For those of you who want to take advantage of experiencing Seattle, my bro Chad helped come up with a list of sweet things to do while you're in town. Just click the orange link to pull up the web page.
Seafair: An annual festival in Seattle since the 1950's, highlights include hydroplane races and the Blue Angels. Lucky you, our wedding happens to fall on the same weekend!
Space Needle a Seattle landmark, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 world fair. If you want to be fancy you can eat at the restaurant up top, or you can just buy tickets there to ride up to the observation deck (you'll get a fantastic view of the Northwest). Tickets are about $18 for adults, although there are discounts for seniors and kids. Or you can always just go visit the gift shop. :)
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
is adjacent to the Space Needle (you can't miss it with it's crazy architecture); is a museum exploring the history of popular music (includes a guitar gallery) and science fiction. Fun facts: it was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. And the Seattle Center Monorail literally runs right through it.
Pacific Science Center is also in the same vicinity as the space needle. They have an IMAX, but I personally recommend a laser show.
Pike Place Market is another Seattle staple. The lower levels consist of unique shops (jewelery, ethnic food/candy, cigars, comic books, etc.) and restaurants, and the upper level consists of fresh produce, crafts, and fishmongers.
1st Starbucks is located just across the street from the Pike Place Market. The original store was opened in 1971 and maintains it original look as it is located in a historic district.
Shopping includes northgate mall, westlake center, and my personal favorite, downtown.
Seattle Aquarium is located on Pier 59, it's a great family activity
Ride the Duck! This bus/truck/boat is a fun way to tour Seattle both on land and in water
Kayaking for the outdoorsy people...see Seattle from the water by renting kayaks
Comedy/Improv: One of my favorite things to do in Seattle is to go see an improv show (at one point in my life I had 4 comedian's singing an Irish Jig about Amber who is a student and plays the piano...). There are a few improv options, but this link is for one located downtown, right near pikes place market.
Fremont Troll: A large troll under a bridge which was sculpted by local artists is clutching an actual Volkswagon Beetle.
Ferry to Canada: take the ferry from Seattle to Victoria (each way is approx. 3 hours). Don't forget your ID!
Or for a shorter trip to Bremerton (approx. 1 hour), click here, or other cruise (with dinner) options, click here
Golf : Though there are many golf course options, the scottish style golfing (i.e. next to the sea) option at Chambers Bay in University place is sweet because it is open to the public and has hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2010 and is scheduled to host the U.S. Open in 2015.
Mt. Rainier is my favorite part of Washington, but the drive from Seattle is a little over 2 hours.
Helpful visiting tip: When downtown and looking for advice on where to eat, shop, or play, just ask a Downton Ambassador. You will find them dressed in blue and yellow: they are an on-street concierge team for visitors. For immediate questions, reach a Downtown Ambassador by calling (206) 441-3303. (source: http://www.downtownseattle.com/SeattleVisitorTips.php#)
However you choose to spend your time, we hope you have a fabulous, memorable weekend in the beautiful Northwest!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Hot Eats
Everyone's got to eat, so in case you need a few suggestions, my brother Chad helped me compile the list of Seattle's Favorites:
Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56 is the place to go for fresh, amazing seafood
Metropolitan Grill is the place to go if you're looking for a great steak house
Red Mill Burgers: “One of the 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die" according to Oprah Show & GQ Magazine
Salumi: The store front has amazing take-out sandwiches...according to Anthony Bourdain in his article "13 Places to Eat Before You Die"
Top Pot Doughnuts has been featured on the cooking channel and the travel channel. Oh, and President Obama picked up some doughnuts there, which he called "outstanding." If you just get one, get the Old-Fashioned Glazed
Elliott's Oyster House on Pier 56 is the place to go for fresh, amazing seafood
Metropolitan Grill is the place to go if you're looking for a great steak house
Red Mill Burgers: “One of the 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die" according to Oprah Show & GQ Magazine
Salumi: The store front has amazing take-out sandwiches...according to Anthony Bourdain in his article "13 Places to Eat Before You Die"
Top Pot Doughnuts has been featured on the cooking channel and the travel channel. Oh, and President Obama picked up some doughnuts there, which he called "outstanding." If you just get one, get the Old-Fashioned Glazed
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Let's make it a vacation
There are many hotel options available for those of you interested in staying in Seattle for the weekend. We do have a block of rooms at a pretty sweet lodge, however, for those of you who really want to see the best of the Pacific Northwest. Cedarbrook Lodge was rated #1 hotel by TripAdvisor for 2011 (out of 53,000 hotels in America--not too shabby). Aside from the awesome fact that the lodge is located on 18 acres of natural restored wetlands, the lodge offers complimentary breakfast, complimentary self parking, free wi-fi, free shuttle service to Sea-Tac Airport (it's only 5 minutes away from the airport) and Seattle Link Light Rail, floor to ceiling windows, fly casting (how often do you see that at a hotel?)...I could go on--but you can just check it out for yourself here.
