Posts by David McFadden
Waze Saves the Day
Nancy and Mike were married on 10/25/15 in the Foundation Room at the Morton Arboretum. It was a beautiful sunny day. My driving app brought me in on side streets rather than 355 to 88, the way it usually brings me in. When we got to the Arboretum entrance I could see why. Traffic going in the main entrance was backed up to the south all the way to Highway 88. I have never seen that kind of traffic there, but I guess everyone was there to see the fall colors on the trees. I was glad I had gotten there plenty early because it took over 25 minutes to get in the entrance and to the location for the wedding. Debbie came along and we brought our tandem. Our plan was to ride the roads in the Arboretum after the wedding and reception, but the traffic never relented and it would not have been a fun ride. Mike and Nancy are great people and it was very nice getting to know their family. Nancy’s daughters all gave a toast at the reception and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place when they got done. Mike is a runner and with his brother has run a marathon in every state.
Doves Set the Mood
Flor and Jimmy had an outdoor wedding at the Friendship Park Conservatory on 10/24/15. I asked them about the license at the rehearsal the afternoon before the wedding and they had forgotten to get it. There was still time, so we hurried up the rehearsal and they dashed off to the county clerk and got their license. It had been rainy earlier in the day on the 24th, but the rain moved out of the area and the temperature dropped a little before the ceremony and the winds were pretty strong. We were in a courtyard with lots of plants, a couple of fountains and a pair of cooing doves. It started to sprinkle just as we started the wedding – but only a little – and the rain held off until just after the last guest had entered the building for the cocktail hour.
Heartfelt Vows
Matt and Karie were married at Mars Gallery in Chicago on 10/23/15. The wedding was on the 3rd floor in a smaller room, but we were able to fit everyone in it. The couple wrote their own vows and they did a wonderful and emotional job of it. Matt has his written down in a booklet and ended up reading only half of it because he had written so much. What he did read would melt the heart of any bride. Karie had left her written copy of her vows at home but was at ease in doing it extemporaneously and it was perfect.
Pet Flower Girl
Vicky and Herb were married on 10/22/15 in the backyard of a family member in Bartlett. Vicky’s father was going to give her away but had brain surgery a couple of days before the wedding. Dad is doing well. The ceremony was videotaped and everyone rushed off to the hospital following the ceremony to spend time with dad and show him the wedding. Their pet dog was dressed up as the flower girl!
Great Story
Love seeing stories like these!
Blending Families Together
Katherine and Rocco were married on 10/17/15 at Crystal Sky Banquet Hall in McCook, IL. The venue has 3 ballrooms that are very attractively decorated and is a ideal setting for a wedding. Katherine has two children who stood up with her and Rocco for the ceremony and all four were involved in the unity sand ceremony. The bride’s brother is a DJ and handled the music for the ceremony and reception and was a great guy to work with. Katherine’s mother is recovering from back surgery that happened less than a week before the ceremony and was able to attend the ceremony in a wheel chair. The ceremony went very well.
Fox River Trail Fun
Mark and Vicki were married early afternoon on 10/10/15 in Lippold Park in Batavia along the Fox River. The park is newly developed and is right along the Fox River Bike Trail. Mark and Vicki love the area and have a 6 mile circuit they often follow on both sides of the river to walk their dog. After the ceremony there were cyclist, joggers and walkers along the trail cheering the couple. Some people on the trail had fun yelling out “Photo Bomb” as they went by and one couple and their child ended up leaving the trail and joining the celebration when they realized they were next door neighbors. The weather was absolutely perfect for the wedding.
Pre-Wedding Ride
Debbie and I enjoyed a morning ride on the Fox River Trail and breakfast at one of our favorite spots, Benedict’s, before this weekend’s ceremonies. Biking always helps me relax before wedding packed weekends!
Skyped to Perfection
Amanda and James were married in the evening on 10/10/15 at The Herrington in Geneva. This venue has a beautiful setting for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies. Lots of pictures were taken in the garden next to the Fox River but the ceremony was in an ideal indoor chapel. The couple choose to give their vows to their children who were included in several parts of the ceremony, including the Sand Unity Celebration. James and Amanda live in another state and we had a couple lengthy Skype sessions to complete all of the planning for their ceremony.
Seven Vows
Alex and LeAnn were married on the morning of 10/11/15 in the Fragrance Garden at Morton Arboretum. The weather was picture perfect for the ceremony. I added a “Blessing of the Hands” to the ceremony in which they hold each others hands and I have them look at the hands of their partner as I describe how their hands will be used to work together and care for each other throughout their marriage. Just as we started that portion of the ceremony a bee showed up and landed on the bride’s fingers – he crawled around for a while and I brushed him off. The bee wanted to hang around and I had to shoo it away. Most of the guests could see it happening and it added a cool memory to their ceremony. The couple also choose to do the 7 Steps/Blessings Ceremony which has both Hindu and Native American roots. I gave a vow and blessing for each step and after it is given they take a step. By the end of the 7 vows, they have completed a full circle.