Sami & Mark’s Wedding Weekend!
September 5, 2026

Hi family and friends! How excited are you for Rachael & Michael’s big weekend?!
We want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible so please take a look through this page to learn all you need to know going into the wedding day.

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IMPORTANT ADDRESSES

Rachael’s Prep Location: Westin Mag Mile #1200
909 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Michael’s Prep Location: Sofitel Chicago Hotel #2808
20 E Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Rehearsal Dinner: RPM Seafood
317 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Welcome Drinks: 101 Rooftop
101 E Erie Street, 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60611

Ceremony & Reception: Cafe Brauer
1911 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

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TIMELINE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, JULY 31

3:00pm	Check in available at Sofitel
3:15pm	Everyone attending the rehearsal heads over to Sofitel (2nd floor – Marseille Foyer)
4:00pm	Rehearsal ends and everyone heads over to dinner
4:30pm	Rehearsal dinner begins at RPM Seafood
8:00pm	Rehearsal dinner ends Welcome drinks begin at 101 Rooftop
10:00pm	Welcome drinks end

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

7:30am	Those first in the makeup schedule arrive at Westin  Makeup team arrives for set up
7:45am	Makeup services begin – schedule below **additional make up artist’s services start 30 minutes later**
8:15am	Hair team arrive for set up Coffee and bagels are delivered for Rachael and party
8:30am	Hair services begin – schedule below **additional hair artist’s services start 1 hour later**
10:30am	Michael and party have room service delivered to his room
11:00am	Personal florals (bouquets/bouts/loose blooms) are delivered to Westin & Sofitel
11:15am	Michael and party freshen up in their rooms and get 90% dressed for the day
11:45am	Photographer 1 (Ian) & Videographer 1 (Juan) arrives at Westin Photographer 2 (Makayla) & Videographer 2 (Nina) arrives at Sofitel
12:00pm	Rachael’s mom (Kathy) get dressed for the day Michael’s party meets in his room (90% dressed!) Michael’s parents arrive to Michael’s room
12:15pm	ALL hair and makeup service are complete Rachael and party take photos in their matching getting ready outfits Michael and party begin their “getting ready” shots
12:30pm	Rachael and party get dressed for the day at Westin ALL photos for Michael are complete Michael’s party clean up the space and get items needed for the day organized Rachael’s dad (Dan) is dressed for the day and heads to Sofitel Party bus arrive at Sofitel
12:35pm	Once Rachael’s mom (Kathy), sister (Meg), & Zoe are dressed, they help Rachael get dressed
12:40pm	Once Rachael’s party is dressed, they clean up the space and organize their items Michael heads downstairs to go on the party bus Michael’s parents head back to their rooms and relax until ~2:45pm Michael’s party stays in the room for additional ~20 minutes **if anyone is ready to go, they can head downstairs with Michael (will be sitting on party bus for a while before photos!!)
12:45pm	Rachael’s grandmother (Marg) meets Rachael to do a casual first look Once Michael is on board, party bus departs for Westin
12:50pm	Rachael has a casual first look with her party and Rachael’s dad (Dan) in the bridal suite Party bus arrives at Westin; Michael deboards and heads into hotel to wait for first look
12:55pm	Rachael’s party (besides Meg) + parents + grandmother heads downstairs with their personal items and boards party bus upon arrival Meg (sister/MOH) is in charge of Rachael’s personal items to bring onto the party bus Rachael’s parents bring all other personal florals to Cafe Brauer
1:00pm	Party bus (with Rachael’s party + parents + grandmother) departs for Sofitel Michael’s party heads downstairs with their items needed for the day Matthew Cox is in charge of loading beverages and snacks for the party bus
1:05pm	Once Rachael is ready, Michael heads to the first look location  Rachael’s sister (Meg) stays with Rachael and carries personal items + bouquet
1:10pm	Rachael and Michael’s first look/private vows at Westin Party bus arrives at Sofitel  – Rachael’s party drops off items in their rooms  – Michael’s party boards the party bus with their items
1:20pm	Party bus departs (with ALL wedding party) Sofitel and heads to Westin
1:30pm	Party bus arrives at Westin   Once all wedding party is on board, party bus departs for portraits
1:45pm	Party bus arrives at Olive Park or Lyric Opera House Everyone deboards and heads into the park for portraits
2:10pm	Wedding party heads back to the party bus to relax Couple portraits begin
2:40pm	Couple portraits wrap up  Rachael & Michael head back to the party bus
2:45pm	Party bus departs for Cafe Brauer All parents + grandparents + extended family head to Cafe Brauer
3:00pm	Party bus arrives at Cafe Brauer Rachael & Michael freshens up before family pictures begin  All parents + grandparents + extended family begins arriving at Cafe Brauer Ohana Events makes sure family has their personal florals on
3:10pm	Family portraits begin in Cafe Brauer or People’s Gas Pavilion
3:20pm	Wedding party (non family) hangs out in Cafe Brauer or nearby family photos Party bus (1×30) arrives at Sofitel for guest boarding
3:30pm	Passenger shuttles (2×50) arrives at Sofitel Hotel and guests begin to board
3:35pm	Party bus (1×30) departs for ceremony location
3:45pm	ALL photos are complete  Officiant (Erik) does a sound check  Family and wedding party head inside Cafe Brauer to freshen up and use the restroom
3:50pm	Both passenger shuttles (2×50) departs for ceremony location
3:55pm	Party bus (1×30) arrives and drop off guests
4:00pm	A couple of groomsmen are staged to help guide guests to ceremony → program back up plan = groomsmen to pass out during guest arrival
4:10pm	Both passenger shuttle arrives and drops off guests
4:15pm	Ohana Events checks that the best man (Edwin) has the wedding rings + veil is on Rachael
4:25pm	Everyone in the processional is lined up and ready for the ceremony
4:30pm	Ceremony begins!
5:00pm	Rachael and Michael are married!!! Immediately following end of ceremony, extended family pictures begin at the altar Guests head outside for cocktail hour
6:15pm	Cocktail hour ends and guests are invited inside for dinner
6:25pm	Everyone being introduced is lined up outside on the loggia
6:30pm	Introductions begin: 1) wedding party (in ceremony processional pairs) 2) Rachael & Michael! Rachael and Michael have their first dance
6:43pm	Welcome toast by Rachael & Michael’s parents (Kathy + Dan & Lisa + Dan)
7:35pm	Once all entrées are served, additional speeches begin: 1) Edwin (BM) 2) Meg (MOH)
10:15pm	Shuttle is available for load in to head back to Sofitel
10:30pm	Shuttle departs for Sofitel
10:45pm	Shuttle is available for load in to head back to Sofitel
11:00pm	Party’s over!! 🙁 2 shuttles are available for Sofitel + 1 shuttle is available for the after party All items go with Rachael’s or Michael’s parents
11:10pm	ALL shuttles depart for final destinations (Sofitel or after party)
11:30pm	After party begins at Ela Nightclub (222 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654) Hotel shuttles arrive at Sofitel

