Location, location, location

Okay, I'm going to be candid. Our location to have the wedding may be a little inconvenient to our guests. It's in a small town just north of Chicago. Of all the places we looked at it is the only place we wanted for our ceremony while providing a wonderful space for the reception all packaged in one. Well, almost "one". We have to bring in the catering and other miscellaneous items that would normally be included with a hotel. We were originally hoping to have it at a hotel where everyone could stay and not have to worry about transporation. But when we started visiting the locations, we realized that our ceremony just wouldn't feel like a ceremony if we had it in a hotel.
We are constantly told by family and friends to "do it the way you want". That is much easier said than done but not in a bad way. Jessica is the first daughter (and child) to be married in her family. I am the youngest child of three and the last to be married in my family and no matter what happens I just want to end up with Jessica as my wife at the end of the day. The Rascons want to make this a great day for us and I am sincerely and extremely gratefully for that. My devotion lies with my future bride (after all, I have to deal with her for the next 13 months and eternity afterwards). This is a lesson that took a mere 30 some odd years for me to learn (I'm slow, I know). I personally would be happy with our parents and a couple of friends in a remote location but truth be told I am so, so happy that we have the benefit of all of you to attend. With that said, we have a location. The beautiful Winnetka House will be the place, with an outdoor ceremony (weather permitting) and an adjacent banquet room.



We are checking our nearby hotels that will hopefully provide easy access to transportation into the city as well as to the Winnetka House. We will secure discounted room rates for our out-of-town guests as well as those local folks looking for a nearby place to crash after the wedding. While this won't be as convenient as we had hoped, we will do our best to make it as convenient as possible for all those who attend.

In other news we have secured the photography of Thomas Slack, a Chicago based photographer whose work is outstanding and has given us an extremely wonderful rate for his services. Jessica and I both met with him. His work, energy and attitude are excellent. We will be getting engagement photos done with him later this year.