Kara Lee & John

Let the countdown begin!

Friday December 31, 2021

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

1320 days 18 hrs 13 mins ago

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Story

December 23rd comes into Kara & John's lives, not once, but twice in the story of how they met. December 23rd is a day where typically Kara & John's friends from High School are home for the holidays and get together at Cencis — a true Yinzer strong hold no more than a mile from either of their homes.

2014:
On December 23rd, 2014, John had arrived at Cenci's to celebrate a best friends' birthday as they do every year. John was conversing with his sister, Natalie, who attended Penn State University (where Kara also attended).

That same night, (pre-uber), Kara had asked her parents after attending a best friends' Christmas party to come with her (drive her) to Cenci's for a quick-hello to friends she hadn't seen awhile. While Kara was distracted and her dad was hanging with the North Allegheny Football coaches, Debbie said hello to Natalie (John's sister).

Debbie's attention quickly went to Natalie’s handsome brother, John. After realizing that John lived in NYC (where Kara did), worked crazy hours like Kara, attended Notre Dame (where Debbie's father trained for the Navy), was an engineer, and lived with a model (only a perk right?) she quickly said “well why are you not dating my daughter?”.

2015
While the cards weren’t in their favor that night, a year later on December 23rd, 2015, John and Kara both happened upon the same little bar. John approached Kara with a smirk and cute comment; “Hi I'm John, and your mom wants me to take you on a date.” Kara's heart sinking a bit at first, responded, “when did you meet her…” and the rest was history.

Today
John and I are extremely fortunate to have so many people in our life who fill up our tank with joy, love, support and happiness. Getting engaged during a pandemic has truly illuminated what is important in life, and that is the precious moments we have together and with each of you. While our wedding planning has changed vastly — from Capri, Italy to Greece to Napa to finally Miami — the importance of having time to celebrate and cherish each of you has remained the same. We are so looking forwarding to starting this next incredible part of life together, and spending a weekend with you celebrating!

Schedule

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Welcome Cocktail Party

8:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Please join us for drinks and light bites on the eve before our wedding

Festive Cocktail Attire

Seaspice, Northwest North River Drive, Miami, FL, USA

Friday, December 31, 2021

Wedding Ceremony and Reception

6:30 PM to 1:00 AM

Black Tie

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL, USA

Saturday, January 1, 2022

After party

1:00 AM to 3:00 AM

We will continue the wedding celebration well into the new year. Join us for dancing, more drinks and light bites. Private venue, late night snacks, welcome cocktail, transportation and DJ provided. Cash bar for additional beverages.

Baby Jane Cocktail House & Noodle Bar, Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL, USA

Poolside Recovery Party 🥂

12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Spend the afternoon with the newlyweds curing your hangover and exchanging stories from the night before.

White Pool Party Attire (Optional)

Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL, USA

Travel

Our wedding is on New Years Eve.

We strongly encourage staying at one of our blocked hotels or ones recommended below that are within walking distance, as transportation will be provided from there, and the location was selected to limit traffic to and from events. Additionally, Ubers / Lyfts may be difficult to get as it is a very popular holiday in Miami.

Kimpton EPIC Hotel, Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL, USA

Our block is currently full as the hotel will not offer additional rooms due to the holiday nature of our wedding - we are bummed too!! The current rate for standard room is $740 and the hotel requires a 3-night stay.

This is where the Bride & Groom and their families will be staying. We recommend staying here if you are able to!

ihg.com/kimptonhotels/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/hotel/rooms

305-424-5226

270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131, USA

Hyatt Regency Miami, Southeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, USA

We've also reserved a room block at the Hyatt Regency Miami, which is located across the street from the Kimpton EPIC Hotel. Click the link below to book the block. If you prefer to book over the phone, call 305-358-1234 and use the code "G-Andi" or mention the Jewell / DeLacio Wedding Room Block. There is a 3-night minimum Thursday-Sunday on this block.

Note: This block is for Thursday-Sunday only. Should you need a shorter duration, please book directly with the hotel not on the block.

hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/MIARM/G-ANDI

305-358-1234

400 S East, SE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33131, USA

Complimentary Shuttle

Dec 31

5:30 PM - 1:00 AM

Shuttles to and from the wedding will depart from The Kimpton Epic Downtown (time TBD). If you are staying elsewhere, please plan to meet at this hotel to ride shuttles (we suggest staying near the blocked hotels for your ease and convenience).

JW Marriott Marquis Miami, Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL, USA

This hotel is within walking distance of the Kimpton Epic and Hyatt. As we do not have a formal block at this hotel, we recommend booking directly via below link ASAP if interested.

305-421-8600

255 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131, USA

Hotel InterContinental Miami, Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL, USA

This hotel is also within walking distance of the Kimpton Epic and Hyatt. As we do not have a formal block at this hotel, we recommend booking directly via below link ASAP if interested.

Note: If you are not seeing available rooms, change search to 3-nights as this hotel also has a 3-night minimum.

