Bridal Party Hotel

Hi All -

As most of you heard, we are switching the main hotel to the Marriott Lincolnshire. The nightly rate is $79.00 for July 3rd and 4th.

Please call directly:

Lincolnshire Marriott Resort

Ten Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Phone: (847) 634-0100 / Web Address: www.lincolnshiremarriott.com

Ask for the Kohlmann/Baron Wedding Block- ROOM RATE AT FULL SERVICE MARRIOTT FOR $79.00!! Please book no later than June 12th!

Hotels!

Hi All -

The hotel block at the Marriott Courtyard in Highland Park is sold out! Yeah! so happy that many of you can come! I was told that rooms are still available there. There is another hotel nearby that is also affordable. Information is below.

Homestead Studio Suites
675 Woodlands Pkwy
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847-955-1111

$64.99 room rate for a queen, non-smoking room.

Food Poisoning = Salmonella poisoning

Just found out that I had salmonella poisoning. I was sick for about two weeks, but am all better now. The wedding must go on!

Food Poisoning = Focus on Registry

It's that time of year in Chicago where we get nice breaks of warm weather. It's been in the high 50's here this weekend, but instead of going out and enjoying these past couple days, I've ended up with a bad case of food poisoning. I've been stuck in bed all weekend, but this really helped me to focus in on working on the finishing touches of our registry. So, I know you all been waiting, but it's finally here....Drum roll please - Matt and I are registered at:
- Target
- Bed Bath and Beyond
- Crate and Barrel

Thanks to everyone in advance for the gifts - I can't put into words how happy they will make us, but know that we will always appreciate them in the years to come.

Love,
Jacqueline

More Snow, Hotel Problems & the Fab Mix N' Stir Pitcher

It's one of those wonderful Chicago winters where just when you think you've been through the worse, it's gets really cold again and we get dumped on with snow. I'm just glad I don't live on the east coast where they got a foot & half of snow (or maybe more?)

Matt and I made the wondrous journey of registering last week. I wish I could say that it was super fun, but by the end of the day-long event we both were worn out and didn't care which color towels we ended up with. So, we are still in the process of finalizing our registry online. Details to follow soon.

And if this doesn't end up on my registry, can someone please get this for me??:

Ever had the problem of making a delightful punch or mixed beverage concoction, only to see that an hour into your party all the stuff has separated and it doesn't taste as good? Well the fabulous Mix N' Stir Pitcher will solve all those problems. It has a mixing propeller in the bottom so that it stirs up drink contents- it's an absolutely wonderful idea.

I heard that some people may have problems with booking a hotel room. If so, just e-mail Matt at mlbaron@gmail.com and he will get you in contact with the right people to book the hotel with.

Cheers & Happy Monday ~ Jacq

How To Book a Hotel Near The Party Venue

We've set up a block of rooms at the Marriott Courtyard in Highland Park, located 3.5 miles away from Bella Via. There are 15 rooms available on Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4 for $79 per night. We can expand the block of rooms depending on demand.

This link is to book a Double Room (2 beds):
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chihp?groupCode=kbwkbwb&app=resvlink&fromDate=7/3/09&toDate=7/5/09

This link is to book a King Room (1 king-size bed):
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chihp?groupCode=kbwkbwa&app=resvlink&fromDate=7/3/09&toDate=7/5/09

You can also call for reservations at 800-321-2211 and reference the Kohlmann Baron Wedding Block. Please make sure that reservations are made prior to June 12, 2009, the cut-off date, when all unreserved rooms will be released.

