Information for
Guests
RSVP
We’ve gone digital! The favor of a reply is requested by June 8th.
Send your “Joyfully Accepts” or “Regrets” by clicking the link below. Please note any dietary restrictions or favorite tunes you’d love to hear!
With USPS issues, we’re aware some invitations are running very late.
ACCOMMODATIONS
This Art Deco boutique hotel is within crawling distance of the reception venue.
Use the link below to redirect and book with our block discount. Stay under the same roof as the bride and groom! Party in the hotel lobby!
Room Block expires July 7th – Reserve now!
WEDDING REGISTRY
We’re using Zola to manage our registry, and adding new ideas every day!
This website will allow our guests to easily shop and ship gifts directly to our home, so don’t stress about packing and lugging items with you as you travel!
Questions? Don’t hesitate to send us an email!
The Wedding Weekend
Itinerary
rehearsal “bruncheon”
Saturday, August 7th
1:00 – 2:30 pm | Small brunch/lunch gathering with members of the Wedding Party and their spouses.
3:00 – 3:30 pm | Wedding Rehearsal at River Roast.
welcome reception
Saturday, August 7th
5:00 – 9:00 pm | Welcome to Chicago! Cash-bar event for everyone to link-up before heading out for the night.
Hotel Allegro Lobby Bar
ceremony
Sunday, August 8th | 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm | River Roast, 315 N LaSalle Street
Ceremony begins promptly at 1:00 pm. Guests are welcome to arrive as early as 12:30 pm.
Following the ceremony are light hors d’oeuvres & open beer/wine bar
second line
Sunday, August 8th | 3:00 – 3:45 pm | Parade with us from venue-to-venue!
This high-energy dance/march is approximately 0.3 mi from start to finish.
Lead by Chicago’s own High Hat Second Line. See route here.
reception
Sunday, August 8th | 3:45 pm – 10:00 pm | City Social, 120 N. LaSalle Street
Dinner, dancing, and debauchery. Open-bar with extended cash-bar options.
Please note any dietary restrictions when RSVP-ing.
First time in Chicago? For your
Consideration…
We couldn’t be more honored to host our guests in Chicago and we hope to make your trip a memorable one. Aside from our wedding events, we wanted to share some of our favorite spots about town! Below are just some of the many places that’ve made the Windy City so special to us over the years...
play tourist
First things first: If it’s your first time here, there’s a plethora of ways to meet the Windy City. Here’s some of our favorite activities to date, and we’ve been here for years!
Architectural Boat Tour — If you do one thing, it has to be this. Learn about the history of Chicago while you sail along the river (and sip a cocktail!)
LondonHouse Rooftop — Want the river view without getting on the water? LondonHouse’s rooftop bar is a splendid way to see the Loop from the top.
SkyDeck at Willis Tower (aka: Sears Tower) — Atop Chicago’s most infamous skyscraper, you can learn more about the history of Chicago and take a step out on the town–literally. The SkyDeck Ledge is a glass floor 1,353ft above the city, offering breath-taking views and an adrenaline rush too!
Hancock Signature Lounge — High above the city is a lounge with no cost to get in. Pro-tip: If you don’t care for the SkyDeck experience, this is the best way to see the whole city.
Chicago Museums — Nicole’s favorite is the Adler Planetarium, whereas Hosein prefers The Field Museum. Take a day-trip to visit these institutions and pick your number one!
chicago staples
Everyone’s got their picks, but we can all agree that Chicago’s known for their hot dogs and deep-dish pizza. Hosein and I share our favorite spots to try both:
Lou Malnati’s — 🍕The pick for best deep-dish is a tie in our household, but Lou Malnati’s is our number-one chain-style restaurant. When doing deep-dish, we recommend keeping the toppings simple: sausage, or just cheese. Also, Lou’s got the best “Malnati’s Salad” to eat while your pizza’s in the oven (usually around 45 minutes!) Plenty of locations to choose from while you visit!
Pequod’s — 🍕Our other top-spot for deep-dish is this dive in wester Lincoln Park. Open late, offers carry-out, and absolutely caramelizes their crust in the oven. Get some wings and beer while you wait!
Pizano’s — 🍕BONUS pick for pizza: The real-deal about Chicago pizza is that butter-crust. If you’re after a crunchy pie with a normal human amount of toppings, head to Pizano’s for their tavern-style “thin-crust” (that’s anything but thin!)
