St. Joseph Catholic Church (ICSJ Parish)

Wedding Ceremony

Cafe Brauer

Reception

***Chicago Covid-19 Update***

We remind all guests that they must bring proof of vaccination and valid ID. Photos &amp; photocopies of vaccination cards are acceptable. Effective January 3rd, the City of Chicago is requiring proof of vaccination to enter all bars and restaurants and indoor events where food and drinks are served (weddings included). At this time, proof of negative test results are NOT allowed in substitution of this.

Welcome Reception, LuxBar

Friday, January 7, 2022

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

18 E. Bellevue Place, Chicago ILAttire: Semi-formal

Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Miller invite guests for cocktails and appetizers at LuxBar the night before we say "I do." Festivites will take place on the second floor, up the main staircase. Enter via the main doors on E. Bellevue Place. (RSVP on the RSVP card)

Our Wedding

Once upon a time...

In spring 2015, Michael was desperately seeking media coverage for his up-and-coming social media app, DAYO (#1 in South Korea's App Store for a period). He did what any entrepreneur would do and reached out to (nearly) every reporter in the greater South Bend television market -- including the majority of Tricia's bridesmaids. Not surprisingly, the cold outreach failed. Everyone ignored and deleted his emails.

But this love story takes a true 21st-century twist. Days later, Michael and Tricia both "swiped right" on one another and matched on a dating app. His opening line? Michael: "Hey, I sent you an email last week"Tricia: "What did it say?"Michael: "Drinks tomorrow night?" (smooth) On their first date Tricia would find out that Michael's opening line was honest. He had, in fact, sent her an email seeking media coverage which she found in her "trash." While the app never took off, their love story did.

Over the next five and a half years, seven moves, four cities, and two career changes, Michael and Tricia's relationship blossomed and strengthened. They share a love of exploring new cities, cycling, hiking, and cooking delicious dinners together over wine. In the fall of 2020, it was time to start writing the next chapter of their love story. Michael planned a surprise proposal and party in Chicago, only to be foiled by Covid-19. Three weeks and three Covid tests later, Michael planned a new surprise: A proposal on the 50-yard line of Notre Dame stadium. Playing on Tricia's vanity, and friendly connections to the University, Michael asked Venue ND Marketing Manager, Molly Schau, to help lure Tricia to campus under the guise of a photoshoot. Molly claimed they wanted to "redo" some photos taken of students in bookstore merchandise and needed a "clean cut" couple to pose (this plan now sounds incredibly suspect). As Molly went to "grab the merchandise" from her office, Tricia, Michael, and the photographer made their way to the field. Positioned with Tricia's back to the jumbotron, Michael nervously admitted they weren't there for a photoshoot, got down on one knee, and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.

Our Story

Getting to Chicago

Chicago is easily accessible by planes, trains, and automobiles. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a 25 minute drive (without traffic) and there are plenty of Ubers and taxi's available at the airport. Guests arriving into O'Hare can also take the "blue line" from the airport and arrive in downtown Chicago. For guest coming from the greater South Bend Area, Chicago is a 90-120 minute drive or a 2.5 hour train ride on the South Shore Line.

Staying in Chicago

Join the bridal party for some fun at this beautifully updated Chicago hotel. Located in the center of the action in Gold Coast, you're blocks away from iconic restaurants including Gibson's and Carmine's and the glamorous shops on Oak. The hotel is just a 5 minute ride to the church and 8 minute ride to the reception hall. There are a few rooms available in the room block, which closes on December 8, 2021. The group name is: Patricia Harte &amp; Michael Miller Wedding Room Block. If the "website" button below fails to work, you may need to copy/paste the following url: <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwaldorfastoria.hilton.com%2Fen%2Fwa%2Fgroups%2Fpersonalized%2FC%2FCHIWAWA-1HM-20220107%2Findex.jhtml%3FWT.mc_id%3DPOG&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cahmed.farag%40waldorfastoria.com%7C7e3d5de2b49649b74df608d8ccfb73a3%7C660292d2cfd54a3db7a7e8f7ee458a0a%7C0%7C0%7C637484727646931835%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&amp;sdata=JMDgbopTBotvhZGF8ng3odyth6LPitbJaeFZ6A5Z8wU%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;https://waldorfastoria.hilton.com/en/wa/groups/personalized/C/CHIWAWA-1HM-20220107/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG</a>

Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Recommended Hotels

Located right in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, this Hilton property offers excellent proximity to shopping, restaurants in Gold Coast, and the lake.

The Drake

A boutique hotel, Hotel Lincoln offers beautiful views of Lincoln Park with a gorgeous rooftop and easy access to restaurants in both Old Town and Lincoln Park. The biggest perk - it's proximity to Cafe Brauer. Hotel Lincoln is just 0.3 miles to the wedding reception venue. For those who don't mind getting their steps in, the walk door-to-door between hotel and venue is a great way to get a glimpse of the park.