Here's a map from the Marriott Courtyard to Bella Via:
http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=1899+2nd+St,+Highland+Park,+IL+60035+(Bellavia+Restaurant)&geocode=CcfUbsHnOtO7FV-5gwIdRUHE-iGRsSawU7IgOg&dirflg=&saddr=%23++1505+Lake+Cook+Road+%23+Highland+Park,+Illinois+60035+USA+&f=d&dq=bella+via+loc:+highland+park+il&sll=42.187103,-87.801531&sspn=0.011891,0.01987&cid=42187103,-87801531,4188543725961916817&ie=UTF8&z=13

Hotels

Matt has done a great job of looking into getting us a hotel block - Looks like the block will be at the Marriott Courtyard and if we get 10 rooms booked they will arrange for a shuttle to take guests to the venue and back - so book those rooms! We should have the hotel block info. in the next couple weeks - the guys at the Courtyard are slow ;)

Registry

I'm seriously considering putting a snuggie on my wedding registry.....okay, maybe not, but this thing is getting way out of control. I signed into my work internet and the first thing I see is a blurb about the snuggie. It's amazing/ridiculous. Wait, no it's SHAM-WOW! hehe

What a day... My bluetooth is tired.

It's almost 8:00pm and Jacq and I are about to eat some homemade pasta bake that we both prepped together.  Most of the day was spent calling my side of the family: Barons, Golembos, Corbetts, Gilberts, Marcheschis, Ransleys, Bydes, Kutkos...  Thankfully everyone is happy to hear our relatively shocking announcement, and we're very appreciative of everyone's love, support and well wishes.  We'll be adding more information soon about hotel information for our out of town guests as well as other updates about our wedding celebration, so please stay tuned...

Spreading the News Today

Today Matt is calling up the majority of his friends and family to let them know we got married. From what I heard, it sounds like all the phone calls are going well and we are receiving a lot of positive feedback. Matt and I were not seeing eye-to-eye about the phone calls. The introvert in me wanted to sit back and let people find out in due time, but Mr. Extrovert couldn't wait to share the news. I'm glad we are able to balance each other out like that, because with all this homework I have to do today, I would not have energy left to make all those phone calls. I'm really glad that Matt has the time and is so excited to fill everyone in :) And he gets me excited! It's also nice that we can finally tell people the date and location of the party. I've been working on the save-the-dates and can't wait for them to go out. I LOVE the design.

Okay, back to homework but totally needed this 2-minute break. Cheers ~ Jacq

Matt & Jacqueline’s Story

Matt and Jacqueline met on Halloween in 2006. Matt was dressed as Dwight Schrute from The Office and Jacqueline was wearing a simple and not-so-creative bat costume. It might have been love at first sight… To see if their intuition was right, they exchanged phone numbers and decided to meet up soon.

Their first official date was at Schubas – a music venue in Chicago. They watched an unknown indie rock band and held each other tightly throughout the show. Within a couple hours they each thought they had met someone profoundly special.

Jacqueline knew Matt was more than a decent guy when he offered to drive her home for Christmas and meet her parents and stay for the weekend (they had only been together just over a month at this point!). Matt immediately clicked with Keith, Kathy and Mark, and especially enjoyed the homemade cookies and marathon card games. Jacqueline had already met Matt’s parents and family a few times before the holiday season and everyone was so impressed that Matt had actually met a beautiful, intelligent and sweet young lady!

Fast forward a couple years and you will now find Matt and Jacqueline living together in a coach house in Chicago with their favorite roommate, Andrew. 2008 was a progressive year for the couple. Jacqueline started taking evening courses for graduate school, while Matt recorded an album and continues to make music a part of his everyday life.

With 2008 coming to a close, the two intuitively knew they had to start the New Year together as husband and wife. On December 28, a cold, crystal clear and splendid evening, Matt and Jacqueline had a private wedding ceremony to officially tie the knot of their loving and caring relationship.

Of course many will think it’s rather untraditional (and odd) for two lovebirds to marry off without anyone in attendance, but then again Matt and Jacqueline are not your traditional couple. They think they’re starting a new trend – hopefully – because July 4 they will exchange their vows publicly and host a celebratory reception for friends and family.

They look forward to an evening of food, fun, fireworks and lots of love to share with everyone.