ChicagoStyle Weddings Contest Winner Story

Find the perfect Chicagoland Wedding Professional

Search by name:
Search by city/zip: (Miles)
Search by category:

  Home
  Vendor Search
  Virtual Tours
  Chicago City Scene
  Real Chicago Weddings
  Gown Designer Gallery
  Articles & Tips
  Style Files
  Bridal Shows
  Contests
  Location Guides
  Ask A Question

Contest Winner Story

Katie & Ryan
It all started when I took the train downtown from the suburbs. It was our first date, and Ryan was supposed to pick me up at Union Station. But he had gone to wrong station. He then proceeded to tell me to walk more than a mile—in the cold—to his car. Once I finally got to the car, we started our actual date at Webster’s Wine Bar. After many hours of endless conversations (and many flights of wine), Ryan and I hit it off—until 8 p.m., at which point Ryan told me that I had to catch the train back. I was distraught over this and didn't quite understand why I had to leave at 8. But Ryan told me that he thought that was the last train out back to the suburbs. After a good laugh, we went on to the next bar, Happy Village. Ryan introduced me to the “amazing” $2 Hamm’s special. Conveniently enough, all of Ryan's friends magically showed up. After hanging out for another few hours, Ryan then let me know the last train was about to leave—and this time he was right. I made a sprint to the cabs on Division to make my way to the right train station. Amazing first date, isn't it? But Ryan knew I was the one after that first date. I, on the other hand, realized it a few months later on a trip to Arizona we took together. When I told Ryan I loved him, Ryan’s response was “It’s about time!” He told me he had loved me for months!

Getting engaged for Ryan was a very sneaky and time-consuming matter. There was a lot of planning and work that needed to be done before he could pull off what he had in mind. The first part was the hardest: designing the perfect ring for me. A physical education teacher, I am very active with my students. I’m the kind of teacher who is out there playing with the kids on the basketball court and teaching them how to play rugby. The design Ryan had to come up couldn’t have a diamond on prongs sticking up on the ring, where a ball might hit it and break it. After working for countless hours with the jeweler—when Ryan was supposed to be “working late“—he finally came up with the perfect ring. The next step was to plan a date, and what better time than to get engaged on vacation? Ryan worked closely with Doc’s Beach House, the only bar on the beach in Bonita Springs, Florida. He also worked to schedule a Cessna to fly over with a banner that said, “Will you marry me, Katie Louise?” After having a beautiful day, a successful fly over, and some drinks, Ryan proposed. Everybody at Doc’s knew the engagement was coming and were applauding after I said yes, and everyone on the beach joined in with the cheers. Doc’s sent out champagne, and we cheered to our future. Ryan knew that this location was important to me. As far back as I can remember I always wanted to have a beach wedding. About eight years ago my mom and dad bought a house in Florida, and my mom and I used to go shelling all the time on Barefoot Beach, a half mile from their house. I told my mom that I wanted to get married here. Ryan proposed at the same location that my mom and I love. From that second on he wanted to give me the wedding of my dreams, a beach wedding.

We are getting married in Bonita Springs, Florida, on September 8, 2012. Our ceremony is at the Club at Barefoot Beach, where we are also having our reception. The wedding will be intimate, about 100 people—the perfect beach wedding.All of my thanks go to Ryan’s parents as well as my own. They have been a huge help in our planning process—whether we want them to be or not. My maid of honor is my mom, Terrie Kempe. She is my best friend. From the day I was born (on her birthday), we always shared a special bond together. I couldn’t have asked anyone else. We hadn’t decided on our honeymoon yet. We were looking into Bora Bora, Tahiti, or Hawaii as a spot. But we were so excited when we won the six-day, five-night trip to Jamaica from ChicagoStyle Weddings, courtesy of SuperClubs.

Once we get back, there’s so much to look forward to. Our dreams are to buy a house and start a family together. Our main goal: be happy. We look forward to coming home to each other everyday. Ryan and I are perfect for each other. We have the same sense of humor and the same goals and desires out of life. We complement each other, and we are always laughing. We both love to travel and see the world. I have never met anyone that has made me happier. Ryan is a romantic, supportive fiancé. I can’t wait to start my family with him and see where our life leads us together.

>>View All Winners