Mark and I are SOOOOOO happy for you two and can't wait for your wedding. I'm looking forward to the "girl's night out" too! Cheers! Sabrina
When you asked me for photos of Abigail and Cody, I didn't know they would be part of such a unique presentation of your wedding info. We're looking forward to seeing you at the wedding (if not before!) and welcoming Brandon to the family.
Sweetie - this is just a wonderful way to keep in touch about the wedding. I'll be checking it all the time! We love you both, Mom and Dad West
I love you guys! I love this site! I can't wait!
Amanda, I'm so happy you just showed me this wedsite - what a great idea!. All of us at the hospital are SO HAPPY for you and Dr. West.
We have made special arrangements with the beautiful Park Hotel, and they have provided us with a discounted group rate. If you want to stay close to the wedding, this is the place to be!
Club Wed: Amanda Spencer or Brandon West.
Registry: Amanda Spencer or Brandon West
Registry name: Amanda Spencer or Brandon West
Camila has been my best friend since we were roommates in college. Even though in a lot of ways we're very different, we hit it off from the beginning. We got to know each other's families, would stay up all night cramming for exams, and our junior year we spent spring break on a road trip out West! We have a great friendship and have so much fun together. Although we live in different cities now (after college, she moved to New York) we're so close. I'm am truly "honored" to have her as my Maid of Honor in my wedding.
Joe and I go way, way back to kindergarten. We went to summer camp together every year, made a model volcano (filled with spaghetti sauce) for a 5th grade science project, and even started a rock band in his dad's garage one summer. Now that he's married, it's great because Amanda has become close friends with Joe's wife, Anne, so we all get together frequently. I stood up in his wedding, and now he's standing up in mine. I wouldn't want it any other way.
My sister Allison is two years younger than me, so it may not be a surprise that we fought a lot as kids. I would want to play with my friends and she was always trying to "tag along" with us. We were also very competitive - about everything! We turned every mundane thing into a competition - who could eat a popsicle faster, who could do more somersaults underwater in the pool, even who could grow longer hair! Fortunately, now we've matured (a bit) and we've become close friends. We never, ever compete anymore about anything, right sis? Haha! Anyway, I'm thrilled she'll be in my wedding and I'm proud to call her not only my sister, but my friend too.
Meghan will always be my "baby" sister - but she's becoming such a beautiful woman! She is a senior in high school and the star of her varsity volleyball team. Talk about well rounded - she's also first chair viola in the school orchestra and a math tutor for middle school kids! She recently stayed with me for a weekend and we had such a blast! We went shopping on Michigan Ave., gorged ourselves on Ben & Jerry's, and then rented chick flicks and cried our eyes out! Meg- thanks for being in my wedding - I'm really glad you're my "baby" sister!
Abigail is my cousin (daughter of my mom's youngest sister Julie) and will make an ADORABLE flower girl! Thanks sweetie!
Brent and I met in med school and immediately I knew we'd be buddies for years to come. He works in the city now too, so we get together a lot. He's a big outdoors man like me, so we go sailing, biking, play tennis - we do pretty much anything (just not very well)! He's a really great guy and I"m glad he'll be there on our big day.
I met Kevin because he was my lab partner in most of my college classes. After surviving botany, physics, and even a photography class together, we formed a friendship that continues to this day. Kevin is from Boston and went back to that area after college, but I try to see him at least once or twice a year so we can catch up. We have so many memories together that he had to be a part of my wedding memories too!
Cody is Amanda's cousin (son of Amanda's Aunt Julie) and a pretty cool little kid. Thanks for being in our wedding, Code-man!
The ceremony will take place in the North Rose Garden which is adjacent (north) to Buckingham Fountain. If you've received an invitation, you can click on the RVSP button above to let us know you're planning to attend.
The reception will follow the ceremony at the Pritzker stage, right in Millenium Park (behind the big "bean")! Click on the button above to RSVP, add guest names, and select your meal choice(s).
The rehersal dinner will be on Friday night - somewhere downtown Chicago. (We haven't picked the restaurant yet.) If you trust we'll pick a good place, you can RSVP above.
Hosted by my mom and sisters.
Brandon will be back home (near Seattle) for a weekend camping trip with his close friends.
Amanda and the girls will have a night out on the town!
My parents are so supportive and loving - and they have taught me so much! I remember when I was 15 my dad taught me how to drive with orange cones in a parking lot. He made me practice parallel parking over and over again - a skill that has come in handy in the city! My mom taught me her special recipie for zucchini bread (yum) which I am convinced is what finally won over Brandon's heart! I'm so thankful for how I was raised and thank my parents for everything they've done (and continue to do) for me. I love you both so much!
My Mom and Dad are the best parents you could ask for. They put up with me as a whiny, willful child, then helped finance my education, and now are so thrilled to see me getting married to Amanda. Even though we live far apart now, we are probably closer now than we ever were. Thanks Mom & Dad for all your love and support over the years! I love you.
