About us:
We started dating in 8th grade through "AIM" (America Online Instant Messenger). We dated throughout high school and chose to go to different colleges. Ben attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL and Hannah attended Marquette University in Milwaukee WI. Although we were close to 400 miles away, we managed to see each other every 6-8 weeks and to keep our relationship strong.
May 2008, Ben graduated from Southern and moved to Chicago, where Hannah had an internship. At the end of the summer, Hannah returned to Milwaukee to finish her last year of school and Ben stayed in Chicago. Although they were still apart, a 1.5 hr drive seemed like a flash compared to the previous 7 hour drive to see each other. Now able to see each other on close to a once a week basis, it seemed like Heaven!
Hannah graduated from Marquette in May 2009 and went on a volunteer trip. Upon returning, we got an English Bulldog puppy (named Oscar) and Hannah lived at her parent's house in Moline for a month, because Ben's apartment didn't allow dogs. In July 2009, we moved into our first apartment together and now have a little happy family with Oscar.
May 2008, Ben graduated from Southern and moved to Chicago, where Hannah had an internship. At the end of the summer, Hannah returned to Milwaukee to finish her last year of school and Ben stayed in Chicago. Although they were still apart, a 1.5 hr drive seemed like a flash compared to the previous 7 hour drive to see each other. Now able to see each other on close to a once a week basis, it seemed like Heaven!
Hannah graduated from Marquette in May 2009 and went on a volunteer trip. Upon returning, we got an English Bulldog puppy (named Oscar) and Hannah lived at her parent's house in Moline for a month, because Ben's apartment didn't allow dogs. In July 2009, we moved into our first apartment together and now have a little happy family with Oscar.
The Proposal
Usually Saturday mornings, Ben wakes up early and goes to the gym while Hannah sleeps in until 9:30 or 10. So, when Ben woke up early Saturday August 29th to go to the gym and Hannah stayed in bed, it seemed like a typical Saturday.
Ben texted Hannah at 9 am saying that he ended up taking Oscar (the puppy) for a walk, and Oscar was doing so well that they made it to the dog beach (on Lake Michigan, about a mile from our apartment). Ben suggested that Hannah run to the beach and meet them to play.
Hannah ran with her cell phone because she didn’t want to get there and not be able to find them. She ran to the beach and couldn’t see them, so she called Ben and he said to follow the parking lot and they were hanging out at a grassy part on the end of the pier.
By this point, Hannah figured something was up, because there was no way the puppy could walk that far (one way), let alone have energy to play at the beach and be able to make it home. So she kept running and eventually saw them from a distance. She noticed Ben was wearing jeans and a polo - not your usual gym attire.
When she got close, Ben picked Oscar up and got down on one knee…then she realized that Oscar was wearing a leather collar that said “Will you marry me”, and there was a ring hanging off of the collar. Afterward, Ben pulled back the blanket he had been sitting on to reveal another blanket underneath with roses spread around, champagne, and a picnic breakfast.
It truly was the perfect moment and day!
Later that evening Ben surprised Hannah with dinner at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of John Hancock.
Ben texted Hannah at 9 am saying that he ended up taking Oscar (the puppy) for a walk, and Oscar was doing so well that they made it to the dog beach (on Lake Michigan, about a mile from our apartment). Ben suggested that Hannah run to the beach and meet them to play.
Hannah ran with her cell phone because she didn’t want to get there and not be able to find them. She ran to the beach and couldn’t see them, so she called Ben and he said to follow the parking lot and they were hanging out at a grassy part on the end of the pier.
By this point, Hannah figured something was up, because there was no way the puppy could walk that far (one way), let alone have energy to play at the beach and be able to make it home. So she kept running and eventually saw them from a distance. She noticed Ben was wearing jeans and a polo - not your usual gym attire.
When she got close, Ben picked Oscar up and got down on one knee…then she realized that Oscar was wearing a leather collar that said “Will you marry me”, and there was a ring hanging off of the collar. Afterward, Ben pulled back the blanket he had been sitting on to reveal another blanket underneath with roses spread around, champagne, and a picnic breakfast.
It truly was the perfect moment and day!
Later that evening Ben surprised Hannah with dinner at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of John Hancock.
Our Wedding Date - 10.16.10
We decided to get married on Saturday, October 16, 2010. I had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding and Ben wanted cooler weather. Most importantly, October 16 is our dating anniversary (now wedding anniversary). On October 16, 2010 we had been dating for 11 years!
Our wedding colors:
Our wedding colors were pink, orange, and brown
Events
Friday, 10/15/10:
- 10am: Bridal Party Brunch: I hosted a brunch at my parents house for all of the ladies in the wedding just to remind them how special they are to me and thank them for their help over the planning process. After the brunch we went and got our nails done together
- 9am:Guys Golf: Ben invited his GM, family members and friends to golf at Oakwood Country Club
- 5pm: Rehearsal, at Davenport Country Club
- 6:30pm: Rehearsal Dinner, at Stoney Creek Inn and catered by Johnny's Italian Steakhouse. We also served cake and Whitey's Ice Cream!
- 4pm: Ceremony: Davenport Country Club
- 4:30pm and on:Cocktail House and Reception: Davenport Country Club
- 9am-11am: Post-Wedding Brunch: Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Bettendorf
Our Wedding Party:
We were unable to come up with an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, so we left it at one maid of honor, one best man, 5 bridesmaids and 6 groomsmen. To respect their privacy, I've chosen not to list their names there.
We also had one flower girl, one ring bearer, and one host couple. Our host couple greeted guests when they arrived at the Clubhouse and directed them to the ceremony location. We had two of our groomsmen serve as ushers.
We also had one flower girl, one ring bearer, and one host couple. Our host couple greeted guests when they arrived at the Clubhouse and directed them to the ceremony location. We had two of our groomsmen serve as ushers.
The Tradition:
Following one common tradition; my new, old, borrowed, blue items:
- Something New: My dress, veil, shoes, and headband were all new
- Something Old: I carried an ivory handkerchief from my great-grandmother (on my dad's side)
- Something Borrowed: Antique lace from my grandmother (on my mom's side) was wrapped around my boutique
- Something Blue: "I DO" on the bottom of my shoes
Our CenterpiecesI love variety and from day one had always planned to have three different centerpieces. Our florist did the centerpieces for us and just worked with us to find something we'd love that was still in our budget.
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