Lesley Levy and Andrew Bourgeois
November 2, 2024
518 days
since we tied the knot!
*Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone credits play*
"Well? Should we watch the second movie?"
"Only if you kiss me first"~A conversation between Andrew&Lesley, date #1
"Well? Should we watch the second movie?"
"Only if you kiss me first"~A conversation between Andrew&Lesley, date #1
How We Met
It was June 3, 2021.
Chicago Sport and Social Beach Volleyball was starting up for session 1 at North Avenue Beach, and Lesley walked up to her assigned court with her only known friend on the team, Jenny Shults (bridesmaid shout out!!).
Immediately, she noticed a tall, cute (!!) guy standing on her court, presumably on her team- so of COURSE went over to introduce herself.
He didn't know it, but this moment was one that Lesley replayed OVER and OVER again for her friends... she just couldn't stop talking about "Andrew from Volleyball."
It was June 12, 2021
Two weeks had passed since the first volleyball game, so (FINALLY!!) Lesley and Andrew planned to hangout at the Old Town Triangle Art Fair with some of Lesley's friends. It was the best day, and ended with Andrew staying for a Harry Potter double feature and a dinner of delivered Ping Pong (iykyk).
The next morning, Andrew texted Lesley about how big his smile was as he thought about her on his way home.
Rumor has it that this is when she knew he was the ONE ;) It was June 25, 2021
Lesley and Andrew went to Geja's for some lovely chocolate fondue. That night, he asked her how she refers to him when talking about him to her friends- and her response was "how I refer to you now and how I want to refer to you are two different things".... and he got the hint!! 2 weeks into dating, Andrew asked Lesley to be his girlfriend, and they were OFFICIAL.It was July 3, 2021
Andrew's parents were in town, enjoying the Chicago summer and helping him move into his new one-bedroom apartment. They ALSO met Andrew's (VERY) new girlfriend Lesley, aboard the Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier. They were so excited for him to have a place to himself in Lincoln Park... and laughed when we told them later that he had basically moved in with Lesley instead. :) It was June 8, 2022
Lesley's one bedroom apartment in Lincoln Park Tower was starting to get a little cramped for the two of them!! So, on the day of a T-Pain concert (that Lesley and Andrew went to), Lesley and Andrew got the keys to the Sinclair.
Chicago Sport and Social Beach Volleyball was starting up for session 1 at North Avenue Beach, and Lesley walked up to her assigned court with her only known friend on the team, Jenny Shults (bridesmaid shout out!!).
Immediately, she noticed a tall, cute (!!) guy standing on her court, presumably on her team- so of COURSE went over to introduce herself.
He didn't know it, but this moment was one that Lesley replayed OVER and OVER again for her friends... she just couldn't stop talking about "Andrew from Volleyball."
It was June 12, 2021
Two weeks had passed since the first volleyball game, so (FINALLY!!) Lesley and Andrew planned to hangout at the Old Town Triangle Art Fair with some of Lesley's friends. It was the best day, and ended with Andrew staying for a Harry Potter double feature and a dinner of delivered Ping Pong (iykyk).
The next morning, Andrew texted Lesley about how big his smile was as he thought about her on his way home.
Rumor has it that this is when she knew he was the ONE ;) It was June 25, 2021
Lesley and Andrew went to Geja's for some lovely chocolate fondue. That night, he asked her how she refers to him when talking about him to her friends- and her response was "how I refer to you now and how I want to refer to you are two different things".... and he got the hint!! 2 weeks into dating, Andrew asked Lesley to be his girlfriend, and they were OFFICIAL.It was July 3, 2021
Andrew's parents were in town, enjoying the Chicago summer and helping him move into his new one-bedroom apartment. They ALSO met Andrew's (VERY) new girlfriend Lesley, aboard the Tall Ship Windy at Navy Pier. They were so excited for him to have a place to himself in Lincoln Park... and laughed when we told them later that he had basically moved in with Lesley instead. :) It was June 8, 2022
Lesley's one bedroom apartment in Lincoln Park Tower was starting to get a little cramped for the two of them!! So, on the day of a T-Pain concert (that Lesley and Andrew went to), Lesley and Andrew got the keys to the Sinclair.
The Proposal
It was July 30, 2023.
Andrew planned the perfect Chicago day.
They started with coffee and a walk to the Newell Library Book Sale, followed by a breakfast of Gotham Bagels (the BEST!!!). Then, Andrew took Lesley to one of her FAVORITE shopping destinations- the Randolph Street Market... where she insisted on buying a heart-shaped ring (not knowing about what was to come, and CLEARLY impatient).
From there, Lesley and Andrew headed to the Shedd Aquarium, where they recently became ~members~. After touching some starfish, seeing some otters, and watching the top-heavy turtle swim around the Coral Reef, Andrew led Lesley out the front of the Shedd... where it HAPPENED! Lesley was totally shocked, but started figuring out what was happening when she spotted Jenny in the bushes with her camera!!
