I. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday, Oct. 8: Wedding rehearsal, open house
o @ the D.C. Resident - setting up tents and decorating
o @ the M.D. Resident – decorating and constructing a gate
Saturday, Oct. 9: Engagement Ceremony
o @ 12 noon Lễ Đám Hổi at the M.D. Resident (new time)
o @ 6 p.m. Sunset Charter Boat Ride for our out-of-town guests only
Sunday, 10-10-10
o @ the M.D. Resident, 10 a.m. Lễ Rước Dâu (Fetching the Bride & Tea Ceremony)
o @ the D.C. Resident, 2 p.m. Lễ Đám Cưới (Vows Ceremony)
§ Backup Plan for Poor Weather Conditions – Twist Restaurant at the Savoy Suites Hotel, 2505 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Washington, DC 20007
o @ Savoy Suites Ballroom, 6:30 p.m. Dinner Reception
Monday, Oct. 11 (Columbus Day): @ 9:30 a.m. Farewell Breakfast/Brunch for the wedding parties and out-of-town guests. (new time)
NOTE: (1) If weather is extremely poor, please call 240-593-2643 and listen to a voice recorded message. This message will contain information pertaining to where the ceremony will be held and further instructions for our guests. You can also call Luan, 240-552-1722. If at all possible we want to have our ceremony outside on our humble backyard, please meditate for sunshine and no rain.
II. DIRECTIONS
Sunset Charter Boat Tour (NOTE: Limited - Invitations Only)
o Saturday, October 9, 2010 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
o Location: M/V Half Shell @ the Gangplank Marina, 600 Water Street, SW. Washington, DC 20024.
o Directions:
§ Metro - Take the Green Line to the Waterfront/ Southeastern University stop. Once up the escalators, turn left and a staff member (or Jeff & Luan) will meet you there.
§ From the Savoy Suites Hotel – Head southeast on Wisconsin Ave NW toward Calvert St NW; At the end of Wisconsin Ave, turn Left onto K St NW (0.3 mi); Turn Right onto 27th St (0.1 mi); Turn Left onto I St NW (Exxon on the corner); Take ramp for Potomac River Fwy S toward E-Street Expressway/Theodore Roosevelt Bridge (0.7 mi); Bear Left onto Ohio Dr SW (0.3 mi); Bear Left onto Independence Ave SW (0.8 mi); Bear Right onto Main Ave SW (1.1 mi); Turn Right onto 7th St SW; Make an immediate Left at Water St SW; Half Shell boat is docked at Gangplank Marina ahead on the right. If you reach 6th St SW, you’ve gone too far.
§ Please call Trinh’s cell phone at 240-593-2643 if you are lost or late. You can also call the Half Shell’s cell phone at 202-384-4826.
Wedding Rehearsal and Ceremonies
o NOTE: Since the ceremonies will be held at the private resident homes, please contact us directly for addresses and directions.
Wedding Dinner Reception
o Sunday, October 10, 2010 @ 6:30 p.m. –
o Location: Savoy Suites Georgetown Ballroom @ 2505 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Washington, DC 20007.
o Directions
§ Metro – Take the Red Line to Woodley Park Zoo/ Adams Morgan stop. Once up the escalator, turn right and wait for the complimentary Savoy Suites Shuttle. Shuttle runs every 15 minutes or you can call the hotel at 202-337-9700 to inquire. Tips are welcome.
§ From Maryland Suburbs, Baltimore and New York - Taking 95 South; Go onto the 495Beltway West towards Silver Spring; Continue on the 495 Beltway to Exit 34 (Rte 355 South/Wisconsin Ave) towards Bethesda - at the end of the exit, make a left hand turn onto Rte 355/Wisconsin Ave Chevy Chase, Washington; Follow the signs toward Bethesda; continue through Bethesda and Chevy Chase for about 7 miles; At traffic circle, continue straight onto Connecticut Ave, NW; Make a right at Nebraska Ave, NW for 0.8 miles; Make a right at Tenley Circle, NW for 100 ft; Make a left at Wisconsin Ave, NW. The Savoy will be on the left side.
§ From Virginia Suburbs and Richmond - Taking 95 North; Go onto 395 North to 14th Street Bridge; Make a Left onto Pennsylvania Ave - this turns into M Street at the entrance to Georgetown; Make a Right onto Wisconsin Ave; Go about 1.4 miles up the hill. The Savoy is on the right hand side.
§ Please call the Savoy, 202-337-9700, if you are lost.
III. DC ATTRACTIONS
Visit the Smithsonian
o Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.
Tour the National Monuments and Memorials
o The national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier. During daytime visits, take a tour bus. Listen to informative park ranger talks and you won’t have to negotiate congested city traffic.
Take a Walk Through Georgetown
o Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront that today is bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s paradise and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality. Take a tour of historic sites, do some shopping and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.
Ride a Bike Along the C & O Canal
o The Washington DC region is lucky to have wonderful bike trails. Jump on a bicycle and you’ll quickly feel a relief from hectic city life. Take the whole family and explore the historic C & O Canal.
See a Show or Concert at the Kennedy Center
o Live theatrical productions at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts are entertainment at its finest. Purchase tickets in advance for performances ranging from musicals to concerts by the National Symphony or see a free show at the Millennium Stage.
Check out the website “100 Free (and almost free) Things To Do in DC: http://washington.org/visiting/browse-dc/attractions/100-free-things-to-do
IV. VIETNAMESE WEDDINGS
The Vietamese wedding ceremony, or đám cưới, calls for the Groom and his entourage to fetch the bride at her parents' home. Once they arrive, we meditate for blessings from our ancestors and family. Family members will present gifts and wish us well.
A popular saying is "Trăm Năm Hạnh Phúc!" or "A hundred years of happiness". We end with bows to each other and our family, thanking them for their support.
For General Info, go to http://www.vietnam-culture.com/contemporary-vietnamese-traditional-weddings.aspx