Camp Cedarcrest

Friday dinner and gathering

Saturday continental breakfast

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Sunday brunch

Our Wedding

When a girl from America and a boy from Belgium are destined to love each other very much... they are bound to meet in Uganda. Or so it was for us! Kira while on her second trip for PhD field work and Vincent while posted for work for the Belgian development agency. We bonded over warm Nile Special (beer), boiled matooke (plantains) and the scents of rain and dust on the air in an outdoor restaurant. Then we fell in love riding boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis), climbing Wanale, playing squash, traveling to Zanzibar and Zambia, and being with our friends over long, candlelit dinners (Vincent is a little obsessed with the importance of lighting for setting a cozy or "gezellige" mood), games of poker and Cards Against Humanity, Halloween costumes, nights at the Thatch and El Tanjia, and home-cooked international-style Thanksgiving dinners. Out of Africa, our story continued with Vincent coming to Boston in the Fall of 2014. Intense family time, an eye-popping trip to the Southwest US, and lots of university applications later, Vincent's visa expired and it was Kira's turn to head to Antwerp. More family time, more travel, and many kilometers of bike riding moved us forward and our fates were pretty much sealed. Months of separation throughout our relationship have proved our commitment and our love to ourselves and each other. With Vincent's acceptance into the Harvard Kennedy School's Masters in Public Administration in International Development (MPAID) program and Kira's completion of her PhD (woohoo!) and appointment to a Postdoc at Brown, we are able to stay together for a blissfully secure few years at least. We are the lucky ones indeed.Though we travel all over, both together and separately, we keep our love for each other and our families and friends close to us always and look forward to sharing that love with you on August 5, 2017!

How we met

It had been a beautiful Christmas holiday, spent with friends and Kira's family in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Good cheer, an abundance of dark beers (maybe more Kira's thing than Vincent's), mulled wine, candlelight, and more carols than anyone (except Kira) would possibly enjoy made for a beautiful holiday. After a long day of driving back to Boston on New Year's Eve, we settled in for a quiet evening at home ("Did you want to go out? We could go to ----'s for a bit..." "Uh, yeah, I mean, if you want to...?" "Hmm...maybe just a quiet night, just us?" "That sounds wonderful..."). We unpacked Christmas goodies, watered plants, set up the new record player and dug out some old Jazz and holiday favorites, listening to their soft hum as we hung up new art and settled back into our home. Kira was happy because Vincent had mentioned engagement rings on the ride back home ("How do you feel about a non-diamond ring? What with the politics of the industry, etc?" "Yeah, diamonds aren't necessarily my thing. Anything pretty, chosen by you, would be perfect" &lt;-- giant grin). Vincent was happy because Vincent is perpetually content. Dinner was simple, hearts were content, a bottle of bubbly was cracked as the ball began to drop. We watched the countdown, curled together on the couch, remarking on how perfect the evening had been, just us, being us, together. As we sat happily, Vincent drew something from the cushions of the couch: a box. (Kira's immediate thought: "Who's been leaving boxes in our couch?! We need to clean more often! And someone's lost their box!"... and the secondary thought: "Oh wait. Oh God! Oh my god! What? What?"). With a smile, Vincent opened the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring and said something along the lines of "Will you marry me?" (but Kira doesn't actually remember exactly what words were spoken because her brain had shut off, and was thinking only "There was a ring in the box in the couch?! Whoever lost it's gonna be so upset!" as well as something that was still remarkably similar to "Oh wait. Oh God! Oh my god! What? What?"). What she actually said was "Are you kidding?", to which Vincent responded, "Um, no. I'm really asking". So Kira said yes, because duh. We're in complete and utter love :)

The proposal

Our Story

Details

Photos

Kristin and Kira met while working on their Mastery of the Climate (&amp; Society) at Columbia University in 2009. Over coursework, karaoke, the Lionshead, and a year of living dangerously in Brooklyn, their friendship solidified. They've stayed together through thick and thin, though law school (Kristin's) and doctoral programs (Kira's), through Thanksgivings and SantaCons, through Vermont hikes and Boston concerts. They both love MK&amp;A, New York, and oxes forever.

Kristin Campbell

Erin and Kira met their freshman year at UConn, in genetics class, and proceeded to hang out and co-habitate as often as possible for the rest of college and frequently thereafter. They've traveled together to Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the Great Smoky Mountains, D.C., and to many of the finer watering holes of the greater Boston area. Erin has accepted Kira's tendencies to bird-while driving and natter on about nonsense in a stream-of-consciousness style, and Kira is happy to fetch things for Erin when she calls "[object], come to me!". It's a beautiful partnership that will last through the ages :)

Erin Twohig Brooks

Aleks and Kira met their first day at UConn when Kira's mother recruited Aleks to be her daughter's friend. Aleks was kind enough to go along with it :) Their friendship was cemented through the trials of freshman year, through navigating the ins and outs of becoming who you are. They lived only a door (or a room) apart for the rest of college, hunting down the dining halls where cheese blintzes or french toast sticks would be served, enjoying late-night games of Jenga, and trying to figure out who to call on campus to get your heating fixed in the middle of a New England winter. Kira thanks her lucky stars she's had Aleks' humor, warmth, and friendship in her life since "Day 1" of her adulthood :)  

Aleks Gwiazda Leighton

Rachel and Kira met during their UConn Nerdientation (orientation for Honors students) and became immediate friends, as their wacky humor, open embrace of all things new and exciting, and happily bookish approach to life made any other outcome impossible. Rachel's generosity, good-heartedness, and embrace of the ridiculous and the "carpe diem" in life makes her a treasured friend. Through trips throughout nearly every state in the Northeast, games of mini-golf in summer, nights of revelry in New York City and Boston, and a magical wedding week in Puerto Rico and a whimsical tourist week in Belgium, Rachel and Kira have built a friendship for the ages.  

