The clock is ticking...the race is on...it's getting down to the wire...we're just hours away...cliche cliche cliche...
We're getting incredibly excited to see all of you. Heather and I wanted to pass along two updates.
Shuttle Bus: For the out-of-town guests staying in Agoura Hills, there will be a shuttle on Saturday afternoon to drive you to the wedding. The shuttle will pick up everyone at 1:20 pm. This is the ONLY shuttle heading to the wedding. The shuttle will make two trips back to the hotel as we're winding the evening down. Those times will be determined as we get closer to the day.
Sunday BBQ: If you happen to be around until Monday, have a late night flight on Sunday, or just happen to live here, then stop over our house in the afternoon. We'll be having a BBQ - very chill and casual. We're not sure what time we'll be home, but you can always give us a call. If you don't have our address and want to come over, shoot us an email. (I don't want to post our address on the internet...that's just me.)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Dress Code
Dearest wedding guest,
The countdown is on for the wedding, and we can't wait to see you out here!!! As we get closer to the big day, one question keeps popping up: "What's the dress code? Do flip flops mean we can wear shorts and a Hawaiian shirt?"
Our simple answer: "This is a wedding, not a Jimmy Buffet concert, Dad!"
For a little clarification, the dress code is the same as it would be for any wedding. For guys, suits, or pants with a sport coat. For women, a dress or skirt or pant suit or coolats if you choose. We aren't black tie, so don't feel pressure to squeeze into a tux or ball gown.
Also, we do want to remind you that it could get chilly as we get into the evening, so plan on bringing a shawl, sweater, or light coat.
And, of course, wear appropriate footwear - flip flops, sandals, flats - but no sneakers, please.
We're sure you have other questions - please email us or call us.
Love,
Brian & Heather
QUICK UPDATE: Our good friend, Evan googled "Jimmy Buffet Concert," and found this picture on page 1 of the search, and he suggested this caption:
And for those who don't know, this is based on icanhascheezburger.com - a very funny site.
The countdown is on for the wedding, and we can't wait to see you out here!!! As we get closer to the big day, one question keeps popping up: "What's the dress code? Do flip flops mean we can wear shorts and a Hawaiian shirt?"
Our simple answer: "This is a wedding, not a Jimmy Buffet concert, Dad!"
For a little clarification, the dress code is the same as it would be for any wedding. For guys, suits, or pants with a sport coat. For women, a dress or skirt or pant suit or coolats if you choose. We aren't black tie, so don't feel pressure to squeeze into a tux or ball gown.
Also, we do want to remind you that it could get chilly as we get into the evening, so plan on bringing a shawl, sweater, or light coat.
And, of course, wear appropriate footwear - flip flops, sandals, flats - but no sneakers, please.
We're sure you have other questions - please email us or call us.
Love,
Brian & Heather
QUICK UPDATE: Our good friend, Evan googled "Jimmy Buffet Concert," and found this picture on page 1 of the search, and he suggested this caption:
And for those who don't know, this is based on icanhascheezburger.com - a very funny site.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Last Minute Reservations
Hi everyone,
If you haven't reserved a hotel room yet at the Renaissance Agoura Hills and want to do so now, do not call the main number. Please call our contact directly:
Vanessa Tabones, Sales Manager
Direct: 818-665-4256
If she's not there, leave her a voicemail. If you call her, please tell her that you're with our wedding and you'll get the wedding rate of $104 a night.
If you haven't reserved a hotel room yet at the Renaissance Agoura Hills and want to do so now, do not call the main number. Please call our contact directly:
Vanessa Tabones, Sales Manager
Direct: 818-665-4256
If she's not there, leave her a voicemail. If you call her, please tell her that you're with our wedding and you'll get the wedding rate of $104 a night.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Iconic Los Angeles or Tourist Trap? (Tourism Tips Part 2)
When guests come into town, there are certain spots that we try to show them. I call them Tourist Traps, mainly because they're spots you won't find many locals hanging out at. There are some great things to see in these spots, but I'll give some warnings along the way.
1. Universal Studios/Universal City Walk: There’s plenty to do at Universal Studios – ride the rides, shop, take the back lot tour, but you may feel cheated afterwards. It’s expensive, and it's not a big park. Universal City Walk is an outdoor mall with flashy signs, big crowds, and chain restaurants. The best part of this is the back lot tour, which takes you through the working Universal Studios lot. If you are interested in going, look for coupons online.