CONTACT INFO

Sonya (wedding planner): 216-632-2304
Rachael (bride): 734-845-2210
Michael (groom): 412-715-7785
Meg (MOH): 734-660-8137
Edwin (BM): 314-882-0593

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HAIR / MAKEUP SCHEDULE

Beauty Pointers!

– Hair is best styled with clean (washed day/night before; shampoo 2x and apply condition to your ends only), product-free or limited product in hair.
– IF applying serum/oils, avoid applying to the scalp area
– Hair should be completely dry (BLOW DRY, not air dry, and avoid sleeping with damp hair), unless your plan on a blowout. Anyone with damp hair runs risk of being behind. unless your service includes a blowout
– Part your hair where you think you’d most likely want to style it for the wedding day
– Leave hair down to avoid creases or flatness from a hair band
– Do not apply SPF moisturizers to your skin. You may still moisturize with a non SPF product. SPF causes makeup to fall off quicker.
– Wear a button up shirt or a robe so you don’t mess up your makeup or hair when changing into your dress.
– Brush your teeth and put in your contacts prior to beginning your beauty.
– It is helpful if each bridal party member has an inspirational image prepared to guide them.
– Lipstick will not last all day & night. Pack a touch up lipstick or gloss for reapplication.
– Pluck/maintain eyebrows before the wedding day
– Don’t forget to shave any areas that you want to be smooth/clean

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DON’T FORGET TO BRING…

Ladies

1. Please bring something comfy to get ready in (button up or zip up hoodie to avoid messing with hair or makeup)
2. Wedding day outfit (already steamed!) + appropriate bras/Spanx/undergarments
3. Nude shoes for wedding day outfit
4. Accessories for wedding day outfits (simple silver or gold jewelry)
5. If getting nails done, please have neutral/pink nail polish
6. Clutch/purse with personal items/IDs, phone, lipstick, tissues, etc.
7. Kathy, Lisa, & Meg: Speech is ideally not read off of your phone! Feel free to email your speech to Sonya@ohanaevents.com if you want a printed copy

Gents

1. Wedding day outfit (already pressed!): shoes, socks, pants, button down, suspenders, cufflinks, shirt studs, jacket
2. Arrive in something comfortable to get ready in
3. Cell phones, wallets and anything else you may keep in your suit coat pocket (do not put these items in your pants pockets – it will ruin pictures!)
4. Dan Goldberg, Dan Forrest, Edwin: Speech for dinner (ideally not read off of your phone). Feel free to email your speech to Sonya@ohanaevents.com if you want a printed copy!

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We look forward to meeting all of you!
Let’s celebrate!!! 🙂