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
3:00 PM, November 11, 2017
Saint Vincent de Paul
1010 W. Webster, Chicago, IL 60614
The church is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, about 3 miles from the Knickerbocker. There will be a free parking lot available for all guests to the Stencel-Tsamoulos Wedding at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish.
6:00 PM, November 11, 2017
Knickerbocker Hotel
163 E. Walton , Chicago, IL 60611
Formal Attire requested.

Cocktails will begin at 6:00PM
Dinner will begin at 7:00PM
*Beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian options will be available.
6:30 PM, November 10, 2017
Saint Vincent de Paul Parish; Francesca's on Chestnut
200 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611
Rehearsal for the wedding party will start at DePaul at 6:30pm followed by dinner at Francesca's on Chestnut at 7:30pm. There is valet parking at Francesca's.

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.