetroit.com/en/casino.html">https://www.mgmgranddetroit.co...</a>

Stephanie & Daniel