Tying the Knot, Literally

By
March 2024 View more

Creating just the right Scottish vibe for this couple

Katie Ewing and Tim Watkins

Growing up in Bloomingdale and Carol Stream, respectively, Katie Ewing and Tim Watkins are both Glenbard North grads, but managed not to cross paths while students there. Years later, they happened to connect over a game of darts at a mutual friends’ party. “We bonded over the fact that neither of us were very good at darts,” says Ewing, 27, a sales account manager at the Cary Company, a chemical, raw material, and packaging supplier in Addison. “We probably could have kept talking all night.” They exchanged numbers, and after a first date at Wolfden Brewing Company in Bloomingdale not long after, they were both smitten. “I just felt like I had never connected as well with anyone else besides Katie,” says Watkins, 29, a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant who is now studying aviation at Rock Valley College. “I still feel that way—she’s my best friend.”

Katie Ewing and Tim Watkins at their wedding ceremony

In their time dating, they shared many milestones together—including adopting a puppy, running in the Chicago Half Marathon, and moving in together in Bartlett—before getting engaged in 2022. Choosing Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville for their October 14 wedding turned out to be the ideal setting for this bride, whose family hails from Scotland. “When I was growing up, I would say that I wanted to get married in a castle,” Ewing says. “When we went to Mistwood, we realized it had a castlesque feel to it and was even based off of St. Andrews in Scotland. We thought, maybe it’s meant to be.”

The bride's shoes

Though rainy weather moved their planned outdoor ceremony indoors at the last minute (perhaps another nod to the Highlands?), it didn’t dampen their spirits. “It was beautiful inside, and we actually ended up loving it even more,” Ewing says. After reciting their vows, they literally tied the knot in a special symbolic gesture in front of their loved ones. “We had two ropes, one ivory and one blue, and we physically tied it together,” Ewing says. At their reception, one of their favorite moments happened during their first dance, to “Faithfully” by Journey. “Everyone started waving their arms slowly, and someone took out their phone and put the flashlight on,” Ewing says. “All of a sudden, we looked around and there were lights in everyone’s hands. It was beautiful.”

Wedding Details

The wedding cake

Venue & catering
Mistwood Golf Club, Romeoville

Bride’s Attire
Martina Liana gown from Genevieve’s Bridal Couture, Deer Park

Bride’s Accessories
Hairpiece and veil from Fifi’s Bridal & Custom Tailoring, Elmhurst; bracelet from Grown Brilliance; earrings and shoes from Amazon

Bride’s hair and makeup
@JessicaMhairartist; Makeup by Mary Redinger

Bridesmaids’ dresses
Azazie

Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Attire
Gentlemen’s Quarters Formalwear, Schaumburg

Invitations
Truly Engaging

Rings
Bands from zales.com (hers) and manlybands.com (his); engagement ring from Brilliant Earth, Chicago

Cake
Delish Cakes, Bloomingdale

Flowers
Blush Blooms & Co., Shorewood

Entertainment
Joe Coakley (bagpiper); Tone Productions, Joliet (DJ)

Transportation
Chicago Cloud9 Limo, Elk Grove Village

Day-of coordinator
Kayleigh Burnitz, Event Daydreaming

Photography
Chelsey Joy Photography, Hoffman Estates

 

Photos: Chelsey Joy Photography