Schedule

Friday, May 29

Welcome Party

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Seven Ten Social

~~~

Join us for a casual evening reuniting with friends over drinks and bowling!

1055 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615

Saturday, May 30

Ceremony & Reception

4:00 PM – 11:00 PM @ Halim Time & Glass Museum

~~~

Celebrate our wedding and explore the museum with beautiful rooftop views of downtown Chicago.

1560 Oak Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

Travel

Our wedding will be in Chicago!

Chicago is easily accessible from nearly anywhere—fly into O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW) and take public transit, taxi, or rideshare to wherever you choose to stay. The city itself is very walkable, and getting around between downtown and the many neighborhoods is simple with the CTA trains and buses. If you prefer, taxis and rideshares are readily available. There are so many cool attractions and sites to explore once you're here!

Check out the FAQ's below for our recommendations on airports, transit, where to stay, and activities.

Our Story

2018

We met as students at Duke University and quickly became friends through Round Table, one of the on-campus living groups. Ellen joined Gia in "Lion Fam." The rest is history :)

2019

We started dating!

2020

When the world shut down, we quarantined together in Durham—spending our days walking, cooking, binge-watching shows, and making way too many late-night Cookout runs.

2021

Big moves---Gia headed to Chicago to start her PhD in medical physics, while Ellen stayed in Durham to continue research. Long distance began, but frequent FaceTimes made it OK.

2022

Ellen started medical school, and despite the chaos of grad school life, we became pros at airport hellos and goodbyes and visited each other's city nearly every month.

2023

The long distance saga continued, and at this point, our calendar became a continuous countdown to the next visit. Fortunately, school kept us plenty busy.

2024

Ellen moved to Chicago for a year-long fellowship, and we finally lived in the same city again! We made the most of it exploring Chicago and sharing cozy nights together.

2025

We got engaged! 💍

Gallery

Photos from the fantastic Grace Coudal! @gracecoudalweddings

Q's

If we forgot to answer anything here, please email us.

How do I RSVP?

Fill out this form: ellenandgia.rsvpify.com (or click the big RSVP button at the top of the page). Please RSVP by May 1st, so we can finalize seating and catering plans.

Can I change my RSVP?

If your plans change, please contact us directly at ellenandgia@gmail.com.

What is the dress code?

The ceremony and reception attire is formal: think dark suits/ties and long dresses.

For the welcome party, casual is fine. There will be bowling.

How do I get to the welcome party?

The welcome party is at Seven Ten Social in Hyde Park (1055 E 55th St), near the University of Chicago. From downtown, take the Metra Electric south to the 55th-56th-57th St stop ($3.75, ~20-30 min) or the #6 CTA bus ($2.25, ~40-50 min), then it's a 15 minute walk west along 55th. Rideshares work great too. If driving, there's free street parking on 55th and nearby side streets, though you may need to walk a block or two. Click the map in the “Schedule” section for directions!

How do I get to the ceremony/reception venue?

The ceremony and reception are both at the Halim Time & Glass Museum in Evanston (1560 Oak Ave), about 30-40 min north from downtown by car or rideshare. There is plenty of street parking available. Public transit is possible but inconvenient (1.5+ hours via the L with a transfer to the Purple Line). Click the map in the Schedule section for directions!

I'm coming from out of town. How do I get to Chicago?

You can fly into O'Hare (ORD), northwest of the city, or Midway (MDW), on the southwest side. O'Hare connects to downtown via the CTA Blue Line (24/7, $5); Midway connects via the CTA Orange Line. Both airports also have taxis, rideshares, and shuttles.

What should I do in Chicago?

So much! This website is a great place to start planning. We always recommend the architecture boat tour or taking the water taxi to Chinatown!

Where should I stay?

Our venue in Evanston has a sister hotel The Gem Suites, right across the street, which is very convenient. There are also other hotels within walking distance of the venue. Just keep in mind that Evanston is fairly far north, so it's about a 45-min drive to anywhere south of downtown (like the welcome party in Hyde Park). If you plan to explore the city or love public transit, staying downtown is a great option.

How do I get around Chicago?

Chicago has excellent public transit. The "L" train and CTA buses cover most of the city, and you can pay with a Ventra card, the Ventra app, cash, or a contactless credit card. Rideshares and taxis are also widely available.

The Chicago transit website has many helpful maps to reference, including a "downtown sightseeing by transit" map if you're planning to explore.

Should I rent a car?

It's not necessary. Parking downtown is expensive and scarce, and traffic can be heavy. Public transit, rideshares, and walking will serve you well. That said, parking near our Evanston venue is easy, so a car is fine if you prefer it.

Gia & Ellen

are getting married!

May 30, 2026