Katie and Nick’s Modern, Nantucket-Inspired Wedding at the Osthoff

Katie from Chicago and Nick from Sheboygan met at the University of Michigan Dental School through mutual friends. During their first year of dating, Nick visited Katie in Chicago and the two planned a “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off” day, complete with a baseball game, boat ride, dinner, and an impromptu slow dance by a fountain while waiting for the train.

Three years later, the two went back to Chicago for dinner at their favorite restaurant. “Afterwards, Nick had a car drive us around the city, not knowing where we were going to end up,” Katie remembers. “The car parked, and Nick and I walked to none other than the fountain. He got on one knee and told me the night we danced there the first time was when he knew he wanted to marry me. We slow danced again in the same spot, then spent the night drinking champagne and celebrating!”

Nick and Katie set the date for an August wedding at the Osthoff Resort. The theme: Modern, with a nod to Nantucket. The Osthoff handled nearly everything, including Katie’s hair stylist, courtesy of the Aspira Salon, and flowers by Victoria Vonner of Osthoff in Bloom. Discovery Coach provided all transportation.

Before the Osthoff reception, the bride and groom said “I do” at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, which is over 100 years old. “My favorite part was saying our vows to each other,” Katie says. The couple exchanged rings from Rudnik Jewelers. Nick’s favorite moment of the ceremony: The kiss!

Then it was time to party. “The Osthoff provided the utmost, in terms of customer service, food, beverages, and desserts.” There were hot passed hors d’oeuvres of beef wellington, crab cakes, and warm brie bites. Dinner was a choice of filet mignon, salmon, or mushroom ravioli. The open bar offered top-shelf liquor, though out-of-towners seemed more excited about the barrels of Spotted Cow. The meal was topped off with a sweet red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

Outside of the scrumptious food, beverages, and service at the Osthoff, Katie says she and Nick had lots of favorite parts of their reception: “Our Rat Pack cocktail singer, Bill Froula, for one. We also had an appearance from the Syrena Polish Dance Troop, who performed a traditional wedding dance for us. I was the only one who knew about it — it was perfect to see the look on Nick’s face. The dance floor was packed all night with friends and family. We did a legacy dance, and Nick’s grandparents won with 64 years of marriage!”

Katie’s advice for future brides is simple: “Know that at the end of the day, the most important thing isn’t a thing — it’s the love between you and your husband.”