Monday, January 21, 2008

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog!

This is a blog we set up to share wedding information with our guests. We hope you find it helpful. Let us know if you have any questions about the big day!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Wedding Basics

The wedding is August 9, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

THE CEREMONY
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location:
St. Aloysius Church

19 Eye Street, NW

Washington, D.C.
(map)

THE RECEPTION
Time: 6:15 p.m.

Location:
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel

1330 Maryland Avenue
, SW
Washington, D.C.
(map)

Mandarin Oriental to Ceremony/Ceremony to Mandarin Oriental:
Transportation will be leaving the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for the church at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Following the ceremony, transportation will be at the church to bring people back to the Mandarin Oriental.

Travel Information

Air Travel:
There are 3 airports to fly into:
Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Dulles Airport (IAD)
Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI)

We recommend that you fly into DCA (if possible). You can take the metro from DCA to either of the hotels or you can take a quick 10 minute cab ride.

If you fly into Dulles or BWI, a cab would be pricey. However, there are shuttles that you can take to get from the airport to the hotels.
-- Super Shuttle

Once at the hotels, cabs are readily available, and the Metro is a great way to get around.

Travel in DC:
The Metro is very accessible from both hotels.

The L'Enfant Plaza Metro stop is located directly below the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, with access though the lobby. It is on the Green/Yellow Lines and the Blue/Orange Lines, which is awesome.

The closest Metro stops to Mandarin Oriental are the Smithsonian stop and the L'Enfant Plaza stop. Both stops are about equi-distant from the Mandarin Oriental.

Hotel Information

We have hotel blocks at two hotels:
The Mandarin Oriental (which is where the reception is) and the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel.
When you call to book your room, reference the Joslyn/Lind Wedding.
Book your room by June 16 to ensure you get the discounted rate!

Hotel Information:
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
1330 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 554 8588
Rate: $225 per night

L’Enfant Plaza Hotel
480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 484-1000
Rate: $159 per night

The L'Enfant Plaza Hotel is within walking distance of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Check out this map to see how to get from one hotel to the other.



View Larger Map

Registries

We are registered at:

Crate and Barrel
Bloomingdales
Bed, Bath and Beyond

Team Wedding (a.k.a the Wedding Party)

Lara's Attendants

Kate Joslyn, Maid Of Honor -- Kate is Lara's amazing sister who lives NY City and works at Ernst & Young. She is a Gemini who enjoys risotto and cupcakes -- but not at the same time. In September 2008 she will be marrying the dashing and charming Brian Jennaro.

Julia Lind, Bridesmaid -- Julia is Dave's sister who is a nursing student in Chicago. When she is not studying or working at the hospital, she likes to cook elaborate dinners and knit.

Amanda Buthmann, Bridesmaid -- Amanda was one of Lara's college roommates who had to put up with Lara's ridiculously loud alarm clock. She is in grad school at NYU for nutrition and loves peanut butter as much as Lara.

Anne Fajon, Bridesmaid -- Anne was one of Lara's roommates from the Washington Semester Program. She too had to put up with Lara's loud alarm clock. She works at a PR firm in Georgetown and is an amazing cook (and she's French!!!).

Chelsea Hernandez, Bridesmaid -- Chelsea has been Lara's friend since elementary school. She lives in Colorado Springs and is a runner. She is also the one who taught Lara the words to "Ice, Ice Baby" in the second grade.

Jesse Smith, Bridesmaid -- Jesse is Lara's friend from high school. She lives in Chicago and is a dance movement therapist (you will have to keep an eye out for her on the dance floor). She has an adorable dog named Mojo and always sends Lara really funny cards.

Kerry Walsh, Bridesmaid -- Kerry is Lara's current roommate. She works at a lobbying firm in DC and used to work with Lara in the Senate. She shares Lara's love of goat cheese, wine and all things plaid. In May 2009 she will wed Jeremy Stockwell, who is known for his cooking skills and ability to tame ferrets.

Dave's Attendants

Eric Lind, Best Man -- Eric is Dave's older brother and lives in Chicago. He is in the 4th year of a 5-year clinical psychology doctoral program. His likes include: scrabble, Trader Joe’s homemade meals and exposed brick. His dislikes include: doing laundry, paper currency and the Yankees. In fall 2008 Eric will fulfill the dream every mother has for their daughter . . . he will marry a doctor.

Nick Joslyn, Groomsman -- Nick is Lara's older brother. He lives in Baton Rouge, is the marketing director for an engineering firm and coaches the LSU club lacrosse team. He has an affinity for homemade pizza, LSU football and Super D’s.

Peter Joslyn, Groomsman -- Pete is Lara's younger brother. He is currently living in Germany but promises to be home for the wedding. He likes indie rock music, playing the guitar, double windsors and good beer.

Adam Farren, Groomsman -- Adam is one of Dave's friends from Camp Becket. He is living in San Francisco after teaching at a boarding school for two years. While Adam and Dave were mortal enemies at age 9, they were able to see past their differences by age 16 and became close friends.

John Pollakowski, Groomsman -- John is one of Dave's friends from Belmont. He lives in NY City and works in finance. John and Dave worked on many projects together at school over the years, including playing for the Astros; writing, producing, directing and adapting Homer's The Odyssey; as well as starring in a historically accurate expose of the California gold rush.