Hotel Lincoln

Travel

Dining Out

Gibson's 

Located in walking distance from the Waldorf Astoria and Drake's is one of Chicago's most iconic steakhouses. Gibson's Bar &amp; Steakhouse is in the heart of Gold Coast, with ample shopping, restaurants, and bars everywhere you turn. <a href="https://www.opentable.com/r/gibsons-bar-and-steakhouse-chicago" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make a reservation for Friday night</a>! Address: 1028 N Rush St., Chicago IL

Carmine's

Also located in the heart of Gold Coast is one of Chicago's iconic (and hearty) Italian restaurants. After a long day of traveling, enjoy some family-sized portions of pasta, salad and vino! <a href="https://rosebudrestaurants.com/locations/carmines-rush-street/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Make a reservation for Friday night</a>! Address: 1043 N. Rush St., Chicago IL

Le Colonial

Located steps away from the Waldorf and the heart of Gold Coast is one of the more eclectic and *delicious* modern Vietnamese cuisine in a beautiful and unique setting. <a href="https://www.lecolonialchicago.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Link for reservations</a>.

Fig & Olive

A beautiful and modern dining room and excellent place for a cozy cocktail and light Mediterranean cuisine. <a href="https://www.figandolive.com/location/fig-and-olive-chicago/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Link for reservation</a>:

Maple & Ash

"Maple &amp; Ash is redefining today’s steakhouse experience, one moment at a time. With a menu crafted by two-Michelin-star Chef Danny Grant, and a wine list named ‘one of the most outstanding in the world’ by Wine Spectator, we find a way to make every celebration one to remember." Located in the heart of Gold Coast and steps away from Lux Bar and our Friday evening welcome reception. <a href="https://mapleandash.com/reserve/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here for reservations</a> Address: 8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610

Things to Do

Mary Frey, formerly Harte, paved the way for the bride-to-be. 

Only 20 months apart, Mary and Tricia have shared essentially everything in life -- clothing, secret languages, inside jokes, friends, alma maters, etc. 

In high school, Tricia was referred to as "little Mary," "Mary's little sister," or my personal favorite, "Mary's little lamb," because Tricia "followed her to school one day."  As one can imagine, growing up with a quit-witted, bright, and ambitious hedge-fund-b*tch sister can be cause for competition. Luckily, Tricia thrives off competition. She now proudly thanks Mary for inspiring and motivating her to be the person she is today.

Mary shares Tricia's love of cardiovascular exercise (psych!) Rather, Mary enjoys baking cookies, brownies, and other confectionaries, doing yoga, and taking walks and bike rides. 

When you meet Mary at the wedding, ask her to:
1) Build a pivot table or a V:lookup (I'm told these are Excel things)
2) Tell you fun facts about the Lewis and Clark expedition.
3) Share an embarrassing anecdote about Tricia's youth, of which there are many.

Mary Frey

Wedding Party

Engagement Surprise

After engagement plans were foiled and delayed, Michael decided to take the proposal back home to Indiana. With a little help from ND connections, including bridesmaid Molly Di Carlo, Tricia was lured to the stadium under the guise of a marketing photoshoot. When they arrived at the stadium promptly at 3:30 p.m. on November 21st, Molly ushered them inside and onto the field with the photographer. As Molly went to go "get something" from her office, Tricia and Michael went to the 50 yard line to strike a pose. It's there that Michael admitted that there was no photoshoot, he had brought her there for a completely different reason. At that moment, Michael got down on one knee and popped the question! As the clock struck 3:40 p.m., the jumbotron flashed "She said yes!"

Our Engagement

Registry

Wedding Day Itinerary

January 8, 2022

Time: 3:00 pmAddress: 1107 N. Orleans Street, Chicago, IL 60610

Please join Tricia &amp; Michael as they receive the sacrament of marriage at the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph Church in Old Town. Getting to the church...The church is roughly a 5 minute cab or Uber ride, or a 15 minute walk from our hotel room block and recommended hotels in Gold Coast. If you drive...The church has a parking lot located about 1 block away (363 W. Hill Street) that will be available for guests who choose to drive. There will also be free valet parking at the reception.

Transportation (Church to Reception)

After the end of Tricia &amp; Michael's wedding ceremony and mass, buses will be available to transport any and all guests from the church to the cocktail hour and reception at Cafe Brauer. Buses will depart from outside the Immaculate Conception &amp; St. Joseph Church at 1107 N. Orleans Street in Old Town at 4:30 pm.

Cocktail Hour

Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pmAddress: Cafe Brauer2021 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 Mr. &amp; Mrs. Richard Harte invite you to cocktails and appetizers at Cafe Brauer following the wedding ceremony.

Time: 6:00 - 10:00 pm Following the cocktail hour on the loggia of Cafe Brauer, please join us for a night of dinner and dancing inside the grand ballroom. If you drive yourself...There is complimentary valet parking available on-site at the cocktail hour/reception venue. Please arrive at Cafe Brauer's central drive near the building entrance. Address: 2021 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

Tricia & Michael