We met while salsa dancing at the Century Ballroom in January 2008. Both of us had just moved to Seattle to start a new job from a city named Vancouver - Milan from Vancouver, B.C. and Chi from Vancouver, WA.
Here we are on one of our first dates at Century Ballroom on Valentine's Day in 2008 and again in 2013.
Posing for photos after dancing at Kerry Park on the last warm summer day in 2013. Photos by our friend Daniel Suchman (2013).
Photo session at the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese Garden. Photography by our friend Yi Chen (2013).
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UW Center for Urban Horticulture
A beautiful quiet garden in Seattle near the University of Washington's main campus. Merrill Hall, the building with the greenhouse, was also designed by the Miller Hull Partnership, the architecture firm where Chi works.
Photos of the courtyard were taken by Chi in the afternoon on July 26, 2013 so you'll know exactly what it will look like on our wedding day on July 26, 2014 (assuming it is a sunny day and the plants remain the same).
(1) Entrance to the CUH from the guest parking lot with Soest Garden beyond. See this photo on a
map
(2) McVay Courtyard (ceremony)
[map]
(3) McVay Courtyard
(4) McVay Courtyard
(5) McVay Courtyard
(6) McVay Courtyard
(7) NHS Hall (banquet room)
[map]
(8) Merill Commons (dancing)
[map]
(9) Merrill Commons
(10) Merrill Commons
(11) Approaching Merrill Commons from the service parking
[map]
(12) Soest Garden
[map]
(13) Soest Garden
(14) Goodfellow Grove
[map]
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Schedule:
2:30pm Guest arrival and check-in
3:00pm Ceremony in McVay Courtyard
3:30pm Ceremony ends, move into NHS Hall to be seated for dinner
4:00pm Dinner begins
7:00pm Dancing in Merrill Commons (the greenhouse)
11:00pm Clean-up
Downtown Seattle as seen from Alki
There are many great things to see and do in Seattle, and the city is especially beautiful during the summer when the sun is out. Here are some of our favorite places (in no particular order). Click here to see all of these places on a map.
(A) Kerry Park - One of the must-see spots in Seattle with amazing views of the Space Needle, downtown, and Mt. Rainier on a clear day. [211 W Highland Dr, map]
(B) Pike Place Market - One of the beloved icons of Seattle visited by both tourists and locals. The market offers fresh produce, flowers, seafood, and many great restaurants and shops. [85 Pike St, map]
(C) Freeway Park - Built over the I-5 freeway lid, this park is a little hidden urban oasis and one of Chi's favorite architectural works in Seattle. [700 Seneca St, map]
(D) Olympic Sculpture Park - Probably Seattle's best public park downtown with great sculptures and artwork. [2901 Western Ave, map]
(E) Seattle Art Museum - One of Seattle's great cultural and architectural institutions. [1300 1st Ave, map]
(F) Seattle Central Library - Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, it is one of Chi's all-time favorite buildings. [1000 4th Ave, map]
(G) Alki - Yes, we have great sunsets and a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty. On a sunny summer day you can lay on the beach or stroll down the board walk and pretend you're in Southern California. Starfish and other sea creatures are also a treat to see at low tide. Click here for a tide chart. [2701 Alki Ave, map]
(H) Century Ballroom - come see where we met [915 E Pine St, map]
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As it gets closer to the date we'll be more than happy to help you with accomodations in Seattle. In the mean time here are some options you can browse: There are many nice hotels in Downtown Seattle from which you can conveniently enjoy the city's highlights and then take the Water Taxi to our place on Alki. There are also a few lodging options near the University District including the Talaris Center which is only a few minutes from the Center for Urban Horticulture. And then of course there is Airbnb if you're looking to rent a room or a whole house for a large group.
Sorry, the deadline for RSVP's has passed!
Your love, support, and presence at our wedding is the best gift you can give us. Our home is pretty complete with everything we need so contributions to our honeymoon fund instead would be most appreciated. We'll be going on a mini-honeymoon to Victoria, B.C. immediately following the wedding, and later to Europe with a stop in Serbia to visit Milan's family.
We also enjoy the following places in and around Seattle:
Q: Where is the wedding?
A: Both the ceremony and reception are conveniently located in one place at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture [map]. Also click on "the Venue" and "photos" and "directions" in the menu on the left to see more about the venue.
Q: What time is the ceremony and what time is the reception?
A: The ceremony will begin at 3pm. Please arrive by 2:30pm to allow time to check-in and to find your place for the ceremony. At 3:30pm we will move into the banquet room (NHS Hall) and be seated for dinner.
Q: Where is the ceremony and will I be standing?
A: The ceremony will be in McVay Courtyard and it will be quite informal and intimate with guests standing around the courtyard. Don't worry, it will be short (about 15 minutes) so you won't have to stand that long. A few chairs will be provided for those who need to sit. If it rains we will move the ceremony into Merrill Commons (the green house).
Q: Is there parking at the venue?
A: Yes, there is ample free parking at the venue but we encourage you to carpool anyway.
Q: Are there other major events happening on the wedding day that may cause traffic problems?
A: Yes, there are few events happening on our wedding day that may cause traffic problems including a Mariner's game and Seafair festivities. Please check this events list and plan accordingly depending on where you are coming from.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Anything other than a white dress. This will be an outdoor day-time summer wedding so no need for a formal tux or ball gown. The Center for Urban Horticulture has a variety of terrain so consider footwear that is appropriate for gravel, grass, dirt, and other unpaved surfaces. Bringing a change of shoes for dancing could also be a good idea.
Q: Can I take pictures?
A: Yes, but please don't take pictures during the ceremony. We would rather you enjoy this special moment fully and not through the lens of a camera or from behind your phone. We will have professional photographers and videographers to capture the day.
Q: Do I need to know how to dance?
A: Absolutely not! We and our awesome dancer friends (many of whom are way better than us) will be happy help you with some moves.