305-577-1000

100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131, USA

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Downtown/Brickell Area, Southeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, USA

This hotel is also within walking distance of the Kimpton Epic and Hyatt. As we do not have a formal block at this hotel, we recommend booking directly via below link ASAP if interested.

305-374-3000

200 SE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33131, USA

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Brickell-Port Of Miami, Southeast 4th Street, Miami, FL, USA

This hotel is within walking distance of the Kimpton Epic and Hyatt. As we do not have a formal block at this hotel, we recommend booking directly via below link ASAP if interested.

choicehotels.com/florida/miami/rodeway-inn-hotels/fl202

305-374-5100

100 SE 4th St, Miami, FL 33131, USA

Air BnBs: location advice

We strongly encourage to stay within walking distance to main hotel blocks (Kimpton Epic and Hyatt) in order for your ease of transportation and to limit traffic and maximize party and relaxation time.

There are many Air BnBs in a condo building .4 miles from the Epic called 'The Icon' that we recommend should non of the hotel options above work for you.

airbnb.com/s/Icon-Brickell--Miami--FL/homes

Wedding Party

Laura Lazas

Woman of Honor

Andrew Lamb

Best Man

Alexa Manos

Koumbara

Andrew Ayoob

Groomsman

Brie Zabierek

Brideswoman

Andrew Troianos

Groomsman

Brianne Conley Kordenbrock

Brideswoman

Joseph DeGroot

Groomsman

Kimberly Hornung O'Regan

Brideswoman

Ben German

Groomsman

Natalie DeLacio

Brideswoman

Brian Jewell

Groomsman

Caroline Booras

Brideswoman

Nick Jewell

Groomsman

Kirstin Ratcliffe

Brideswoman

Shady Mostafa

Groomsman

Mere Kendall

Brideswoman

Matt Weiss

Groomsman

Sonie Shanley

Brideswoman

Patrick Higgins

Groomsman

Sierra DeRose

Brideswoman

Stephen Hrusovsky

Groomsman

Q & A

For all our friends and family who have questions, please check out our Q&A, and reach out with any questions!

When should I book by hotel and flights?

Hotels: We are intentionally staying off of South Beach. As much as we love the beach the experience there on NYE weekend is going to make it difficult for guests. Our goal is for you to have the best weekend ever! We strongly encourage our guests to stay at one of our blocked hotels (or others suggested) for ease (transportation, traffic, event locations etc.) For our room blocks, we are taking rooms off the market; the sooner you book the better to guarantee pricing and capacity.

Flights: There are plenty of flights into Miami International (MIA) and surrounding airports (FLL & PBI) - we suggest waiting until you finalize travel dates to book flights.

How many days should I book the hotel?

If you take advantage of our NYE hotel block (which we highly recommend), there will be a three-night MIN stay (Thursday-Sunday) at both of our blocked hotels -- Kimpton Epic and Hyatt Regency.

If you would like to extend your trip on either side, you can take advantage of the blocked price for 3 days before and after each block.

How is the wedding effected by Covid-19? Will there be precautions?

Your health and safety and that of all our guests and families is very important to us. We therefore request all guests to be fully COVID vaccinated 2weeks prior to our wedding should you wish to attend the wedding and the associated wedding events in person.

This decision was made with careful consideration/ guidance from the CDC, rules at our venue regarding Covid & the delta variant, and evolving mandates in Miami-Dade County that could require additional restrictions at our wedding events. We understand the difficult and complex nature of vaccination and respect each persons right to make their own decisions.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Dr. Brian Jewell.
412-527-6674

Can I bring a date?

We currently have strict capacity limitations with our venue; please see invitation for +1.

When is the RSVP deadline?

RSVPs are requested on or before November 24th, 2021. Should you already have conflicting plans, or are unable to come, we would greatly appreciate you letting us know as soon as possible as we have Covid capacity restrictions at our venue.

Are kids welcome?

Our wedding will be adult only. Please reach out if we can assist in booking babysitting services.

What should I wear?

The wedding reception will be black tie. Information regarding other events will be updated at a later date.

Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?

Our wedding ceremony is outdoors, but our reception will be in a tent. Please note that the timing of the reception will be after sunset.

Is there transportation being provided between reception and hotels?

Transportation will be provided to and from the Kimpton EPIC hotel in Brickell.

Is it okay to take pictures with our phones and cameras during the wedding?

Please refrain from using your cellphone or cameras during the wedding ceremony, as we will have a professional photographer and want to see all of your smiling faces!

Will there be Greek Dancing?

Yes! We'd love you to join in. The easiest one to learn is the 'Kalamatiano'. Check out this high-quality video for an easy tutorial
Video: www.youtube.com/watch

Registry

John and I are grateful for your presence on our special day as it is the greatest present of all! We are registered via Zola and Neiman Marcus, but please do not feel obliged.

Zola: www.zola.com/registry/karaandjohn2021

Neimans:
Note: Should you need add'l assistance with Neiman, please contact stuart_barnes@neimanmarcus.com.

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