(http://www.universalstudios.com/; Universal City, CA 91608)
2. Hollywood and Highland (featuring: Grauman’s Chinese Theater/The Walk of Fame): New York has Times’ Square, and we have this monstrosity. Planners tried building a Times’ Square west, but instead, they ended up designing a confusing outdoor mall. It is worth stopping by to see Grauman’s Chinese Theater (with the handprints in the cement), the Kodak Theater (where they hold the Oscars), and a block or two of the Hollywood Walk of Fame (once you’ve seen one block, you’ve seen them all). Enjoy/Beware of the freaks dressed as superheroes trying to coax you into taking a picture with them.
(www.hollywoodandhighland.com; 6801 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028)
3. Disneyland/California Adventure Land: Some may consider this the happiest place on earth, but don’t count me as one of them. It’s pricey, there’s a lot of screaming kids, and not enough whiskey to make the pain go away. But, I know many of you would love to visit. If you are planning on going, it takes over an hour with minimal traffic to get down there. Plan accordingly.
(disneyland.disney.go.com; 1313 S Harbor Blvd; Anaheim, CA 92802)
4. The Hollywood Sign: The good news is you can see this from a lot of places in Hollywood. The bad news is you can’t stand next to it. If you ask nicely, Heather and I can give you directions to get pretty close to it.
(http://www.hollywoodsign.org/)
5. The Sunset Strip: Home of wanna-be’s, poseurs, and Motley Crue, the Sunset Strip is...well...a strip of stores, restaurants, and clubs. It just happens to be that sometimes, you may see someone rich or famous walking down these streets. It’s not as notorious as it was in the 1980’s, but it is a sight to see.
(Sunset Blvd., between Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Phyllis Street)
6. Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills: You’ll find swimmin’ pools, and movie stars, but not the Clampetts in Beverly Hills. Take a stroll through Rodeo Drive, and drive through the neighborhood a little bit. There are some great houses to see, but you won't be able to afford anything in the stores.
(Beverly Hills, CA)
7. Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica: Santa Monica is great for a number of reasons – there’s a pier with a few rides, there’s a large beach, there’s water, and there’s the nearby Third Street Promenade for shopping. It’s not my favorite for relaxing because it’s a little too loud and busy, but it’s a great place if you’re looking do a lot at once.
(http://thirdstreetpromenade.org/visitors/index.html)
1. Universal Studios/Universal City Walk: There’s plenty to do at Universal Studios – ride the rides, shop, take the back lot tour, but you may feel cheated afterwards. It’s expensive, and it's not a big park. Universal City Walk is an outdoor mall with flashy signs, big crowds, and chain restaurants. The best part of this is the back lot tour, which takes you through the working Universal Studios lot. If you are interested in going, look for coupons online.
(http://www.universalstudios.com/; Universal City, CA 91608)
2. Hollywood and Highland (featuring: Grauman’s Chinese Theater/The Walk of Fame): New York has Times’ Square, and we have this monstrosity. Planners tried building a Times’ Square west, but instead, they ended up designing a confusing outdoor mall. It is worth stopping by to see Grauman’s Chinese Theater (with the handprints in the cement), the Kodak Theater (where they hold the Oscars), and a block or two of the Hollywood Walk of Fame (once you’ve seen one block, you’ve seen them all). Enjoy/Beware of the freaks dressed as superheroes trying to coax you into taking a picture with them.
(www.hollywoodandhighland.com; 6801 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028)
3. Disneyland/California Adventure Land: Some may consider this the happiest place on earth, but don’t count me as one of them. It’s pricey, there’s a lot of screaming kids, and not enough whiskey to make the pain go away. But, I know many of you would love to visit. If you are planning on going, it takes over an hour with minimal traffic to get down there. Plan accordingly.
(disneyland.disney.go.com; 1313 S Harbor Blvd; Anaheim, CA 92802)
4. The Hollywood Sign: The good news is you can see this from a lot of places in Hollywood. The bad news is you can’t stand next to it. If you ask nicely, Heather and I can give you directions to get pretty close to it.
(http://www.hollywoodsign.org/)
5. The Sunset Strip: Home of wanna-be’s, poseurs, and Motley Crue, the Sunset Strip is...well...a strip of stores, restaurants, and clubs. It just happens to be that sometimes, you may see someone rich or famous walking down these streets. It’s not as notorious as it was in the 1980’s, but it is a sight to see.
