Order of Events
Rehearsal Dinner
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023
Lynch Park Carriage House
55 Ober St., Beverly, MA 01915
5:30
Join us a little early in the gardens to take in the beautiful ocean views.
6:00 PM
Dinner and drinks begin
Lynch Park is about a 10 minute drive from the Salem Waterfront Hotel. There is plenty of parking or you can order an Uber or Lyft. Tell the parking lot attendant that you are attending the rehearsal dinner.
Dress Code: Cocktail
The Wedding
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
The Great House at the Crane Estate
290 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Please arrive by 5:45, as the ceremony will begin at 6:00.
Guests are encouraged to take the shuttles departing from the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Best Western Plus North Shore at 4:45. It will be a 40-minute ride to the beautiful and historic Crane Estate.
Dress Code: Formal.
Farewell Brunch
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023
The Salem Waterfront Hotel
225 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
10:00-1:00 PM
Drop by anytime to say goodbye before you depart for your travels!
This was previously scheduled to take place at the Marina Beer Garden, but unfortunately, the hotel could no longer operate that space for the season. The brunch will still take place at the hotel, just in an indoor meeting space.
Dress Code: Casual.
Location
The wedding on Sunday is at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA, about an hour outside of Boston. We're encouraging guests to stay in Salem, MA, which is about halfway between Boston and Ipswich and provides easy access to the rehearsal dinner as well as a lot of fun things to do. Transportation will be provided to get from Salem to the wedding on Sunday.
Hotels
Salem Waterfront Hotel
225 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
(978) 740-8788
salemwaterfronthotel.com
We have a room block reserved at the Salem Waterfront Hotel for the nights of Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11. Call the hotel directly to reserve a room in the block. There is a limited number of rooms in the block, so we recommend booking as soon as possible.
Note: The room block is for Saturday and Sunday nights. If you're planning to arrive Friday, note that availability at the Waterfront Hotel on Friday is currently extremely limited.
The Best Western Plus North Shore
50 Dayton St, Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 777-1700
For an option at a lower price point, we'd recommend the Best Western Plus North Shore, about 20 minutes from downtown Salem. We have a room block at the Best Western Plus for the nights of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Make a reservation in the block by calling the hotel directly.
Other Hotels in Salem
If you'd like to stay elsewhere in downtown Salem, we encourage you to book your room ASAP as this is a very popular summer vacation destination. We recommend the Hampton Inn Salem, Hawthorne Hotel, The Coach House, Hotel Salem, The Merchant, and the Salem Inn.
Getting to Salem
If you're planning to stay in downtown Salem, you can have a delightful weekend without renting a car. From the Boston Airport, it's about a 40 minute taxi or Uber/Lyft ride in average traffic.
How should I get to the wedding venue?
We strongly encourage everyone to take the shuttles that are departing from the Salem Waterfront Hotel and the Best Western Plus North Shore at 4:45. The shuttles will leave the wedding venue at 11:00, returning to the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Best Western Plus North Shore.
If you drive, be aware there is a long, winding, sparsely-lit driveway up a hill to get to the venue.
You will not be able to get an Uber or Lyft from this location at the end of the night.
Can you explain the different dress codes?
Rehearsal Dinner
Cocktail: Short or long dresses, sport coats with or without a tie. No jeans, please.
Wedding
Formal: Mid or floor-length gowns, fancy cocktail dresses, and dark suits or tuxes.
Please note that much of the evening will be on grass so plan footwear accordingly. You may also want to bring a light sweater or shawl in case of ocean breezes.
Brunch
Casual: Summer brunch outfits or comfortable airplane clothes are all perfect.
Can I take pictures during the ceremony?
Please put away all devices for the duration of the ceremony. We want to see your faces, not your phones :) We have hired an incredible professional photographer who will capture all the special moments, and we will be sure to share all of the photos with you!
How did you choose where to hold the wedding?
One of our favorite things to do while living in Boston was summer day trips to the North Shore area. We loved spending long days at the beautiful beaches, driving along the scenic coastal byway, and seeking out new views. The wedding weekend venues all capture so much of what we love about those special summer days, and we’re excited to make new memories with family and friends in an area that has brought us so much joy.
Will the wedding be outdoors or indoors?
The ceremony and reception will take place outdoors. In case of rain, all events will be moved indoors.
Will I have time to explore Boston?
Probably not, unless you decide to extend your trip. We are recommending that everyone stay in Salem, which is about 45 minutes outside of Boston. We advise everyone to spend the morning of the wedding in Salem or its neighboring towns to ensure that you make it to the shuttle on time.
If you decide to extend your trip, some of our favorite ways to spend the day in Boston are shopping on Newbury Street, relaxing in the Public Gardens, walking along the Esplanade, strolling the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, and feasting on Italian food in the North End.
I've never been to a Jewish wedding. What should I expect?
We are so excited to have you! Here are some things to know:
When you arrive at the ceremony, there will be a basket with kippot which is a head covering that Jewish men traditionally wear. Anyone is welcome to wear one, but it is not required!
