Scott & Margot

February 20, 2027

The Evening

The Night's Menu

An evening at The Good Wolf

The Venue

The Good Wolf

1547 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Andersonville, Chicago

Dark walls, gold light, very good cocktails. Everything happens here, start to finish, so once you're in, you're set.

Map & Directions

2007 to 2027

Our Story

Then2008

Now2026

We met on February 2, 2007, at Molly's in DeKalb. Scott was a 2L in law school. Margot was a senior in college. Eighteen days later, we were officially a thing, and February 20 has been our day ever since.

Since then: one Chicago apartment (the same one, still), two dogs, one salon, a lot of passport stamps, and one question asked on our 19th anniversary. This February, we're celebrating twenty years with the people who have meant so much along the way.

Feb 2, 2007

Molly's, DeKalb

A law student and a college senior walk into a bar.

Feb 20, 2007

Day one

The date we've celebrated ever since.

May 15, 2009

Moved in together

A Chicago apartment. Still the same one. We're loyal people.

2009 to 2017

Growing, living, loving

2017

The travel habit begins

A family wedding in Poland becomes a tour of Europe. Scott starts at UChicago Law that September.

Nov 6, 2020

Enter Jill

An old soul from day one.

Oct 5, 2021

HG Studio opens

Margot opens her own salon.

Jan 26, 2025

Enter Nancy

The quiet years officially end.

Feb 20, 2026 · Year 19

Engaged

Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary, Mexico.

Feb 20, 2027 · Year 20

Married

The Good Wolf, Chicago. You're invited.

~35 countries

Give or take, depending on who's counting. A few favorites from the road:

San Francisco2009

Puerto Rico2012

New York City2016

VeniceItaly, 2017

Santa MonicaPCH road trip, 2018

Thailand2019

London2019

CreteGreece, 2021

DubrovnikCroatia, 2021

Lake BledSlovenia, 2021

The AlpsSwitzerland, 2023

New EnglandRoad trip, 2023

BaliIndonesia, 2024

The Mighty 5Utah, 2024

Costa Rica2024

Québec CityChristmas, 2024

Iceland2025

Scotland2025

Mexico City2025

PetraJordan, 2025

DubaiUAE, 2025

Oman2025

Puerto VallartaMexico, 2026

Chichén ItzáMexico, 2026

Valle de BravoMexico, 2026
Click for Engagement Video

Niagara FallsGreat Lakes road trip, 2026

RomeItaly, 2026

FlorenceItaly, 2026

Cinque TerreItaly, 2026

Moving PicturesThe collection, in motion.
Watch our travel videos on YouTube.

Four generations

The Ring

Margot's ring has been in Scott's family for four generations. Carl Sr. gave it to Marie, Scott's great-grandmother; it was most likely bought in Williamsport. Around 1950 it was reset at Berg's in South Bend, with a baguette added on each side. Marie thought it came out "a bit much," and loved it anyway.

Marie's son, Carl Jr., later gave it to his wife, Ernie, Scott's grandmother. It skipped a generation after that, and now Margot wears it.

Marie → Ernie → Margot

"I remember I expressed my hopes that it would eventually be Scott Carl who got it to give to his spouse."GREAT AUNT CONNIE

Connie kept this story for our family and wrote it down for us. She passed away on September 30, 2026, and we're so grateful to have her words here.

For our out-of-towners

Travel & Stay

Getting Here

O'Hare and Midway both work. O'Hare is closer to Andersonville.

In the city, the Red Line's Bryn Mawr stop is a short walk from the venue. In February, a rideshare to the door is the move.

Where to Stay

Fair warning: there aren't many hotels near Andersonville. Your best nearby bets:

There are also plenty of Airbnbs in the area, and of course countless hotels downtown and in other parts of the city.

The Weather

February in Chicago ranges from "brisk" to "why." Bring a real coat, gloves, and shoes that can handle a slushy curb.

An Afternoon in Andersonville

In town early? Here's our version of the day before 5:00.

Coffee

Lunch

III

Shop

Elsewhere in the City

What to wear

Attire

Cocktail, in the colors of the room.

Suits, dresses, and anything you'd wear to a very good dinner. Think deep and rich: navy, emerald, burgundy, plum, black.

Navy

Emerald

Burgundy

Plum

Black

Gold

Please leave at home

Jeans
Khakis
Anything too casual
Bright colors
Pastels
Neons
Loud patterns
Stripes
Costumes of any kind

It's a speakeasy, not a theme party.
The venue has the vintage covered. Please leave the flapper dresses, fedoras, and pinstripe suspenders at home. It's 2027. Dress like it.

Questions, answered

FAQ

Can I bring a plus-one or my kids?

Our guest list is small because the room is small, so we can only host the guests named on your invitation. We hope you understand. And if you're sad about it, see the next question.

What's this "friendsmoon"?

Part two of the celebration: a group trip, later on, with a much bigger guest list. Bring whoever you like. Details to come. If you're interested, mark the destinations that tempt you on your RSVP.

When should I arrive?

Cocktails start at 5:00. Please be inside by 5:45. If you arrive after that, we'll ask you to wait to come in until dinner at 6:30 so the ceremony isn't interrupted.

Will there be dancing?

No. Just cocktails, dinner, and conversation. Swaying near your table is permitted.

Will Jill and Nancy be there?

[ TBD with the venue ]

Is there parking?

The venue doesn't have its own lot, so it's street parking only, and spots in Andersonville are limited (and worse in snow). We'd recommend a rideshare or the Red Line.

Gifts

Truly, your presence is our present.^*

^*But also, your money is our present.

After almost two decades in the same apartment, we have everything we need and nowhere to put anything else. What we love most is going places together. If you'd like to give a gift, a contribution to our travel fund will send us somewhere new.

Venmo

@Scott-Vanderlin

Open Venmo

PayPal

scottwurst@gmail.com

Zelle

217-369-6259

For PayPal, choose "Friends and Family" so no fees come out of your gift. All three go to Scott Vanderlin.

Coming Later: The Friendsmoon

Part two of the celebration is a group trip with friends, plus-ones, and anyone else who wants to come. Destination and dates to be announced. Interested? Mark your favorite destinations on your RSVP.

Under consideration

A Highlander Celebration

Margot is Polish, and her family comes from the góral (highlander) country of the Tatra Mountains. We're thinking about adding a second, more traditional party the same weekend, at a venue in a nearby suburb: Polish food, plenty to drink, and very likely dancing.

Friday, Feb. 19Evening · the night before
Sunday, Feb. 21Midday · the day after

A Sunday party would be our take on poprawiny, the Polish tradition of a second-day wedding party where the celebration (and the leftovers) keep going.

Nothing is decided yet, including whether it happens at all. If it sounds like fun, let us know on your RSVP and tell us which day works better.