OUR STORY
Would you believe us if we told you that we met informally 7 years prior to our first date? Or that we have friends and family that knew each other well before we were even born? Well, it’s true. Our lives have been unknowingly orbiting one another for a while. Some say it’s destiny. Some say it’s fate. We say it’s God.
And now, here we are - at forever.
SYD
Sydni is my perfect around-the-way girl - daring, vibrant, charismatic, sharp, elegant, & spunky. Syd has the ability to command any room she walks in. She can connect with anyone regardless of their walk of life. Her kindness knows no bounds.
As her fiancé, I marvel at how she constantly chooses others before herself and only requests a smile from them in return. Her affectionate smile and aura draws you closer to her every second that you’re near. From her innovative & stylish outfits, to her free-spirit and (sometimes) funny jokes, I can’t seem to get enough of this woman.
J
Jalen is the type of guy that you can’t help but gravitate towards. The best word that I can use to describe him is genuine. He’s a “guys guy”, and the type of man you dream of bringing home to your parents. His genuine spirit makes him easy to love. I guess that’s why it only took one date for me to know that this time things would be different.
Some of my favorite things about my fiancé are his thoughtfulness, compassion towards others, love of 70's soul music, his dancing, undiscriminating love of sports, his crazy laugh, and his love of God.
THE FIRST DATE
After connecting on a dating app, Jalen and Sydni had their first date on April 3, 2021. Jalen drove over an hour to Chicago from Michigan City, Indiana. He unfortunately showed up late to brunch because Sydni accidentally gave him the wrong address. Chaos continued when during the next stop at the Chicago Cubs baseball game, Jalen’s car was towed. All signs pointed to “worst date ever” but somehow that first date was one of the most fun and cherished memories of their relationship. They’ve been together everyday since, turning life’s chaos into beauty one day at a time.
THE ENGAGEMENT
After 2 years of dating, Jalen proposed to Sydni on April 29, 2023 at 5am in their home. He woke Sydni up with a knock on the bedroom door that opened to the living room, filled with candles and roses, the sun rising in the background, and one of their favorite songs, “This is for the Lover in You” by Shalamar playing in the background.
“This is for the lover in you.
This ring means I’ll always be true.
This is how we’ll start love anew.
This time it’s gonna last forever.”
We are so excited to share our special day with you. This season in our life has truly been filled with so much love and support. “Thankful” isn’t a big enough word to describe how we feel. We’re so glad to begin this new chapter in our lives surrounded by those who believe in our love, and are praying with us on one accord that God will bless this union and our forever.
THE BIG DAY
On July 27, 2024 we will say “I Do” in Chicago, IL. We will be mailing formal invitations this spring and kindly ask for your final RSVP by May, 31st.
REGISTRY
We are extremely blessed to have an apartment filled with love, laughter, furniture, knick knacks, and everything else that makes a house a home. If you'd like to help us celebrate with a gift, we've set up a honeymoon fund here in lieu of physical gifts. All contributions will go towards our honeymoon in Greece this upcoming fall. Thank you in advance for thinking of us <3
Honeymoon Fund
FAQs
Where will the wedding be?
Artifact Events
Chicago, IL
Should I rent a car?
To avoid parking fiascos, traffic, and expensive gas costs, we would highly recommend using rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, or taking advantage of Chicago’s public transportation options in lieu of renting a car.
What is the wedding date?
Saturday July 27, 2024
Will children be allowed?
Beyond children that are in the wedding party, this will be an adult-only affair. We encourage you to use our wedding as a date night and leave the kiddos at home :)
What is the dress code?
We would love to see our family and friends get fancy with us! The dress code is formal attire which includes fancy summer dresses and suits. There are no specific color themes. We kindly ask no jeans nor sneakers be worn.
Where should I stay?
We’ve curated a list of hotels & Air Bnb’s for you to choose from for your stay. Please note that traveling to Chicago in the summer can be expensive. Rates will range anywhere from $125-$350 per night. Currently, Air BnB is the most affordable option. For the best rates, we recommend booking accommodations as early as possible.
FAQs
Can we take photos during the ceremony?
We want all to be present in the moment. We will have an amazing team of photographers and videographers so that we will have a fully unplugged ceremony. We kindly ask that there be no pictures or videos taken until it is announced to do so. Thank you in advance for respecting our wishes.
Can I bring a plus one?
Due to space limitations, plus ones cannot be accomodated at this time. Therefore, we ask that our guests please do not bring a plus one unless they are specifically listed on your invitation. Thank you for understanding!
What time should I arrive to the ceremony?
The doors will open at 5:30 pm for guests to start being seated. We recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start time. This will give us enough time to be right on schedule. If you arrive after the seated time, you will be asked to wait until the ceremony is finishesd and then join us at the reception.
When should I RSVP?
If you can RSVP when you receive your invitation - that is great and extremely helpful! We ask that you kindly RSVP before Friday, May 31, 2024. Any RSVPs received after this date will be marked as “no” and you will be missed! We hope you understand!
Do you all have a gift registry?
We do not! Our home in Chicago is already beautifully furnished and fully equipped for our new life as husband and wife. If you’d like to gift us, we kindly ask that instead of physical gifts, you contribute to our honeymoon fund here. We’re heading to Greece :)
Accommodations
Choose an Air BnB for your visit if you’re traveling with a group or want a more affordable alternative to a hotel. We’ve personally curated a list of Air BnBs that can accommodate various group sizes and price ranges. All Air BnBs in the list are located in safe neighborhoods. Rates for our Air BnB list begin at $122/night. Browse our selection of Air BnBs here & book directly on the Air BnB website or app.
Distance from Wedding: TBD
Based on your final Air BnB selection
Chicago downtown/loop
Stay at the Residence Inn if you want to be close to skyscrapers, shopping, & popular tourist attractions. Rates for the weekend begin at $199/night. The special room rate will be available until 6/28/24 or until the group block is sold out. Book online here (no code needed) or call the hotel directly at (312) 223-8500.
Distance from Wedding: 7.3 miles
(~20-25 minute drive)
West Loop
Book at the Hyatt House for complimentary breakfast, proximity to restaurants & nearby downtown attractions. Rates for the weekend begin at $276/night. Use the group code G-WIBO to receive the group rate. The special room rate will be available until 6/21/24 or until the group block is sold-out. Book online here or call the hotel directly at 866-974-9288 and reference Wilson Boney Wedding Room Block.
Distance from Wedding: 6.9 miles
(~20 minute drive)
Fulton Market
Choose the Hoxton if you’re looking for an elevated Chicago experience. It is centrally located and surrounded by popular restaurants & bars, Rooms at the Hoxton are small & pricey, but the luxurious hotel amenities make up for it. Use code HITCHED1124 for 10% off your stay. Rates for the weekend begin at $359/night. Book online here or call the hotel directly at 312 -761- 1700.
Distance from Wedding: 7.2 miles
(~20 minute drive)
See you in Chicago!