Paul Wesolowski
Monika Falat
Paul Wesolowski
Monika Falat
October 24, 2026
Transport
Travel
Travel Note
Lodging Information
We recommend finding lodging in a home rental or Air Bnb in the following areas, due to the proximity to Notre Dame Parish and the Falat family home. - Westmont - Downer's Grove - Clarendon Hills - Oak Brook For those who prefer to stay closer to the reception venue, there is a hotel block available at Harrah's Casino and Hotel. Harrah's is a 5-minute walk away from the Rialto Theater.
Hotel
Harrah's Joliet - A Caesars Rewards Destination
Discount Code - S1023FW
Gallery
Registry
Things To Do
Visit Downtown Chicago
There is lots to do in Downtown Chicago, and it is a quick train ride away from both Joliet and the Clarendon Hills area! Depending on where you stay for the weekend, we recommend taking the Metra BNSF line out of Clarendon Hills or the Rock Island line out of Joliet. If it is your first time visiting Chicago, we recommend doing a river architecture tour, visiting the Art Institute or Adler Planetarium, walking around Millennium Park, or visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo to enjoy the fall foliage (it's free!).
Walk Around the Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum has over 16 miles of walking and hiking trails. If you are looking to take in peak fall foliage colors, this is the place to do it! Admission is about $17 per adult.
Explore Clarendon Hills or Arlington Heights
For those who prefer to stay outside of Chicago, we recommend checking out some of the suburban downtown areas. Downtown Clarendon Hills and Arlington Heights are home to many small businesses, spanning from shops to great dining options. Paul's first job was at the Arlington Heights Library, and Monika would walk to downtown Clarendon Hills every week in grade school with her friends!
Try Local Chicago Favorites
You've heard of deep dish pizza and a Chicago style hot dog, try some of our favorite foods from our favorite places! Portillo's - Monika's Order: Chicago style dog with everything, or a chopped salad - Paul's Order: Maxwell Street Polish dog Deep Dish Options - Monika's Order: Classic cheese deep dish from Giordano's - Paul's Order: Sausage deep dish from Lou Malnati's Aurelio's - Tavern style pizza for those who don't want deep dish, also known as Pope Leo's favorite pizza in Chicago! We recommend any tavern style crust pizza with a deep dish cookie for dessert. Oishi Sushi - Our favorite sushi, right by the Falat house. The Firecracker, Caterpillar, and Spider rolls are our favorite. Jade Dragon - Our go-to Chinese food spot. We recommend getting the crab rangoons, sesame chicken, and veggie fried rice.
FAQs
Question
What time should I arrive for ceremony?
Answer
Mass will begin promptly at 2 PM at Notre Dame Parish in Clarendon Hills, we recommend arriving 10 minutes before.
Question
Is there a dress code?
Answer
Yes - formal attire is encouraged. Suits or tuxedos for men, and floor-length dresses for women. We want everyone to feel their best!
Question
Is the ceremony or reception outdoors?
Answer
Both the Mass and reception will be held indoors.
Question
Where should I park?
Answer
For the Nuptial Mass, Notre Dame Parish has a large parking lot that can accomodate parking for all. For the reception, the Ottawa Street Parking Deck offers free validated parking and is a 3 minute walk to the Rialto Square Theater. Joliet does also offer street parking closer to the venue if you prefer.
Question
If I am traveling from out of town, do I need to rent a car?
Answer
This depends on your plans while in town! There are train lines that take you from the suburbs of Chicago to downtown Chicago if you are looking to explore the city. If you want to check out the suburban areas more, we would recommend renting a car to get around easily. We will have an Uber code available on October 24th that guests can use to catch a ride to the ceremony in Clarendon Hills, or to the venue in Joliet. Please note that the drive time between the ceremony and reception is about 40 minutes. Check back during wedding weekend for the Uber code!
Question
Can I bring a date?
Answer
We are only able to accommodate the guests the are included on your invitation due to venue constraints. If you have any questions about your invite, feel free to reach out to us directly.
Question
What should I do in between the ceremony and reception?
Answer
Since the ceremony is in Clarendon Hills, we recommend checking out the downtown area to grab a light bite or drink! Open Door Taproom and Tierra Distilling Co are two great options. For guests looking for some caffeine before the reception, we will have a coffee tab open at Tierra Distilling Co! Check back during wedding weekend for more information.