The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

restaurant was not allowed to serve us, the courthouse was closed so the marriages were performed at the jail, to top it all, there was a raging tropical storm outside that whole week. Not exactly how we pictured her big day. I called the Katharine Brasserie to find out if they could rescue us with some take-out dinner. What happened next was simply amazing. Dana, the director of catering, told me that the restaurant is associated with Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, and they can provide us with the space for the ceremony, contacts for officiants, arrange their Magnolia banquet hall to have an elegant but safely distanced dinner, include the rest of the family virtually, and make our planned menu for us the Katharine way. I feel so fortunate that it was Dana who answered my call that day. She was reassuring, enthusiastic, and full of ideas how to make this wedding happen safely. She gave us a virtual tour and suggested some locations for pictures in their Epmire-State-Building-inspired lovely Art Deco hotel. After a simple ceremony, the storm gave a us a few hour break so we could take some wedding pictures outside in a nearby park and some chic urban photos. The dinner that followed was Katharine magnificent, allowing the newly-blended family to have a great time. Since the honeymoon travel was cancelled, we reserved a spa suite for the newlyweds. Dana even arranged for some upgrades for them and the hotel welcomed then with a gift bag of champagne and chocolates. After the wedding, they went to their suite to start their life together after such unexpectedly wonderful event. The rest of us also stayed in the hotel because they allowed us to bring our dog. The rooms were spotless and pleasantly without odor. They had awesome, completely darkening window curtains and the amenities included even a yoga mat. I worried if our dog barks, it would be disturbing the other guests. I slept in the room next door and was told she barked once or twice a little but the hotel must have solid walls because I did not hear her, at all or any other guests, and I am a very light sleeper. The bed and pillows were super comfortable and I had a best night sleep in a hotel ever. The bride and groom were thrilled with their wedding and amazed we could pull it off in such a short time while complying with the safety restrictions. I am so thankful to Dana, the Katharine’s chef, and to everyone at Kimpton Cardinal Hotel for bending over backwards to make these two young front-line health care providers marrying in middle of a pandemic have a peaceful, elegant day they can cherish and photos that are stunning.