Save the Date
We would like to invite you to join us on September 5th from 5pm – 10pm at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago.
September 5th, 2025
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is very dear to us, and we’re lucky to have secured it as our venue this fall. Dedicated to creating meaningful connections between people and the natural sciences, the museum hosts a fun array of interactive and informative exhibits about native wildlife, habitats, and sustainability initiatives across Illinois — including a few critter friends that call it home.
Weather permitting, we’ll be hosting our ceremony in the outdoor Ravine space on the edge of North Pond, with the reception held on their larger outdoor terrace. If Mother Nature doesn’t agree with our ideas, we’ll be shifting the ceremony into a few interior areas in the same building.
Through volunteering in public interpretation and taking sustainability courses through Chicago Conservation Corps (C3), we’ve been happily involved at the Nature Museum for over two years now. If you chat with the museum’s friendly team of volunteers, staff, and scientists—or take a walk around the beautiful grounds—you’ll see why. It’s a special place with a LOT of heart that doubles as a habitat for many birds, turtles, insects, and native plants!
Parking is available in the surrounding blocks. If you’d prefer a secured area, the Lincoln Park Zoo a few blocks away also has a block of spots we’ll be working on getting access to. Please contact us if you need alternative accessible options for either the building or parking.
Our picks for the city
Browse the map below! If you'll be in the area for the weekend and are looking for something to do, we've marked off some of our favorites. Whether it's a bite to eat, a cozy bookstore or three, or a fun activity to make the most of what will hopefully be a lovely September in Chicago, there's always more to find and do!
Tap any pin to see our notes
We hope to see you there
September 4 – 6, 2026
Meet & Greet at Kibbitznest! Optional
An optional pre-wedding gathering at Kibbitznest, a book and board game bar in Lincoln Park! A great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. We'll be hosting anyone who's able to attend from 7–9 pm, dinner and drinks included. Please indicate on your RSVP form if you're able to attend!
Arrive & Be Seated
Make your way to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and find your seats.
Ceremony
Join us in the Ravine on the edge of North Pond.
Cocktail Hour
We'll make our way up to the reception terrace for appetizers and drinks.
Dinner
A vegan and non-vegan option will be available. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions when you RSVP!
Dessert
A sampling of treats from First Slice Pie Cafe, a local favorite of ours.
Celebrate!
Dancing, mingling, and enjoying!
Field Trip — Skokie Lagoons Optional
For those that have the energy the next day, we’re planning an outing to the Skokie Lagoons! A picnic with sandwiches brought in from L&M Fine Foods, one of our local Lincoln Square favorites!
In order to give our vendors enough time to prepare, please plan to RSVP on or before July 29th. Contact us if you have any questions!
Thank you!
We'll look forward to seeing you — or we'll miss you!
Memories we're making
You'll see them as soon as we do!
We'll share wedding photos here after September 5th.
Everything you need to know
A few things to help you plan for the weekend. If your question isn't here, don't hesitate to reach out — we'd love to hear from you!
If you're looking to stay in a hotel or bed-and-breakfast, here are some accommodations we'd recommend:
There are many other options to explore in River North and the Loop. If you have questions (or want to get ideas on fun things to do in the area you're staying), please don't hesitate to reach out!
If you are driving to the venue yourself, we recommend street parking just outside of the Museum on Cannon Drive! It isn't reserved but does clear out in the evenings. Just make sure not to leave any valuables visible in your car. The Lincoln Park Zoo is also across the street and offers parking. If you'd prefer a secure spot, please let us know and we can inquire about options.
If you're taking the bus to the Museum from River North or downtown, check out the 22 and 151 lines, which run north/south. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can rent a Divvy rideshare bike and cruise along the Lakefront Trail, right to the Museum!
Uber and Lyft, of course, are always options as well. If you haven't tried ordering an Uber or Lyft before and need some help, feel free to give Emily and Michael an email or call and we can help you out.
Your presence is truly the only gift we're hoping for. We're not asking for any additional items! If you'd like to give a gift, though, we'd be so grateful for a contribution toward our honeymoon fund! We will have a gift box on hand on the day of the wedding for cards, cash or checks, or you can contact us if you'd prefer a digital option.
Other things you can do that would make us happy on the day of our wedding: joining us on the dance floor (!), signing the guest book, and taking lots of photos of you having fun around the city!
Please share any allergies or restrictions on your RSVP form.
Curious what's being served? The full menu is linked under the dinner-preference question on that same form. Please note that we've included a vegan entrée option! If you have other questions about ingredients, please let us know and we'll be happy to pass them on to the caterer.
We can't wait to celebrate with you.