Rachel Benedetto Scott

Maya and Kira have been friends since their first pre-roommate e-mail exchange when it became clear that their mutual appreciation of craft beer, affordable living, good food, and exploration would make them the perfect roommates. Even though they locked each other out of their 5th floor walk-up a time or two each (always an accident!), and Maya's cat gave Kira face-hives, and Kira made too many creepy faces during scary movies, they managed to find a way to bring out the joy in each other's hearts and become as much family as friends. (Road)trips to Ithaca, Pennsylvania, New Orleans, and the Dominican Republic sealed the deal. Grassroots, Lonely Island, and braving the Fairway side-by-side brought them together, and now nothing could break their bond! :)

Maya Weltman-Fahs

Wedding Party

Registry

Q + A

Driving:use GPS with destination: 886 Mapledale Rd, Orange, CT 06477 Public transit:Camp Cedarcrest is about 7 miles from Union Station (train and bus terminal) in New Haven, CT. This is the new Haven stop on the <a href="http://as0.mta.info/mnr/schedules/sched_form.cfm" target="_blank">Metro-North Railway line</a> (direct line from Grand Central Terminal in New York City). If you want to do 100% public transit, there's apparently also a bus that can get you from New Haven to Orange (https://www.cttransit.com/), but it looks like it takes about an hour, so... probably a taxi/Uber/Lyft or carpooling with a friend are better bets! If you're looking to carpool, e-mail us at kira.vincent.wedding@gmail.com and we'll help connect you!

There is limited space onsite at the wedding location (both ceremony and reception) for those who prefer the convenience and convivial atmosphere of a one-stop-shop for the whole wedding weekend! We have the whole camp reserved, so join the fun!Accommodation: Cabins: cabins sleep 6-8 in bunk bed form. Pillows, sheets, and towels are available to those who need them. Cabins are rustic but have electricity, mosquito-screening, and fire pits and tables nearby. Bathrooms (with showers) are shared. There is a central building with limited refrigerator space for those who require it.Camping: Campsites are available throughout the property for those who prefer them!Meals: For those who choose stay on site, meals will be provided from Friday dinner through Sunday brunch. Please let us know of any food limitations in advance! We will always provide vegetarian options, but will need a heads-up for gluten-free and vegan options as well as any food allergies.Activities: Camp Cedarcrest has plenty to do! Miles of walking trails and a burbling brook provide relaxation time and space. Basketball, wiffle ball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce are also available along with a selection of lawn games! Nearby Orange and New Haven, CT offer additional opportunities for those who want to venture off-site. It will all be extremely kid-friendly :)Costs*:Camping: $75 per site for the 2-night weekend (maximum 2 adults, unlimited kids per site)Cabin beds: $75 per person for the 2-night weekend, children under 12 are freeWhole cabin: $350 for a 6-bed cabin and $450 for an 8-bed cabin*: Note that this includes Friday night dinner, Saturday self-service Brunch, and Sunday Brunch!To reserve your site or bed at Camp Cedarcrest: <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_nCgflEdVDCajpeXX5I_FYKsFjqUlNzHbV55UhvuHzWABdA/viewform" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>

7.4 miles from Camp Cedarcrest4 rooms total. From their website:"Welcome to the elegant mansion built by railroad baron, Henry Farnam. We are adjacent to the Yale campus; just 1.25 miles to the Yale Phelps Gate and Farnam Hall freshman dorm."Rates per private room (includes breakfast) are $189 per night ($20 less for single occupant. $20 each for 3rd and 4th occupants). Real rates may be lower if all rooms are booked.

Farnam Guest House

$129.00 Standard King with Sleeper sofa; $139.00 DoubleHotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 15%). Please use <a href="http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Sullivan-Wiley%20Wedding%5Ehvnco%60SWWSWWE%7CSWWSWWG%60129.00-139.00%60USD%60false%604%608/4/17%608/6/17%607/6/17&amp;app=resvlink&amp;stop_mobi=yes" target="_blank">this link to book</a>, or call directly and reference the "Sullivan-Wiley Wedding" to receive the discounted rates listed above. Rates available until July 6, 2017. Note: cancellation must occur prior to 72 hours before arrival.Rate includes the following hotel amenities:Newly Renovated Guest Rooms, lobby and meeting space as of July 2016Bistro Lounge Serving Breakfast and Dinner Refrigerator and Microwave in all guestroomsComplimentary Parking/Complimentary WI-FIOutdoor Seasonal Pool and Fire pit Fitness Center/Business Center/24 hour market

Courtyard by Marriott New Haven Orange/Milford

Travel

Things to Do

Link to RSVP

RSVP

Please <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsLAO4iVEY9pGcdUZavct2wGj7NUAiXSmB263sM0A25M4cNQ/viewform" target="_blank">click here</a> to RSVP for the wedding and for other weekend events!

Link to book accommodation at Camp Cedarcrest

Accommodation at Camp Cedarcrest

Please <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_nCgflEdVDCajpeXX5I_FYKsFjqUlNzHbV55UhvuHzWABdA/viewform" target="_blank">click here</a> to book your cabin or bunk at Camp Cedarcrest (the wedding venue)!

Kira & Vincent

Kira & Vincent

Photos