We expect a high around 70 and a low around 50. The leaves will be full but just beginning to change with the first leaves on the ground in the city.

We want our guests to dress in whatever makes you feel empowered. Whatever makes you feel best. If you want to wear a latex rubber gown - go for it. If you want to wear a traditional suit or tux - go for it. Come in drag! You are welcome both at Holy Trinity any events you're invite to wearing whatever you feel your best self.

The couple will likely be in some sort of formal wear spiked with leather for the ceremony; and some kind of leather gear semi-formal wear for the reception - but don't be surprised if that changes. You _really_ can come as you are best empowered to either any weekend events. If there's a theme, it's OUT-DO THE BRIDE!

We have decided to use the rehearsal dinner for some of the traditional reception dinner events. So although it will be less power formal than the wedding ceremony or reception, it will still be a BE YOUR BEST SELF type situation.

Yes. And it will be a full traditional lutheran mass, with communion. All of the leaders in the service, from the presiding minister, to the organist, are queer people of faith whom we know directly in our regular lives. Many also are members of the Chicago recovery community.

As for what it will look like -- Expect "high church" -- with flare! Smells and bells. At HTLC we use involve the body as part of the spiritual practice, so expect bowing and other ancient practices. The only thing we ask is that you act respectful of the mystery of the spiritual practices of the service. Ritual is important to both of us in our own ways, and if you can connect to nothing other than the practice of holding sacred space for yourself, and to just wish us well on our journey, that is all we could ask. If you feel comfortable with crossing yourself, with kneeling, participate, with communion, great. If you don't, that's great too. We hope you will feel comfortable enough to just generally move with the flow, but not feel pressured to do anything uncomfortable. As for communion - we believe that communion with the divine is freely given love without any conditions. Ever.

This prayer was written by Lenny Duncan, a proud black, queer, recovering addict, -- who is also an ordained minister in the ELCA (this particular denomination). This prayer speaks uniquely to the spiritual importance of recovery programs, and frames the power of civil rights leaders and recovery as part of a divine plan.

In order to involve the maximum amount of people to be involved in our wedding weekend, we are hoping to max out every space we attend. So in that spirit, the church itself has the largest capacity, so we are able to invite more people to the ceremony than other events. If you are not invited to the reception, it does not mean you aren't important to us. It just means we have large bio-families. IF YOU ARE AT THE WEDDING AT ALL YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO US!!

The wedding colors are black and white with carmine red (#960018). See the mood photos.

We have a block of rooms available at the site of the reception (Virgin Hotel Chicago). However, given that only the reception is in the loop, and the loop is more expensive, feel free to use other hotels. An option close to the church (and more economical) is Best Western Hawthorn Terrace, but don't hesitate to contact us for options. A few in the family will be getting local AirBNB type places as well to better accommodate their situations.