From a Blind Date to a Wedding Date: Michael Regacho and Amy Ione Jones

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

They said everyone has a match somewhere, somehow, and that God will send you a person that will be the piece of the puzzle that will make your life complete…but no one said it will be at a downtown Chicago bar. But that’s exactly how Michael Regacho and Amy Ione Jones met, at a local bar set up by friends who thought that they may “click”, and although it sounds cliché, yes they did meet, dated, fell in love, and the rest is a tale to tell to their grandchildren.

Mike is a handsome, dashing, full of fun kind of guy, and Amy, by all accounts, is the more serious of the two, as told by their friends at the shower and at the reception. He showed up one time to a party with Amy wearing bright red pants, colorful shirt, probably to match his bright red Ducati, the famed Italian brand of motorcycles that Tom Cruise made famous in his “Mission Impossible” movies. Always the life of the party, Amy was there at Mike’s side, both the perfect hosts at his birthday held aboard a Chicago cruise ship last year, at their wedding shower before the wedding in March, and now the beautiful bride by his side in front of God, family and friends. Not surprising to know that Mike is a design engineer with GATX Equipment Finance Company in Chicago, while Amy is a Registered Nurse with Stroger Hospital in the city as well.

Mike and Amy would like to thank their parents, Engineer Elbert and Mrs. Elizabeth Regacho, and Mr. Richard and Mrs. Sandra Doyle from Indiana, as well as their siblings and sponsors and friends. They would like to acknowledge their deep appreciation to their entourage and wedding party, as well as their guests.

Principal Sponsors: Dr. Hector and Mrs. Salvy Marino, Mr. Demi and Mrs. Cora Soco, Mr.Cornelio Natividad and Mrs. Glenda Ramos, Mr. Claro Buniao and Mrs. Mabel Sacay, Mr. Kenny Dhun and Mrs. Tita Diaz, Mr. Galileo Casquejo and Mrs. Esmie Carpio.

Secondary Sponsors: Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Ashley Doyle, Mr. Eric Doyle and Mrs. Lhean Grace Witt, Mr. Rene Regacho and Mrs. Alice Lisowski.

Best Men: John Regaho and Brian So

Maids of Honor: Lauren Rozich and Elizabeth Tetteh

Groomsmen: Paul Regacho, Michael Tishler. Jessie Manaois. Leroy Celicious, Anthony Moody and Randall Apacionado

Bridesmaids: Fabienen Doyle, Jana Doyle, Daniela Orlofsky, Lucy Doyle, Katrina Crossley, Jane Celicious

Flower Girls: Rorie Dyle and Leigha Ghafari

Ringbearer: Uno Hermano

The wedding was officiated by Father Greg Houck at the St. Paul the Apostle Church where Mike attended Sunday Mass with his parents and brothers, and the reception was held at the Eaglewood Golf Resort and Spa in Itasca.

It was a beautiful Saturday, May 5, 2018. Father Greg was in top form, regaling the attendees with small anecdotes and stories about Mike, even rapping his best wishes for the couple adding a very personal tone to the nuptials. Afterwards, guests convened to the church lobby for photos then headed out to Itasca from Gurnee, a 35 minute drive for the reception.

There was an open bar overlooking the golf course, all manicured greens and undulating hills, as wait staff served hors d’oveuvre and bartenders were very generous with libations at the open bar. This definitely set the mood for the reception which followed at the grand ballroom.

After the speeches, the toasts, the roasting of the groom by their entourage, the parents of Mike and Amy took the microphones and there were tears from both sides as they reminded the newlyweds to love, honor and cherish each other as they welcomed each other’s families. The highlight, however, was the surprise Mother and Groom dance that had everybody cheering and laughing to the opening song of “Momma” by “Boyz to Men” , which then segued to “Gangnam Style”, then “Despacito” bringing the crowd to their feet in applause. It was the ice breaker that made everyone say “Let’s party!”

The groom looked dashing in his black tuxedo, and the bride was beautifully resplendent in her white, tired, ribbon edged wedding gown that showed her tan and perfect form, the picture perfect couple on their special day. God bless you both, Mike and Amy…and in the words of both parents when they gave their blessings, “..and make sure there are little ones soon”.

Th e Newlyweds Michael and Amy Ione Jones Regacho

Saying their vows at St Paul the Apostle

Th e proud parents of the groom Engineer Elbert and Mrs Elizabeth Regacho

Th e Dads Elbert Regacho and Mr Richard Doyle

Principal Sponsors Dr Hector and Salvy Marino, Claudio and Sue Buniao, Mabel and Joe Sacay

Glamourous Gals: (L-R) Ninang Glenda Ramos, Rose Cordero, Ninang Salvy Marino, Ninang Mabel Sacay, Mother if the Groom Elizabeth Regacho, niece Shailini Duhn, Girlie Pascual, Alma Viudes, Sue Buniao and guest

The Groomsmen and Best Men (L-R) Leroy Celicious, younger brother of the groom Paul Regacho, Randall Apacionado, Best Man Kuya John Regacho and Jessie Manaois

The Men in Waiting .. for the Bar, James DC, Claro Buniao, Ed Tumamak, FOG Elbert Regacho, Ninong Ely Natividad, Ninong Demi Soco and Fidel Garcia