As some may know, Cindy is not known for her culinary skills and as such we have decided to forego the traditional household registry items for something we both would enjoy. Thus, we have opted to register for our honeymoon in Italy.
We are registered at The Big Day.
Use this link to go directly to our registry.
This gift registry allows us to take a fantastic honeymoon to Rome and the Amalfi Coast for two weeks!
If you have any questions, please contact Cindy and Christopher at cc@cindyandchristopher.com.
Our Wedding Reception will be held at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, on the 15th Floor of the Merchants Exchange Building, located at 465 California Street in San Francisco’s Financial District. We recommend that our guests reserve hotel rooms nearby, either in the Financial District or Union Square.
We have reserved a block of rooms at the hotels listed below, both of which are within easy walking distance of the reception site. Please note that you will be given the rates specified below only if you book at least one month in advance of the wedding date (i.e. 8/22/07). San Francisco is an extremely popular travel destination, especially in the fall when we experience our best “summer” weather, so you may have difficulty securing a reasonable rate if not booked in advance. We therefore highly recommend that you make your travel arrangements as soon as possible.
HOTELS
The Omni San Francisco
Rate: $189 + tax
500 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 677-9494
www.omnihotels.com
* Located across the street from the reception site
RSVP: Please specify the “Nguyen/Mader Wedding”
1-800-THE-OMNI (843-6664) or reserve on-line:
Omni Webpage Link
Le Méridien San Francisco
Rate: $199 + tax
333 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 296-2900
www.starwoodhotels.com
* Located less than ½ block from the reception site
RSVP: Please specify the “Nguyen/Mader Wedding”
1-800-543-4300
For those who are looking for other hotel options in the area, we suggest www.sidestep.com or www.hotels.com.
AIRPORTS
San Francisco is accessible via both San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK). The major car rental companies have outlets at both SFO and OAK.
If you’re not renting a car, you have three options to get into San Francisco from the airport: taxi, door-to-door shuttle, or BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train. Taxi fares for the ride downtown average $37 from SFO and $50 from OAK, depending on traffic. A door-to-door shuttle shared with other passengers (if you don’t mind multiple stops) is approximately $15 from SFO and $25 from OAK.
BART (www.bart.gov) is the bay area commuter train, and is safe, reliable and has very low fares ($5.15 to $6.35 one-way). Connecting to BART from OAK requires a short 12-minute shuttle ride, AirBART, from the airport to the Coliseum/Oakland BART station ($3). From the Coliseum/Oakland station the trains to downtown San Francisco are well marked and take approximately 25 minutes ($3.35). BART connects directly to SFO and the ride downtown takes approximately 30 minutes ($5.15).
All hotels in the Financial District and Union Square are within moderate walking distance (or a very short taxi ride) of both the “Embarcadero” and “Powell” BART stations in downtown San Francisco.
GETTING AROUND
If possible, it is best to avoid driving in San Francisco, due to scarce parking and dense traffic. We highly recommend that those flying to San Francisco (who do not intend to travel outside of San Francisco to visit the wine country, etc.) do not rent a car and instead rely on taxis. Renting and driving a car in San Francisco can be very difficult and expensive for out-of-towners. In addition to the cost of the rental itself, San Francisco hotels generally charge $45 per night for parking. Street parking is almost always metered and difficult to find.
Taxis are relatively inexpensive and very reliable in San Francisco. Most taxis charge a use fee of $3.10 and $0.45 per tenth of a mile thereafter. For example, guests should be able to get from the Financial District and Union Square hotels to the wedding ceremony for approximately $12 to $15 one-way.
Anyway you decide to do it, we hope that you will be able to make a weekend of it and enjoy the beautiful sights of San Francisco.
If you have further questions, please contact Cindy and Christopher at cc@cindyandchristopher.com.
The Wedding Ceremony will be at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, located at 2390 Bush Street, San Francisco, California (www.stdominics.org) at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2007. There is ample parking at St. Dominic’s, either in their lot or street parking.
