The Mariachi Band ... La Banda

We will have live mariachi music at the ceremony and during the cocktail hour performed by Mariachi Oro de Mexico. We are very excited to have this talented band play the beautiful music of Mexico for us.

Photo taken from the Mariachi Oro de Mexico homepage.

Flowers...Las Flores

We are using colorful, seasonal flowers in all the centerpieces. We will be cutting most of the flowers ourselves, on a farm where Bri used to work called Maple Acres. It is right down the street from Nica & Doug's house. We are using mason jars as containers because they are simple and because Nica & Bri used to raise caterpillars in mason jars when they were little.

We invite you all to take the flowers home after the ceremony to enjoy them. Not only are these flowers perfect for our party, they are locally grown, which means we are supporting a local business. Even better, we are supporting a local farm.

This is good because

1. It is more sustainable for the environment to buy locally.

2. We know the farmer and his family and want to keep him in business.

3. This area is being overrun with housing developments that are being built on farmland and we want to keep our Pennsylvania farmland as a treasured resource.

Most of the flowers are zinnias and they don't last too long out of water, so Bri's former employers, Priscilla & John Fosnocht graciously offered to help with the hand held bouquets and personal flowers. Thanks Flowers by Priscilla.

Dress Code: Comfortable .... Vestir Comodo

We want people to dress comfortably. All types of costumes are game. Our main goal is fun. So if your idea of fun is dancing in 4 inch stilettos, that's fine with us. However, we would suggest flip flops instead. You're not into wearing a tie with a jacket? Great! You are planning on wearing a tuxedo? Great! You are considering a feather boa? Fine with us.

We are planning on getting pretty dressed up, and you can too, or not. It's totally up to you.

The Invitations ... Las Invitaciones

The invitations are hot off the letter press! We will be getting them out this week. A great big hug and a million thanks to Sara Kube, our friend and fellow Philadelphian, who designed the perfect invitation suite for us. Sara is so talented! She also sells some of her own handmade designs on Etsy.

Here's a teaser.

Places to Eat .... Restaurantes

Philly is a great place for dining out. The wedding will be in South Philadelphia. These are some suggestions for grabbing a bite in that area. We are sure that if you walk around, you'll come upon some good places all on your own. If you eat somewhere fantastic, that isn't on this list we'd love to know so that we can try it out.

Restaurant Week

You're hitting the tail end of Restaurant Week in Philly (over on Friday night, the 25th of September). Participating Center City restaurants will offer three-course dinners for $35 per person. Many of the restaurants will also offer 3 course lunches for $20 per person.

La Fourno

Italian

215.627.9000

636 South Street, Philadelphia 19147

On South Street between 6th and 7th streets.

One of our favorite Italian restaurants. Bri loves the shrimp scampi, and swears by it every time. They also make a mean espresso martini. This is the restaurant that we went to when Carlos first met Bri's parents.

$$-$$$

Xochitl

Traditional Fine Mexican Dining (as opposed to Tex Mex or Mex American)

215.238.7280

408 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia 19147

On 2nd Street between Lombard and South Streets

Xochitl means "flower" in Nahuatl, an indigenous Mexican language of the Aztecs. This is where Bri and Carlos had their first date and where we told Bri's parents the big news about our engagement. The margaritas are superb, we also like the coctel de camerones (or shrimp cocktail). If you're feeling romantic, the parrillada is perfect for sharing - that's what did us in, or maybe it was the margaritas?

$$$

New Wave Cafe

American -- appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, burgers, etc.

215.922.8484

3rd and Catherine (which is South of South Street)

Good beer selection, great fish & chips.

Morning Glory

American Style Brunch/Diner

215.413.3999

735 South 10th St, Philadelphia 19147

10th and Fitzwater

This place is really close to the Bella Vista B&B. Good Coffee. Good Grub. Long lines on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch. Nice outdoor waiting area in an urban garden.

$$

Alyans

Mediterranean

215.922.3553

603 S 4th St, Philadelphia 19147

South and 4th Streets

Simple, Mediterranean food like hummus, grape leaves, falafel, lamb, etc. The prices are good and so is the food.

$

Horizons

Vegan Cuisine

611 South 7th Street, Philadelphia 19147

On 7th between South and Bainbridge

215.923.6117

This is a vegan's dream restaurant, and if you're not vegan you won't miss your red meat for a minute. They only serve dinner. Try the Key Lime Pie Martini.

$$$

Cheesesteaks

following up on the heels of the vegan cuisine, are a Philly favorite (but not a Bri favorite... nasty, greasy, cheez wiz "wit" or "wit'out". There are plenty of places to choose from, and visit here for tips on ordering.

Nearby is Jim's on South Street, or if your feeling adventurous (or want to walk off that sandwich) you can head over to the Italian Market neighborhood (also where there is the largest Mexican community in Philadelphia to go to the famous Pat's King of Steaks. We highly discourage patronizing the neighboring Geno's due to its owner's offensive remarks.

Jim's Steaks

215.928.1911

400 South Street, Philadelphia 19147

On South and 4th

$

Pat's King of Steaks

215.468.1546

1237 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia 19147

On 9th Street, where Passyunk & Wharton cross

$