International Museum of Surgical Science

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

Madeleine departed New York in 2019 feeling stuck in Chicago — Oak Park, technically. Matt “superliked” her on a dating app within months, after getting enough of a read on her profile to feel certain they’d be compatible. After a bit of banter &amp; buildup, they met, felt connected at first sight, and fell hard for each other. Six months later, the pandemic moved them into a studio apartment together with haste. But through an unfathomable human experiment rife with challenges that could test any relationship, their bond only flourished. Over time, they built a life together — one rich with international travel, co-parenting an asthmatic calico cat, long walks, kindred spirits, happy hours, tough decisions, and, through it all, lots of laughs — in a tasteful, silly family home. Getting engaged at the spot along Lake Michigan where they shared bake-sale cookies on their second date, Matt affirmed that he’d “super like to be with [Madeleine] for a lifetime.” Now, they’re elated to bring special people in their lives together in an elegant &amp; offbeat place to celebrate their connection and their love — as it has flourished, and as it continues to bloom.

Our Story

Photos

Can I bring gifts?Please don't! It's our pleasure you can celebrate with us. If you'd like to contribute anything toward our wedding, check out <a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/matt-lardner-and-madeleine-mulder-2026-09-19/registry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Registry page</a> for details. Can I bring my child or children to the wedding?Unfortunately, no. This is a wedding for adults in a museum space. We ask that you make other accommodations for any parties under 18 years of age. Can I bring a +1?We've made space for many +1s on the RSVP page. If you enter your name, you'll see any +1s you may have at that time. If we haven't made space for a partner or other guest that's important to your experience, please contact the couple for prior approval before bringing a +1 to the event — space is limited. I can't find myself on the RSVP page?! Help!!Don't fret! If you've gotten an invite, we promise you're invited. You may have to type your name exactly how we entered it — try close variations like adding/removing accent marks, full names, etc. If it still doesn't work, contact the couple and we'll make sure we get you set up. Where should I stay? We're skipping a traditional hotel block to provide our out-of-town guests options that may work for them. Please see <a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/matt-lardner-and-madeleine-mulder-2026-09-19/hotels" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Hotels page.</a> How should I get to the wedding?As the wedding is in a dense urban area, we don't recommend driving and parking — especially for guests who will be drinking. Depending on your comfort levels and preferences, we recommend:- Calling an Uber/Lyft/ride to the wedding and back- Taking public transit to the wedding — especially easy from downtown &amp; River North areas- Walking to the wedding, if you're staying nearby For those who drive, there is paid parking and street parking available nearby that may be first-come, first-serve. This is information from the museum: 1 - Public Parking Lot – Behind the Chicago History Museum located at Clark and LaSalle Streets, Chicago, IL 60614; entrance on Stockton Drive. 773.549.3145.2 - Public Parking Lot – In the condominium building at 1350 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610; entrance on E. Banks Street. 312.337.1350.

FAQs 

Wedding Day Schedule

5pm - Doors open to guests — find your seat with live strings accompaniment. 5:30pm - Wedding starts at this time. Please be seated ahead of 5:30! 6pm - Cocktail hour with passed hors d'ourves. We'll have beer, wine, liquor, &amp; N/A options — everything but shots. 7pm - Buffet-style dinner — see <a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/matt-lardner-and-madeleine-mulder-2026-09-19/menu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">menu details here</a>! 8pm - DJ &amp; dancing begins. 10:30pm - Last call for alcohol. 11pm - Reception ends &amp; teardown begins.

Wedding Schedule

Catering by Lula Cafe!

Lula Cafe opened in 1999 in Logan Square, Matt &amp; Madeleine's neighborhood for most of their Chicago lives. It's a pioneer in farm-to-table cooking and an institution in the neighborhood's &amp; Chicago's culinary scene, from brunch to beyond. The head chef is a 3x James Beard award finalist known for inventive &amp; unpretentious cooking. Matt &amp; Madeleine have been here for everything from simple meals to special occasions — and they're excited to share a taste of Lula with you at their wedding! Lula is vegetarian-friendly — you'll be able to eat tremendous food across our menus without eating meat. If you have other dietary restrictions, please let us know on your RSVP so we can accommodate!