They celebrated with dinner at Topo Gigio, followed by a surprise party at their favorite neighborhood bar, Corcoran's!
It was the most wonderful day- thanks to Andrew!!!
Andrew planned the perfect Chicago day.
They started with coffee and a walk to the Newell Library Book Sale, followed by a breakfast of Gotham Bagels (the BEST!!!). Then, Andrew took Lesley to one of her FAVORITE shopping destinations- the Randolph Street Market... where she insisted on buying a heart-shaped ring (not knowing about what was to come, and CLEARLY impatient).
From there, Lesley and Andrew headed to the Shedd Aquarium, where they recently became ~members~. After touching some starfish, seeing some otters, and watching the top-heavy turtle swim around the Coral Reef, Andrew led Lesley out the front of the Shedd... where it HAPPENED! Lesley was totally shocked, but started figuring out what was happening when she spotted Jenny in the bushes with her camera!!
They celebrated with dinner at Topo Gigio, followed by a surprise party at their favorite neighborhood bar, Corcoran's!
It was the most wonderful day- thanks to Andrew!!!
Maid of Honor
Sydney Batchelor
Lesley's FAVORITE roommate of all time (besides Andrew, of course), even though Sydney liked to hide in Lesley's closet and scare her on a weekly basis!! Sydney and Lesley's best friendship started way back at UW-Madison, where Lesley joined Sydney's Humorology cast sophomore year. Syd is a dancing legend, has the BEST memory, and is the only person Lesley will watch Law and Order SVU with. Sydney ALSO somehow tolerated Lesley through years of her T-Pain obsession, Diet Coke addiction, and distracting behavior senior year when Lesley decided not to study anymore... and for all of this, Lesley is SO THANKFUL!! Not only has Sydney accepted Lesley for who she is (a crazy person), but the ENTIRE Batchelor family has also welcomed Lesley with open arms. Dawn, Mark, Han, Jordy, Koda... LOVE YOU!!
matron of honor
Anna Bay
Talk about a fast friendship! Anna and Lesley, bonding over their love of planning fun things, responding in group chats, and pride in the Chicago Bears, first met via ~Bumble BFF~ when Anna finished her PhD (!!!!). Although Anna was 45 minutes late to their first dinner together (we blame Uber and Chicago traffic), Lesley knew she liked Anna right away - in their first conversation, they covered their love of weddings/dress shopping (Anna is a Pnina bride... HELLO!!) and the importance of early 2000s R&B music. Since Anna is married to our favorite golfer/lawyer/fish enthusiast Michael, she is perfect to serve as Matron of Honor / help Lesley through wedding planning!!
bridesmaid
Amanda Rudolphi
Lesley owes Amanda for THE MAJORITY of the fun she had in college. Katie, Amanda's twin sister and Lesley's freshman dorm friend, introduced Lesley to Amanda when she realized that Lesley had WAY more in common with Amanda - a singer, musical theatre nerd, and music lover. Amanda brought Lesley to Humorology, where she met great friends, and got to live out her musical theatre dreams while not being a musical theatre major. After college, Lesley and Amanda were "bubble buddies" in the pandemic, enjoying many meals together before the nightly 8pm cheer for healthcare workers (which Lesley used to cheer for Amanda, who is a NURSE SAVING LIVES!!). Amanda receives 10+ messages a week from Lesley about good songs she hears/musical theatre updates... and she never complains!!!
bridesmaid
Caitlin Hanna
When Lesley and Andrew moved into the Sinclair, Lesley had NO IDEA she'd meet one of her best friends. Caitlin, living just 8 floors from Lesley&Andrew, is the third roommate- she makes the BEST dinners (shout out taco Monday!!), is always down for spontaneous walks, and gives the best advice. Lesley and Caitlin spend a ton of time together on Constance Blu, the balcony couch that both gals call "their couch" (sorry Andrew!!). Caitlin is the QUEEN of "not my monkeys, not my circus"-- a phrase that has helped Lesley immensely as she dealt with work and life stress this year. Perhaps Lesley's most honest friend, Caitlin always shares what she's thinking with Lesley, which has made their friendship even stronger!!!
bridesmaid
Amanda Hoyer
Amanda wins for "bridesmaid who has known Lesley the longest" -- Amanda and Lesley go way back to 4th grade, where Lesley introduced herself to Amanda and her group of friends when meeting at Shabonee School. Lesley and Amanda hit it off immediately - sharing a love of Northbrook Theatre, High School Musical (Lesley will NEVER forget watching the premiere of HSM2 at Amanda's house), and Cosmic Skate. In high school, Lesley and Amanda BOTH tried out for Poms... one of them made it, while the other made cheerleading, and quit 2 months later (you can guess who is who!!). And to follow this theme, Lesley and Amanda BOTH went to school at UW-Madison in hopes of becoming doctors (specifically pediatric ophthalmologists)... and one of them is a doctor today, whereas the other one is not (again- take a guess!!).
