Rehearsal, 20 people; Rehearsal Dinner, 60

There is a trend to include more people at the rehearsal dinner than are at the rehearsal.

On Friday, I led a one hour rehearsal for Kelly and Brian at Salvatore’s Restaurant in Lincoln Park. There were about 20 of us there — bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, flower girl, ring bearer, readers.

Then, we all headed to the Redhead Piano Bar, 16 W. Ontario, Chicago.

60 people were there — 3X the number at the rehearsal. Present were:

• everyone participating in the rehearsal (including me, which is a fairly rare treat)
• out of town guests
• close family members

If you can afford it, it’s a classy thing to do. It turns a one evening celebration (wedding and reception) into a 2 night event. In biblical times, weddings would last a week.

People from out of town get to visit with family and friends. Other family members — grandparents, aunts and uncles — got to visit each other, too.

The only food Kelly and Brian had served was appetizers. No one was “stuck” at a table for dinner. People can and did move around.

All of it accompanied by a live piano player with some people singing along. The service level was outstanding for this private party event.

Groom gets boo’d at his own wedding!

For the first time, a groom got roundly boo’d by the 200 guests at his wedding — while I was telling their story. Here is their story, which I shared at their wedding,  of how they met:

“Kelly and Brian both went to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana at the same time, 1995 to 2000. They had mutual friends — but never met, at least not that they can remember.

May 2003 —they both are at a birthday party at a Lincoln Park bar for Liz (a bridesmaid). Brian was with Pete, Mike and John (all groomsmen). Kelly is with Liz (a bridesmaid), Amy (the matron of honor) and Denise (who is here today) + other girlfriends. There are 15-20 people.

He is wearing a child’s Shrek watch — that he had gotten out of that morning’s Fruit Loops box. He walks up to her and asks if she knows what time it was. No,” she says. “I do.” And with that, he holds up his arm to show her the watch. That is his ice breaker. It works.

HIS 1^st impression — she has a Jennifer Aniston hair cut (she had gotten her hair professionally styled that day but she thought it was straight and sleek — NOT a Jennifer Aniston hair cut)

HER 1^st impression — very loud and very funny. She likes his goofy sense of humor.

They talk. Amy (the matron of honor) remains by her side for most of their conversation He invites her to a Cubs game. His father can get tickets — but he’s not sure for which game.

He asks for her phone number. He does NOT remember getting it. She remembers giving it to him. Regardless, he NEVER calls her. [At this point, the whole crowd — 200 of their closest friends and family — BOO the groom! He holds up his right hand and does a "thumbs down!" He was boo'ing himself.]  She is a bit disappointed — but moves on.

TWO years later [the audience gasps] — August 2005 A group of friends got together, again. These two stayed out later than everyone else. They talk and connect. He asks for her phone number. This time he keeps the number. 2 days later, he calls her. Their first date is at Ten Pin Bowling Lounge at House of Blues Hotel. The evening ends with a kiss.”

3 years later, he proposes to her at Ten Pin Bowling Lounge at what is now Hotel Sax Chicago. But that’s another story.

Kelly and Brian got married on Saturday at Salvatore’s Restaurant, 525 W. Arlington Place, Chicago — in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. They had exclusive use of the restaurant all evening for the ceremony and reception. Amra Custic did a wonderful job at the rehearsal and the wedding day.

Time Capsule — to be Opened in 10 Years

Last weekend, a couple — Ashley and Jake — filled a wooden box with a bottle of wine and a letter they each wrote with thoughts about each other, their wedding and their future.

Photo courtesy of Thorsen Photography

The couple, who are always doing home improvements together, then nailed the box closed during the ceremony. Note how the hammers were made up to resemble a bride and groom! I announced what they were doing and that they will open it in 10 years. It’s their own personal time capsule. I’ve never done that before at a wedding.

Photo courtesy of Thorsen Photography

I met the bride’s uncle who supplied the wine. He said it would be best consumed in 12 years. I’m guessing Ashley and Jake will drink it in 10 years, when they open the box :>)

The wedding was at the exclusive and beautiful Medinah Country Club (where Tiger Woods won a PGA tournament in 2006 there). Unlike the Metropolitan Club (67th floor of the Sears/Willis Tower), someone has to be a member for you to do a wedding there.  Once there, Suzanne Jarka will take very good care of you.

Is There Hope for the American Marriage? – TIME

“We want something like that [the Obamas, dancing, in love, on Inaguration Night] for ourselves; we recognize that it is something of great worth, but we are increasingly less willing to put in the hard work and personal sacrifice to get there. The Obamas, for example, are enjoying their time of family closeness after almost two years of enforced separation, an interlude that would have caused many less committed couples to turn in their cards and give up. A lasting marriage is the reward, usually, of hard work and self-sacrifice.”

Read the entire Time magazine cover story, Is There Hope for the American Marriage?

1st Wedding Party on the Ledge at Sears Tower!

I was the first officiant to have their photo taken with a bride and groom — Sharon and Arthur — on the new Ledge at Sears Tower. (OK, technically the Willis Tower but I’m not yet ready to change.) It’s amazing. You walk onto glass and look 103 stories straight down!

No, that’s not me in the photos, below.  I’ll post the actual photos when I get them. The photographer — Catherine Chouinard of Chouinard Photography — has a fear of heights but still went on the Ledge to get the photos! A real pro.

The wedding was at the fabulous Metropolitan Club on the 67th floor. (In fact, I had two weddings there on the same day! That’s a first for me. Invited to both receptions.) Weddings are open to anyone there, you do not need to be a member. Ann Turnbull or Joe Flynn will take care of you well.

BTW, the Skydeck will let you get married there at no additional charge — other than the cost of going up ($15 per adult) — for small weddings. Contact Charlene Graczyk. I assume you can not get married on the Ledge due to its popularity.  Perhaps I could do the very last part — the actually legally binding part — there.

It’s a one of a kind photo op!