Cocktail Hour Passed Bites Menu

Whipped French Feta, olive tapenade, basil oil (v)Yia Yia Arancini, cinnamon, garlic, feta (v)Lamb Kofte Meatballs, whipped feta, chives, tomato vinaigrettePotato and Kale Croquettes, horseradish aioli (v)

Buffet-Style Dinner Menu

SaladLittle Gem Lettuce, celery, croutons, dill, parmesan, yuzu ‘Caesar’ dressing (v) EntreesHerb-roasted Chicken, with mustard au jusRigatoni, charred broccoli, garlic breadcrumbs, broccoli pesto, parmesan (v) SidesRoasted Cauliflower, Meyer lemon citronette, brown-butter breadcrumbs (v)Roasted Heirloom Carrots, plum, dill (v)

Bar Menu

- Craft &amp; Domestic beers — several options!- Red &amp; White wine- Liquor &amp; assorted mixers (note: venue can't serve shots)- Themed-to-the-couple signature cocktail!

Above you'll see a hotel within 2 miles of the venue where we have a block for wedding guests. Wedding guests will be able to choose their accommodations and pay for their stays through the link above. If you have a different preference, we encourage you to stay wherever you like! Chicago has plenty of hotels in many diverse neighborhoods, &amp; when we attend weddings, we usually like to choose our own accommodations. Note that the closer you are to downtown Chicago, the more inconvenient parking may be (unless the hotel provides a spot). In downtown areas, we love to walk, ride transit with a Ventra card, or call rides via Uber or Lyft. Paid parking will be available near the wedding venue, but it may be easier to call rides, and we encourage all guests who drink not to drive home. Below are some additional options &amp; resources you may want to consider for your stay. If you could use financial support for your stay during our wedding, please contact Matt or Madeleine and we'll figure something out :)

Travel

Cocktail Attire Requested

For inspo, read below or <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mcmulder961/wedding-attire-inspo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">check out our Pinterest board</a>. Please wear something tasteful that you feel good in! Masculine dress could be suits with or without ties, or blazers or sport coats with trousers. Feminine outfits could be knee-length or midi dresses, jumpsuits or similar. We love colors, textures &amp; patterns so feel free to wear anything vibrant with flair! Ultimately, though, we're grateful you can join us in what you choose to wear.

Dress & Attire

Things to Do

Hotel & Stay Options

For Convenience: 

These hotels are very close to the wedding (1 mile or less). <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/jdv-by-hyatt/en-US/chijl-jdv-hotel-lincoln" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hotel Lincoln</a>: Botique hotel with views of Lincoln Park Zoo &amp; a nice rooftop bar. Most walkable to the wedding. <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=CHIDHHH&amp;arrivalDate=2026-09-18&amp;departureDate=2026-09-20&amp;room1NumAdults=2&amp;inputModule=HOTEL_SEARCH&amp;fromid=CHIDH-WEB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Drake</a>: A grand, iconic Hilton property on the Magnificent Mile with old-world elegance, roughly 1.5 miles south of IMSS and walkable along the lakefront. <a href="https://www.expedia.com/Chicago-Hotels-Millennium-Knickerbocker-Chicago.h15087.Hotel-Information?chkin=2026-09-18&amp;chkout=2026-09-20&amp;x_pwa=1&amp;rfrr=HSR&amp;pwa_ts=1775414365464&amp;referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&amp;useRewards=false&amp;rm1=a2&amp;regionId=829&amp;destination=Chicago%2C+Illinois%2C+United+States+of+America&amp;destType=MARKET&amp;neighborhoodId=6130109&amp;selected=15087&amp;latLong=41.878113%2C-87.629799&amp;mpo=EC&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;top_dp=805&amp;top_cur=USD&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwkMjOBhC5ARIsADIdb3ecX9AyviNqr1ggWOpYSXwgUssqEdBtvtuf0Kee7XEBQXUTW-Y66-MaAqvdEALw_wcB&amp;mctc=10&amp;userIntent=&amp;selectedRoomType=322461836&amp;selectedRatePlan=391096270&amp;categorySearch=any_option&amp;searchId=9e18f8a7-9ba9-480c-8946-85027d4eff6b" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago</a>: Right next to the Drake and possibly more affordable — a well-reviewed 4-star hotel.

