8 years ago, Sam was driving with Best Man, Michael Conran when he spotted a girl wearing a yellow dress in a parking garage on Lake Shore Drive. Samantha was with her two bridesmaids, Anna & Nicole when she heard someone yell "I love you!" After a little convincing, Samantha went over to talk to this "cute guy". Sam got her number, but then realized it never saved in his phone. When Samantha arrived back to her condo that night, she found a note written by Sam asking again for her number, and a first date - which was right behind home plate at a Chicago Cubs game!



This relationship between two 22 year olds may not have lasted, but the two never stopped thinking about each other. The next summer the two spent the summer together while Sam studied (and passed) his CPA exams. This is when Samantha and Sam like to call their "five year vacation" started.



Fast forward to September 2015, Samantha received a message from Sam and the two decided to meet at "their place", Ralph Lauren Grill in Chicago. After a bottle of red and some steak tartare, it was not long before the two became inseperable.



After lots of amazing vacations (Miami, Napa, New York, Greek Islands, Bahamas, etc), moving in together and celebrating their One Year (or was it 8 year?) Anniversary, Sam asked Samantha to marry him in her hometown of Plymouth, Michigan.



They say third time's a charm.... and now we are ready for our Big Fat Chicago (Greek) Wedding! Even through that "five year vacation", it always had to be Sam + Sam.



" For nobody else gave me a thrill With all your faults, I love you still It had to be you, wonderful you It had to be you"



#SamWeAm

Below are the meal options for our wedding:



Beef: Grilled Filet of beef, braised leeks, mushroom risotto, spiced cognac demi-glace

Chicken: Herb Roasted Organic Chicken, Yukon gold potato puree, Broccoli,

Roasted baby carrots, and morel mushroom sauce

Fish: Marinated wahoo, grilled pineapple salsa, coconut rice, fried leeks,

miso butter sauce

Vegetarian: Pumpkin ravioli, hazelnut brown butter sauce and crispy sage

There is a hotel room block for guests at the Westin which is directly behind the Knickerbocker hotel. Please ask for rooms for the Stencel-Tsamoulos Wedding.



*Hotel room block will no longer be available after October 10, 2017

There are a limited number of rooms blocked for guests at the wedding reception venue - the Knickerbocker Hotel. We also suggest you check websites such as hotels.com or trivago.com for cheaper room rates.



*Hotel room block will no longer be available after October 10, 2017

Parking in Chicago can be expensive. Overnight parking at the Westin or Knickerbocker Hotel is $60/night. We HIGHLY recommend that you check out spothero.com. There is also an app on your phone.



Spot Hero allows you to rent a parking spot in Downtown Chicago for a fair price. It works just like a hotel reservation website. All you need to do is select the dates you are looking to park, add location and you will be given a barcode to present to the parking garage. It is pre-paid and hassle free!

The easiest way to get around Chicago is by Taxi or Uber / Lyft.

The distance between the wedding reception and church is about 3 miles.

Use promo code APPYCOUPLE when requesting your ride. New customers get $15 off your first ride with Uber.

First time riders get $10 off their first ride with the Lyft App. Available at the App store on your smartphone.

• Ordering the perfect Chicago Dog (Samantha's version: with everything + mustard only... Sam's version with ketchup only :(

• Feeling guilty and eating an entire Deep Dish pie at Lou Malnati's Pizza (Samantha's version: The Lou... Sam's version The Malnati Chicago Classic) (N. Wells Ave).

• There is NO better pizza in Chicago!!

• Shopping on Michigan Ave

• Brunch at Ralph Lauren Grill (Chicago Ave and Michigan Ave)

• Lunch at Tavern on Rush (Rush Street)

• Renting Divvy Bikes

• Exploring the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Art Institute of Chicago (Lot's of Monet!)

• Having a glass of wine and cheeseboard at Eataly (East Ohio Street)

• Walking up and down Navy Pier (sneaking a kiss on the famous Ferris Wheel)

• Strolling through Millenium Park

• And lots of photos in front of "The Bean"!

• Taking photos in front of Wrigley Field (Addison & Clark)

• Snacking on Garrett's Popcorn (everywhere in Chicago)

• Dinner at Maple & Ash Steakhouse (Maple Street)

• Dinner in Greek Town @ Greek Islands (Halstead Street)

• Dinner at Joe's Seafood (East Grand Avenue)

• Dinner at Quartino's (North State Street)

• Drinking craft beer and playing FREE vintage archade video games at Headquarters Beercade (West Institute Place)

• Ordering champs @ Pop's for Champagne (North State Street)

• Check out the speakeasy in the basement @ The Watershed (Serves liquor only made in the Midwest)