Taking a chance on Match.com proved instantly fruitful for Kasey Rose and Chad Barnard. After signing up for the online dating site in 2008, the two were each other’s first dates, and they hit it off immediately. Rose and Barnard didn’t wait long to start a family — three years after meeting, they had a daughter, Emmy Lou, and tied the knot at Hacienda San Angel in Puerto Vallarta surrounded by 23 of their friends and family members. Family was paramount throughout the event: Rose’s brother, Bryce, officiated the ceremony and her mom — who was diagnosed with advanced cancer just prior to the wedding — gave a heartfelt speech wishing her daughter and new son well. “She was the most important part of the day,” says Rose.

This week: The League of Chicago Theatres’ Spring Gala, John Waters at Harris Theater, the Chicago Memorial Day Parade and more.

Cheers to Amy Stoken on her new role as regional director of the Chicago office of the American Jewish Committee. She succeeds Dan Elbaum, who was appointed director of AJC’s regional offices and assistant executive director.

Ellen Flood and Chris Hagale met at the wedding of their college roommates in 2007, but didn’t hit it off romantically until he invited her to his law school prom in 2010. Six years, one University of Chicago law degree (Hagale’s) and one jewelry company launch (Flood’s) later, things came full circle for the couple as they celebrated their own nuptials April 6 in New Orleans. The pair selected the city to commemorate the time Hagale spent there during their courtship — he lived in New Orleans for one year while completing his clerkship after law school. “New Orleans is filled with happy, smitten memories for us,” says Flood.

Self-proclaimed born-again virgin Sean Lowe and fiancee Catherine Giudici (above) are leading very separate lives these days. 

This week: Jerzy S. Kenar’s Unity and Christian Boehm at Truck Club.

As an in-demand event planner, Rachel Schwanz knows how to elevate a party into something extraordinary  And with more than 200 weddings under her belt, planning her own nuptials to food consultant James De Marte was a no-brainer. The couple officially wed last year at City Hall, but headed to Playa del Carmen, Mexico April 20 with 45 of their closest friends and family members for a five-day celebration entitled “Our Wedding is Your Vacation.”

Anna Kimball from Veuve Clicquot and Grand Marnier stopped by to make margaritas, which were the perfect end to a busy week.

We’re cheers-ing to Modern Sprout, Zapwater Communications Inc. and Steven Fifield.

As the owner of four different startups (Doejo, Bow Truss Coffee Roasters, Map of the Dead and Strange Pelican Brewery) Philip Tadros is always on the lookout for his next passion project. But in January 2012, an unexpected one came his way after he picked up Michelle “Mickie” Spooner’s business card from a pile inside Twister Sister Bakery (1543 N. Wells).