When booking online go to the quick reservations and click on check availability, please put our code PJWB in the far left box under Group Code along with the dates of stay and then hit continue. The Wedding Block rates ($159 per room for up to 2 guests per night, $20 for ea. additional guest per night for up to 4 guests per room) will show up for you to book. We have the block for Thursday and Friday, but the code will allow you to receive the special rate for up to 3 days before or after those days. If booking for Saturday, however, we encourage you to book as soon as possible as it is Seafair that weekend, and the hotel will likely sell out.
You are also able to call their central reservation number at 877.515.2176 and book under the Pelesky-Johnson Wedding Block with the same code of PJWB.
Please note that reservations must be made by July 5th to receive the special rate.
When booking online go to the quick reservations and click on check availability, please put our code PJWB in the far left box under Group Code along with the dates of stay and then hit continue. The Wedding Block rates ($159 per room for up to 2 guests per night, $20 for ea. additional guest per night for up to 4 guests per room) will show up for you to book. We have the block for Thursday and Friday, but the code will allow you to receive the special rate for up to 3 days before or after those days. If booking for Saturday, however, we encourage you to book as soon as possible as it is Seafair that weekend, and the hotel will likely sell out.
You are also able to call their central reservation number at 877.515.2176 and book under the Pelesky-Johnson Wedding Block with the same code of PJWB.
Please note that reservations must be made by July 5th to receive the special rate.
All the presence we need
We have been so blessed with everything we need, we certainly do not want or need any gifts. We appreciate the tremendous sacrifice you each are making to travel to our wedding; your presence is all we need. For those of you who insist, however, we are registered at zgallerie.com and Target.
Gifts may be sent to us at:
1738 Phelps Avenue
Fremont, NE 68025
....and they will be waiting for us when we get back :)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Location, Location, Location
When Daniel and I started talking about marriage and then a wedding, we both told each other that we had envisioned getting married at a beach. There is a timeless beauty about the outdoors, and something so romantic about a gorgeous waterfront. Though our ceremony will not be taking place in a church, it is very important to us that God be centered in our marriage, and how better to worship God then to be surrounded by His majestic creation?
The ceremony will be held at:
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117
It is basically a lawn that sits on a 300 foot bluff with a spectacular view of the Bay, the Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains.
The reception will be held at Golden Gardens Bathhouse (a five minute drive from the ceremony).The ceremony and reception sites are approximately 15 minutes from downtown Seattle, and approximately 40 minutes from the Sea-Tac airport.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/reservations/goldengardens.htm
The bathhouse was built in 1929 for the purpose of providing storage facilities, lockers, and changing rooms for lifeguards and beach goers. The building was renovated in 2004. Anyone who knows me (Amber) well knows of my love for just about anything made of brick. I love quaint, charming buildings with character, of which the Bathhouse does not fall short. Not only do I love the high ceilings, french doors, and brick walls; the view is also stunning. The bathhouse sits on a sandy beach (there are not many of those in Seattle), facing the Puget Sound dotted with sailboats, with a backdrop of the bay and the mountains. To the east is a classic Northwest forested hillside.
Fun Facts: The Golden Gardens Bathhouse will always be a special place to us because it is where our engagement occurred. Also, the fact that it was built during the Depression era inspired our vintage theme of the the wedding.
The ceremony will be held at:
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117
It is basically a lawn that sits on a 300 foot bluff with a spectacular view of the Bay, the Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains.
