Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Let me tell you a story about two lovely and in love kids I know, Ben and Becca.&nbsp;&nbsp;Like all good love stories, their&nbsp;story begins thanks to an honest misunderstanding and a broken water heater.&nbsp; Pretty standard start, in my experience. 

By the summer of 2015, Ben and Becca had known each other&nbsp;for almost two years.&nbsp; They started out as strangers, became friendly, and eventually considered the other a&nbsp;friend.&nbsp; At times, Becca was intrigued by the idea of becoming more than friends, but because Ben was a dense, oblivious, destitute dunce, her advances never got far and she would move&nbsp;on with life.







Then, in June 2015, Ben reached the age of 28.&nbsp; Because she's a nice person, Becca wished Ben a fairly vanilla "Happy Birthday" along with the&nbsp;well-wish&nbsp;that he get some ice cream on his birthday.







Upon receiving this message, Ben exercised that&nbsp;aforementioned talent for being dense and oblivious and inexplicably interpreted Becca's innocent birthday message as an invitation to&nbsp;&nbsp;an ice cream date.&nbsp; Today,&nbsp;Ben insists this imbecility&nbsp;was clearly the&nbsp;&nbsp;hand of destiny, but back then,&nbsp;Becca&nbsp;just&nbsp;thought he was a bit touched, as Ben responded to Becca's simple&nbsp;"Happy Birthday" by asking for a rain check, since he was having steak with his family that night.







Quite nonplussed, Becca rolled with it and what ensued were a few weeks of rather bizarre flirtation, replete with a Harry Potter parody of the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme song and the requisite telling of Romeo and Juliet in emojis.&nbsp;&nbsp;I know, it got weird.







Well, things came to a&nbsp;head July 4th weekend.&nbsp; After Ben and Becca spent a nice day at the beach with friends, everyone went their separate ways to clean up.&nbsp; For Ben, this meant heading home to a freezing cold shower, since, as foreshadowed earlier,&nbsp;the water heater in his&nbsp;home was broken.







Still a nice person, albeit with an ulterior motive, Becca mentioned that Ben could use her shower, a hot&nbsp;offer Ben accepted in a flash.







By this time, neither Ben nor Becca knew where their relationship stood anymore--they had been friends, but after spending weeks texting back and forth, they both felt like maybe they were heading towards something more.&nbsp; But then again, maybe they weren't.







Reminder:&nbsp;they collaborated on a Harry Potter parody theme song.&nbsp; Things were weird.







Well, as he stood in the blessedly hot shower, Ben deliberated and decided that it was high time he throw caution to the wind and just ask Becca out to dinner, dammit.&nbsp; Sure, they shared many mutual friends and sure,&nbsp;it could get real awkward if things didn't work out.&nbsp; But also, it could get awkward regardless,&nbsp;because, well, they were both just generally awkward people.&nbsp; So, if things were about to get awkward no matter what, then why dilly-dally about it?







As he determinedly came downstairs from the shower, Ben found Becca sitting in the same position on the couch as when he had left her ten minutes earlier, seemingly re-reading the same page of the same book.&nbsp; For some reason, this sight unnerved Ben, and to buy some extra time to work up his courage, he crossed the room to put his shoes on.







As he lifted his first foot to slide into his sneaker, he heard Becca--who still hadn't moved a muscle--call&nbsp;out to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Can you come over here and sit down?"







Ben's stomach dropped to the floor instead of his foot, and he floated dreamlike to the couch.&nbsp; He could sense that something momentous was about to happen, but he could tell whether it would be&nbsp;good or bad.







Becca put her book down and turned to him.&nbsp; "What's going on here?&nbsp;&nbsp;We never really texted each other before and in the past two weeks, not a day has gone by where we haven't sent a message back and forth.&nbsp; Why are you doing this? Do you, you know, like me&nbsp;or am I just&nbsp;being&nbsp;crazy?"







Ben, dense and oblivious as ever, wasn't exactly sure what to say.&nbsp; Nevertheless, he said it.







"Well--and I swear, this is 100% the truth--but if you waited thirty more seconds before calling me over, I would have done this anyways."&nbsp; Deep breath.&nbsp; "The truth is, would you like to go out to dinner with me?"







What ensued, immediately thereafter, was the very awkward conversation Ben had anticipated, which was followed less immediately, but still thereafter, by many, many more awkward and weird and nutty, but also wonderful and witty and simply perfect conversations.