For Downtown Chicago: 

These hotels are in the heart of Chicago &amp; a few miles from the venue. <a href="https://www.marriott.com/reservation/rateListMenu.mi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Wade</a>: A lakefront Marriott on N Lake Shore Dr with Navy Pier and lake views; close to Milton Lee Olive Park where we got engaged — take a look if you stay here! <a href="https://www.marriott.com/reservation/rateListMenu.mi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Residence Inn – Loop</a>: A highly-rated Marriott suite hotel in the heart of the Loop with full kitchens and complimentary breakfast. <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=CHIPHHH&amp;arrival=20260918&amp;departure=20260920&amp;numRooms=1&amp;numAdults=1&amp;numChildren=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Palmer House</a>: A stunning Hilton in the Loop with a jaw-dropping ornate lobby (including bar &amp; food options) and unbeatable central location. Known for inventing the brownie!

For the Budget Conscious:

These hotels are further from the venue and from downtown, but are more affordable than the above options and in a reasonable driving distance of the wedding. <a href="https://www.kayak.com/hotels/Holiday-Inn-Chicago-Ohare-Area-By-IHG,Rosemont-p57885-h35304-details/2026-09-18/2026-09-20/2adults?psid=ydBkB7wEtC&amp;pm=nightly-base" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Holiday Inn Chicago O'Hare Area By IHG</a>: A practical, no-frills hotel near O'Hare airport with an on-site Bar Louie restaurant and airport shuttle service — likely car-dependent to wedding. <a href="https://www.hotels.com/ho251582/rodeway-inn-lyons-la-grange-lyons-united-states-of-america/?chkin=2026-09-18&amp;chkout=2026-09-20&amp;x_pwa=1&amp;rfrr=HSR&amp;pwa_ts=1775415340534&amp;referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaG90ZWxzLmNvbS9Ib3RlbC1TZWFyY2g%3D&amp;useRewards=false&amp;rm1=a2&amp;regionId=183188&amp;destination=Lyons%2C+Illinois%2C+United+States+of+America&amp;destType=MARKET&amp;selected=46549084&amp;latLong=41.811108%2C-87.823269&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;top_dp=262&amp;top_cur=USD&amp;userIntent=&amp;selectedRoomType=171522&amp;selectedRatePlan=383255898&amp;expediaPropertyId=1611112&amp;searchId=053afdd5-8363-4317-b2d8-cf29021454e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rodeway Inn Lyons</a>: A budget motel on Ogden Ave in the southwest suburbs — near Brookfield Zoo for families and some Frank Lloyd Wright properties, as well as transit by Metro. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/s/Chicago--IL/homes?refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&amp;place_id=ChIJ7cv00DwsDogRAMDACa2m4K8&amp;acp_id=ef546acf-822f-40d2-be0d-b4cee99e07f7&amp;date_picker_type=calendar&amp;checkin=2026-09-18&amp;checkout=2026-09-20&amp;adults=2&amp;search_type=user_map_move&amp;query=Chicago%2C%20IL&amp;flexible_trip_lengths%5B%5D=one_week&amp;monthly_start_date=2026-05-01&amp;monthly_length=3&amp;monthly_end_date=2026-08-01&amp;search_mode=regular_search&amp;price_filter_input_type=2&amp;price_filter_num_nights=2&amp;channel=EXPLORE&amp;ne_lat=42.01826305485552&amp;ne_lng=-87.54723969386288&amp;sw_lat=41.85013824219098&amp;sw_lng=-87.74999171389749&amp;zoom=11.929774189121112&amp;zoom_level=11.929774189121112&amp;search_by_map=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Explore AirBnB</a>: Matt &amp; Madeleine often stay in AirBnBs while traveling to be in a vibrant neighborhood. The wedding is in Gold Coast. Nearby neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, or River North may be convenient, or some of our favorite neighborhoods in Chicago are Logan Square, Andersonville, Avondale, Lincoln Square &amp; Pilsen.

Matt and Madeleine

Matt and Madeleine

M&M

Wedding Day