Reception

Venue

We had our reception at Hinsdale Golf Club in Clarendon Hills, IL.

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Menu

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Passed Hors d'Oeuvres during cocktail hour
  • Saffron crepe with smoked salmon and cream cheese
  • Spinach prosciutto mushrooms
  • Curry cheese puffs
  • Chicken filled ladies purse
  • Seared tuna on a sesame crisp

 

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Plated Dinner
  • Caesar salad with Parmesan & herb croutons
  • Duet of beef tenderloin and  spinach & feta stuffed chicken breast 
                    Baked Parmesan tomato
                    Potato croquette
                    Fresh oregano-infused pinot noir jus

 

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Dessert
  • Turtle wedding cake
                 Chocolate devil's food cake with chocolate chunks
                 Filled with caramel and roasted pecans
                 Frosted with French buttercream
  • Fruit pate mignardise
  • Buffet table of homemade cookies


Music

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Musicians:
  • Cocktail hour and dinner:  pianist
  • Dancing: Orchestra 33, an amazing nine-piece band

Musical selections:
  • Wedding party introductions: Chicago Bulls introduction music (Sirius by the Alan Parsons Project)
  • First dance: Wonderful Tonight, by Eric Clapton
  • Combined father/daughter and mother/son dance: Unforgettable, duet version by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
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Traditions

Wedding party introductions
  • Andrew and I grew up in Chicago during the heyday of the Michael Jordan Bulls, so we decided to use the Chicago Bulls introduction theme song.  At the last minute, our wedding party decided that after they were introduced they would line up and form a tunnel for us to run through.  It ended up being a lot of fun!

Speeches and toasts
  • Father of the Bride - As soon as we were seated after the wedding party introductions, my dad gave a brief speech congratulating us on our marriage, welcoming Andrew to the family, and recalling my childhood.   I could tell my dad was really nervous about giving a speech, but he did a great job and it was really touching.
  • Blessing - After his speech, my dad introduced the priest who married us to give a blessing before dinner.  The priest, who is definitely a character and an absolute riot, didn't really lead a prayer so much as he made of few more remarks about marriage and celebrating.
  • Best Man - After the salad course the Best Man, Andrew's middle brother Tim, gave a toast.  It was obvious that he hadn't really prepared anything, but fortunately he kept it short and clean.
  • Maid of Honor - After the Best Man, my sister Rachel, also gave a toast.  I had been a little concerned that she was going to try to be funny and sarcastic, but she ended up giving a really sweet speech.

Tosses
  • About halfway through the dancing, the band played "Single Ladies" and I threw a toss bouquet.  My 16 year old cousin ended up catching it.  I know a lot of people aren't fans of bouquet tosses, but we had a lot of high school and college age cousins at the wedding who were really excited about it.
  • We did not do a garter toss.  I would have found it rather uncomfortable to have everyone gather around and watch Andrew reach up my skirt.
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