The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection

Ceremony

The Flower Room

Cocktail Reception

Three Oaks Room

Dinner

Our Wedding

We first met in seventh grade when we both transferred to the same grammar school. Despite sharing hallways, we never spoke and only saw each other passing by. After graduation, we went our separate ways to different high schools. On one eventful Halloween in 2010, Selena and Ezequiel both coincidentally volunteered at their former grammar school to complete community service hours. What started as an ordinary day quickly became unforgettable as they spent the day talking, reconnecting, and eventually exchanging numbers—unknowingly marking the beginning of something much bigger. Over time, their contact faded. Until one day in 2013, when Ezequiel synced his contacts to Vine and noticed Selena’s profile appear. At the time, Selena was frequently posting short videos that captured simple, everyday moments of her life. Ezequiel had held on to her number all those years, and seeing her face pop up again felt unexpected yet familiar. He decided to leave a comment. The comment completely caught Selena off guard. With no clear context in Ezequiel’s profile to clue her in that it was him, she was understandably confused. Ezequiel’s only post at the time was a still frame of a wooden model “throwing up” applesauce in his family’s kitchen. After reconnecting, Ezequiel asked Selena out for coffee. By the very next day, they were sitting at a Starbucks on the corner of 49th and Cicero in Chicago, ordering a green tea Frappuccino and a Java Chip Frappuccino, and talking as if no time had passed at all. Over the next two weeks, they became a constant presence in each other’s lives. They introduced one another to familiar places, rode bikes, went go-karting, shared stories, and spent their time catching up on everything they had missed in between. As they spent more time together, a special bond began to form. On August 19, 2013, Ezequiel asked Selena if she would be his girlfriend. Selena said yes but she needed to ask her mom for permission. Today, they live together in East Central Illinois and are now a family of four. Emilia, their firstborn cat, and Eloise, their second, complete their little family.

Our Story

The Story Behind The Photo

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Photos

Wedding Party

Date Night 

We’re excited to share a little piece of us by introducing you to some of our favorite places to eat and spend time together. We hope you enjoy the experience, and we can’t wait to hear all about it.

Our Dates

An absolute favorite of ours! We started coming here senior year of high school, and it soon became our go-to lunch spot once we both began college downtown. We’d meet on State Street, and Ezequiel would guide us to the Red Line, where we’d jump off and hurry across the street to grab a quick bite before class. The dim sum here is unbeatable, they bring a picture menu to your table, and you simply circle what you’d like and how many. Our order:2 BBQ Pork Buns2 Pork Potstickers1 Shrimp Roll2 Custard Rolls1 Piggy Custard Bun1 Mango Pudding1 Coconut Cake

Triple Crown Restaurant

We found out they won cupcake wars and we have not stop going since. Not a easy train ride away but a bumper to bumper car ride together. Our Order:Birthday Cake Cupcake (Selena)Peach Cobbler (Ezequiel)

Molly's Cupcakes

Everyone has their taco place, and this is ours. It’s the one stop that never changes. Over time, it’s become a quiet tradition—an unspoken agreement that we always stop here before beginning the drive back to Central Illinois. Our Order:Dos Tacos de Asade con Crema y Queso (Selena)Dos Tacos de Asada y Uno de Alpastor (Zeel)

Taqueria Maravatio

We love it, and so does everyone else in the city. During our first year of university in downtown Chicago, it became our after class spot. We’d meet on Wabash and make our way up the hill to Wildberry, embracing the crowds and becoming one with the tourists.

Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe

Our first official date happened here, where we wandered the trails and shared our stories among the trees. It’s also the place where Ezequiel asked Selena to be his girlfriend.

Lake Katherine Nature Center

This place was introduced to us by Ezequiel’s family as their spot for special occasions and quickly became ours too. We’ve celebrated many milestones here together, and the chimichanga makes it even better. Our Order:El Matremonio: Churrasco y Pollo a la Parilla "doble platano no yuka" (Selena &amp; Ezequiel)

El Llano Restaurant Chicago

This is our favorite breakfast spot right now, and we love sharing it with anyone who visits us in Central Illinois. Though it’s an hour away, an hour-long drive filled with conversation passes quicker than you’d think. Our Order:Chicken &amp; Waffles Eggs Benedict "deconstructed" (Selena)Chicken &amp; Waffles Eggs Benedict "as is" (Ezequiel)

Fort Jesse Cafe

Date Nights

Photo

Registry

Date Night with Us

We want you to experience the dates we loved having together and hope they become a staple in your story.

Selena & Ezequiel

Selena & Ezequiel

S&E

Ceremony

Cocktail Reception

Dinner