To the Moon and Back

Groomsmen Itinerary

October 16 – 17, 2026 · Chicago
☾
Afternoon
Check in
Westin Chicago River North · 320 N Dearborn St
5:20 PM
Arrive at the church
Holy Name Cathedral · 735 N State St
Be there 10 minutes early for the 5:30 rehearsal. If you're staying at the Westin, we can Uber over together.
5:30 PM
Rehearsal
Holy Name Cathedral · 735 N State St
Run-through of the ceremony with planner Noelle. Be on time — this is the one practice round.
6:20 PM
Head to Tortoise
Tortoise Supper Club · 350 N State St
Five-minute drive from the cathedral. Plenty of time — no rush.
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Rehearsal Dinner
Tortoise Supper Club
Food stations plus beer and wine. Smaller crowd — wedding party and family.
7:30 – 10:00 PM
Welcome Party
Tortoise Supper Club
Passed apps, beer and wine, photographer on hand 7–9 PM. Everyone's invited — mingle.
Friday night
Steam your tux
Before bed: hang up the tux and steam it so you're sharp for Saturday morning. Future you says thanks.
10:30 AM
Gents convene — groom's room
Westin Chicago River North
Hang in the groom's room. Lunch is on the way.
11:00 AM
Lunch arrives
North Buena Deli sandwich box
Box of 12 full sandwiches — Italian, Sicilian, Chipotle Chicken, Turkey & Swiss, NBM, London Broil. Eat up; it's a long day.
12:00 PM
Photos arrive — get dressed
Groom's room, Westin
Photo and video arrive for getting-ready shots. Noelle comes down to pin bouts. Be dressed and ready by 12:15.
12:20 PM
Clear the room, board the trolley
Westin lobby
Take everything you'll need for the rest of the day out of the suite — or plan to stash it at the RPM coat check. Head to the lobby and board the trolley.
1:00 PM
Trolley departs — portraits
Lincoln Park Lily Pond · 125 W Fullerton Pkwy
Bridal party portraits in Lincoln Park, about a 20-minute drive. Depart the park no later than 2:30.
2:50 PM
Arrive at the church
Holy Name Cathedral · 735 N State St
Enter through the main entrance. Groom and groomsmen head to the back vestibule. Trolley holds outside.
3:30 – 4:15 PM
Ceremony
Holy Name Cathedral
4:15 – 4:30 PM
Formal photos in church
Stick around if you're in the family photo list; otherwise line up outside for the grand exit.
4:30 PM
Grand exit
Church steps
4:35 PM
Trolley back to the Westin
Ride back to the hotel, then hold at the Westin bar until cocktail hour.
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Cocktail hour
RPM Events · 317 N Clark St
Open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, string trio. Valet available at the venue.
6:45 PM
Grand entrance
RPM Events
Bridal party announced onto the dance floor, then take your seats at the head table. Couple enters to Fred Again.
7:10 PM
Toasts
Matron of Honor toast, then Best Man toast (Jim). Later in dinner: Eve & Corey.
8:00 PM
Dances
Father/daughter, mother/son ("Beautiful Boy" — John Lennon), then the couple's first dance.
8:15 PM
Dance floor opens
Photo booth open, dessert station, espresso martinis passed. Sax joins the DJ at 9.
9:30 PM
Late night snack
Mini Chicago-style hot dogs and fries from the hot dog cart.
11:00 PM
Club Zale · After Party
RPM Events lounge
Sliders, pretzels, bar open. Tom's DJ set at 11:15. Party ends at 1:00 AM. #ClubZale

Good to know

The Crew

Corey Brent · Best Man
Jim Blake · Best Man
Rahul Shrikanth
Nick Ciufia
Michael Ward
Kyle Hullinger
Quincy Butler
Alec Bausch
Ricardo Vargas
Jake Stopar
Ian Meyer
Andrew Smith