A Friendly Round of Golf

Catherine interned at Tim’s company in the summer of 2006, where he was working full time (he is 3 years older than Catherine.) They dated for over 4 years—after Tim had suggested that they go golfing one day as friends. Over the years, they spent time with family and friends and would travel, ski and golf every chance they got. Catherine always told anyone who would listen that "Tim was the one.”

When it came time for him to propose, Tim mentioned to Catherine his company had planned an outing on an architectural cruise downtown Chicago and he asked her to be his date. They went on the outing, and after the trip, Tim took her to Buckingham Fountain (where he knew her grandparents had gotten engaged) and in formal tradition, got down on one knee. An official engagement celebratory dinner at the Melting Pot was followed by drinks with both his and her parents at Bin 36.

Overall it was the perfect chance to get every one of the favorite people in Catherine and Tim’s lives together at one place all at the same time. The couple says that they were picky about only two things: the food and the entertainment… both of which were one of a kind and spectacular. The day couldn’t have turned out better.

Their ceremony was held at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville, where Catherine’s parents were married in 1984. The bride looked radiant in Simone Cavalli, carrying a bouquet featuring the rare orchid that was requested as the centerpiece of her floral design. The groom was just as dapper in his eggplant shade vest and black tuxedo.

The couple personalized everything at their reception, from the placecards held in corks (showing their love for good wines) to the remembrance candle in honor of the groom’s brother.

The reception dinner was focused on fresh local grown ingredients and was topped off when guests enjoyed a dessert of French-style Vanilla Sponge with Belgian White Chocolate Mousse filling and Swiss Meringue Vanilla Buttercream frosting. The outside of the cake was white with white wording. Each of the words on the cake had a special meaning to the couple. “Chicago” “Tucker”(their dog’s name), “illini”(their alma-mater.)

The Hotel Arista had contracted the largest reception in their history with Catherine and Tim, and according to the couple—‘they hit it out of the park that night.’ The Naperville location made the day amazing for the couple.

After the celebrations, the couple was off for 8 nights to Cabo san Lucas, where they began their married lives playing golf, enjoying the sun and each other.

Catherine says: ‘Don’t stress!! I had the worst possible thing happen, I got sick on my wedding day and I made it through and had a blast! Minor problems are not worth stressing over and really no one else will notice.’

Also don’t drive your groom crazy with small details, he doesn’t have to (and doesn’t want to) be involved in EVERY excruciating detail.

Lastly, be safe and don’t eat anything “risky” the day before!

Something old: the groom's mom's ring

Something new: the bridal gown

Something borrowed: and under veil hair accessory

Something blue: 'Hanky Panky' undies from Nordstrom