And also,&nbsp;vacations to Europe and the Grand Canyon and everywhere between, visits with family and a Nana&nbsp;and a Mom-Mom, musicals and movies, cold&nbsp;nights in and warm&nbsp;evenings out, walks with Zoey (the dog)&nbsp;and more&nbsp;trips to the beach, New Years' Eves and&nbsp;Shabbat Shaloms, eventually&nbsp;an engagement and soon a wedding.&nbsp;







Oh, and also&nbsp;ice cream.&nbsp; Always and forever&nbsp;ice cream.

The Power of Ice Cream, or, How This Whole Crazy Love Thing Got Started

Our Story

Places to Eat

Walking Distance - Downtown

CoffeeCleveland has a wonderful local coffee culture.&nbsp; Below are three excellent options, ranked in order of pretentiousness for those who care&nbsp;from least to most:1.<a href="https://phoenixcoffee.com/">Phoenix Coffee</a>&nbsp;- A more low-key pretentious&nbsp;option to Rising Star or Pour. 2.&nbsp;<a href="http://risingstarcoffee.com/">Rising Star</a> -&nbsp;Located inside the Hyatt Regency, this is Cleveland's premier local&nbsp;coffee roaster.3. <a href="http://www.pourcleveland.com/">Pour</a> - A pretentious coffee lover's alternative to Rising Star.BreakfastBen and Becca rarely eat breakfast downtown, but here are a few ideas:1. <a href="https://bloombakery.com/">Bloom Bakery & Cafe</a> - This is a social venture eatery, hiring people with barriers to employment an&nbsp;opportunity.&nbsp; Also, the food is yummy.&nbsp; Closed on Sundays.2. <a href="http://www.jackflaps.co/Menu.htm">Jack Flaps</a> - A popular pancake eatery located in the 5th Street Arcade across from the Hyatt Regency.3. <a href="http://www.ytr.com">Your's Truly</a> - A local, popular All-American chain.&nbsp; Located in the Playhouse Square district, near the largest outdoor chandelier in the world! Lunch1. <a href="https://www.heinens.com/Downtown">Heinen's Downtown</a> - Located in a restored bank, you won't find a more beautiful spot for a meal.&nbsp; You'll find excellent salad and sandwich options here and an extensive beer and wine selection on the second floor.2. <a href="http://barrio-tacos.com/">Barrio</a> - $3 build your own tacos.&nbsp; You're welcome.&nbsp; Apparently, they also have a weekend breakfast taco brunch menu.&nbsp; Who knew?3. <a href="http://www.otaninoodle.com/">Otani Noodle</a> - We know it's summer, but is there ever a wrong season for yummy ramen?4.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ytr.com/">Your's Truly</a>&nbsp;- A local, popular All-American chain.&nbsp; Located in the Playhouse Square district, near the largest outdoor chandelier in the world!

 A Short Uber Ride Away

Ohio City

1. <a href="https://mitchellshomemade.com/">Mitchell's Ice Cream</a> - If we weren't so good at suppressing that little voice in our head, we would have ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.



 2.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/">Great Lakes Brewing Company</a>&nbsp;- A sustainable business that uses many of its excellent beers as&nbsp;ingredients in their high quality food.&nbsp; Get a flight of local brews to accompany your meal and don't forget to ask the bartender about the Eliot Ness bar...



3. <a href="http://www.happydogcleveland.com/">Happy Dog</a> (Detroit Avenue)&nbsp;- Get a hot dog or veggie sausage and some tater tots and then load them up with as many of the 50+ toppings as you can handle.



4. <a href="http://lepetittriangle.com/">Le Petit Triangle</a> - Lovely little French cafe with a tasty brunch.



5. <a href="http://clebagelco.com/">Cleveland Bagel Company</a>- Fluffy bagels and breakfast sandwiches.



6. <a href="http://www.mahasfalafil.com/">Maha's Falafil</a> at the West Side Market - The best falafel and hummus around.7. <a href="http://www.thesoupermarket.com/">Souper Market</a> - Ben loves soup so much.&nbsp; This spot has a constantly yummy rotation of soups on menu&nbsp;along with fresh salads.