The Wedding Reception will be at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, located on the 15th Floor of the Merchants Exchange Building, located at 465 California Street, San Francisco, California (www.mxbuilding.com) at 5:30 p.m. Parking for the Julia Morgan Ballroom is available at the Bank of America Center building, located at 555 California Street ($12). (See below for directions to the Bank of America Center parking structure, which must be entered on Pine Street.)
Cindy + Christopher
THE WEDDING PARTY
Bridal Attendants
Kim Nguyen (Maid of Honor) – Sister
Nadine Toosbuy (Bridesmaid) – College Friend
Kristin O’Brien (Bridesmaid) – Childhood Friend
Stephanie Hanger (Bridesmaid) – College Friend
Sheri Nagasugi (Bridesmaid) – High School Friend
Veronica Clarke (Bridesmaid) – Close Friend
Ashley Ta (Junior Bridesmaid) – Bride’s Cousin
Hayley Tlustosch (Junior Bridesmaid) – Groom’s Friend’s Daughter
Isabelle Tlustosch (Flower Girl) – Groom’s Friend’s Daughter
Sophia Tlustosch (Flower Girl ) – Groom’s Friend’s Daughter
Groom’s Attendants
Daniel Mader (Best Man) – Brother
Brian “Rich” Tlustosch (Groomsman) – High School Friend
Daniel Norfleet (Groomsman) – High School Friend
Allan Mendell (Groomsman) – Law School Friend
Bradley Johnsen (Groomsman) – Law School Friend
Armen Mitilian (Groomsman) – Close Friend
John “Jack” Mader (Ring Bearer) – Groom’s Nephew
Konrad Mader (Ring Bearer) – Groom’s Nephew
Cindy + Christopher
DIRECTIONS
To St. Dominic’s Catholic Church
From the Financial District or Union Square, take California Street (west). From California Street, turn left (south) onto Steiner Street. Head south on Steiner Street for one and one half blocks. St. Dominic’s will be on your right (west) at the northwest corner of Steiner Street and Bush Street.
From the East Bay, take Highway 80 (east) into San Francisco. Cross the Bay Bridge. Take the first exit after crossing the bridge, Fremont/Folsom Street. Stay Left. Turn left (north) onto Fremont Street. Continue on Fremont Street, crossing Market Street. At Market Street, Fremont Street veers right and becomes Front Street. From Front Street, turn left (west) onto California Street. From California Street, turn left (south) onto Steiner Street. Head south on Steiner Street for one and one half blocks. St. Dominic’s will be on your right (west) at the northwest corner of Steiner Street and Bush Street.
From the South Bay, take Highway 101 (north). Continue from the 101 onto Octavia Street (101 terminates at Octavia Street). From Octavia Street, turn left (west) onto Fell Street. From Fell Street, turn right (north) onto Divisadero Street. From Divisadero Street, turn right (east) onto Bush Street. St. Dominic’s will be on your left (north) at the northwest corner of Steiner Street and Bush Street.
From the North Bay, take Highway 101 (south). Continue from the 101 onto Richardson Street (101 terminates at Richardson Street). From Richardson Street, continue to Lombard Street (Richardson Street becomes Lombard Street). From Lombard Street, turn right (south) onto Divisadero Street. From Divisadero Street, turn left (east) onto Bush Street. St. Dominic’s will be on your left (north) at the northwest corner of Steiner Street and Bush Street.
To the Julia Morgan Ballroom
From St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, take Bush Street (east). This should be easy, as Bush Street is one-way. From Bush Street, turn left (north) onto Fillmore Street. From Fillmore Street, turn right (east) onto California Street. Take California Street for nineteen blocks to the Julia Morgan Ballroom, located at 465 California Street, (between Montgomery Street and Sansome Street).
Parking
If you are staying at Le Méridien, The Omni, or another Financial District hotel, it would probably be easiest to park at your hotel and walk (or take a taxi) to the reception site.
