Wedding Attire - Dress Code

For those who have not already heard the word, we respectfully request that everyone who will be joining us for the wedding on September 29th wear "cocktail attire".

For the gentlemen, that means a suit or sport coat and a necktie (ideally a nice and not garish one: Fish this means you).

For the ladies, that means something appropriately cocktail-y (which I think in NYC means black & slinky, but maybe Ive just been reading Gawker too much.)

Get Your Groove On

After Nabate Isles and his band wrap up the live music portion of the party (see more on Nabate below)we will get a little 21st century and turn to an iPod to provide the music for the dancing portion of the party.
That means there will be no Cher or ABBA played. Sorry. Our party, our rules people. BUT. If you dig James Brown, Prince, Michael Jackson, P-Funk, Frank Sinatra, Beyonce, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Etta James, A Tribe Called Quest, Ella Fitzgerald, The Ohio Players, Elvis, Louie Armstrong, Outkast, The Temptations, Wille Nelson, Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett, Kayne West, Joao Gilberto, The Supremes, Lenny Kravitz, Nina Simone and others, then you are in for a treat. The mix is settled, the tunes are tight. So bring your dancing shoes, your swerve, your groove and your mack, and get ready to shake your ass.

Hotels

If you are planning to stay in a hotel -- we cant stress enough that it would be wise to book a room, like, NOW.

The UN General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative will both be meeting in New York City during the weekend of the 29th, and it's our understanding that hotel rooms are fast becoming scarce.
We've secured a block of rooms at a reduced rate under the Gibbons-Greenberg Wedding at the Park 79 Hotel, which is located on the Upper West Side right by Central Park and the Museum of Natural History.

If youd prefer to book your own room, we can recommend Trip Advisor as a good resource. Might also recommend you consider Priceline , we used them to book our hotel room for Friday and Saturday nights.

NYC Resources

**Click on the map to see a larger version**

Yelp.com

New York City Subway

The New Yorker Magazine

Time Out NY

New York Magazine

The Village Voice

The New York Times

Wedding Events: SUNDAY

1030am Breakfast-Picnic in Central Park
LOCATION: Meet at CENTRAL PARK SOUTH - ENTRANCE BY COLUMBUS CIRCLE.

IN THE EVENT OF RAIN -- WE WILL BE CANCELLING THIS EVENT -
Rain Location: TBD

Wedding Events: SATURDAY

TENTATIVE:
1030am Run in Central Park
Join Sean for a run around the reservoir.
Details TBD

330pm Wedding Photos
Penthouse 15
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE - NOT CONFIRMED
3:30 Couple Portraits commence at PH15
4:00 Bride & Groom Parents arrive PH15 for photos
4:30 Other family, wedding party arrive PH15 for photos
5:00 Photos complete


530pm Wedding
Penthouse 15
336 West 37th street
15th Floor
New York N.Y. 10018
Phone: 212.871.0940

TIMELINE:
530pm-630pm WEDDING CEREMONY

630pm-730pm COCKTAIL HOUR ON THE ROOFTOP

730pm-930pm DINNER

930pm-1am DANCING

Wedding Events: FRIDAY

830pm Drinks
The Audrey Lounge at the W New York - The Tuscany
120 East 39th Street · Between Lexington and Park Avenue


*We have confirmed our reservation at 830pm at The Audrey Lounge - so if you are planning to come by, please let Sean, Dayna or one of the wedding party know so we know to look for you -- we will be at reserved tables off the main bar area

Wedding Events: THURSDAY - CANCELLED

8pm-10pm-ish Drinks It seems we (Sean) have/has been a bit overconfident in scheduling us. With our sincere apologies, we are going to cancel tonight's plan to meet out in Tribeca at the Bubble Lounge. We can recommend the Bubble Lounge enthusiastically, or please look to the lists of places further down in the site for other suggestions.

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow (Friday) at 8pm at the Audrey Lounge -- see details in the Friday post above.

The Bubble Lounge Tribeca

The Honeymoon: Tulum, Mexico & London, England

As much as we're looking forward to celebrating the big day, after a summer without a proper vacation we're looking ahead to some time off. (A special thanks to parents-to-be Darren & Janice DeMonsi for hosting us for a too-short weekend at Long Beach Island, NJ)

We're going to be honeymooning for two weeks -- first sunning ourselves and not doing much else in Tulum, Mexico (which we hope is still there after Category 5 Hurricane Dean ravaged the Yucatan coast this week) and then on to London, England for a whirlwind tour of the sights, the theater and the... ahh... pubs.

