Wedding Family Barbecue - Friday 8/7/09

Michal just sent out the Evite for our Friday night BBQ, so I'm in charge of updating the blog with some extra special details. Enjoy!

Lincoln Park in West Seattle is right by the Fauntleroy Ferry dock. We have Shelter #4 reserved all day long, but the festivities will begin around 6pm.

The best parking lot is at the south end of the park on the right-hand side as you come down the hill towards the park. From the south lot, there's a wheelchair accessible drive down towards a paved walking trail (Lincoln Park Walk) that runs along the beach. Our shelter is a short walk from the parking lot along the trail.

Click for Map here, and add your own address to get directions to the park!

Light Rail Anyone?

This weekend marks a couple momentous occasions.

First: We are officially 3 weeks from the wedding date!

Second: Seattle's Light Rail system was finally opened to the public. While it doesn't yet go straight from the airport to downtown yet (the airport station will open in December), there's a bus shuttle from the airport to the nearby Tukwila station that takes passengers straight into downtown, just blocks from our wedding site and hotels. Any out-of-towners brave enough to try out our new public transportation options? :)

Light Rail System Map and Stations
Sea Tac Airport to Nearest Light Rail Station = 10 min. bus ride
Westlake Station to Mayflower Park = 1 block
Stadium Station to Silver Cloud Hotel = 3 blocks

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Interested in going to an M's game on Sunday afternoon? They play Tampa Bay at 1:10. Michael is planning to get a block of tickets, so if you are interested in joining, email him at michaelking1981@gmail.com!

The Wedding Weekend...Things to Do

If you are looking for ways to entertain yourself in Seattle over the wedding weekend, there are lots of fun things to do! If you are local, you might even use the time to be a tourist in your own town. Here are some ideas.
Go to a Mariner's game and check out Safeco Field!






See the city by water on an Argosy Cruise (I've heard the Locks Tour is amazing!), or by land AND water on the Ducks.












If you are planning to spend some time in Seattle, think about the Seattle CityPass , which gets you in to 6 Seattle attractions for one price, including an Argosy Cruise and the Space Needle.





There are also lots of fun things to do right in Pioneer Square (where the wedding will be held). You might hit up the ever-popular Underground Tour, visit the Frye Art Museum, take a Quest Field Tour, or visit the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum. Some of these tours are included as part of the GoSeattle card. If you are as fascinated by the history of Pioneer Square as we are, there is also a Pioneer Square Historical Audio Tour.

If you just can't get enough of Seattle history, visit one of our favorite local museums, the Museum Of History and Industry (MOHAI) in the Montlake neighborhood.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful August Seattle weather (fingers crossed!), you might rent kayaks at Agua Verde and paddle around Lake Union, or trek out to the Cascade Foothills to hike rattlesnake ridge.

There are lots of fun things to do!

Engagement Session at UW

Our engagement photo teasers are up! We are so impressed with our amazing photographer, Kate McElwee. To check out our slideshow on Kate's blog, click here.

How did we get here?!?!

When I joined the UW Husky Marching Band, Jason was (to me) one of the cute and popular seniors. Since I was just a rookie, he barely noticed that I even existed (though he is jealous that I was a Rose Bowl Rookie...but let's not rub that in!). Though we attended many of the same trips, football games, and parties, our paths didn't really cross until Alumni Band, and especially one Husky Band 75th anniversary night. We even got the same spirit award in Husky Band! We eventually reconnected at a kareoke night on the Ave, when Jason thinks he made his move and I still couldn't believe Jason Friesen was even talking to me!

He took me out for our first date to Blue C Sushi and to a "show" (a techno DJ is considered a show? I can't believe I bought a ticket for that!) at a club downtown. Luckily, Jason impressed me more than the music!

Three weeks after that, I took my first teaching job in Phoenix. Jason drove me and all my stuff down, and after 4 days of driving, riding rollercoasters, visiting family, and moving in 120 degree heat, we had a pretty good idea that we were meant for each other! Luckily, Jason loved visiting Arizona, and I had long breaks from school! A year later, I said goodbye to Arizona, took a job in the Bellevue School District, and moved home.

On May 7th, Jason proposed at our favorite local restaurant on Silver Lake.

Jason and I now live in Mill Creek. I teach first grade, and Jason works for a up-and-coming mortgage company in Bellevue. We still play in the UW Alumni Band and watch tons of football!

Our Ceremony and Reception Location

The Grand Lobby at the Court in the Square

401 Second Avenue South

Pioneer Square, Seattle

Looking for a hotel for the wedding weekend?

We are so excited for you to join us in Seattle for our wedding!

We have reserved blocks of rooms at two Seattle hotels, which will be available to book until July 6th. Please let me or Jason know if you book a room as part of our blocks so we can keep track of our guests. :)

The Mayflower Park Hotel is an historic hotel in the heart of the shopping district downtown. It is attached to Westlake Center, which has a monorail to Seattle Center, and walking distance to Pike Place Market and other Seattle attractions. This is also where the wedding party will be based out of (because I love this hotel!). We have 7 "Classic Queen" rooms reserved for $179 a night, and 2 "Deluxe Queen-Queen" rooms for $199 a night. Mention the Brehm-Friesen Wedding when you call in order to book at our group rate. This hotel is close, but not considered within walking distance of the wedding, though Jason and I have marched twice that far in the Seafair Parade every summer (but not in heels).

The Silver Cloud Hotel: Stadium (between Safeco and Seahawk Stadium) is brand new and within walking distance of the Court in the Square. I love the new machines in the workout room, the local area van shuttles, and the plasma tvs in every room! I'd love to try out the rooftop pool! We have 10 rooms reserved at the group rate. When you call, mention the Friesen-Brehm group, or you can book online with the group ID FRI-BRE, password WEDDING. I've posted a copy of the directions they sent. If you need a larger copy of the pdf, let us know!

There are many hotel options in and around the city. Here are some ideas that are a little further away, a little less expensive, or maybe just a little different.

The Silver Cloud - Downtown Bellevue

Red Lion Hotel - Bellevue

Homewood Suites - Seattle <-- Rachel's bachelorette party location!

Hampton Inn - Lynnwood

Welcome to our wedding blog!

Thank you for visiting our wedding blog! We hope to use this site to provide our guests with info about our wedding. Keep checking for more info!