Introducing... our groomsmen (written by guest blogger, Ben)!

(Pictures, clockwise, from above: JR Peacock, Ben and Ray Lyons in younger days; Ben and Ben Anderson on a memorable "camping" trip, sorry, Rondo, I couldn't resist posting this. Pics of our brothers are on their way!!)




THE GROOMSMEN...by Ben Stahl

Andy Stahl
Andy is my only brother. We met in the '80s during the Regan administration. Andy always has, and always will, be a gift giver. He held true to form at our first meeting; he was 3.5 and I was 1 month. Andy gave me his new truck and crayons. Ever since that first thoughtful gift, I have known I am incredibly lucky to have a brother with such a big heart, someone to share family experiences with and fully understand all things Stahl.

Ray Lyons
I met Ray for the first time at Mango’s Pizza in Orland Park, IL, when we were 16 years old. Several months later I would find out that Ray was in route to 'kick my ass' with another groomsman (over a girl, that was then, and now, not worth it). I am happy to say that the ass kicking never came to fruition, but instead we have come of age together, traveling the world, buying real-estate and continuing to eat pizza.

Mike Rondinella
Mike was coming with Ray to kick my ass. Again, I am equally glad that Mike’s plan didn’t see its way through. Mike and I have eaten more meals and watched more TV together than any two men should. Through these countless hours, I've come to appreciate Mike for his level-headed nature (which plays an excellent complement to my dramatic and spastic personality) sincere loyalty and genuine friendship.

JR Peacock
I met JR on a beach, and we’ve continued to hang out on beaches ever since. JR, like me, can’t sit still. When you find someone that similarly switches topics ever 12 seconds and anxiously motor boats their leg while looking around the room, you can’t help but to make them your friend (or at least, I couldn't). JR, without a doubt, has to be credited for encouraging me to travel the world, try new things and stay out later than I had planned, so thanks JR.

Ben Anderson
Ben and I met our freshman year at the University of Iowa on the 12th floor of Reinow Hall. The 12th floor was, and still is, an academic quiet floor (what were we thinking?). The only good thing to come of that floor was our friendship. We became more formal roommates during our senior year. I often say that nothing bad comes from Iowa. Throughout the years I've been friends with Ben he has done nothing but reinforce my beliefs in those corn-fed saints.

Andrew Templin
I’ve known Andrew just as long as I’ve know Kate, well actually a few days less, seeing as he as out of town during my first visit to their condo. I’ve come to appreciate Andrew as an intellectual, a friend and now as a brother-in-law. I know you can’t choose your family, but I am glad Andrew ended up in mine.

Serious wedding eye candy

I am in loooove with this wedding...see more on photographer The Nichols' blog.

Wedding chicks!

Sorry I've been a little absent this week. It's been a busy one at work, and we've had a little lull in wedding planning. We did find out this week that Oliver Winery isn't an option for our rehearsal dinner (SAD!!), since they don't rent out the space on holiday weekends. I allowed myself to be upset for about a minute, and then forced myself to move on. I know that regardless of where we have our rehearsal dinner (and we do have some great other options), it's going to be a wonderful night.

In other news, I was just picked to be a bridal blogger on WeddingChicks.com. If you haven't checked out the site, please do. It's one of the many blogs I've become obsessed with during the planning process, and I'm thrilled to be part of it. I'll be blogging there at least once a week (click here to find me), so be sure to follow me there!

totally un-wedding related...

But I saw this on my amazing friend Graham Kostic's blog today, and it was exactly what I needed. It's been a stressful week, and I've been kind of down after a wonderful, relaxing vacation at the beach in Union Pier. Watching this for four minutes felt like meditating...

Kuroshio Sea - 2nd largest aquarium tank in the world - (song is Please don't go by Barcelona) from Jon Rawlinson on Vimeo.

Introducing... our wedding party!

Pics with my bridesmaids, above, from top: with Amy Levell, Ben Stahl and Dan Ponce this summer; Jenny Joers/Marderosian's 2007 wedding in the Bahamas; with Courtney Marsala and Christina Caldwell at Christina's 2008 wedding in Mykonos; with Natalie Campbell in Mykonos; with Sara Eldrige/French at her 2006 wedding in St. John .


After a lot of back and forth, debate and soul searching (dramatic, but true), Ben and I decided to have a wedding party, and I couldn't be happier about it. I initially thought that not having bridesmaids and groomsmen would simplify our wedding and that our friends would prefer to come to our wedding as guests versus as an official part of the festivities. Turns out, I was wrong.