The reception will be held at Golden Gardens Bathhouse (a five minute drive from the ceremony).The ceremony and reception sites are approximately 15 minutes from downtown Seattle, and approximately 40 minutes from the Sea-Tac airport.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/reservations/goldengardens.htm
The bathhouse was built in 1929 for the purpose of providing storage facilities, lockers, and changing rooms for lifeguards and beach goers. The building was renovated in 2004. Anyone who knows me (Amber) well knows of my love for just about anything made of brick. I love quaint, charming buildings with character, of which the Bathhouse does not fall short. Not only do I love the high ceilings, french doors, and brick walls; the view is also stunning. The bathhouse sits on a sandy beach (there are not many of those in Seattle), facing the Puget Sound dotted with sailboats, with a backdrop of the bay and the mountains. To the east is a classic Northwest forested hillside.
Fun Facts: The Golden Gardens Bathhouse will always be a special place to us because it is where our engagement occurred. Also, the fact that it was built during the Depression era inspired our vintage theme of the the wedding.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Our Story
It all began on an unassuming September day in 2008. Two people arriving at PayPal in Omaha, NE for their first day of work, with no idea of what the day beheld. The boy noticed the girl as she walked in wearing a trendy trench coat and four-inch heel boots. She sat down the aisle from him in that classroom. Lucky for him he knew a thing or two about how to operate within various computer systems, and even luckier, she needed quite a bit of help in that area. The boy discovered that the girl was a fan of Jerry Seinfeld, and it just so happened that Jerry was in town one week. The boy noticed the girl could not find anyone to go with her and volunteered himself. After she pretended not to hear him and he asked a second time she begrudgingly agreed to go.
That was the beginning of six more long months of the boy pursuing the girl before she finally caved and agreed to date him. Three days later she broke up with him, but the boy could not be dissuaded that easily. Three days after the break up he won her back again, with steaks, ice cold root beer and some country music and country swing dancing. Then there was much more dancing, road trips, old movies, sporting events, hanging with friends, and other various activities that caused the days to fly by, and caused them to fall in love with each other.
It was eventually decided that a trip needed to be had so that the boy could meet the girl's parents in Seattle, WA. A piggy bank was purchased and cash began to be put away in it weekly. The days went by and the trip approached. The girl began asking if a ring was going to be something that might be forthcoming, and it was agreed that it should be. The boy began to ask questions and receive instructions as to what the ring should look like and the girl was very specific with what she wanted (see final product below--it's not blurry or anything--it's just full of shiny bling). The engagement occurred in September in Seattle at the very location where the wedding reception will be taking place (more on that to come).The girl was very surprised and immediately said yes to the boy.
In case you haven't quite figured it out yet the boy would be none other than Daniel Johnson, and the girl in turn happens to be Amber Pelesky. Though we love being engaged and planning our wedding, we can't wait for our wedding day; but even more than the one day, the many days that will follow as we begin our future together.
That was the beginning of six more long months of the boy pursuing the girl before she finally caved and agreed to date him. Three days later she broke up with him, but the boy could not be dissuaded that easily. Three days after the break up he won her back again, with steaks, ice cold root beer and some country music and country swing dancing. Then there was much more dancing, road trips, old movies, sporting events, hanging with friends, and other various activities that caused the days to fly by, and caused them to fall in love with each other.
It was eventually decided that a trip needed to be had so that the boy could meet the girl's parents in Seattle, WA. A piggy bank was purchased and cash began to be put away in it weekly. The days went by and the trip approached. The girl began asking if a ring was going to be something that might be forthcoming, and it was agreed that it should be. The boy began to ask questions and receive instructions as to what the ring should look like and the girl was very specific with what she wanted (see final product below--it's not blurry or anything--it's just full of shiny bling). The engagement occurred in September in Seattle at the very location where the wedding reception will be taking place (more on that to come).The girl was very surprised and immediately said yes to the boy.
In case you haven't quite figured it out yet the boy would be none other than Daniel Johnson, and the girl in turn happens to be Amber Pelesky. Though we love being engaged and planning our wedding, we can't wait for our wedding day; but even more than the one day, the many days that will follow as we begin our future together.
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