Paper Goods

My Mom and I went to a Wedding Workshop at Archiver's. I think we've decided to actually MAKE the invitations. That means we'll be making the invitations, save the dates, menus, programs, placecards, etc. The list goes on and on. I absolutely LOVE this idea because I'll be able to make everything so that it matches AND I'll be able to scrapbook it all after the wedding. Everything will be exactly the way my Mom and I imagine it. I'm so excited, I can't wait to get started!

The Look: Inspiration

Their Story

The Distance

It was a late night when they met. One could safely say it was after midnight. Laura was winding down with her friends after a night of waitressing at a local restaurant and Joe was waiting for a friend to meet him. Both were sitting at the bar at the County Trail Pub. The karaoke was blaring and a fight even broke out at one point. The two passed each other a couple of times on the way to or from the restrooms in the back of the bar. He sang "Beth" and "Every Rose Has it's Thorn." Or was it "Patience"? She sang "Magic Man" and "Sin Wagon." As the night wore on, a seat opened up next to Laura. She looked over at Joe and patted the spot next to her. The rest, as they say, is history... Since that March night in 2002, Laura and Joe have dressed up for six Halloweens, invented numerous thinking games involving movies and actors, made tons of new friends, been to Alaska and Arizona, seen oodles of live music, recorded a couple of Christmas CD's, and welcomed each other's families into their hearts. There's just no telling how much more is left to come. All the love in the world.

His Story

Southbound Pachyderm

Growing up in Addison, Illinois, Joe had one of the most normal childhoods ever imaginable. Thankfully, early on, he decided to make it his mission to change that fact. Amidst a sea of little league games, school clubs, and cub scout meetings, Joe was somehow blindsided by the entertainment bug and hasn't looked back since. From piano lessons at age five, through numerous stage productions in school, to his current position as bassist for the international Heavy Metal phenomenon Sacred Dawn, he has managed to surround himself with music and performance. Little did he know that this obsession would eventually lead him to meet Laura. That's right...if you're reading this, you probably know the story: "Karaoke Bar...ditched by friend...Ruby Tuesday uniform"...the rest, as they say, is history. Now, here we are, almost 6 years later. Joe struggles through his weeks slaving away as a drone in the field of Information Technology, but still manages to fill his remaining time with music. Outside of the band, Joe enjoys watching an almost inhuman amount of television on DVR and watching his dog eat all of his worldy possessions. But somehow, between playing around on his computer and trying to write the next great Monster Ballad, Joe has managed to find the one woman who can put up with all of it....and is looking forward to spending the rest of his life with her.

Yummy Cake and a HUGE Dancefloor

This morning we went to Patty Cakes in Lemont to sample the cake. Oh yum! We chose a beautiful cake made of yummy and delicious. We decided to go with a marble cake and chocolate fudge filling. There will be no need for fondant, I'm not a big fan, so it's butter cream all the way!

After we picked out the cake we stopped by Target and started our registry there. We picked out a few things that we could definitely use.

Next, it was on to The Willowbrook Ballroom! I love going there. Even if it's just for a meeting in the middle of February and the heat isn't on so it's freezing cold in there. My Mom had some questions for Toni and one of the owners took me and Joe over to the DJ booth and showed us the stage and the light/sound system. He threw the lights on the dance floor and I was amazed! It's one humongous dance floor with a ton of fun lights that sparkle and twinkle all over the place. The stage is ultra fun, too. There's a shiny/sparkly curtain and a nice area in the back of the stage for the band to hang out. I can't wait!

Her Story

Little Miss Can't Be Wrong


Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Laura knew early on in life that music was for her. She started singing in a children's choir at age 7. The choir took her into the recording studio for several choral demos and eventually got Laura into a video demo as well. She went on to perform on stage in high school and college through both singing and acting. While she was at Glenbard North High School, she realized that she not only loved to perform music, but that she also wanted to teach it. Laura chased that dream at Elmhurst College where she earned a degree in Music Education. Laura was in her last year at EC when she met Joe. When she realized how much he was into music and acting, she knew she had found "the one." Laura invited Joe on stage with her for her senior recital where the two performed the song, "Come What May" from the movie Moulin Rouge. The song holds a special place in their hearts and Laura can't wait to dance to it with Joe at their wedding. Now Laura is an elementary music teacher where she works with students in grades one through five. She spent some time working for a park district where she directed the theater program. Now she focuses her directing time at her school. Putting on three musical shows every year, Laura keeps busy planning the programs and rehearsing with the children. When she's not at work, she's spending time at home with her beloved puppy Dio, her cherished cats Lannie and Gwin and of course Joe and his rats Nicodemus and Azrael. Laura was thrilled when Joe popped the question on December 23, 2007. After an afternoon and evening out with his family, the two returned home to open some early Christmas gifts. Afterwards Joe presented her with a beautiful ring and asked that they spend the rest of their Christmases together. She gladly said Yes!