The District Venue

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Our story began with a simple friend request on Facebook, but from the very beginning, it felt like something more. For our first date, we met in Grinnell at Hometown Heroes with Mike and Ashley. We shared dinner, laughter, a visit to a cozy brewery, and ended the evening playing pool at the Eagles. At one point, while Chris and I were getting another drink, he turned to me and said, “I like your style.” It was such a genuine, unexpected compliment—and in that moment, I knew there was something special about him. I couldn’t stop smiling, and I had a feeling he was someone worth holding on to.

How We Met/First Date

After just four dates, Chris looked at me and said, “I’d really like it if you’d be my girlfriend.” Smooth, right? But it worked. Not long after, I got a job in Dubuque, and we moved into our first place together in Dyersville—just the two of us and our dog, Baloo, running the show. We called it home for two years, full of love, laughs, and plenty of dog hair.

Dating

On June 3, 2022, we officially became homeowners and made the big move to Dubuque. It was equal parts exciting and chaotic, but totally worth it!

Homeowners

Chris started the day with coffee and danishes, then took us on a drive to the Dubuque Arboretum. As we wandered through the gardens and beautiful tress, he led me down the hill to a peaceful Japanese garden. On a little bridge overlooking the koi pond, surrounded by the colors of fall, he got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. It was peaceful, beautiful, and full of love. We spent the rest of the day wrapped in that feeling, with brunch in Galena and a quiet dinner later that night, hearts full.

Engagement 

Our Story

Photos

Caroline and Tori met in 2016 while boating in Iowa City and became fast friends! Between festivals and party buses, they had the best of times. They lived together for Tori’s last two years in college. They enjoyed lots of patio drinks, boating and Hawkeye games together. Caroline and her husband Dillon live in Oregon with their rescue dog Winnie.

Caroline Dieter

Emily and Tori met in college in Ancient Medicine class and found out they had a mutual friend. They became fast friends and enjoyed lots of shopping, ice cream trips and partying in Nashville together!

Emily Sula

Jackie and Tori met their senior year at a high school party that got busted by the cops. They quickly bonded and found out they were both going to Iowa. They roomed together their sophomore year and have always stayed in touch! It’s been 10+ years of shenanigans, bars, tailgates, Hawkeye football, weddings and a baby boy, Benjamin. Jackie and her husband Tanner live in Waverly and enjoy their new roles as parents.

Jackie Werner

Colleen and Tori met through mutual frat boy friends - they soon realized they shared the same humor and love of food/drinky poo’s. Colleen moved to Denver shortly after graduation in 2018 to begin her career in Engineering and they have been fortunate to see each other since! Colleen’s cat Dwayne is Tori’s (self-proclaimed) nephew. Colleen lives in Denver with her fiancé Johnathan and cat Dwayne.

Colleen Gannon

Lydia and Tori met in middle school/high school and bonded during Biology. Between getting drunk in Lydia’s parents’ basement, to trips to Lost Island, they stayed friends throughout high school and college. They really reunited once they both found out they were living in Dubuque. Lydia lives with her boyfriend Derek, his son Declan and their dog (Tori’s niece) Millie. 

Lydia Chymelik

Vinni and Chris have been best buds since their awkward middle school days at BGM—surviving bad haircuts, worse fashion choices, and countless questionable decisions together. Vinni now lives the suburban dream in Grimes with his lovely wife Kate and their two wonderful kids, Kyson and Braylee.

Vinni Smith

Mike is Chris’ brother and Ashley’s fiancé. He is the dad to Hudson, Brooks, Reese and their new baby. Mike and Ashley live a busy life in Tama between running a daycare, caring for their goats, flipping houses or lawn care. 

Mike Long

Chris and Brandon first met through Chris’s brother, Mike, and quickly built a friendship that’s lasted ever since.  Throughout that time, Chris’s family has always welcomed Brandon as one of their own. Brandon now lives in Cedar Rapids with his wonderful and musically talented girlfriend, Oriana.

Brandon Smith

Denzel and Chris have been good friends since high school, spending a lot of time together playing sports and just hanging out. These days, they still keep the competition going with fantasy football and video games. Denzel lives in Coralville with his beautiful wife, Aby.

Denzel Van Sant

Josh and Chris have been close friends since grade school, playing sports together through high school and even rooming together in college. Some of Chris’s favorite memories come from junior high basketball, with Josh’s dad, Calvin, as their coach. Now, Josh is passing on his love for learning and leadership as a teacher at Pekin High School.

Josh Roudabush

Ashley and Tori met on a double date with Chris and Mike in Grinnell in 2019. She’s a beautiful mom to 4 and fiancé to Mike. When she’s not busy chasing after her own kids, she runs an in-home daycare, works as a dental hygienist and manages finances for Mike’s lawn care company.

Ashley Morrison

Cierra is Chris’ cousin and our wonderful officiant for the wedding. Tori met Cierra at one of the family holiday get togethers and hit it off right away. Cierra shares our love for dogs and we’re so grateful she agreed to officiate for us!

Cierra Thompson

The man, the myth, the legend…the man for the job. Tony is Tori’s younger step brother and one of the ushers in the wedding. If you need someone to talk about Bitcoin with, he’s your guy! Tony lives with his fiancé and dog Honey in Waterloo.

Tony Weber

Troy is Tori’s older stepbrother and lives in Bloomfield with his beautiful fiancé, son Lincoln and two step sons Gavin and Gage. Troy was in the Navy after high school, and currently works as a lineman. Ask Troy about his WWE heavyweight championship belt!

Troy Weber

Our two best boys! They couldn’t be with us on our big day but be sure to grab a Baloo or Loki from the bar.

Baloo And Loki

Wedding Party

Q + A

20 rooms available in the block! If you find cheaper accommodations, feel free to book wherever. Perks: this hotel is within walking distance of the venue.

Residence Inn by Marriott

We do not have a block here but this is another great hotel location within walking distance of the venue. The prices are similar/lower compared to our hotel with the block.

Tori & Chris

Tori & Chris

Q + A

Can I bring my kids?

What is there to do Friday night?

What are the wedding colors?

Can I bring outside food or drink?