On Saturday Danny & Caroline got married at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. We left our house with plenty of time to make the 18 minute drive to Oak Park, but didn’t realize the Puerto Rican parade was on Saturday. The parade itself is downtown, but in all of the communities with large Puerto Rican populations… ours and the neighborhoods surrounding ours… it’s mayhem! People just run around, bike around, drive around waving flags and celebrating. I’m sure it’s a good time, but we had to be somewhere. There were tons of road blocks and redirects and it took us more like 45 minutes to an hour to get out to Oak Park. I felt like we were in that Seinfeld episode.
Finally we arrived. The ceremony was just beginning. Attendants were walking down “the aisle.” Caroline was about to take her stroll down so we got to see her “backstage.” After she made her entrance we were allowed to make our way across the lawn and watch the ceremony. Cheney Mansion has such beautiful grounds. And the weather was so nice too. The day before we had tornado-like storms. Saturday’s weather called for it to be sunny and in the 90s. A bit too hot, but actually by 5:30 p.m. it was perfect.
Danny & Caroline’s Wedding Ceremony
The Bride and Groom Kissing
All done!
I couldn’t hear everything that was said during the ceremony because we were so far in the back, having arrived late. It seemed pretty traditional. I saw parents stand up at different points. It was quick, though. 15 minutes? 20 minutes? Afterwards Danny and Caroline greeted everyone in a receiving line.
Danny & Caroline greeting everyone
We had cocktails outside for an hour or so. Very nice. Like I said, the weather was perfect and the gardens at the mansion were gorgeous. The wedding was odd in that Dallas’s family was there, but then I’d turn and a lot of our friends were there too. I wasn’t used to seeing these people all in the same place.
Ed, Jen, Chad, Kristin
Jen & Chad
Cory (bridesmaid) & Miko
Aunty Glenna & Uncle BB
Dallas’s parents Kathy & George
George, Kathy, Rachelle, Dallas
Dallas, Uncle Neil, Scotty (Danny’s brother and Best Man)
Caroline & Danny
Rachelle & Dallas
Loden & Trent
After a while, Caroline’s dad announced that it was time to come inside the mansion for dinner.
Caroline’s dad announcing dinner
Wedding Program
It was expected, but I always like it when my name is spelled right.
Wedding Placecards
And I loved these poppies.
Centerpieces
Aunty Peggy, George, Kathy, Aunty Karolyn, Uncle Sonny, Aunty Gail, Aunty Laura, Aunty Glenna, Uncle BB, Uncle Neil
Look at this. Chris is almost as tall as Dallas and Brad. He’s 14!
Brad, Dallas, Chris
After dinner we all kind of mingled and visited while waiting for the band to start up.
Aly, Danny, Amanda
If you didn’t notice earlier, Danny’s boutonniere is rosemary. Fitting, since he works in a kitchen. Here’s Dallas trying to get a whiff.
Brad, Danny, Dallas
Brad, Danny, Dallas
The dance floor is on the 3rd floor of Cheney Mansion. The wedding band was JT and the Clouds, a popular Chicago band. One of Danny and Caroline’s first dates was to go see them play. Also, the lead singer, Jeremy, aka JT, works with Danny.
JT and the Clouds
Kenji arrived on floor 3 ready to dance!
Kenji
Tommy and Derek? Not so interested.
Tommy & Derek
Caroline and Danny had their first dance.
Danny & Caroline
Danny & Caroline
Some were a little shy to get dancing at first, but it wasn’t long before the dance floor was packed.
Dance!
Loden, Trent, Caroline
Loden, Danny
Danny & Rachelle
Loden & Ed
Loden & Danny
Fun wedding. It went by SO FAST! Congratulations, Danny and Caroline! I wish we were done already! 
