Seth, Erin and their bridal party at the Chicago Children's Museum

Matt and Erika were wed at the Francis Dewes Mansion in Chicago in  June of 1999.  Erika composed a two page news letter to develop anticipation for the big day and sent it out to all her invited  guests a  month before her wedding date. 

With her permission I have reconstructed that letter on this web site. This newsletter, called WEDDING BELLS, was composed on her computer and used text, clip art and a map- that's it.  But   what she created greatly exceeded the sum of these three elements.  You may view both of these pages by clicking on the script below.

She begins her letter by listing just a few of the many entertainment opportunities Chicago would offer her guests, among them: museums, tours, golf, sports, the 3D IMAX movie and other attractions of Navy Pier.  She goes on to mention the Lincoln Park Zoo and of course a wide range of shopping opportunities that the city offers.

Members of her bridal party were invited to join her at the Columbia Yacht Club for a rehearsal dinner aboard the Abegweit, an historic ferry boat. For the eve of the wedding she invites all her guests to join her and Matt on the 95th floor of the Hancock for conversation and cocktails while enjoying the spectacular view.  Finally she invites everyone for brunch on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. to say good-by and to conclude the weekend.

On Page two she gives complete and easy to follow instructions on how to approach her wedding location from any direction. Most importantly she has provided an easy to read map.  She also has included a listing of pertinent phone numbers for her and Matt and various facilities.  

She has done an exceptional job of promoting her wedding and of providing entertainment suggestions, all of which will be useful to her invited guests. Even if your wedding day weekend will not be in the city or have all the bells and whistles that Matt and Erika's day did you will still greatly benefit from a news letter like this.  It provides very useful information and creates anticipation for your big day.  You could use a picture of the both of you and an anecdotal story of how you met.  Or you could use your newsletter to tell everyone about your upcoming plans together and where you're going to build your first home etc.  Above all, you are "hyping" the wedding, just like the promoters of big entertainment events do. And like them you will thereby increase both enjoyment of and attendance at your big event.