Mark Esquivel
Callie Gilsenan
Mark Esquivel
Callie Gilsenan
September 13, 2024
How We Met
In 2012, the year Call Me Maybe and The Hunger Games took the world by storm, Mark and Callie met for the first time at the house of their mutual friend, Conrad (one of the best men). Callie and her friend Eve (bridesmaid) visited Conrad’s house as he was playing a game of Yu-Gi-Oh! with one of his friends from school. Mark, the friend, joined the trio for ice cream and board games for the rest of the night. Although Mark was quiet, he came out of his shell quickly and Callie realized how witty and funny he was. The group became closer as friends over the years with many special moments between Mark and Callie before they ultimately went on their first date in September of 2015.
The Proposal
Soon before Mark and Callie packed up their apartment to move, a photoshoot was scheduled to commemorate their first home together. At the end of the photoshoot, Mark got on one knee with a ring and took Callie by complete surprise. The special moment was captured by a special friend, Conrad, in a place close to their hearts. They were joined by Ami (bridesmaid) and celebrated with cocktails at The Meadowlark in Logan Square!
Schedule
Friday, September 13, 2024
Ceremony and Reception
4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Please arrive at 3:30 PM
RSVP
Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.
Travel
Hotel
Comfort Inn & Suites Geneva- West Chicago
Transportation to and from the venue will be provided to hotel guests in the block
Discount Code - Mention Mark Esquivel & Callie Gilsenan for block pricing
Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago/St. Charles
Transportation to and from the venue will be provided to hotel guests in the block
Discount Code - Mention Mark Esquivel & Callie Gilsenan for block pricing
Travel Note
Distance from Chicago
As many of our guests are from out of town, I’d like to note that the venue is about a 1 hour drive from downtown Chicago.
Flight
Distance from nearest airport
Heritage Prairie Farm is about 45 minutes driving from O’Hare International Airport.
Registry
Wedding Party
Mary Catherine Gilsenan
Maid of Honor
The sister of the bride has been Callie's partner in life since 2001. Regardless of her significant age gap, Mary has been intertwined with Callie's social circle since she was old enough to ride a bike - so much so that she's been invited to multiple weddings of the bride's friends! Besides Mark, she’s the first person to know anything going on in Callie’s life. Mary is the life of the party and the bride's best friend.
Dan Esquivel
Best Man
Dan is the groom’s older brother and built-in best friend. He’s been a loving and supportive presence in Mark’s life since Day 1. His flair for the dramatic and eye for visual design (as evidenced by his own recent wedding!) have been indispensable throughout the wedding planning process.
Conrad Weres
Best Man
Conrad became an important person in both Mark and Callie’s lives individually prior to introducing the couple years later. If it weren’t for Conrad, we wouldn’t all be celebrating the bride and groom! Although it wasn’t his intention to be a match maker, he was supportive from the get-go. From being 13 year olds chasing each other in the gym to being 28 years old, engaged and planning their lives, Conrad has been a consistent and valued friend.
Ally Esquivel
Bridesmaid
Ally is the groom’s older sister and the backbone of the Esquivel children’s whole operation. She’s a natural leader—strong, supportive, and encouraging—and has gone above and beyond to make Callie feel like part of the family from the very start.
Patrick Gilsenan
Groomsman
The older brother of the bride has been a consistent guide throughout her life. Whether it was teaching her tricks to get better at Mario Kart (even through he still kicked her ass), how to do the bare minimum on a paper to still pass the class, or how to advocate for herself to her (now former) boss, Patrick is always willing to go out of his way to help his little sister. Patrick is one of the biggest supporters of the bride in everything she does and she can't wait to have him be an important part of the special day.
Colleen Borycz
Bridesmaid
With just a 5-month age gap between the bride and her cousin, it's no question that they'd be close- regardless of the fact that they grew up 350+ miles away from one another. Growing up, they would scheme sleepovers whenever possible during visits, where they would organize dance routines to perform with their younger siblings, ride toys and pillows down the staircase, and sneak onto the computer to play games. As the two grew older, their good times never ended. The bride adores her cousin!
Ami Schwartz
Bridesmaid
From the moment Callie met Ami, she knew they would be friends - it was often joked that if Ami and Conrad broke up, we’d choose her! She fit in with our friends like the mold was made for her. Callie and Ami have now spent years growing together, talking excitedly about their futures while enjoying the present. Mark and Callie both love Ami!
Cadence Knoup
Bridesmaid
When Cadence and Callie are together again after almost a year of not seeing each other, you’d never guess that it’s been so long- they jump right back into the laughs they had when they saw each other almost daily in college. Through the years, she has been a shoulder to lean on, a partner, and a damn good time.
Mary Kate Knoeppel
Bridesmaid
For as long as they’ve been friends, Callie has admired Mary Kate for her wittiness, artistic eye, and dedication to her friends. If you don’t see them having a deep conversation about life’s true meanings, you may find them steamrolling over one another and belly laughing until it hurts- Both may happen within the span of an hour.
