The Wedding Story of...Emily & Niel Kluszczynski

“SPECIAL” FROM THE START

Emily Laraine Taddeo was just 17 years old when she first laid eyes on Niel Thomas Kluszczynski Jr.  Emily was working at her father’s Popeye’s Chicken restaurant, and Niel, working for Coca Cola at the time, was taking a lunch break with his buddies. Both were immediately taken with each other’s good looks and personalities, and Niel decided he needed an excuse to see her more often.  “He told me it was the advertised $2.99 Chicken Po’ Boy Sandwich special that had him coming back twice a week,” recalls Emily.   “And I would offer to sweep the floors in order to be out from behind the counter and next to his table while he ate lunch.”

AN ARTISTIC PROPOSAL

The relationship continued to deepen through high school graduation and into her first two years at St. Mary’s College where she studied photography and new media art including Photoshop. Emily has always highly regarded the work of fellow artists, so it was no wonder she stopped to admire a caricature artist one afternoon at Chicago’s Navy Pier. “Our original plan was to watch the new Batman movie at Navy Pier’s IMAX theatre, but they were sold out. So we decided to take in the other sights when I noticed him. I asked if we could get our portraits done because it would make me really happy after missing the movie.” Niel obliged and after a quick bite to eat, they returned to the artist and took their seats.   

Little did Emily realize that Niel was already one step ahead. Neil explains, “I sent our photos to [the artist] weeks prior to us coming here, just knowing she would want to get our portraits done!”

The artist beamed as he turned the sketch around and the couple laid eyes on a caricature of Niel on bended knee with outstretched ring towards Emily, along with the bubble words, “Will you marry me?” Taken aback, Emily gasped saying, “Are you kidding me?!” and turned to Niel, who by that time had moved to the same position as his caricature self.  

SETTING THE DATE

Not hot like July, nor cold like October, the couple decided a late Summer/early Fall wedding was ideal. Their date was narrowed down further to September after learning pricing was more expensive in August. “Plus we wanted it to get dark during dinner,” explains Emily. “We chose the Century Center for our reception and love the lights that hang overhead the dinner tables. When its dark outside they really stand out.”

A DAY TO REMEMBER

Wedding plans paid off as the result was everything Emily hoped for: a creative, funky, glamorous, and classy affair. Saturated hues of magenta floral played against stunning turquoise bridesmaids dresses, mirror chandeliers and dramatic curly willow branch centerpieces were interspersed amongst guest dinner tables, and classic photos were captured on the island outside Century Center.