It all started 5 years ago on Chicago’s north side, when Lauren thought she recognized Mark and started a conversation.

Lauren graduated from Columbia College Chicago, with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Vocal Jazz Performance; though she still considers herself a Boilermaker, after growing up in the heart of West Lafayette, Indiana and spending half of her college career at Purdue University. While at Purdue, she was an active member of Purdue Musical Organizations and Kappa Alpha Theta women’s fraternity and coached her high school’s dance team. After making the move to Chicago and earning her BA at Columbia, Lauren has built an extremely rewarding career as an event and wedding planner in Chicago.

Mark grew up in Earlville, Illinois, about 70 miles west of Chicago. Never to be outdone, Mark excelled in academics, music, athletics and horticulture, earning Earlville High School Valedictorian honors as well as being a 3-time Junior Garden Champion at the Sandwich Fair. Mark graduated with honors from Augustana College with a major in finance. While at Augustana, Mark played soccer and continued the family tradition as an active member of the Gamma Alpha Beta fraternity. Upon graduation, Mark moved to Chicago to attend the Loyola University School of Law. He is currently a litigation associate at the law firm of Inman & Fitzgibbons, Ltd.

We are so excited to be getting married and to have the opportunity to share it with our closest friends and family! For many of you, coming to Chicago will be like a destination wedding. We are thrilled to share with you this great city, where we fell in love with each other.








Lauren and Mark with Lauren’s mom and sister






Mark with niece.


Thanksgiving 2007: Laura (Mark’s sister), Adam (Mark’s Brother) and his wife and baby, Sue and Abby, Grandma Betty, Patti (Mark’s mom), Cherie (Lauren’s mom), Katie (Lauren’s sister) and us


Craig (Mark’s Dad), Brenda (Jim’s wife), Jim (Lauren’s dad), us, Patti (Mark’s mom) 

Lauren with her dad, Jim