As we've gotten deeper into the planning process, I've realized that having bridesmaids not only makes a lot of sense (I need my ladies to keep me sane, not to mention bustle my dress, hold my bouquet and make sure the party is running smoothly), but it's also a wonderful way to celebrate the amazing friendships I have with six really special women, who, as it turns out, are really excited to stand up as bridesmaids... even with dresses they'll probably never wear again!

And I know Ben feels the same way about having his best friends and our brothers standing up with him. One of my girlfriends (and now bridesmaids) said that asking your friends to stand up to bear witness to your marriage is a sacrament and an honor, and I know that she's right. The women I've asked to be in my wedding have supported me throughout every stage of my life and I know they'll be there to help me through the next one...and all the stages after that.

So here are the marvelous women I've asked to be part of our big day (groomsmen to come if I can convince Ben to guest blog!)...

Bridesmaids:
Christina Caldwell is my maid of honor. We met our freshman year of college when we joined the same sorority, we studied abroad together in London and we lived together senior year in college and for two years in New York. Christina is my go-to girl—the person who always is on the same page as me, who sees life the same way I do. I was so lucky to be part of her wedding to the amazing Tobias Makepeace Rando in Greece last year and Ben and I are still hoping Toby and Christina will wise up and leave NYC for Chicago someday soon.

Sara Eldridge/French is my oldest girlfriend. We became friends in sixth grade and never looked back, getting kicked out of cheerleading camp together (obviously not our fault!), living next door to each other freshman year in college, studying abroad in London, moving to New York together. Sara and I grew up together, experienced all each other's major firsts together, and although she and her husband, Garth, now live in Seattle, when we do get to see each other, we always pick up right where we left off.

Natalie Campbell and I met freshman year in college when we joined the same sorority, and I have loved her ever since. She is definitely my funniest friend—her stories are legendary—and more often than not, I'm laughing when I'm with her, but she's also incredibly strong and has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. Being around Nat is incredibly easy (and, luckily, because she lives in Chicago, I get to be around her often); she always puts me at ease, and I know she'll do the same on the big day.

Jenny Joers/Marderosian will always be Joers to me. We lived on the same floor freshman year, but we became really close when we joined the same sorority. I have countless funny memories with (and of...hahaha) Joers in Bloomington, New York, London, Chicago and at her wedding in the Bahamas, and watching what an incredible mom she's become is really an inspiration to me. Living in the same city as Jenny, her husband, Michael, and their daughter Maisy, is so much fun!

Courtney Marsala and I both went to IU, but we didn't meet until we lived in New York at the same time, and became a wild five-some with Christina, Sara and our friend Sarah Kellams. When I moved back to Chicago for grad school, I lived with Court and Amy Levell, and they also gave me a place to crash when I moved back (again) from DC. Court is a rock (who also loves to have a good time) and one of my favorite people on the planet. She has become part of my big-city family and I can't imagine life without her.

Amy Levell and I met for the first time when she was visiting Courtney in New York. She tore into town like a bat out of hell, yelling at cab drivers and cracking jokes. I instantly knew I loved her. Since then, she has become one of my closest girlfriends. We've been through so much together, and I know I can rely on her for anything—from excellent advice to a last-minute cocktail. I feel incredibly blessed to count Amy as one of my best friends. (And I also know that if anyone tries to screw up my wedding day, she and Court will lay them out.)

So there it is, my incredible, beautiful, amazing group of bridesmaids.

I've already asked a friend and local fashion designer, Elise Bergman, to make the bridesmaids dresses, so more to come on that soon!

Our photographer

I am obsessed with a wedding blog called Style Me Pretty, which always features the most AMAZING, inspirational weddings. It's actually where I found our photographers, the husband-and-wife team of Jeffrey and Julia Woods. They were the first vendor I booked, mainly because I love their style: emotional, sort-of vintage-inspired and just plain beautiful.

So I was thrilled to see they have yet another wedding featured on the blog today. Can you imagine anything prettier?

We're doing our engagement shoot with them next month and I can not wait!!

Our photo booth...

...is booked. I'm swamped at work this week so I've had no time to post anything, but I did manage to book the photo booth yesterday. I luvre old-school photo booths, and the company I booked it through is the closest in Indiana I could find. I'm planning on using it to create my guest book. Getting my 90-year-old grandparents in it should be interesting, but I'm determined to make it work.