While Watson Block itself does not have a dedicated parking lot, there is ample paid and street parking available in the immediate vicinity. We recommend parking at or adjacent to your hotel (We have a block of rooms reserved at the AC Hotel by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown for your convenience!), or parking at Ramp C, one of the ramps that services Target Field. Ramp Cs' address is 318 2nd Ave N, Minneapolis. It is just two blocks from our venue!
Yes! We have arranged for a group rate at the AC Hotel by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown for the convenience of our guests. The AC Hotel is just 2 blocks (<5 minute walk) from Watson Block, our wedding venue. Please click the Lodging & Travel tab above to access our exclusive online reservation link and take advantage of our discounted rate.
While we recommend booking your hotel stay at the AC Hotel so that you may take advantage of our discounted rate for our guests, you are welcome to stay at any hotel of your choosing! Some other great hotels within walking distance of Watson Block include The Hewing Hotel, Loews Minneapolis, Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Downtown, and the Westin Minneapolis.
Our wedding theme is inspired by the musical "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812," which we saw on our "first date," the whirlwind weekend we spent in New York City shortly after starting our relationship. We were lucky enough to not only have coveted on-stage seats for "Great Comet," but also to be in the audience for the performance that was taped for inclusion in the National Library of Congress. That's right - our first date was actually recorded for historical posterity. We hope to one day visit the National Library of Congress to watch the recording and relive our beginnings as a couple when we are old and grey. The musical is inspired by a 70-page segment from Tolstoy's famous novel "War & Peace" and takes place in Russia in 1812. Audience members are welcomed into a theater transformed into a Russian supper club complete with fresh, warm pierogis, cold vodka, and gas lamps lit low. The music and design of the show mash up a gloriously wide range of influences, from Russian folk music to 60s Regency revival to rave culture. Our wedding theme takes its cue from "Great Comet" and will represent an equally joyful clash of our personalities and favorite things. Expect details that nod to the Broadway show, to 1800s Russia, and to us, the main characters of our own epic love story. (Do you need to listen to the "Great Comet" Original Broadway Cast recording to totally "get" our wedding? No - but it sure would be fun if you did!) "Here's to happiness, freedom, and life! May your travel be quick as a scythe cuts through the grass, / may your sorrows be counted and numbered as many / as drops of wine and vodka that stay in my glass! Всего хорошего / hа посошок / Поехали! (Good luck! One for the road! Let's go!)" - A Russian toast as featured in "Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812"
"Funky formal" = semi-formal to formal dress code + fun. We want to see your favorite outfits, the ones that turn heads, catch eyes, and make you feel fabulous. "Funky formal" is synonymous with bright colors, bold patterns, interesting textures, sequins, feathers, bows -- basically the opposite of a boring country club wedding. We're especially down to see outfits that nod to the 60s and 70s, or that work within our wedding colors (Bright reds, deeper reds, yellow-gold and pea green. It works, trust us,) but above all, we want you to 1) Feel fantastic, 2) Look bomb AF. Still want more style inspo? Check out our helpful Pinterest board to start brainstorming your showstopping wedding guest outfit: https://www.pinterest.com/alyssazaczek/funky-formal-examples-inspo/
If your invitation was addressed to "The ____ Family" or addresses your child(ren) by name, then yes, your kiddos are invited! Otherwise, we respectfully ask that you ditch the kids with a babysitter for the night and come kick it with us child-free style.
Please RSVP online by clicking the RSVP tab above! This will take you to our RSVP portal, which will allow you to RSVP for every member of your party, select your preferred meal, and enter your song requests for our DJ.
Yes! Watson Block has an elevator on the first floor (ground level) that will be available for guest use.
We appreciate that you would like to show your love and support by giving us a gift! While gifts are absolutely not necessary or expected, we are registered online through Zola for the convenience of those who would like to make use of it. Our registry, which can be accessed through the "Registry" tab above, simplifies the gifting process by sending any purchased gifts directly to us. In addition to classic registry items, we have also included a Honeymoon Fund option, which allows generous loved ones to contribute to excursions and add-ons during our honeymoon, and Group Gifts, which allows multiple people to contribute to a "big ticket item." If you would like to gift us (again, not necessary, but very kind!) but would prefer to gift cash or an item that is not on our registry, we will have a card box/gift table present at our reception.
We are thrilled to be sailing with Royal Caribbean to Italy, Greece and Turkey on the beautiful Odyssey of the Seas. Alyssa has always dreamed of honeymooning in Santorini and is over the moon to finally get her wish! We will also visit Rome, Ephesus, Mykonos and Naples during the cruise. (Not to mention thrilling layovers in Reykjavik and Amsterdam!)
Yes! While our honeymoon trip will be very generously funded by our parents, we do have a honeymoon fund established to help us make the most of our voyage. You can contribute to our honeymoon fund in any amount you'd like via our registry.
We're so glad you'd like to come up and stay awhile! There are so many things to do in the Twin Cities in July that it would be difficult to list them all. Here are some of our favorite things to do in the summer when we go into the Cities: - See live theater at the Guthrie, Orpheum, or any of the many other great local venues. - Take in a Twins game at Target Field (even better if they're playing the White Sox!) - Go hunting for great vintage finds at Hunt & Gather, one of Alyssa's favorite vintage shops in Minneapolis - Enjoy local craft beers at Surly Brewing, Dangerous Man Brewing, Indeed brewing company or any one of the many outstanding craft breweries in either city. - Watch a soccer (sorry, *football,*) match at Brit's Pub, one of Andrew's favorite places in the city. Grab a pint and enjoy the English hospitality and lawn bowling! - Have kiddos with you? Check out Wild Rumpus, the coolest children's bookstore in the world. Featuring great books, great people, and truly outstanding shop pets including multiple cats, birds and chinchillas. - Dine at one of our favorite restaurants, including but certainly not limited to: George & the Dragon, Salut Edina, The Anchor Fish & Chips shop (just down the street from Dangerous Man Brewing Co!), Young Joni, and Giulia. - Check out some of the "Twin Cities Tourist" staples, like the Walker Arts Center Sculpture Garden (yes, with the big spoon,) the Mary Tyler Moore statue, Minnehaha Falls, the Mall of America (it feels wrong to even suggest this, but they do have an indoor theme park with rollercoasters and everything!), the Science Museum of Minnesota, Prince's home Paisley Park, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, the Swedish Museum, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Grab a Juicy Lucy while you're at it - whether you choose Matt's Bar or the 5-8 Club, we won't judge.