Thomas McHale and Krystina Madriaga's Wedding in Itasca, Illinois

They finally announced to their group of friends that they were dating during a friends' trip to New Orleans! Except some of them didn't remember and learned all over again the next day, The girl and the boy have been going on adventures and falling more and more in love with each other ever since!

How he popped the question

There is a park in Schaumburg that they walk around a couple of times a week - if the weather is nice enough. Tom asked if Krystina wanted to go on a picnic at the park earlier in the week. She said yes, and asked him to plan it.

Throughout the rest of the week, Krystina had a very emotionally and physically draining time - with a demanding work schedule along with the funeral of her uncle.

On Friday, at about 9PM, she got called into work to relieve some of her coworkers who had been at work for much longer. She stayed at work until 8AM on Saturday. Needless to say, she was exhausted. When she arrived at home on Saturday, Tom wasn't home. Little did she know, Tom had gone to her parents' house to ask for their blessing.

Krystina slept all day Satuday and was feeling sluggish on Sunday. Tom bought some fruit, cheese, and sandwich items for their promised picnic for Sunday lunch. When picnic time rolled around, Krystina was in couch potato mode and only wanted to relax.

Krystina: "I'm sorry. I just don't feel like getting ready for a picnic. We can eat here. You can go on a picnic or on a walk, but I just don't feel like it."Tom: "Oh... ok..."Krystina: "...are you mad? You seem mad..." Tom: "I'm not mad. I promise..."

Then he said he was going to play videogames because he was freaking out.

A couple of hours after lunch, Krystina finally felt like going out before a family party later than evening. She asked Tom if he wanted to go for a walk at their favorite park. Along their walk, they noticed the Prairie Arts Festival was occuring nearby. It was bustling full of people and tents full of crafts to purchase. They walked over to a secluded gazebo within wild grass, which they usually would just walk right by on their usual walk. This time, they decided to stop, rest, and just enjoy the beautiful day.

Krystina: "Ok. Let's go now. We're going to be late for a graduation party." (gets up and starts to walk away)Tom: "Ok... I'm coming" (still sitting down, turning his camera on and starts recording)Krystina: "Are you coming?"Tom: "Yes... hey, I love you" (getting up and opening his arms for a hug)Krystina: (turns around and starts to hug him back) "Ok. I love you too. Now let's go." (Escapes from the hug)Tom: "Ok... but before we go, I have to ask you a question." Krystina: "Ok...what's up?" (STILL NOT EXPECTING ANYTHING)Tom: (gets down on one knee and begins to open a box from his pocket) "Krystina, will you marry me?"Krystina: (starts sobbing uncontrollably and so loud. Begins to hug Tom again) (softly, muffled) Yes! (Cries for a long time....)Tom: (after a couple of minutes) "....So...do you want to see the ring?"

And with that Krystina tried to control her crying and saw the most perfect, unique ring she's ever seen. In the distance, there were children screaming "WOO!" and celebrating because they watched this all happen.

They walked back through the Art Fair, beaming because they just promised to spend the rest of their lives together. And they bought a silly painting to remember that moment.

The Planning and The Wedding

Prior to the Wedding, Krystina and Tom enlisted the help of their friend, Cara Trahey of Cara June Photography, to help take their fabulously nerdy engagement photos. Some of the featured photos include a display using Poke-balls and Legos to help show their wedding date.

The rest of the planning seems like a blur. Krystina and Tom chose two specific wedding colors: Turquiose blues and Orange, to help represent their two favorite Pokemon: Squirtle and Growlithe. The bridesmaids wore two shades of turquoise blues, while the groomsmen wore orange.

Krystina decided to purchase a custom wedding gown from Anomalie, which was then a small, female led wedding dress startup. Now this company has greatly expanded in size and in business! Krystina's amazing alterations and bustle were done by The Dress Doctor. Some of the key features of Krystina's dress includes:

A-line silhouette with chapel length train

lovely pretty in pink Blush color

Illusion neckline

Delicate lace applique

Beaded silver and blush belt

Fingertip tulle veil with lace and crystal embellishments

POCKETS!

Wedding date embroidered in the lining of the dress

Tom chose his suit from a local tailor around Schaumburg, IL - Tailor, Needle, and Thread. He chose a charcol 3 piece suit with orange bowtie, and for the reception, gray converse. He gifted his groomsmen orange converse.

Wedding day came and the ceremony went off without a hitch. The first time Tom saw Krystina was when she began walking down the aisle with her mom. Tom couldn't hold back tears because he was so happy. The ceremony included a lot of personal touches for Krystina and Tom:

Krystina had tissues ready in the pockets of her custom wedding gown for her and Tom when they both cried during the ceremony

a reading of Leslie Knope's vows to Ben Wyatt during the wedding episode of Parks and Recreaction

a traditional Filipino Veil and Cord Ceremony since Krystina is filipino

a reading about love and science by Albert Einstein

a unity chemical reaction since Krystina is a chemical engineer

The ceremony ended and moved into cocktail hour for all the guests and picture time for the bridal party. During the reception, guests:

received orange or blue wedding date drink coozies

were able to sign the guestbook poster created using Krystina and Tom's fingerprints by FlutterbyePrints

were able to place their giftcards into a custom Mario themed giftbox that was built by Tom's father, painted with the assistance of Cara (again) and Painted Timber, and programmed to make a noise whenever a card is placed into the box by their beloved friend John "Greek" Kallas

There are some amazing photos of Krystina and Tom's families, Krystina's dress, the bridal party looking amazing, and the happy couple.

The entrance into the reception included:

"Cake-Cutting" of the donut cake, topped with a custom Bride Squirtle and Groom Growlithe cake topper (created by friend, Dana LaCoco)

Toast to the wedding party by "Icing" them. The groomsmen had the original Smirnoff Ice flavors while the bridesmaids had orange flavored Smirnoff ice flavors.

Everyone enjoyed their dinners cooked by the catering staff at Eaglewood Resort & Spa. After dinner, all the special dances took place, which were all cover songs:

Tom and Krystina's first dance: "You're My Best Friend" by The Once

Krystina and her father's dance: "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Ingrid Michaelson

Tom and his mother's dance: "I Swear I Lived" by One Direction

After the special dances, Krystina and Tom's DJ - Ron with Something2Dance2 - kept the great dancing music coming! The dancefloor was packed all night! He helped coordinate all the special group photos that Krystina and Tom wanted to be taken throughout the night and helped coordinate the special "Sparkler Send-off and photos".

Krystina and Tom's wedding was a party to remember! Friends and family love reminiscing about all the great and hilarious stories of the night. It was a party that will live down in history!