It was a sunny April afternoon in Chicago. The Cubs were taking on the Brewers, and it was one of the first beautiful days after a Chicago winter. The city was buzzing. Caila had just moved to Chicago and was spending the weekend with her friend Sofia, while Allan had just left Wrigley Field with his college roommates, ready for a boys weekend. By chance, they both ended up at Old Crow, a well known bar just outside the stadium. At one point, Sofia suggested they take a lap. She spotted a group of guys in Brewers gear and made her way over. Caila laughed and said, “Don’t go up to them, they’re from Wisconsin, not Chicago!” But Sofia didn’t listen, and before long, Caila was deep in conversation with one of them, Allan. They hit it off, exchanged numbers, and went on their first date the following Tuesday. That evening, over dinner and hours of easy conversation, it already felt like something special was beginning. From there, the connection grew quickly. They bonded over sports (with plenty of SEC vs. Big Ten banter), a shared love for the outdoors and travel, fierce competitiveness about cards and board games, and most importantly laughter. Fast forward two Aprils later, while Caila was on a girls trip in St. Louis, Allan secretly flew to Arkansas to ask Mr. and Mrs. Hanus for their blessing. A month later, they left for a magical trip to Maui and Kauai. While hiking the breathtaking Kalalau Trail in Kauai, Allan asked Caila to marry him. Since then, their journey has been filled with adventure, deep laughter, and a growing love that makes every day better. And now, there's no better place to tie the knot than the city where it all began. We are so excited and incredibly thankful to be celebrating this next chapter with the people we love most.

On June 20, 2026, we will say “I do” in the iconic Empire Room at the Palmer House in Chicago, a space layered with story, style, and significance. The Palmer House is not only the city’s oldest continuously operating hotel, but also one of the longest running in North America. Originally built as Potter Palmer’s wedding gift to Bertha Honoré, it was rebuilt after the Great Chicago Fire and has continually reinvented itself while preserving its historic soul. Long before our day, the Palmer House became a place where culture and institutions took shape. Faculty meetings here in January 1895 led to the founding of what became the Big Ten Conference the following year, making it a fitting backdrop for us to add our own chapter of gathering, celebration, and tradition. The Empire Room evolved into one of Chicago’s most glamorous entertainment stages. Converted from the Empire Dining Room into a supper club in 1933, it hosted legends like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Harry Belafonte, and Liberace bringing decades of music, elegance, and unforgettable nights to the space. The Palmer House is also the birthplace of the brownie. Created in 1893 at Bertha Palmer’s request for the World’s Columbian Exposition, the recipe with walnuts and an apricot glaze is still served here today, offering a sweet taste of history. As you explore the hotel, keep an eye out for vintage photos, historical displays, and even a small on‑site museum where you can discover more of its storied past. We cannot wait to celebrate surrounded by it all!