Kristen Cahalane, Groomsman -- Kristen is another of Dave's friends from Belmont. While she is technically not a grooms"man", she is one of Dave's closest friends. She works in college admissions and an adorable dog Kolby. He and Dwight are best friends. Dave and Kristen's friendship began in 9th grade when Kristen was "the new girl" and she shared her Tic'Tacs with Dave. Kristen got engaged in November, and she and her fiancee Tricia are excited to plan their Spring 2009 wedding.

Dan Langmead, Groomsman -- Danny is another Camp Becket friend. He lives and works near Boston. Dan enjoys long walks on the beach, curling up by a fire with a romance novel and a good glass of merlot.

Around Town

There is always something to do in D.C. So while you are visiting, we hope you will take advantage of the many unique D.C. experiences. One of the best parts about visiting D.C. is that many activities are free!

MUSEUMS

All of the Smithsonian museums are free, including the Museum of Natural History, the Portrait Gallery, the Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

The National Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian Institute (which means it's free) and is one of our favorite places in D.C. You can see Tai Shan in the new Asia Trail, stop by the Great Cats exhibit or visit with the seals and sea lions. The zoo is a short walk from the Woodley Park Metro station.
A handful of museums do charge admission, including the Holocaust Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Spy Museum, but they are all worth visiting. The Holocaust Museum is only a three block walk from the Mandarin Oriental.

MONUMENTS

The monuments are a must-see when visiting Washington.

The Mall is walking distance from the Mandarin Oriental and the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel. Plus, there is a foot bridge near the Mandarin Oriental that leads to the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial, making them more accessible since they are on the other side of the Tidal Basin. Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful place to go for a walk.

If you are a runner, we highly recommend going for a run on the Mall. The monuments are especially beautiful early in the morning and at night, and there are not as many tourists walking the Mall at those times. When Lara was working at the Senate, she often ran on the Mall after work, so she can suggest good routes. And Dave is a D.C. history buff from his time working with Close Up.

RESTAURANTS & BARS

D.C. has an interesting mix of restaurants ranging from cheap burger joints (Five Guys) to five-star restaurants (1789 and Citronelle), with most restaurants falling in between. And there are also plenty of bars to keep your thirst quenched.

Some of our favorite restaurants are:

Tallula
Arlington: 2761 Washington Blvd.
Tallula is probably our favorite restaurant in the D.C. area. It is located in Arlington, VA, and is an easy cab ride from D.C. All of the food is delicious, and there is something for everyone. The “Amuse Yourself” menu is a great way to try many different dishes because the portions are so small. The baby burger, risotto fritters and bbq pork pupusa are some of our favorites. The wine selection is great, as is the cocktail menu. All in all, you cannot go wrong with anything on any of the menus!

Pasta Mia
Adams Morgan: 1790 Columbia Rd. NW
Some might call it a hole-in-the-wall, but the food is wonderful. The tomato mozzarella salad is fantastic, and the pasta dishes are delicious and huge. They don’t take reservations (or credit cards!), so if you want to be seated early, get there early. Otherwise you might wait for more than an hour. The food is inexpensive as well, with entrees averaging around $11.

Butterfield 9
Downtown: 600 14th Street, N.W.
Butterfield 9 is the restaurant where Dave proposed! The service is fantastic, and the food is delicious. We had the tasting menu, so we were able to sample a variety of the chef’s creations, including delicious gnocchi and ostrich.

Bullfeathers
Capitol Hill: 410 First Street, S.E.
Back when we were students in AU's Washington Semester Program, our class would often stop at Bullfeathers for lunch. The Bull Burger is the prize of the menu, but it takes a hearty appetite and a brave soul.

Mr. Smith's
Georgetown: 3104 M Street, N.W.
Mr. Smith's is one of our old favorites; a lively piano bar in the heart of Georgetown never disappoints! With John playing 4 nightly sets on the piano, there will inevitably be a couple songs that you feel the need to sing along to at the top of your lungs.

Cantina Marina
Waterfront: 600 Water Street, S.W.
This waterfront bar, situated right on the shore of the Potomac, is just blocks from the Mandarin and L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. It feels less like a Washington bar and more like a beach party. If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan, then Cantina Marina is for you.


NEIGHBORHOODS TO CHECK OUT
(with recommended destinations)

Dupont Circle
On the Red line. Lots of fun shops, bars, and restaurants.
-Hank's Oyster Bar

Adam's Morgan
A bit of a walk from the Red Line. Bars, bars, and more bars.
-National Zoo and Pasta Mia

Georgetown
A short walk from the Foggy Bottom Metro. Lots of shopping, eating, and shopping.
-Georgetown Cupcake, Mr. Smith's, and lots of retail.

Clarendon
On the Orange Line in Arlington. Recently developed retail shopping and restaurants.
-South Moon Under, Bertucci's, Crate & Barrel (see our registry for details...just kidding)

Capitol Hill
Accessible by the Blue, Orange, and Red Lines. Lots of monuments, legislators, and lobbyists.
-The Capitol: Contact your Senator or Representative's office if you want a tour.

U Street Corridor
Accessible by the Green Line. One of Washington's many 'up-and-coming' neighborhoods.
- Health Bar, Stetson's, Cake Love


Map of Everything

View Larger Map