So we just happened to schedule our wedding during the last weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival. What is this fun-sounding event, you ask? Well, the Cherry Blossom Festival is only the BEST* seasonal tourist attraction in DC (*Source: April). During early Spring, the Japanese cherry trees, uh, blossom into the prettiest* little pink and white flowers you've ever seen (*Source: April). We recommend you take advantage of being in town for this beautiful event and take a walk around the tidal basin, which is lined with blossoming cherry trees. You can even rent a paddle boat and float betwens the trees. Also, over the course of the two official weeks of the festival, there are many, many festivities held to honor this annual renewal. For example, on the morning of our wedding, there will be a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House. And here you thought you might have to entertain yourselves that day! Nope! We've taken care of that, too (and by we, we mean the wonderful city in which we reside). But hey, we planned it that way! (And by we, we mean April.)
In all seriousness, early April (the month) in DC is absolutely beautiful, mostly due to the cherry blossoms. If you haven't seen them in all their glory before, please head downtown and see what all the hype is about. I promise you won't regret it! (Just be prepared to share the experience with thousands of your closest friends.)
Check out the National Cherry Blossom Festival website for more information, including a detailed schedule of various events, such as the parade, walking/biking tours and other entertainment. As always, if you have any questions, we'd be happy to help.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
RSVPs
If you are reading this blog (which you are), you have almost certainly received the invitation and are faced with the decision of whether or not to attend our little party. As soon as you make that decision, please please please fill out the RSVP card, stuff it in the pre-addressed, pre-stamped envelope, and drop that baby in the mail! It would be a huge help if you respond sooner rather than later, but we understand if some decisions take longer than others. As long as we hear from you before 2/20, all will be well.
If, however, you lose the RSVP or the envelope or you no longer believe in snail mail or you just distrust the conspiracy called the postal service, feel free to use other means of communication to let us know you'll be here. We accept emails, texts, and phone calls (just not collect). You can even comment on this very blog post. Just provide all the information requested on the RSVP you received, and we'll be square.
Also, if you are not currently located in the States, we forgot to put enough postage on your return envelope, so you'll either have to supplement our efforts or transmit your response by one of the alternate means listed above. Sorry about that! (Eva, you are the exception to this folly. Now don't you just feel special?)
We do encourage everyone to use the response cards, though. We like getting mail, too!
If, however, you lose the RSVP or the envelope or you no longer believe in snail mail or you just distrust the conspiracy called the postal service, feel free to use other means of communication to let us know you'll be here. We accept emails, texts, and phone calls (just not collect). You can even comment on this very blog post. Just provide all the information requested on the RSVP you received, and we'll be square.
Also, if you are not currently located in the States, we forgot to put enough postage on your return envelope, so you'll either have to supplement our efforts or transmit your response by one of the alternate means listed above. Sorry about that! (Eva, you are the exception to this folly. Now don't you just feel special?)
We do encourage everyone to use the response cards, though. We like getting mail, too!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Where to stay
**Update #2**
The discounted rate at the Sheraton is only good until March 22. After that the rate nearly doubles. So book soon! Also, the sooner everyone reserves, the sooner transportation can be secured. Thanks!
**Update**
The link to the Sheraton site has been fixed! If you clicked on it previously and didn't get to the information page, please try it now. Sorry about that!
So you have your boarding passes in hand, already gassed up the SUV, and/or just started walking north/south/east/west (choose two), but you need somewhere to go when you get here. Chances are you'll want to freshen up before the wedding (and sober up afterward), and while the Reflecting Pool seems like a good idea now, the Park Police doesn't take kindly to public nudity. Thus, we have some suggestions for legal places to stay in the DC area.
____
First and foremost, a group rate is available at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. The reduced rate, $149/night, is valid Thursday through Sunday nights (4/7-11) and includes parking and Sunday brunch, hosted by Chris's parents. There will also be a club room where guests can gather throughout the day. This hotel is located just outside the District, 9 miles from the wedding location and 6 miles from the rehearsal dinner. Arrangements for transportation to and from the wedding events will be made.