(Sunset Blvd., between Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Phyllis Street)
6. Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills: You’ll find swimmin’ pools, and movie stars, but not the Clampetts in Beverly Hills. Take a stroll through Rodeo Drive, and drive through the neighborhood a little bit. There are some great houses to see, but you won't be able to afford anything in the stores.
(Beverly Hills, CA)
7. Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica: Santa Monica is great for a number of reasons – there’s a pier with a few rides, there’s a large beach, there’s water, and there’s the nearby Third Street Promenade for shopping. It’s not my favorite for relaxing because it’s a little too loud and busy, but it’s a great place if you’re looking do a lot at once.
(http://thirdstreetpromenade.org/visitors/index.html)
Visiting LA For the First Time? Tourism Tips, Part 1
Is our wedding bringing you out to Los Angeles for the first time? If so, then we're guessing that you may be doing some touring around the town.
We wanted to let you know that the hotels are approximately 30-45 minutes away from Hollywood and much of the sights of Los Angeles. Plan accordingly to avoid traffic during rush hour drive times. But then again, traffic in Los Angeles is unpredictable, so just be ready to be patient.
There are a few places that we recommend visiting when visiting Los Angeles:
1. In-N-Out Burger: You MUST try In-N-Out Burgers. For guests who have been to Los Angeles before, this will most likely be their first stop, probably on the way from the airport to the hotel. If you haven’t visited LA before, then it’s time to have a burger at In-N-Out. Their menu is simple: burgers, fries, and drinks. But don’t be fooled by the simplicity – there’s a secret menu. Just look it up online and you’ll learn about “animal style.” This is a must for burger lovers…or just people who eat meat. We recommend…well, everything. (www.in-n-out.com; Various Locations Around LA):
2. The Beach: If you're looking for a place to sit in the sand and relax, there's plenty of beach nearby to hit. The hotel is only 20 minutes away from one of our favorite beaches, Zuma Beach. Zuma is quiet, has plenty of space, and reminds me most of the beaches I enjoyed back East. The waves here can be pretty good, so make sure you bring a boogie board and stay close to the lifeguard tower. You can also check out Santa Monica, which is a bit more touristy, and has a great pier with rides for the kiddies.
3. The Freaks: If you want to go to a beach to check out the circus atmosphere, you should go to Venice Beach. This is not a beach for relaxing and swimming. Park in Venice and walk the boardwalk up and down. This is the best place in town to people watch. Muscle Beach, and famous blacktop basketball courts are also highlights. If you have the time, it should be on your “to-do” list.
4. The Getty Center: It’s been dubbed (by me) as the Marble Marvel on the Hill. This museum sits atop a hill just off the 405 freeway. It’s got some great artwork, but the museum itself is the real treat. The views of Los Angeles are stunning on a clear day, and the amazing garden should be in full bloom in May. It’s free to visit, but parking will cost a few dollars. (http://www.getty.edu/, 1200 Getty Center Drive LA, CA 90049)
5. Griffith Park/The Griffith Observatory: The Griffith Observatory is a Los Angeles icon seen in tons of films, but the park that surrounds it is the hidden treasure. There's tons of great spots to relax and picnic, lots of trails that are great for hiking, a zoo, and a museum. It's a pretty amazing place.
(The Griffith Observatory: http://www.griffithobs.org/, Griffith Park: http://www.lacity.org/rap/dos/parks/griffithpk/griffith.htm)
6. Amoeba Music: For the serious music fan, this store is a must. This massive warehouse has new, used, rare, unreleased, and bootlegged music, plus a whole lot of movies on DVD.
(http://www.amoeba.com/, 6400 Sunset Blvd. LA, CA 90028)
7. Arclight Cinemas/Cinerama Dome: Right next to Amoeba Music sits the historic Cinerama Dome and the Arclight Cinemas. These are the best theaters to see a movie in LA. The Chinese Theater may be the most famous, but Arclight takes the popcorn for quality. Tickets are little pricey, but you’ll get a reserved seat, commercial-free trailers, and a polite crowd. If a good movie is playing at the Cinerama Dome, it may be worth it just to check out the giant screen. (Oh, and don’t forget to try the carmel popcorn.)
(https://www.arclightcinemas.com, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd LA, CA 90028)
8. Catch a Dodgers Game: The Dodgers will be in town during the wedding weekend playing the Padres (Thursday, April 30th-Sunday, May 3rd). Dodgers’ Stadium is in our neighborhood and tickets to the game are fairly easy to get and inexpensive. There’s no bad seat in the house. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare, so leave early. (Don't forget to try a "World Famous" Dodger Dog.)