Kids at the Wedding: Babysitting Services

Children are welcome to join us at the wedding ceremony, but we respectfully request that sometime during the cocktail hour (approx 630p-730p) that follows the ceremony, the little ones depart.

Many of you with young children have told us you have already made plans with friends or family for the evening. We are grateful for your understanding and effort.

If youve not yet made plans or need help finding child care, we've researched the babysitting service referenced below:

Absolute Best Care
New York Magazine's Best Emergency Babysitting Service
telephone: 212-481-5705

If one parent plans to depart early to look after your child, know that we understand and respect your decision. We ask that you inform us of your plans by September 7th so we have an accurate count for the caterers, and so that none of our guests are seated next to an empty chair.

The Music: Nabate Isles

Nabate Isles isn't just a outstanding trumpet player and jazz musician, he's also a family friend. Nabate was classmates with Ian Greenberg at HS 485 -- also known as the School for Performing Arts (or for you TV fans, the high school from "Fame") and we're honored that he's squeezing our evening soiree into his busy schedule. Nabate has gigged with some stellar talents, including Christian McBride, Ravi Coltrane, Steve Coleman and David Gilmore. He's also recorded several solo titles.
*A Special Request: Please don't slow Nabate and his band down as they break down after their set -- Nabate will be heading uptown for a recording session.

Wedding Photographer: Sandra O'Claire

We're delighted that Sandra O'Claire will be documenting the party on the 29th. Katrina blew Sandra from New Orleans to NYC, and as we're big fans of the Big Easy, we're especially pleased that she will be sharing the day with us.
Her portfolio is available online at eauclairephotographics.com -- we think you'll agree her work is astoundingly good.

2007 Addition: Nicholas (Nico) Strait

The handsome guy in the picture is Nico Strait. The guy trying to eat him is his father, Eric. (Heh heh heh).


Eric and Diana are still reeling from little sleep after Nico's birth earlier this month, but they're planning to trek out East to join us for the hoedown (for which we are forever grateful). Make sure to buy them a drink when you see them in September.

2007 Addition: Ella Himes

The little one above wont be rocking on the dancefloor -- but her Mom & Dad will. If you're shy or stink at making small talk, here's one to put in your back pocket: offer your congratulations and good wishes to Bower & Johanna Himes, who welcomed their first child, Ella, into the world this year.

Wedding Coordinator: Karen Bussen

Karen Bussen will be assisting us on the day of the wedding in order to keep the trains running on time -- she will ensure everyone knows where to be and what's going on -- so if youre confused or you have an issue, please look to her. If youre a member of the wedding party or the immediate family -- Karen may be getting in contact with you.
For those interested -- Karen's the author of several books, including her recent Simple Stunning Weddings

New York: Books

Some suggested reading material for the train or plane (or subway). Below we've listed a small selection of books we've read and liked about (or featuring) New York. All are available thru Amazon.com or at your local library.

The Best Things To Do in New York City 1001 things to do in the city that never sleeps

Higher Tale of the ego-fueled, cash-strapped race to build the tallest building in the world.

Miles: An Autobiography From East St Louis to New York, the life of jazz titan Miles Davis according to Miles Davis.

The Historical Atlas of New York City A picture book for grown-ups: Maps tracing 400 years of NYC's history.

A Drinking Life Pete Hamill's boozy memoir of life as a native New York newspaperman...

Liar's Poker Michael Lewis's (Moneyball) thrilling insider account of life on Wall Street at Solomon Brothers in the heady 1980s

Rothko: A Biography Biography of the abstract expressionist painter's tortured life

A Love Supreme Ashley Kahn's outstanding look into the making of the landmark John Coltrane album, A Love Supreme

Alexander Hamilton: A Life This Revolutionary figure shaped New York, the economy and the country



Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section below.

New York: Movies

What better way to get into the spirit of a wedding in New York, than to get your appetite up for it? Below we've listed a small selection of films we love that feature New York. All are available thru Netflix

New York, A Documentary Film Ric Burns's epic documentary mini-series traces New York City's beginnings from the 17th century trading outpost of New Amsterdam to the present day.

Manhattan Woody Allen's valentine to NYC. A classic.

Goodfellas Martin Scorsese's gangster masterpiece.

Three Days of the Condor Robert Redford stars as the CIA researcher who returns from lunch to find all his co-workers murdered. Double-crossed and forced to go underground, he kidnaps a young woman (Faye Dunaway) and holds her hostage as he unravels the mystery. Conspiracy films don't come any better.

Ghostbusters Who you gonna call?