My sister Allison is two years younger than me, so it may not be a surprise that we fought a lot as kids. I would want to play with my friends and she was always trying to "tag along" with us. We were also very competitive - about everything! We turned every mundane thing into a competition - who could eat a popsicle faster, who could do more somersaults underwater in the pool, even who could grow longer hair! Fortunately, now we've matured (a bit) and we've become close friends. We never, ever compete anymore about anything, right sis? Haha! Anyway, I'm thrilled she'll be in my wedding and I'm proud to call her not only my sister, but my friend too.
Meghan will always be my "baby" sister - but she's becoming such a beautiful woman! She is a senior in high school and the star of her varsity volleyball team. Talk about well rounded - she's also first chair viola in the school orchestra and a math tutor for middle school kids! She recently stayed with me for a weekend and we had such a blast! We went shopping on Michigan Ave., gorged ourselves on Ben & Jerry's, and then rented chick flicks and cried our eyes out! Meg- thanks for being in my wedding - I'm really glad you're my "baby" sister!
It was Valentines Day, so I was sort of expecting a special night, but I had no idea how special! I should begin by saying that Brandon and I had talked about marriage in the past, but I was convinced he wasn't ready yet to take the plunge! I knew he loved me, but was I ever shocked when he proposed!
We had plans to go out to dinner at a new restaurant I'd been dying to try. They had a special menu for Valentines Day which included one red rose between every course (a bit of bribery couldn't hurt the chances I'd say yes, right?). The last course was chocolate cheesecake for two, shaped like a heart. As the server set it between us on the table, the restaurant's violinist came over to the table playing "Here Comes the Bride". I was totally confused for a minute, until I saw the ring hidden in the strawberry topping of the cheesecake. Then I looked at Brandon, who was getting down on one knee and grinning from ear to ear. Realizing (duh!) what was going on, I burst into tears of joy before he could even say anything! We debate to this day whether he actually asked the question (I'm sure he did, but he insists I said yes before he even had time to ask). Either way, we're getting married!
Brandon's Version:
As part of my residency, I work in the ER at the University of Chicago Medical Center. I was treating a young boy for minor injuries after being in a car accident with his parents, who were both in more critical condition. After treating him, he was still in shock and very scared, so I brought him over to the psychiatric department so someone could take care of him until family members arrived. When I walked in, there was Amanda, whom I had seen around the hospital (it's hard to miss such a beauty!) but hadn't really ever spoken to. She was so great with him! Later that day I went back to follow up - and ask her out! I guess you could say the rest is history.
Amanda's Version:
I had had my eye on Brandon for a while (who wouldn't!), but had never gotten up the nerve to talk to him. When he walked in my department that day with that poor little boy, I was so nervous! But it turned out that he was just so sweet and kind that he put me right at ease. Later when he came back and asked me out, I was totally floored! Of course I said yes, and a few days later we went on our first of many, many dates!
P.S. both parents and the little boy were fine.
I grew up outside Seattle Washington as the only child of Bob and Nancy West. As a kid, I was really into sports - especially baseball. Even though I was pretty good at sports, I was still sort of a geek in high school (difficult to avoid if you played the tuba in the marching band). I attended the University of Michigan for both undergrad and med school. Two years ago, I moved to Chicago for my residency as a pediatrician, and that's where Amanda and I met. Amanda is the most amazing woman I know and I can't wait for our wedding day! After we're married, we plan to stay in Chicago and ideally find a place to live somewhere downtown.
I was born in a small town in central Illinois. At age 9, my family moved to the Chicago area. My dad, David, works in the telecom industry and my mom, Doris, is a paralegal at a large downtown law firm. I am the oldest of three girls, and my sisters and I are very close. My sister, Alli, and I both attended the University of Illinois (she was 2 years behind me) and have shared love for shopping and chocolate! My youngest sister Meg is a senior in highschool - and a star athlete! After I graduated with a degree in Psychology, I moved back to Chicago and started working in the psych unit in a hospital. (That's where I met Brandon! - more on that later.) In my free time I enjoy singing and playing guitar (although not for an audience!) and decorating my new apartment. Lately, I've been consumed with wedding planning - I never imagined what effort goes in to planning one perfect day! Even if everything goes wrong, the only thing I really care about is Brandon, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!
If you're planning on spending some time in Chicago when you come in for the wedding, we highly recommend taking a architectural boat tour on the Chicago River. You see the city from a unique perspective and can learn a lot about the history of the city.
Heads up to my Seattle friends - I'm planning a guy's weekend camping getaway at Camano State Park sometime before the wedding. I will post a date soon!
We have selected a date for our wedding!
We've decided to get married in Chicago. We don't have a date yet, but we will let you all know as soon as we confirm the venue.
Welcome to our wedsite! We recently got engaged and are now in the process of planning our wedding! We've created this wedsite as a fun, convenient, and special way for friends and family who are both near and far to participate and celebrate with us. We hope you'll use it to get to know us better and keep up-to-date on our future plans.
Here you can read about how we met, meet our families, and RSVP to wedding events that are in the works. We've also included some fun stuff like a poll, a gallery for viewing photo albums, and a way for you to leave us a note in our virtual guestbook!
We are so grateful for all the positive influences in our lives! Thank you to all our friends and family for your love and support over the years. Thanks for sharing our joy!
Amanda & Brandon
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