 

AsiaTown



1. <a href="http://www.slymans.com/">Slyman's</a> - We know, not exactly "Asian."&nbsp; But this deli gives you gigantic corned beef sandwiches and is a first stop for visitors ranging from culinary luminaries to sitting presidents.2. <a href="http://www.kokosbakery.com/">Koko's Bakery</a> - An utterly delicious Asian bakery.



 

Tremont



1. <a href="https://www.sokolowskis.com/">Sokolowski's University&nbsp;Inn</a>&nbsp;- This wouldn't be a true Cleveland restaurant list without this&nbsp;James Beard award winning Polish eatery.

Places to Drink

Downtown Cleveland

1. <a href="http://www.east4thstreet.com/">East 4th Street</a> (across the street from the Hyatt Regency)&nbsp;has many different bars, each with their own vibe.&nbsp; A bit upscale, but nice atmosphere.&nbsp;&nbsp;2. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.thechocolatebar.com/">Chocolate Bar</a> (inside the Hyatt Regency) serves up some&nbsp;sweet concoctions.3. Go to the rooftops! <a href="http://www.metropolitancleveland.com/eat-drink/azure-rooftop-lounge.aspx">Azure Rooftop Lounge</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ohio/hilton-cleveland-downtown-CLEDOHH/dining/index.html">Bar 32</a> at the Hilton provide nice, sweeping views of the city.4. Looking for the club scene? Check out one of the bumping spots in the <a href="http://warehousedistrict.org/">Warehouse District</a>.5. <a href="https://www.noblebeastbeer.com/">Noble Beast</a> and <a href="http://mastheadbrewingco.com/">Masthead</a>&nbsp;are&nbsp;some decent, downtown&nbsp;brewery options.

A Short Uber Drive Away

1.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flatseastbank.com/">Flats East Bank</a> - A walkable area full of a variety of bars&nbsp;like a&nbsp;Dueling Piano Bar, Margaritaville, Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, and the <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2018/03/collision_bend_brewing_named_b.html">Best BrewPub in America</a> Collision Bend Brewery, located right on the river.2. <a href="http://porcolounge.com/">Porco Lounge and Tiki Room</a>&nbsp;- If you like your drinks very&nbsp;strong and very colorful, visit Cleveland's local tropical&nbsp;paradise.3. <a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/">Great Lakes Brewing Company</a> - Offers delicious&nbsp;award winning beers and a really great brewery tour.4. <a href="http://www.ohiocity.org/guide">W. 25th Street</a> - The heart of Ohio City, this strip is great for bar crawling at a local pace.

Things to Do

Downtown Attractions

1. <a href="https://www.rockhall.com/">Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</a> - Pay homage to your favorite musicians and enjoy artifacts dating back&nbsp;from the birth of rock and roll to today.

2. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/indians/tickets/single-game-tickets">Cleveland Indians Game</a> - The Tribe is in town, playing host to the Tampa Bay Rays.&nbsp; Visit the fantastic Progressive Field, witness the best team in baseball, and stick around after the Saturday night game for a spectacular fireworks show!



3.&nbsp;"<a href="http://www.clevelandgatewaydistrict.com/history/heritage-tourism/">Take a Hike" Free Downtown Walking Tour</a>&nbsp;- Meet in the Hyatt Arcade at the doors on&nbsp;Euclid&nbsp;at 10 am Saturday for a free walking tour of downtown Cleveland.4.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jackentertainment.com/cleveland/">JACK&nbsp;Casino</a>&nbsp;- Try your luck in Cleveland's downtown casino and &nbsp;go home a big winner. 5. <a href="https://cpl.org/front-international-cleveland-triennial-for-contemporary-art/">Cleveland Public Library</a> - Across the street from the Hyatt Arcade, the first floor of this gorgeous library is hosting the&nbsp;art exhibit "The American Library" (part of the citywide FRONT International art exhibition) and the third floor is home to the special collections department, including rare books and the world's&nbsp;largest collection of chess publications. 6.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.soldiersandsailors.com/">Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument</a> - Go inside this monument&nbsp;that commemorates&nbsp;the&nbsp;Civil War, which was&nbsp;designed by a local Civil War veteran.&nbsp; Located on Public Square, you will inevitably pass the monument on your way to...



7. <a href="https://www.heinens.com/Downtown">Heinen's Downtown</a> - Just pop in this grocery located in a gorgeously renovated historic bank.&nbsp; The food and drinks are good, but at the least, it's a sight you don't want to miss.