Mo Better Blues Spike Lee's look at a self-centered jazz musician. Starring Denzel Washington & Wesley Snipes and featuring the music of Branford Marsalis & Terence Blanchard. Other Spike Lee NY-centric films worth seeing: Crooklyn Do The Right Thing

A Walk On The Moon A glimpse into summer life upstate in the Catskills, set around the 1969 moon landing. One of Dayna's favorites.

When Harry Met Sally Doesnt matter how many times you ve seen it: this Billy Crystal-Megan Ryan movies holds up all these years later.

Marathon Man A noirish thriller with Dustin Hoffman & Laurence Olivier. "Is it Safe?"

61* Roger Maris & Mickey Mantle chase Babe Ruth's home run record.

Pollock Ed Harris's examination of the NY action painter

Feel free to add your favorite movies set in New York inthe comments section below.

The Wedding Party

Groomsmen
Chad Gibbons - Best Man
Eric Strait
Kevin Strait
Travis Smith
David Butler
Darren DeMonsi

Bridal Party
Jason Greenberg
Ian Greenberg
Dayna Greenberg (the other Dayna Greenberg)
Sophia Greenberg
Judit Markarian
Amy McCarley

Flower Girls
Sophie Greenberg
Nora Butler
Aoife Butler

Things To Do in NYC: Parks & Landmarks

Central Park (Upper West Side/Upper East Side)

Central Park Zoo

Central Park Loeb Boathouse & Lake

Washington Square (Greenwich Village)

Bryant Park (Midtown)

Empire State Building (Midtown)

Statue of Liberty

Circle Line Cruise

Things To Do in NYC: Restaurants

Public (Nolita) $$$ New American

Cafe Habana (Nolita) $ Cuban

H&H Bagels (Upper West Side) $ Bagels

Edgar's (Upper West Side) $$ Dessert

Serendipity 3 (Uptown East) $ Dessert

Calle Ocho (Upper West Side) $$ Latin

Island Burgers & Shakes (Hell's Kitchen) $ Burgers

Rice & Beans (Hell's Kitchen) $$ Brazilian

Rosa Mexicano $$ Mexican

The Eatery (Hells Kitchen) $$ Breakfast

L'Orange Bleu (Soho) $$ North African/French

Turks & Frogs (Tribeca) $$ Turkish

Grey's Papaya (Upper West Side) $ Hot Dogs

Ferrerra's (Little Italy) $ Pastries

Mexican Radio (West Village) $$ Mexican

Katz's Deli (Lower East Side) $ Sandwiches


FOR MORE OPTIONS PLEASE LOOK ON YELP! OR ZAGAT

Things To Do in NYC: Bars

The Bubble Lounge Tribeca

McSorley's

Automatic Slims

Apt

Merc Bar

Lolita

Sway

The Room Soho

Blue Owl

The Cub Room Soho

Art Bar West Village

The Other Room Tribeca

Things To Do in NYC: Live Music

Birdland

The Village Vanguard

The Beacon Theater

Bowery Ballroom

The Blue Note

Mercury Lounge

Things to Do in NYC: Broadway Theater

TKTS - 42nd St - Discount Theater Tickets

Things to Do in NYC: Museums

The Guggenheim

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Natural History Museum & Planetarium

The Food

Nappants is Kevin & Andrew: two guys who decided they liked food better than anything else. And it shows.

Both are grads of the French Culinary Institute -- which is where they met and conspired to kick off their nascent biz. For those who need resumes to rest as ease, rest away -- their creds are legit.

More and most important: their food is out of this world.

We know you're in for a treat and we're ecstatic that they're going to be putting on a show.

*Some of you Food TV addicts may recognize Andrew. He recently appeared on the Food Network's "Who Will Be The Next Food Network Star?"



COCKTAIL HOUR
Passed Hoer 'dourves

DINNER
First course:
Roasted butternut squash soup with brown butter, sage and crème fraiche

Second course:
Lobster “raviolo” over orzo in a lobster tarragon cream emulsion

Third Course:
Fennel crusted tuna with roasted beet, oranges and citrus vinaigrette

Fourth course:
Braised short ribs with a potato/celery root puree red wine reduction sauce
Or
(Veggie option) Celery root “napoleon” with portabello mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, with fresh herbs

Dessert Course:
Assortment of petit foures
Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes

Coffee

The Venue

Sean & Dayna
are getting married in New York, New York on September 29th, 2007


Where:
Penthouse 15
337 West 37th Street
New York, NY

When:
September 29, 2007
530pm