bridesmaid
Jenny Shults
Taking the prize for "most fun friend," Jenny and Lesley have been having a blast together since being in Express show choir at Glenbrook North. After Lesley followed Jenny to UW-Madison for college, they got even closer - with Jenny supplying alcohol for Lesley's 20th birthday bash at La Ville (THANK YOU JENNY). Jenny has the best taste in music- introducing Lesley to the best guitar solos, funky bands, and windows-down driving soundtracks for when they ride in Jake (Jenny's Jeep) together. They even spent 6 WEEKS together in Michigan during the pandemic, living their BEST LIVES as Badger fans, presidential debate drinking game partners, and nature explorers. Lesley has Jenny to thank for her knowledge on poppler trees, the "Jeep wave", and what clouds truly classify as "#prettyclouds." And lastly... Lesley has Jenny to thank for joining volleyball with her at the last minute, so that she could meet "Andrew from Volleyball." :)
11/2/2024
Ceremony
6:00 pm
Join Lesley and Andrew for a short and sweet ceremony, as they say their vows and exchange their rings!!
Officiated by the fantastic Andy Wallace
Field Museum of Chicago
Cocktail Hour
6:30 pm
Before we dance the night away, let's have a few drinks first! This is also the time to live your ~Night at the Museum~ dreams and go on a self-guided tour... we'll have the whole museum to ourselves!
Field Museum of Chicago
Reception
7:30 pm
Let's get the party STARTED! Get ready for a night of drinking, dining, and dancing... with the amazing Becca Kaufman Orchestra!
Field Museum of Chicago
What to WEAR!
Lesley and Andrew request that all guests wear black tie formal. Due to the colored lights in the museum, we are also requesting that guests wear cool color jewel tones for optimal photo results.
In addition to the below color swatches, black is a great option!
In addition to the below color swatches, black is a great option!
Where to STAY!
We have made group accommodation arrangements at the following hotels.
Please secure reservations by September 30th, 2024 to receive our special group rates.
Please reference the "Levy and Bourgeois Wedding" when making reservations. WESTIN RIVER NORTH
320 N Dearborn Street ~ Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 744-1900
Run of House: $265 + Tax / Night
Doubles: $285 + Tax / NightHYATT CENTRIC LOOP
100 W Monroe Street ~ Chicago, IL 60603
(888) 591-1234 with code "G-INIA"
Run of House: $209 + Tax / NightSHERATON GRAND CHICAGO RIVERWALK
301 E North Water Street ~ Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 464-1000
Run of House: $258 + Tax / Night
Doubles: $268 + Tax / Night
Please secure reservations by September 30th, 2024 to receive our special group rates.
Please reference the "Levy and Bourgeois Wedding" when making reservations. WESTIN RIVER NORTH
320 N Dearborn Street ~ Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 744-1900
Run of House: $265 + Tax / Night
Doubles: $285 + Tax / NightHYATT CENTRIC LOOP
100 W Monroe Street ~ Chicago, IL 60603
(888) 591-1234 with code "G-INIA"
Run of House: $209 + Tax / NightSHERATON GRAND CHICAGO RIVERWALK
301 E North Water Street ~ Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 464-1000
Run of House: $258 + Tax / Night
Doubles: $268 + Tax / Night
How do we get to the Field Museum?
Great question! Knowing that most gals will be in heels, we suggest Uber, as most public transportation routes don't get very close to the Chicago Museum Campus. For those with cars, have no fear! Drive over and we'll take care of parking for you. Can I bring a friend?
Every invitation has been addressed with each guest's name- if the name isn't on the invite, we ask that you do NOT bring that person with you. Usually, we're all about the 'more the merrier' - but our wedding is a little different!! Can I bring my kids?
All guests must be 18 or older. Will the wedding be inside or outside?
It'll be NOVEMBER, silly! The full event will be indoors. What should I wear?
Please see the "What to WEAR" section of our website. Black tie formal, cool jewel tone colors. More questions? Feel free to ask Lesley.
Great question! Knowing that most gals will be in heels, we suggest Uber, as most public transportation routes don't get very close to the Chicago Museum Campus. For those with cars, have no fear! Drive over and we'll take care of parking for you. Can I bring a friend?
Every invitation has been addressed with each guest's name- if the name isn't on the invite, we ask that you do NOT bring that person with you. Usually, we're all about the 'more the merrier' - but our wedding is a little different!! Can I bring my kids?
All guests must be 18 or older. Will the wedding be inside or outside?
It'll be NOVEMBER, silly! The full event will be indoors. What should I wear?
Please see the "What to WEAR" section of our website. Black tie formal, cool jewel tone colors. More questions? Feel free to ask Lesley.
