We came, we saw, and we got married

Wow. That's really all we can say. We expected the wedding weekend to be something special, but I can safely say it exceeded our expectations.

It was a spiritually and mentally exhausting experience, one that balanced honoring our respective pasts, our families and gathered friends, and our future together. We hope you enjoyed being with us during this wonderful weekend. Suffice it to say, having you there meant the world to us. Both of us remarked at the remarkable turnout for the wedding, something that makes us alternatively feel blessed and humbled.

As some of you know, we honeymooned in Tulum, Mexico. Tulum is located on the southern end of the Yucatan Peninsula, along the Carribean Sea that runs to Belize. The sea is warm and clear and the beaches white due to the prevelence of limestone in the region. I'll report back on the honeymoon and include wedding pix, but thought I would leave a picture of Tulum to wet your appetite.

You can't have a party without an after party

The AFTER Party
I know we all have been to a wedding where at the end of the wedding and, when the band says last song, all those who aren’t quite ready to go home are asking each other, “where should we go next?” However, not everyone is familiar with the city where the wedding is being held and knows a place to go out or one that is close to the hotel and the wedding reception. After spending an hour deciding where to go, getting cabs to get there, and actually traveling to the location -- half the people got lost or have lost interest.

So without much further ado, after the wedding we would like everyone to go to Stetson’s on U Street. https://owa.metrokc.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.stetsonsdc.com/ Located at 1610 U Street, NW, Stetsons is a casual bar where we are planning to take the party and hopefully take over the bar.

And since it is on the way from the Meridian House to the hotels in DC there is no excuse for getting lost.

Two hours of leisure

If you read your invitation correctly, you'll notice there is a 2 hour gap between the ceremony and the start of the reception. We know it is a bit unorthodox, but we loved the church and the reception site so much that we had to fit into some less than ideal schedules. And who wants to eat dinner at 2pm?!?

If the weather is nice, people can certainly pass time by going up to the Capitol and walking the grounds. It is always majestic, particularly on a nice day. Likewise, the National Botanic Garden is about 5 blocks from the church, and I'm told it is a great experience. I believe it has been refurbed over the last few years.

Of course, I am sure many of you might consider stopping by a local watering hole to pass the time. Careful, kids. You aren't as young as you once were.

Finally, don't forget that the Metro is a great way to get around. You can take the Metro directly to the Capitol South Station, which is one block away from the church. If you're staying at the recommended hotels (or any in downtown for that matter), you can take the Metro back to your hotel for a little rest and relaxation before the reception.