Party pants

I've been asked a few questions about what to wear during the weekend.  Here it goes:

• Friday night: dress is casual - there will be outdoor games & activities, so think comfortable summer gear: shorts, sandals, sundresses, etc...
• Saturday day - parade!: costumes or t-shirts (we'll pass these out for you on Fri night); wear comfortable shoes since you'll be walking a bit (total parade route is about 1.5 miles, but it will be a lot of stop and go)
• Saturday evening - wedding ceremony and reception: this is wedding casual; sundresses, khakis, sandals, flip flops

Also, it's always smart in Seattle to bring something warmer to throw on at night - the temp often drops quite a bit.

For the costume-inclined parader marchers...

Here are a few more costume ideas!

Squid
Mermaid
Jellyfish

Jellyfish!

Nels' sister, Elisabeth, has been hard at work making jellyfish for the reception decorations.  Smaller jellyfish are being created by his mom for parade-goers...

The costume preparations have begun...

Map of events and whatnot

A map-related disaster occurred. Here's a revised version (click on link to see full map and zoom out to see all locations):


View Wedding events and locations in a larger map

Parade!

Seattle biggest neighborhood gathering occurs every June with the Fremont Solstice Parade.   The parade is on Saturday morning June 19th.  We'll send further details in the invitation & post updates on this website.

Here's the scoop:
Each and every wedding guest is invited to walk with us in the parade if they so desire.  Plus we're putting together a marching band for anyone interested (more details soon).  We'll provide instruments, food, beverages, and trinkets to throw to the crowd.  Considering our sea creature theme, we're encouraging everyone to find or create a fish or sea themed costume/hat/etc and join the fun.  This means we're hoping to be surrounded by starfish, lobsters, narwhals, mermaids, sea slugs, oysters - anything goes.  Otherwise, we're making themed t-shirts & those can be worn instead.  For those marching in the parade, we'll take care of the t-shirts for you (and we'll ask for t-shirt sizes in the invitation).  Costume ideas are listed after the jump.

A quick note about wedding gifts

Your continuing friendship and/or presence at our wedding more than suffice as a wedding gift.  Really.  If you feel some impulse to do something more, please consider a donation on our behalf to one of the charities we suggest below.  There is an "internet" related mechanism you can use to expedite the process:
http://www.idofoundation.org/cgi-bin/viewdonations.cgi?OccasionID=39912

Although you'll see there is a small processing fee of 8% through the website, it allows us to track the donations in order to thank you for your generosity. 100% of the donation goes to the charity you choose (so if you want to donate $50, your total charge is $54 - $50 to the charity and $4 to process). 

Alternately, feel free to make a donation directly (which bypasses the fees) to one of the following charities (or one of your choosing) -- and please let us know so we can thank you properly for your generosity!

Guest Post

Great news everybody! I was recently given the opportunity to publish a guest post on my wedding blog and that is what I am doing right now as I write this guest post on my wedding blog. I am excited for this opportunity and also for my wedding to Anne on June 19th. And I really hope you can join us. In the meantime I am posting a picture of a spy mission Anne and I made by canoe to the Lake Union Crew, the location of our wedding, reception, and party.  See you there June 19th for my wedding to Anne.

-Nels
Guest Blogger

Is there anything fun to do in Seattle??

No worries, friends, you can stay constantly busy while here for our wedding. Because I'm lazy & Old Chap Elde is neglecting his blogging duties, I'm stealing a link from my good friend Courtney's wedding blog:
Excursions in/near Seattle

You can't go wrong with any of these ideas. Courtney is one organized lady. And congrats to Courtney & Chris!

Also, here is a link to a brochure developed by some of my fellow Hutch peers for a meeting here in Seattle - it has a great overview of Seattle transportation & activities:
SBM Seattle Information

Airport transportation

Sea-Tac Airport is south of downtown Seattle and the wedding events. 
Map of Airport 

Taxis:
Taxis can be taken from Sea-Tac airport to the three wedding hotels for approximately $40.00.  The Taxi stand is located in the main parking lot off of the terminal.

Light Rail:
The Link light rail recently opened and can be taken from Sea-Tac airport to downtown Seattle. It takes approximately 40 minutes to get downtown and costs $2.50. The Link light rail service runs from 5am to 1am on Monday through Saturday and 6am to midnight on Sundays. Trains arrive and depart every 7 1/2 to 15 minutes, depending on the time of day. Once you arrive downtown, get off at one of the last tunnel stops and you can either take a taxi the rest of the way to the hotels, or take a bus.
Light Rail Website

Hotel Information

There are several hotel choices near the reception site.  Locations include:

Residence Inn by Marriott, Lake Union (reservations need to be made by May 20th to get the wedding rate)

• Free Wi-Fi & breakfast
• Located across the street from several restaurants & bars (most importantly, Hooters)
• On the 70 bus line that goes to the reception site (10 mins), downtown (10 mins) and U-District (15 mins)
• On the streetcar line that goes downtown   

Wedding rate $159/night  
800 Fairview Ave North
Seattle, WA 98019 

Reserve one of two ways:
1. Call Marriott Reservations at 800-331-3131, request Residence Inn, Lake Union (Seattle Downtown) and ask for the Kirchhoff/Elde wedding.
2. Use the link: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sealu-residence-inn-seattle-downtown-lake-union/?groupCode=KEWKEWA&app=resvlink 
**Promo code is: KEWKEWA