Portillo’s — 🌭 A quick way to get a Chicago-dog, cheese-fries, and an Italian Beef. This restaurant works at fast-food speeds but it’s dining rooms are spacious and packed with Chicago memorabilia. (The fastest way to Hosein’s heart is taking him to Portillo’s–LOL)
sip n’ tell
Every Chicago neighborhood has a story…and a bunch of bars! We’ve picked out three spots we’ve enjoyed over the years, but best-believe there’s no shortage of wonderful spots regardless of your beverage-preference.
Cindy’s Rooftop — (pictured above) A special spot for us, since this is where we headed immediately after getting engaged! You’ll be amazed by the rooftop patio overlooking Millennium Park and the “Bean".”
Three Dots and a Dash — If you’re looking for a subterranean tiki-vibe, this is the spot for you. All cocktails are reasonably priced for the serious punch they pack; not to mention the thoughtful detail to glassware and interior design. As you enter through the back alley, leave your worries behind and let the island beats take over.
BrewYards — Calling beer-lovers and BBQ fans! BrewYards is a unique experience where guests are invited to pour their own beers and pay per ounce. This is the spot to taste many of the region’s original craft brews and dine on Nicole’s favorite Chicago BBQ: Lillie’s Q, which hosts a full-service counter within the space. Chill outside on the patio tables and play a game of corn hole while you drink.
our fave eats
You couldn't be more blessed than being a foodie in the city of Chicago. We’ve got (quite literally) every type of dining experience and cuisine-type you could possibly want. These are just a couple of our faves but, again, this barely scratches the surface…
Aba — (pictured above) This is a new space to us, but immediately became a favorite. The most outstanding Mediterranean food we’ve had yet and a beautiful patio to boot! If you head to this neighborhood, there’s no shortage of post-dinner bar-hopping too.
Little Bad Wolf — Located in our original ‘hood, Andersonville, this place is our top pick for cheeseburgers in the city. Again, if you make it up to this side of Chicago, there’s no shortage of bar-hopping afterwards. (You might’ve heard of Au Cheval, but we’d still pick Little Bad Wolf any day.)
Kabobi — A longtime favorite of ours, this is the spot for Persian food in Chicago. Located Northwest of the city (just walking-distance from our home) if you’re interested in Hosein’s personal favorite and real Iranian food: go. here.
Eleven City Diner — Chicago’s answer to the iconic Jewish deli. Come hungry!! (Biased? Nah. But, Nicole worked here several years!) You can’t go wrong.
Prosecco — Hosein took Nicole here for her 31st birthday, and she’s been dreaming of their pasta ever since. If you’re in the mood for a trendy Italian meal, this is where to go!
All You Need to Know About
Getting Around
FLYING TO CHICAGO
Are you flying to Chicago? You’ll be pleased to know that either Midway or O’Hare airports are poised to get you downtown with ease.
Our advice? Book whichever airport is cheaper for you!
From Midway, take the Orange Line train (or ride-share)
From O’Hare, take the Blue Line train (or ride-share)
PARKING AROUND CHICAGO
Driving to the city? Your options are limitless!
Hotel Allegro has valet parking for $65 a night with unlimited in-and-out privileges.
Our advice? Utilize apps like ParkWhiz or SpotHero to locate deals on parking near your stay.
Staying in a neighborhood? Most places around Chicago have free street parking, but be very observant of where you choose—street-cleaning and permit-only hours may apply so keep your eyes out for signs.
TAKING THE EL
Chicago has its own subway system, known as the “L” or the “El” (short for elevated). When traveling in the city, you may also hear folks refer to it as subway or train (not to be confused with our actual trains on the Metra).
All train lines are based on colors, and the map is built-in to popular navigation apps like Google Maps. Rides are $2.25 each way (unless you’re leaving an airport) and passes can be purchased at Ventra kiosks by the station for three-day’s unlimited rides. Learn more here.
Tech-savvy? Ventra’s app lets you get aboard without a card.
RIDE-SHARE AND MORE
Like most cities, you can use Lyft or Uber to get around the city of Chicago. Using the app on your phone is the most convenient way to get from a-to-b.
We’ve also got a great bike-sharing system called Divvy if you’re feeling ready to explore on two wheels. These kiosks are located all over the city and their app allows you to rent bikes in one location and drop them off at another.
If you’re really into exploring different modes of transportation, you could even catch a ride on Chicago’s Water Taxi—should you find yourself at the museum or the pier and needing a lift back.
“One of the hallmarks of Chicago is that we do so many things in an original manner. What other city has made a river flow backwards? What other city makes traffic flow backwards?”