(www.dodgers.com)
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There's more to come!
We wanted to let you know that the hotels are approximately 30-45 minutes away from Hollywood and much of the sights of Los Angeles. Plan accordingly to avoid traffic during rush hour drive times. But then again, traffic in Los Angeles is unpredictable, so just be ready to be patient.
There are a few places that we recommend visiting when visiting Los Angeles:
1. In-N-Out Burger: You MUST try In-N-Out Burgers. For guests who have been to Los Angeles before, this will most likely be their first stop, probably on the way from the airport to the hotel. If you haven’t visited LA before, then it’s time to have a burger at In-N-Out. Their menu is simple: burgers, fries, and drinks. But don’t be fooled by the simplicity – there’s a secret menu. Just look it up online and you’ll learn about “animal style.” This is a must for burger lovers…or just people who eat meat. We recommend…well, everything. (www.in-n-out.com; Various Locations Around LA):
2. The Beach: If you're looking for a place to sit in the sand and relax, there's plenty of beach nearby to hit. The hotel is only 20 minutes away from one of our favorite beaches, Zuma Beach. Zuma is quiet, has plenty of space, and reminds me most of the beaches I enjoyed back East. The waves here can be pretty good, so make sure you bring a boogie board and stay close to the lifeguard tower. You can also check out Santa Monica, which is a bit more touristy, and has a great pier with rides for the kiddies.
3. The Freaks: If you want to go to a beach to check out the circus atmosphere, you should go to Venice Beach. This is not a beach for relaxing and swimming. Park in Venice and walk the boardwalk up and down. This is the best place in town to people watch. Muscle Beach, and famous blacktop basketball courts are also highlights. If you have the time, it should be on your “to-do” list.
4. The Getty Center: It’s been dubbed (by me) as the Marble Marvel on the Hill. This museum sits atop a hill just off the 405 freeway. It’s got some great artwork, but the museum itself is the real treat. The views of Los Angeles are stunning on a clear day, and the amazing garden should be in full bloom in May. It’s free to visit, but parking will cost a few dollars. (http://www.getty.edu/, 1200 Getty Center Drive LA, CA 90049)
5. Griffith Park/The Griffith Observatory: The Griffith Observatory is a Los Angeles icon seen in tons of films, but the park that surrounds it is the hidden treasure. There's tons of great spots to relax and picnic, lots of trails that are great for hiking, a zoo, and a museum. It's a pretty amazing place.
(The Griffith Observatory: http://www.griffithobs.org/, Griffith Park: http://www.lacity.org/rap/dos/parks/griffithpk/griffith.htm)
6. Amoeba Music: For the serious music fan, this store is a must. This massive warehouse has new, used, rare, unreleased, and bootlegged music, plus a whole lot of movies on DVD.
(http://www.amoeba.com/, 6400 Sunset Blvd. LA, CA 90028)
7. Arclight Cinemas/Cinerama Dome: Right next to Amoeba Music sits the historic Cinerama Dome and the Arclight Cinemas. These are the best theaters to see a movie in LA. The Chinese Theater may be the most famous, but Arclight takes the popcorn for quality. Tickets are little pricey, but you’ll get a reserved seat, commercial-free trailers, and a polite crowd. If a good movie is playing at the Cinerama Dome, it may be worth it just to check out the giant screen. (Oh, and don’t forget to try the carmel popcorn.)
(https://www.arclightcinemas.com, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd LA, CA 90028)
8. Catch a Dodgers Game: The Dodgers will be in town during the wedding weekend playing the Padres (Thursday, April 30th-Sunday, May 3rd). Dodgers’ Stadium is in our neighborhood and tickets to the game are fairly easy to get and inexpensive. There’s no bad seat in the house. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare, so leave early. (Don't forget to try a "World Famous" Dodger Dog.)
(www.dodgers.com)
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There's more to come!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Updated Hotel Information
Hi everyone,
Most of our guests will be staying at the Renaissance Agoura Hills. But, for those looking for someplace different, we have reserved another block of rooms at another hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Agoura Hills. They are part of the Hilton family and, I believe, take Hilton rewards cards. This hotel is across the street from the Renaissance. Their rooms are nice and they offer continental breakfast, but do not have a bar.
We reserved a small block of Standard King or Double Queen rooms from Thursday, April 30th until Sunday, May 3rd. The Thursday rate is $123. The Saturday and Sunday rate is $98.
