A love story unfolding across two unforgettable celebrations—one beginning among Ireland's breathtaking landscapes and one continuing at home, surrounded by the people who have loved us every step of the way.
Our love story is written across two places that have shaped our hearts—beginning in Ireland and continuing at home in Chicago.
The Architecture of Us
A Chronicle of Devotion
Chapter I
How We Met
One dance became the first time we reached for each other's hand.
Some stories begin with grand gestures. Ours began with a dance.Â
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We first crossed paths at Blues at the Bean, an annual weekend celebrating blues dancing in Chicago. Brianne was volunteering behind the scenes while Chris, a longtime member and board member of Bluetopia, was helping bring the event to life. One conversation became another, one dance became several, and before we knew it, we'd danced our way through the night.
When the music finally stopped, neither of us was ready for the story to end.
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One simple question changed everything:
"When can we dance together again?"
Chapter II
Our Adventures
By sunrise, letting go no longer felt like an option.
Our first date felt less like a date and more like the beginning of a tradition.
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After Blues at the Bean we made our way to Milwaukee for a continuation of blues dancing and a house party, completely losing track of time as one song turned into another. By the time we started the drive home, the sun was rising over Lake Shore Drive. Exhausted, happy, and still talking, we realized that our favorite moments weren't just on the dance floor; they were in the quiet spaces in between. And that this was the beginning of something truly special.Â
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From that day forward, every adventure seemed to begin the same way: together.
"In the silence between heartbeats, I heard your name whispered by the wind."
Chapter III
Falling in Love
Every adventure started the same way...
with one hand finding the other.
We didn't fall in love all at once—we found it in the little moments that slowly became our favorite traditions.
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Whether dancing Blues, Lindy Hop, or Balboa, camping beneath the stars, dressing up for a special evening, watching The Witcher, or ending the day with Chris reading aloud, we discovered that love isn't measured by grand gestures alone. It's built through trust, curiosity, laughter, handwritten love letters, and showing up for one another through every season of life.
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Chris brings steadiness, kindness, and quiet devotion. Brianne brings imagination, passion, and a touch of magic. Together, we've built a life that feels adventurous, deeply rooted, and entirely our own.
Chapter IV
The Proposal
One question. Two hands. A lifetime ahead.
Some moments become memories before you even realize they're happening.
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One of our favorite places has always been around a campfire, surrounded by nature, where life slows down and conversations stretch long into the evening. During a camping trip in Tiskilwa, Illinois, that place became part of our forever story.
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There, beneath open skies and surrounded by everything we love most, Chris asked Brianne to marry him—and together we began the next chapter of our greatest adventure.
"Give me your hand my love... I will take hold to end of our time."
Why Ireland?
Ireland isn't simply where we're getting married—it's where our story comes full circle.
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Brianne's family traces its roots to Westport, County Mayo, the very place where we'll exchange our vows, making this celebration a meaningful homecoming. Chris also proudly shares Irish ancestry, making Ireland a place that reflects both of our histories and the generations whose journeys made ours possible.
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Surrounded by dramatic coastlines, ancient stone, and traditions that have endured for centuries, we'll begin our marriage in a place that honors where we've come from while celebrating where we're going. For us, Ireland represents heritage, adventure, and the timeless promise of walking through life together—hand in hand.
Why Chicago?
Chicago is where our story found its rhythm, and where so many of our favorite memories began.
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It's where we met, where countless nights of dancing brought us together, and where friends became family through a shared love of music and community. It is the city that witnessed our relationship grow, one dance, one sunrise, and one adventure at a time.
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While Ireland is where we'll say "I do," Chicago is where we'll celebrate with the people who have walked alongside us from the very beginning. Our Homecoming Celebration is our chance to bring everyone together to honor our journey, relive the magic of Ireland, and continue the story with the family and friends who have always had a place in our hearts.
"Two shores, one heart, and a love that bridges the distance."
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A celebration of eternal devotion held among the gardens where we'll promise to keep choosing each other, hand in hand.
The Beginning
Ireland Wedding Weekend
Where our forever begins.
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September 5–8, 2026
The Grace Hotel
Westport Demesne
Westport, Co. Mayo F28 E438 Ireland
Join us for an intimate weekend along the rugged beauty of Ireland’s wild coastline. Amidst historic charm and ancient stone, we will exchange vows where the land meets the sacred sea. It is a celebration designed for meaningful connection and the start of our eternal devotion.
Choose Your Celebration
Two chapters. One love story.
The Homecoming
Chicago Celebration
Where every chapter comes home.
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October 30, 2027
Irish American Heritage Center
4626 N Knox Ave, Unit 301
Chicago, Illinois 60630
Bringing the magic of Ireland back to the city that raised us. We invite our wider community of family and friends to share in the joy of our union, reliving the beauty of our destination weekend through stories, song, and celebration. It is our way of ensuring every chapter of our story is shared with those we love.