The ceremony will be conducted under a cloth canopy called a 'chuppah'. This represents the home that we will build together in our married life. It is open on all sides signifying that everyone is welcome and that everyone will be treated hospitably.
A rabbi will be officiating our wedding, so there will be some blessings in Hebrew interspersed throughout the ceremony. He will also translate them into English so everyone can understand.
At the end of the ceremony, Brandon will stomp on a piece of covered glass. The breaking of the glass holds multiple meanings. Some say it represents the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Others say it demonstrates that marriage holds sorrow as well as joy and is a representation of the commitment to stand by one another even in hard times. After he breaks the glass, it is customary for everyone to shout "Mazel Tov!", which means congratulations!
Not all of the food will be strictly Kosher, but shellfish will not be served, so if you are coming from out of town and are dying to try a New England lobster roll be sure to make other plans!
Later on the dance floor, we will dance the hora, a traditional dance where the newlyweds are lifted into the air while their family and friends dance in circles around them.
Where should I stay?
We have a room block at the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Best Western Plus North Shore. This is where the shuttles to the wedding will depart from. Additional information is on the Travel Information section of this website.
Which airport should I fly into?
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). It is about 40 minutes from the airport to Salem.
I have a different question!
Please let us know! Whether it's about travel tips or anything else, give us a call.
Things to do in Salem
Finz Seafood & Grill
86 Wharf St Pickering Wharf Salem, MA 01970
2 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Upscale-casual seafood, steak & cocktail destination situated on the harbor with deck & ocean views.
Bambolina
288 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
3 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Rustic-cool spot serving wood-fired pizza, small plates, wine & craft beer.
Life Alive Organic Cafe
281 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
11 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Delicious, organic cafe.
Brandon's favorite: the Green Goddess Bowl. Sari's favorite: the Romantic Wrap.
Antique Table
26 Congress St, Salem, MA 01970
2 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Delicious Italian food in a cozy setting.
Deacon Giles Distillery & Speakeasy
75 Canal St. Salem, MA 01970
4 min drive from Salem Waterfront Hotel
A lounge-like atmosphere with uniquely crafted cocktails.
Far From The Tree
108 Jackson St, Salem, MA 01970
5 min drive from Salem Waterfront Hotel
A craft cider house specializing in unique, high-quality hard cider made from local apples and all-natural ingredients.
Notch Brewery & Tap Room
283R Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
2 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Craft beer pours in a hip warehouse & riverside garden with communal tables.
Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar
197 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
2 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Specialty coffee roaster, coffee shop and wine bar.
Bit Bar
278 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
3 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Bar with old-school arcade games, fun cocktails & playful eats like donut burgers.
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
6 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
The oldest continuously operating museum in the United States! A Modern museum with regional American/Asian art & artifacts, plus an atrium & garden.
Coven's Cottage
190 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
7 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
A family owned and operated witchcraft shop located in the heart of historic Salem, MA.
Emporium 32
6 Central Street Salem, MA 01970
7 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
A vintage-style boutique focusing on handmade and US made unique items and gifts.
House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
8 min walk from Salem Waterfront Hotel
A 1668 colonial mansion made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1851 novel.
Things to do in the greater North Shore area
Singing Beach
119 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
24 min drive from Salem Waterfront Hotel
Please click on the image above to direct you to parking information.
Captain Dusty's Ice Cream
60 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944
10 min walk from Singing Beach
Our favorite place to get ice cream after a day at Singing Beach!
Rockport
32 min drive from Salem Waterfront Hotel
A coastal town of food, shopping, and seaside charm. It’s the perfect place to relax by the ocean and browse the work of an incredible number of artists,
Our Story
A little over a decade ago and not too far from where they will stand on their wedding day, Brandon and Sari met on the first day of a month-long summer program for Jewish teens at Brandeis University. Brandon, a 17-year-old from Minnesota, and Sari, a 16-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, quickly learned that they could spend hours upon hours effortlessly talking and laughing with each other. After the summer ended, their relationship continued to grow deeper in the years that followed, over countless Skype dates and visits to each other in their hometowns and then eventual colleges in DC and Boston. The first time they got to live in the same city as each other was during a semester abroad in Rome, where they explored the beautiful ancient city and ate more gelato than they would like to admit.
The long-distance era finally came to an end for good after college, when Brandon moved to Boston in 2016 as Sari was finishing her time at BU. They navigated post-college life together and grew to love New England, especially in the summer. A few years later, they moved in together and filled a small apartment with laughter, holiday cooking, and so many memories. Their love for travel took them all over the map, from the sea coast of Maine, to the beautiful foliage-filled mountains of Vermont, and even to the majestic waterfalls of Iceland for their 10-year anniversary.
Despite living in Boston for years, the two had never been back to the spot where they first met. With only a few weeks until their move to Philadelphia where Sari was about to start graduate school in August of 2021, Brandon suggested that they take a stroll around Brandeis where this whole journey started. Once there, beside a pond where they talked for hours all those years ago, Brandon proposed and Sari said yes to forever.