For reservations, call (818) 597-0333 and mention the McCarthy/Keller wedding. Or, if you'd like to reserve online, go to www.agourahills.hamptoninn.com, use the Group/Convention Code KEL to get the rate.
If you have any problems, please ask for Jason Rutherford, who is our contact at the hotel.
The address is:
30255 Agoura Road
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
And rooms are stil available at The Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel as well, from Thursday April 30th to Sunday May 3rd 2009 for $104. For reservations, call (818) 707-1220 or (800) 933-3970 in the U.S. or online at: http://marriott.com/laxag?groupCode=kelkela&app=resvlink
Please indicate you are part of The Keller/McCarthy Wedding Group, with your arrival date.
Here's their address and more information:
Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel
30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills CA 91301
818-707-1220
Most of our guests will be staying at the Renaissance Agoura Hills. But, for those looking for someplace different, we have reserved another block of rooms at another hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Agoura Hills. They are part of the Hilton family and, I believe, take Hilton rewards cards. This hotel is across the street from the Renaissance. Their rooms are nice and they offer continental breakfast, but do not have a bar.
We reserved a small block of Standard King or Double Queen rooms from Thursday, April 30th until Sunday, May 3rd. The Thursday rate is $123. The Saturday and Sunday rate is $98.
For reservations, call (818) 597-0333 and mention the McCarthy/Keller wedding. Or, if you'd like to reserve online, go to www.agourahills.hamptoninn.com, use the Group/Convention Code KEL to get the rate.
If you have any problems, please ask for Jason Rutherford, who is our contact at the hotel.
The address is:
30255 Agoura Road
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
And rooms are stil available at The Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel as well, from Thursday April 30th to Sunday May 3rd 2009 for $104. For reservations, call (818) 707-1220 or (800) 933-3970 in the U.S. or online at: http://marriott.com/laxag?groupCode=kelkela&app=resvlink
Please indicate you are part of The Keller/McCarthy Wedding Group, with your arrival date.
Here's their address and more information:
Renaissance Agoura Hills Hotel
30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills CA 91301
818-707-1220
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Ain't No Party Like a Bridal Party!!!
Lots of you are wondering who in the world is going to be in our wedding?!
Well, here they are in no particular order:
Well, here they are in no particular order:
Bridesmaids:
The Goshen Four: Jen, Heather, Chrissy, and Karen (not to be confused with the Chicago Seven)
Susan and Heather celebrate a Dodgers win by sprinting onto the field
Erin is America's foremost Slackjawed Scientest.
And the Groomsmen are:
John bleeds black and gold for his beloved Wake Forrest.
Jen D'Andrea (Friend since elementary school)
Chrissy Adcock (Friend since elementary school)
Karen Stull (Friend since elementary school)
Karen Stull (Friend since elementary school)
The Goshen Four: Jen, Heather, Chrissy, and Karen (not to be confused with the Chicago Seven)Susan Lee (Brother Billy's fiancee)
Susan and Heather celebrate a Dodgers win by sprinting onto the fieldErin McCarthy (Brian's sister)
Erin is America's foremost Slackjawed Scientest.Helen Haft (LA friend, Heather was her babysitter)
Heather and Helen are caught by the paparazzi.
Julia Haft (LA friend, Heather was her babysitter)
Heather and Julia pose in front of someone who looks like Andy Dick.
Heather and Helen are caught by the paparazzi.Julia Haft (LA friend, Heather was her babysitter)
Heather and Julia pose in front of someone who looks like Andy Dick.Dave Willer (Friend since elementary school)
Dave is the greatest reindeer of all...mainly because he has a GPS system.
Dave is the greatest reindeer of all...mainly because he has a GPS system.Billy Keller (Heather's brother)
Billy posing for the 2009 Sears Catalog.
Billy posing for the 2009 Sears Catalog.Adam Keller (Heather's brother)
Adam and Heather explore the exotic locale known as "Downtown LA"
Adam and Heather explore the exotic locale known as "Downtown LA"Markie Keller (Heather's brother)
Mark has never made a serious face in his entire life.
Mark has never made a serious face in his entire life.John Campbell (Brian's brother-in-law)
John bleeds black and gold for his beloved Wake Forrest.Lee George (He's a buddy and a fan)
Lee has many blackmail photos of Brian, so we have no snarky comment for this picture.
Lee has many blackmail photos of Brian, so we have no snarky comment for this picture.Mike Gatzke (Childhood friend)
Rockaway's First Oscar Winner, Mike Gatzke
Rockaway's First Oscar Winner, Mike Gatzke
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