Wedding FAQs

Here are some of the answers for questions you may have. If there's something that you think should be here, please let us know.

Where will the reception be held?
The reception will be at Amada, a restaurant run by Iron Chef Jose Garces located in Philadelphia's Old City. The party afterwards will be at our house, in Mt. Airy.

How long will the reception last?
The reception will go from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m.

When does the party start?
The party starts at 9 pm.

I'm coming from out of town, and want to get a hotel. Did you make any arrangements?
Yes. We've blocked rooms at the Chestnut Hill Hotel, which is near our house, and the Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown, which is near the reception. We'll have the info on the invitation and on this website later.

Should I try to stay downtown, near the wedding? Or should I stay out near the party?
This one is up to you. Both have their perks. Center City is easier to get to and around without a car.

Will there be any carpools to and from the party?
Maybe. We want everyone who wants to go to the party to be able to make it. So, let us know if you want a ride, so that we can gauge interest in organizing something.

Isn't Helen settling?
Yes.

What is the dress code for the reception?
The dress code is best described as "casual – for a wedding." No one will be wearing a tux and there won't be matching bridesmaids, but if you show up in cut-offs, be prepared to stick out.

What is the dress code for the party?
This one is up to you. You should at least plan on loosening your tie. Note: the party (like the reception) is a shoed event.

Seriously – not to pry or anything, but couldn't Helen have done better?
Yes.

What sort of food and drink will there be at the reception?
Amada specializes in Spanish Tapas. There will be a variety of small plates, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. There will also be Sangria and an open bar.

Will Iron Chef Garces be there?
We don't know for sure. But we really, really doubt it.

The reception includes lunch; does the party include dinner?
There will be some foods to snack on, but no, the party does not include dinner. There are many places to eat in the Old City area, ranging from pizza, steaks, and bars to gourmet. There are also some good options in Mt. Airy, including Bacio, an Italian BYO 2 blocks from us. A few blocks further you get to Germantown Avenue, where you have your choice between McMenamins (a low-key gastropub), Earth Bread and Brewery (house-made beers and pizzas), and several other restaurants in a 2-block span.

Can I reach the party by public transportation?
Yes. The R8 train goes three blocks from our house. We are between the Carpenter Lane and Allen Lane stops. The train does not run that frequently, though, so be sure to check the schedule. More information on septa.org.

The wedding is still a few months away. Could Helen at least try to find someone better during that time?
That's up to her.

Have you registered for gifts anywhere?
Yes, but. We're having this wedding in order to celebrate our life together with family and friends. More important than any material gift is that we hope to see you here on 5/8. We're lucky that our house has everything we need. So, you don't need to give us anything. If you wish to, we have set up a wedding registry at amazon.com. For those wishing to contribute to our continuing updates to our house, that's cool. We also welcome contributions to the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers, a nonprofit that works on the trails where we run on every week.

Where should we park for the party?
Parking near our house is a small hassle, but not a big hassle. There usually aren't that many spots on our block, but the surrounding streets should have spots available. While our neighborhood is generally low-crime, don't plan on leaving suitcases, pocketbooks, laptop bags, etc., in open view.