Anna and Michael
August 26, 2000
Ceremony took place in La Grange, IL
Reception took place in Joliet, IL

ABOUT THE BRIDE: Anna is originally from northwestern Wisconsin, but was raised most of her life in Worth, IL. She currently works as a registered nurse at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center on their maternity unit.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Mike is a south suburbs (Chicago) native, most recently from Orland Park, IL. He currently works at KGH Architects and Engineers.

HOW WE MET: Flirtations began all the way back in 1993 as high school sophomores. Becoming best friends and holding an undeniable attraction towards each other, the two dated throughout their four years of college.

ENGAGEMENT: In January of 1999, Mike's family joined his oldest brother and sister-in-law in Tulsa, OK for the New Year's weekend. Anna tagged along, and despite months of engagement-related teasing and his whole family knowing he had brought the ring along, the set-up went off without a hitch. At the top of a gorgeous church's staircase, Mike dropped to his knees and gave Anna the most awaited surprise of her life.

PLANNING: A long engagement was natural for Mike and Anna, as they had wanted to complete their bachelor's degrees before enjoying any matrimonial bliss. Finances were also a concern, seeing as the pair was just entering the workforce. Luckily, time was on their side, and the couple broke down every wedding element to see what friends or family could make, and what was most worthwhile to be bought.

ATTIRE: On their first trip out to bridal salons, Anna and her mom stumbled across Anna's gown in one of the first few dresses the assistant brought in. With tears in her mom's eyes and Anna amazed at the comfort and cut of the gown, she locked in on the sleeveless, A-line garment.

Expeditions online brought the bridesmaids' dress to Anna's attention. As elegant in real life as it was on the computer screen, the periwinkle gown of dream chiffon had a cowl-neck back, an empire waist, and straps just slightly off the shoulder. Mike and Anna's flower girl pulled off the princess look with a sleeveless, white A-line dress with small rosebuds at the waist. Mike chose a sharp tuxedo with a dark gray jacket and light gray pin-stripe pants.

THE CEREMONY:The ceremony took place at the First Congregational Church of La Grange. The pews were decorated with white ribbon bows and tulle made by Mike's mother, and a simple collection of white and yellow toned wildflowers were placed in the altar vases and around the unity candle. Their minister changed the service's pace when he delivered his sermon in the aisle, causing the wedding party to turn around and face all of the gathered guests. Mike's father sang the solo during the lighting of their unity candle and the distribution of the roses. Few were left without tears in their eyes.

THE RECEPTION: Guests arrived at the Joliet Union Station's Grand Ballroom for a warm evening of celebration. Guests were served a delicious plated dinner of tomato basil chicken and pasta along with tasty side dishes and the wedding cake for dessert. One memorable highlight of the evening was when a group of male friends serenaded Anna in front of the crowd with "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (and Mike was leading, of course) - an event that found all of the guests encircling the couple and singing along, too!

HOW WE PERSONALIZED THE WEDDING: The rose petals the flower girl sprinkled down the aisle were from rose bushes that remained intact despite a horrendous storm that uprooted one of trees outside of Anna's home. Roses were passed out to our grandmothers as well as to our parents during the ceremony. Our minister shared our intimate history (even the hilarious parts) during his sermon, which had everyone in stitches. When our wedding party was introduced at the beginning of the reception, we played "(The theme from) The Natural" because Mike adores baseball. We entered with The Cranberries' "Dreams" because the single of the song was one of the first gifts Anna had ever given Mike. Mike's father said the prayer before dinner. Most personalized was the gift Mike had surprised Anna with - he had their wedding bands inscribed "Dream" to denote what he hoped their marriage would be like.

Photography by The Golden Shutter Studio (Worth, IL)
Catering by Cutting Edge Catering, Inc. (Crest Hill, IL)
Flowers by Wildflowers (Palos Heights, IL)
Entertainment by J. J. Dynamite (Wheaton, IL)
Reception Hall: Joliet Union Station Grand Ballroom (Joliet, IL)

If you have questions or comments for Anna and Michael, please e-mail them to abonick@hotmail.com.