Eve Clarke
Bridesmaid
The day they met at their mutual friend's 13th birthday party, Eve and Callie were instantly friends. They were a packaged deal and became so intertwined that even though they looked nothing alike, people would confuse the two of them! They survived the 2010 scene queen tumblr era, so they can survive anything. Eve was there the day Callie first met Mark and has become one of Mark's closest friends as well. Their friendship means so much to the couple.
Patrick Wasilewski
Groomsman
Pat is not just the funniest person the groom knows, but the most thoughtful, humble, and generous as well. He and Mark are always enabling each other’s mutual fixations on Great Lakes lore, LEGO, board games, and et cetera. He’s a hell of a cook, to boot.
Will Reyes
Groomsman
Will grew up 3 houses down from the groom, and has been one of his closest friends for longer than either of them can remember. From childhood Super Smash Bros. competitions, to playing Transformers-themed drinking games as college roommates, to weekly D&D sessions in the present day, he’s been a constant companion to Mark.
Ryan Doyle
Groomsman
Doyle has been one of the groom’s favorite people since they met as High School freshmen. They never fail to make Mark & Callie laugh with their signature bits, and they’re always down for misadventures, even the ones that are probably ill-advised.
Mike Egan
Groomsman
Mike has been one of the groom’s closest friends since Middle School. He’s one of the smartest and most hardworking people Mark knows, and his ability to virtually memorize the strategy guide for whatever game they’re both playing at a given time is as impressive as it is handy!
Michael Nicholas
Officiant
When the bride first floated the idea of having one of her longest friends, Mike, officiate their wedding, Mark immediately said yes (they weren't even engaged yet!). Such a fun, genuine, and charismatic person would be perfect for the role! As they continued to discuss over time, they agreed time and time again that he would a great officiant. Not only has Mike been a great friend to Callie for over 12 years, but he's treated Mark as though he was a long-time friend from the start. The bride and groom are so excited and honored to have Michael Nicholas officiate their wedding.
Tara Ealy
Junior Bridesmaid
This 11-year-old (12 at the time of the wedding!!) is a cousin of the bride and daughter of the bride’s close cousin, Meghan. No matter how long it’s been, Tara never hesitates to show love to Callie. Ever since Tara got her first phone, she’s randomly FaceTimes Callie to show her new gymnastics moves or to talk about how annoying the kids on her bus are. Each time, it makes Callie’s day. She may be Mark’s biggest bully, but that’s okay. Boys are gross.
Benjamin Ealy
Ring Bearer
This 4-year-old dinosaur loving boy is the bride’s cousin! Son of the bride’s close cousin, Meghan. With every visit, he’s twice the size he was with 10 times the vocabulary. In the blink of an eye, his babbles turned to a full tour of his dinosaur collection, naming each dinosaur and explaining where he got them. The bride loves Ben so much!
Millie Borycz
Flower Girl
This 7-year-old (8 at the time of the wedding!!) is the bride’s cousin, and daughter of bridesmaid Colleen! Watching her grow up has been one of the bride’s favorite things. When they’re together, Callie loves playing with Millie- and she tries her best to follow Millie’s game rules! Although she’s been able to pronounce Chicago for quite some time now, the bride has loved being part of her “acago cousins”.
Gallery
Things To Do
Penrose Brewing Company
Downtown Geneva Shopping District
Island Park
Downtown St. Charles, IL
Pottawatomie Park
Art History Brewing
Geneva Ale House
Alter Brewing + Kitchen
FAQs
Question
Can I bring a guest/date?
Answer
We unfortunately cannot accommodate additional guests. Due to limited capacity, we can only allow the people named on your invitation. Your invitation will be to "[Your name] & Guest" if a plus one has been given to you.
Question
Are kids invited?
Answer
Due to limited numbers, we hope you appreciate that children are only invited if named.
Question
What is the dress code?
Answer
We would love to see our family and friends get dressed up with us. We are requesting a cocktail/formal dress code for our wedding. We kindly ask that you avoid colors traditionally reserved for the bride - whites, ivories, and creams.
Question
When is the RSVP deadline?
Answer
Please submit your RSVP via this website or text/call Callie at (224)545-0009 by August 16th.
Question
Can I take pictures during the ceremony?
Answer
We are having an unplugged ceremony, meaning that once the ceremony begins, we ask that all phones be put away and silenced. We want everyone to be fully present with us and for our photographer to be able to capture the best pictures. Once the ceremony is over, feel free to take as many pictures as you like and don't forget to share them with us!
Question
Will there be an open bar?
Answer
Yes! Drinks are on us and the hangover is on you.
Question
What is the address to the venue?
Answer
The wedding and reception will be at Heritage Prairie Farm at 2N308 Brundige Rd, Elburn, IL 60119!