Honeymoon Giveaway Winners: Stephanie Hemwall and Michael Maloney

"My older brother, Peter, introduced me to Mike in high school at one of his traditional Sunday Chicago Bears viewing parties at our parents’ house. Mike came over every Sunday to watch the games, and I started to notice him more and more. I noticed his smile and how funny he was, and we started talking more and more every week. I even made it a point to learn more about football and the Bears so that we would have something to start our conversations. Little did he know, I wasn’t very concerned with how the Bears did on the field, I was only concerned with impressing him with the knowledge I had learned about the game.

"I finally had the courage to ask him out about half way through the season and he agreed to grab a cup of coffee with me. It was a bit awkward for the two of us because we were seeing each other without my brother’s knowledge. Needless to say it was a bit more awkward for Mike when he told Peter that he wanted to date me.

"Mike and I stayed together once he went to college and I joined him at Wittenberg University upon my graduation. After seven years of dating, Mike and I decided to move in together. In November 2014, Mike proposed.

"The day Mike proposed was quite the adventure. Sports have still been a large part of our relationship, and over the years I have grown to love all of our Chicago sports teams. Mike played rugby throughout his college years, and he bought us tickets to a historical game at Soldier Field. The New Zealand All Blacks were in town to play Team USA and a lot of our college friends were in town for the game also.

"After the game we went to dinner near the Chicago River and then he asked if I wanted to take a walk around Lincoln Park Zoo. The cab driver drove us to the zoo, and when we pulled up he alerted us that the zoo was closed. Mike told him that it didn’t matter because we were going to walk around the nature walk on the perimeter of the zoo.

"We walked until we saw the “honeycomb” structure in the park, and we stood and enjoyed the view of the city. He got down on one knee and proposed! I was so nervous, happy, and had a face full of tears. Two of his friends were in the bushes preparing for the special moment with a camera in hand to capture the moment.

"After we took some pictures we went to celebrate at our favorite neighborhood bar. He had one more surprise for me when we got there. All of our friends that attended the rugby game and our close friends from the area were there ready to celebrate with us. It truly was a perfect day!

"Mike and I will be getting married over Memorial Day weekend on May 28, 2016. We are getting married at St. Nicholas church in our hometown of Evanston and a reception to follow at the Orrington hotel. We are very excited to celebrate our love with family and friends. Thank you so much, ChicagoStyle Weddings, for making our special day even more special!"  -- Stephanie

A huge congrats to Stephanie and Mike, our Honeymoon Giveaway winners!
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3 Adventurous Honeymoon Ideas for Active Couples

GUEST POST BY SOCIAL MONSTERS

You met while hiking on a local trail, and your dates involved scaling indoor climbing walls, zip lining and fly fishing. Now that you are preparing to say “I do,” you don’t want your honeymoon be a pleasant-but-kinda-boring beach vacation or trip to a some generic theme park. Celebrate your nuptials in a way that offers plenty of opportunities to be adventurous. Consider the following destinations:


Tofino, British Columbia
Tofino is a wonderful place to enjoy a beach honeymoon — only it will not involve lounging around on chairs and sipping fruity drinks. Local activities include salmon fishing, surfing, kayaking on the sea and whale watching. When you are ready to relax in the evenings, check out the nearby Hot Spring Coves.

For lodging, you can’t beat the Wickaninnish Inn; it offers direct access to Chesterman Beach and breathtaking views of the water from every room. The inn also features couples massages at the Ancient Cedars Spa in a gorgeous facility that comes with an ocean view. The inn, which features summer rates from CAD $380 a night, even allows you to bring your pet.


Bend, Oregon
If you and your sweetie love hitting the slopes and you're getting married in winter, Bend, Oregon, is a perfect choice. The town features plenty of places to ski and snowboard as well as wet your whistle in local craft breweries. Visit Bend is a terrific online resource for planning a honeymoon to Bend, which is appropriately nicknamed the Outdoor Playground of the West.

Head to Mt. Bachelor for all the winter activities you could want; the dormant volcano is home to skiing, snow tubing and even dog sledding. You can also have plenty of outdoorsy fun in Bend during the warmer months; you can float down the Deschutes River, starting off in Riverbend Park and then either hike back or catch a ride with a local shuttle. The river is also an ideal spot for anglers, so if you love to fish together, book a fly fishing trip with a local company.

When it’s time to hang your hats at night, book a stay at the Hillside Bed and Breakfast; the suites have access to an outside patio or balcony, and be sure to check out the hot tub and nearby fish pond with waterfall. Rates vary from around $198 to $487 a night, depending on the time of year. Or ditch the hotel and book with Airbnb or VRBO.


Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Caribbean may be known for its pristine beaches and gorgeous scenery, but it’s also a place to enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. Many of the local resorts offer tours and programs that will let you experience all of the adventures you could possibly want. For example, book your honeymoon at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort in Montego Bay, and sign up for some of their Island Routes Caribbean Adventure Tours that include deep-sea fishing, mountain biking, dolphin encounters and much more. For example, for $99 per person, you and your beloved can take a 4x4 Off-Road Safari tour that winds through the tropical foliage and hidden waterfalls, as well as the chance to swim in cool spring water pools. Book the Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Penthouse suite for $433 a night and kick back at night with amazing views of the Caribbean Sea.


Book the Right Way -- For You
Some people are super savvy and can easily do some research to find the best deals. Others prefer the safety of talking to someone who's been there and done that. Consider talking with a travel agency, like Starship Travel, to see if they can help you book your perfect honeymoon. They can help you book a trip to anywhere in the world using the most cost effective pricing methods available.


Or Just Enter To Win
At CSW, we want to take care of you. Enter our Honeymoon Giveaway for a chance to win the best, most memorable (and free!) vacation you've ever dreamed of!