Otherwise, parking is available for $12 at the Bank of America Center building, located at 555 California Street (between Montgomery Street and Kearny Street), down the street from the Julia Morgan Ballroom. To park at the Bank of America Center, you must enter at the Pine Street entrance. From California Street, turn right (south) onto Montgomery Street, then turn right (west) onto Pine Street. From Pine Street, proceed one half block and enter on the right (north).
For Memorial Day weekend 2006, Chris arranged a trip to one of our favorite destinations, New York City. Unbeknownst to Chris, Cindy had a strong suspicion that he would propose at some point during the trip. The first night we went to the Yankee game, but Cindy couldn’t completely relax as she was deathly afraid of a scoreboard proposal. To her relief, the scoreboard proposal was not forthcoming.
The next day (as penance for going to the Yankee game) was spent indulging in Cindy’s favorite pastime – yes . . . shopping. During the day, Chris stole Cindy’s mobile phone to call Cindy’s dad, in order to ask his permission to marry Cindy. Mr. Nguyen was caught off guard and perhaps it was the slight language barrier, but it took Chris three attempts to secure his blessing.
Later that evening, we planned to watch the sunset at the top of the Empire State Building. Chris thought he was being smooth, but Cindy sensed much nervousness in Chris. (Chris drank 2/3 of a bottle of champagne before heading over to the Empire State Building, which Cindy took as a sign of nervousness – although Cindy now realizes the affinity for champagne is a genetic affliction.)
Because Chris did not want to miss the sunset, he took every precaution and bought them a “fast pass” for the elevators to avoid the long lines. The plan worked so well that they got to the top an hour before the sunset. As the sun finally set, Chris proposed to Cindy, on one knee (of course), amongst the throngs of people. Cindy said “yes” in between tears. Once the crowd around us realized what was going on, there were many cheers, tears of joy, and congratulations.
Chris proposed with two “symbolic” rings: one belonging to his mother and the other a wedding band engraved with the date, “May 27, 2006″ and “ESB” (Empire State Building). (Chris and Cindy would later design the “official” engagement ring.)
The night was topped off with dinner at Nobu where Cindy was surprised with her favorite flowers, white roses, by her now fiancé.
It truly was an unforgettable night and weekend.
ABOUT US
Cindy Nguyen, 32, was raised in Orange County, attended UCLA (go Bruins!), and then Loyola Law School. Cindy’s career as an employment attorney in San Francisco sustains her “shopaholic” habit.
Christopher Mader, 34, was raised in Northern and Southern California, attended Chico State, and then Hastings School of Law. Chris is a securities attorney, who enjoys riding and driving (on the rare occasions that they are running properly) his Ducati 999 and vintage Porsche.
HOW WE MET
In 2003, Cindy lived in Santa Monica and Chris lived in Manhattan Beach, and we both worked in the same downtown L.A. office tower. One afternoon, Chris saw Cindy heading into the office building and decided that he had to meet this cute girl. As fate would have it, Chris’s friend, Armen Mitilian, was with him at the time, and recognized Cindy as opposing counsel on one of his cases.
Chris asked Armen to set up something, as though they were in grade school. (Cindy wouldn’t realize until it was too late, that comparing Chris’s maturity level to that of a grade-schooler would be a severe disservice to grade-schoolers everywhere.)
Armen, being a good friend did try to set something up. Using their case as an excuse to talk, Armen telephoned Cindy and proceeded to tell her that he had a friend who thought she was very cute and wanted to meet her. He proceeded to give Cindy all the vital stats: tall, handsome (according to Armen’s wife), and (most importantly) property owner, as though to ensure her that Chris was a stable adult.
Cindy was flattered, yet due to her highly skeptical nature, suggested they all get together with a group of friends and co-workers for happy hour. Chris, lacking patience just e-mailed Cindy (without any introduction) the following week. Cindy was totally taken aback by Chris’s bold approach, but slightly amused and engaged in a lengthy e-mail exchange, which turned into an hour phone call, and finally drinks. Even though Cindy had agreed to drinks that same day, she (in a Carrie Bradshaw-like way) made Chris wait a full 30 minutes beyond the appointed hour.
Once we finally met in person, well, as they say, the rest is history.
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