It sounds like a soap opera promo during a sweeps month, doesn’t it?
This past weekend, I was able to re-define “having a good time in Chicago” with three days of celebrating the marriage of one of my best friends from Texas to his Midwest gem. An impressive crowd of friends and family traveled from all parts of the country (and the world, including Kabul, Afghanistan) to attend the wedding on St. Patrick’s Day.
The long weekend couldn’t have been better. Our homebase for the weekend, Hotel 71, was a cool boutique hotel with some fantastic views of the Chicago river and skyline. By Chicago standards, the weather was pleasant with clear, sunny skies and above-freezing temperatures. I arrived on Thursday, just in time to join Luke & Co. to watch Texas A&M win their first game in the NCAA tournament. Later in the evening, we partied at 10pin; an enjoyable mix of lounge bar and bowling alley. Flashing back a little more than a year ago, I remembered how much I enjoy stiff drinks and knocking down some pins.
We also returned to Mother Hubbards, the dive bar where we watched the game. I was pleasantly surprised to learn the bar stayed open later than 2am. Since my drinking hours have extended since living in New York, I felt accomplished we would be able to keep the evening alive. Chicago only has a few late night bars and most of them aren’t worth going to.
Friday was all about sleeping in, relaxing and attending the rehearsal and subsequent rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal was quick and to the point. We wasted no time returning to the loop for 70+ at Heaven on Seven on Wabash. Chicago locals know this as the Heaven on Seven (expanded to three other locations), only open for lunch. The Wabash restaurant is available for private parties and was an appropriate venue for old and new friends, great food and some great speeches from Luke’s brother and Lauren’s youngest sister. The after party was fun. The after, after party was a lot of fun.
We all woke up early to watch the river getting dyed. With high anticipation, we watched from a bird’s eye view in our hotel room and waited for the electric-green dye to flow up the river from the Michigan Avenue bridge. For some reason, the dye decided to remain stagnant under the bridge and flow out towards Lake Michigan. A slight disappointment but easily overcome by the festive crowds and the thoughts of the wedding now only hours away.
I did experience the first of a few personal, technical difficulties at this point. As I was walking on Michigan Avenue, I placed my eyeglasses in my inside coat pocket while I sported shades on the street. As I reached for my glasses, I realized they had broke under the pressure of my messenger bag strap. Two hours away from the wedding, I remained calm and remembered where I bought my most iconic pair of specs: Level Optical on S. Michigan. After finding their new location on Lake and Wabash, I was assisted by the same gentleman who originally fitted me with those glasses. He miracolusly was able to fit my exisiting lenses in a similar yet pretty different set of frames. After shaping the frames with 400° heating salts, he sent me on my way. Some may call that luck of the Irish. I call it amazing customer service.
The wedding ceremony was an epic setting in St. Michael’s church in Old Town. This was my first Catholic wedding mass, an extended mix from the Protestant weddings I have been accustomed to. My official duties as an usher allowed me to take a seat in the back, intermittently checking the Texas A&M/Louisville game on my cellphone while Luke and Lauren tied the knot in the fashionable Catholic tradition. No, I didn’t cry. I smiled. A lot.
After a quick round of pictures at the altar, the wedding party including family and significant others, hopped on board a small charter bus led by the hipster photographer who had been doing an expert job shooting throughout the ceremony. He led us to locations on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. The best part of this mission was taking pictures on the median of Michigan Avenue across from the Old Water Tower while cars honked either in excitement or frustration.
The bus dropped us off on Clark St, a few blocks away from Salvatore’s where the reception was being held. As we walked past the bars and houses hosting St. Patrick’s Day parties, we were greeted with wild cheers and inappopriate comments, at least in front of the bride’s grandmother and parents. The rest of us were left laughing, stepping over pools of green beer and vomit.
Salvatore’s is a beautiful, vintage Italian lounge restaurant off the beaten path but perfect for a wedding reception. We were informed that the opening scene of My Best Friend’s Wedding was shot inside the restaurant although I can’t recall the scene myself. The venue was neither too big or too small; there was just enough space to feel intimate while avoiding the feeling of being crowded with 160+ people. The food and service was impressive and drinks were prepared quickly and stiff. Five hours of top-shelf booze and cocktails allowed everyone to laugh sobriety and boredom in the face — a welcomed tradition for Saint Pat’s.
After yet another after party, I ended my weekend in Chicago hungover, without a cellphone (lost at somepoint after the reception) and with plenty of memories of old and new friends. I have posted a photo set on Flickr to help document the weekend but I feel this picture still reigns supreme:
Luke and Lauren in the beginning of their relationship.
I took this picture of Luke and Lauren in front of the Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day in 2004. At the time, they were new friends but quickly evolved into an amazing couple… It couldn’t be more appropriate that we return to the same location, 3 years later to witness, support and celebrate their love and commitment in marriage.
I was just listening to Cicada - It’s All About You