The hotel has many standard amenities, notably free shuttles to and from Reagan International Airport and the Pentagon City Metro Station (blue line) and an indoor heated rooftop pool. Use the link below to read more about the hotel and to make reservations. You must use this link to get the group rate.
Sheraton National Hotel - Sharp and Stuart Wedding
While it would be fun for everyone to be in one place, there are many, many other hotels, motels, inns and B&Bs in the DC area. Other recommendations:
Brookland Inn
$150/night, free parking, walking distance to St. Francis Hall.
Bloomingdale Inn
Rooms starting at $90/night with shared bathroom, street parking only, located in our neighborhood between our apartment and the Hall.
Silver Spring, MD has several affordable standard-amenity hotels and is only 5 miles from the wedding location. Silver Spring is located on the opposite side of the city from the rehearsal dinner, however.
Nota bene: There are a few hotels/motels on or near US-50. These are the closest standard lodgings to the Hall and are quite cheap, so they might be tempting. The neighborhood, however, leaves something to be desired as do many of the hotels, so we do not recommend you stay at these places.
____
If you have any questions, concerns or difficulties while trying to find your home away from home, please contact April, Michele Stuart, or Brian Jones. The three of us have spent months looking at hotel rooms in DC, and we'd be happy to help you with your accommodations. The most important thing is for you to have a cozy bed to collapse into at the end of the night. You're going to need it!
The discounted rate at the Sheraton is only good until March 22. After that the rate nearly doubles. So book soon! Also, the sooner everyone reserves, the sooner transportation can be secured. Thanks!
**Update**
The link to the Sheraton site has been fixed! If you clicked on it previously and didn't get to the information page, please try it now. Sorry about that!
So you have your boarding passes in hand, already gassed up the SUV, and/or just started walking north/south/east/west (choose two), but you need somewhere to go when you get here. Chances are you'll want to freshen up before the wedding (and sober up afterward), and while the Reflecting Pool seems like a good idea now, the Park Police doesn't take kindly to public nudity. Thus, we have some suggestions for legal places to stay in the DC area.
____
First and foremost, a group rate is available at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, VA. The reduced rate, $149/night, is valid Thursday through Sunday nights (4/7-11) and includes parking and Sunday brunch, hosted by Chris's parents. There will also be a club room where guests can gather throughout the day. This hotel is located just outside the District, 9 miles from the wedding location and 6 miles from the rehearsal dinner. Arrangements for transportation to and from the wedding events will be made.
The hotel has many standard amenities, notably free shuttles to and from Reagan International Airport and the Pentagon City Metro Station (blue line) and an indoor heated rooftop pool. Use the link below to read more about the hotel and to make reservations. You must use this link to get the group rate.
Sheraton National Hotel - Sharp and Stuart Wedding
While it would be fun for everyone to be in one place, there are many, many other hotels, motels, inns and B&Bs in the DC area. Other recommendations:
Brookland Inn
$150/night, free parking, walking distance to St. Francis Hall.
Bloomingdale Inn
Rooms starting at $90/night with shared bathroom, street parking only, located in our neighborhood between our apartment and the Hall.
Silver Spring, MD has several affordable standard-amenity hotels and is only 5 miles from the wedding location. Silver Spring is located on the opposite side of the city from the rehearsal dinner, however.
Nota bene: There are a few hotels/motels on or near US-50. These are the closest standard lodgings to the Hall and are quite cheap, so they might be tempting. The neighborhood, however, leaves something to be desired as do many of the hotels, so we do not recommend you stay at these places.
____
If you have any questions, concerns or difficulties while trying to find your home away from home, please contact April, Michele Stuart, or Brian Jones. The three of us have spent months looking at hotel rooms in DC, and we'd be happy to help you with your accommodations. The most important thing is for you to have a cozy bed to collapse into at the end of the night. You're going to need it!
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