Libertyville Couple to Tie Knot in St. Patrick's Day Parade

Tara Teschky and Paul Quinn, Libertyville fiancés, can’t wait for St. Patrick’s Day this year. It’s not just because they are a proud Irish couple, but because this year, in the Lake Villa St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the two will be married on a parade float.

“We specifically wanted to have our wedding on St. Patrick’s Day, and because it falls on a Saturday this year, we’re so gung-ho to have it this year,” Teschky said.

Teschky, who lived in Lake Villa for eight years and is familiar with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, came up with the idea of having the wedding in the parade.

“It was one of those weird brainstorming sessions,” she said. “We thought why not? How fun would that be?”

Traditional Dress, Nontraditional Wedding

Teschky contacted Lake Villa Mayor Frank Loffredo and the parade coordinator, and says she was met with cooperation and excitement for the event.

She also found help from other local companies, including a towing company that will lend the wedding party the flatbed for the wedding float, and a local photographer who will take pictures of the parade and their ceremony.

She calls her wedding dress traditional, though she admits it has Irish green details. But the majority of the ceremony will be nontraditional.

“We’re writing our own vows, and because he and I both have kids, I have one and he has four, we’re doing two ceremonies, so to speak,” Teschky said. “We’re also going to exchange vows to each other’s kids. We’re recognizing that it’s not just us that’s getting married. It’s the children coming together as one family.”

Revealing Their True Colors

As Teschky and Quinn’s second marriage, she explains that they both wanted a wedding ceremony that really showed who they were.

“We are just very down-to-earth, approachable people who love to have fun,” she said. “We also thought it was a great way for our family and friends who have children to come and have fun.”

After the unconventional ceremony, the wedding party and guests will participate in a Lake County pub crawl instead of a traditional wedding reception.

“We just love each other so much, and our kids absolutely love each other immensely, and what better way to celebrate our heritage?” she asked. “Every day we’re like, ‘Is it St. Patrick’s Day yet?’ We just can’t wait. We just want to get married.”