A Short Uber Trip Away

1. <a href="http://www.clevelandairshow.com/">Cleveland National Air Show</a> - Don't be alarmed: It's not a bird or Superman, but&nbsp;a plane, many planes! The annual Cleveland Air Show is taking place all weekend.&nbsp; Go to the show at Burke Lakefront Airport to see some cool planes up close or just look to the sky to watch them soar.2. <a href="https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/parks/lakefront-reservation/edgewater-park">Edgewater Beach</a> - Cleveland finally realized that it's on a nice big lake and developed a wonderful beach to enjoy this resource.&nbsp; Sit on the sand or the grassy area (which is where we like to sit) and enjoy some sunshine, fresh air, and planes flying by from the airshow.3. <a href="http://www.clevelandart.org/">Cleveland Museum of Art</a> - Recently renovated, visit one of the great art collections in the country (and it's free!).4. <a href="https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/">Great Lakes Brewery Tour</a> - Tour Cleveland's best known craft brewery and enjoy some fresh suds for your efforts.5. <a href="https://mitchellshomemade.com/ohio-city-flagship/tours">Mitchell's Ice Cream Tour</a> - Tour the home of the best ice cream in town and enjoy a free scoop of fresh ice cream for your efforts.

A Farther Uber Trip Away

1. <a href="https://grossschechter.org/rbo/">Totally Kosher Rib Burn&nbsp;Off</a> - A fundraiser for a local Jewish Day School, spend your labor day stuffing your face full of a variety of&nbsp;delicious kosher ribs.2. <a href="https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit">Emerald Necklace</a> - The city of Cleveland has some lovely nature&nbsp;reservations&nbsp;encircling the city.&nbsp; Bike the <a href="https://www.ohioanderiecanalway.com/explore/the-towpath-trail/">towpath</a>, hike some trails, or visit the <a href="https://clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo">Zoo</a>.

Travel and Transportation

Getting to the Hotel (Hyatt Regency) from the Airport

1. Drive Yourself

Rent a car at the airport.&nbsp; Take the highway I - 71 N to Cleveland.&nbsp; Merge onto I-90 E.&nbsp; Take exit 171 to Ontario Street, turn right to go around Public Square, then turn right onto Superior Avenue.





Hotel offers valet parking.&nbsp; Street Parking is FREE on the weekends and holidays.

Estimated Travel Time: 20 minutes





2. Take Uber or Lyft (or a Taxi, I guess)





Get in car driven by stranger.&nbsp; Tell stranger where you want to go.&nbsp; Uber/Lyft fare is roughly $15-$20.&nbsp; Taxi is probably closer to $25-$30.





Estimated Travel Time: 20 minutes





3. Take the <a href="http://www.riderta.com/">RTA&nbsp;Lightrail</a>&nbsp;(aka, the Rapid)





Hope on the Red Line at the Airport.&nbsp; Get off at Tower City.&nbsp; Follow signs to exit to Public Square.&nbsp; Walk to the opposite side of Public Square and walk down Superior.&nbsp; Hotel on right.





Estimated Travel Time: 30 minutes ride followed by 10 minute walk





4. Walk or Bike





This will take a very long time.&nbsp; We do not recommend this option.

Estimated Travel Time: Eternity

Details

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

We've reserved a block of rooms here - click on the website link to take advantage of it.The wedding ceremony and reception will take place in the gorgeous arcade attached to this hotel.

Most downtown hotels will be - at most -&nbsp;a 10 minute&nbsp;walk to the wedding ceremony/reception venue and other wedding activities taking place during the weekend.&nbsp; Find a good deal and get some extra exercise!

Any Downtown Hotel, really

Live like a stranger and book an Air BnB downtown (if you want to walk to wedding activities) or in the hip Tremont neighborhood or quaint Ohio City neighborhood (that's where we live!) if you don't mind a short uber ride to activities.

Air BnB

Travel

Check this out! 

Judaica

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage Gift Shop

We registered locally at the <a href="http://www.maltzmuseum.org/store/">Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage Gift Shop</a>.&nbsp; They're a bit old fashioned, so&nbsp;it's a handwritten registry, which means you'll have to - gasp - call them if you choose to purchase one of these items.&nbsp;216 -&nbsp;593 -&nbsp;0575 Just mention our names and the item from the list below:

Becca & Ben

Becca & Ben

Registry - Judaica

Judaica

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage Gift Shop