MyMoon Restaurant + Venue

Our Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Be sure to tag any pics to #KevTakesAKnapp to help us capture the day!

Our Wedding

How We Met 

On an unusually warm day in May, just a brief four years ago, Kevin decided to run the Central Park loop to prepare for his upcoming Ironman competition. For those of you who don't know, the Ironman is an incredibly long triathlon that ends in a marathon and the central park loop (6.02 miles) provides the perfect training for long races. After completing his 18+ mile journey he decided to walk a bit and take in the warmth. While resting on a bench and taking in the sun a beautiful golden retriever walked up to Kevin and demanded pets. Reminded of his own beloved golden, Riley, he agreed and both the dog and Kevin were very happy. Moments earlier, on the other side of the park, Mitch, the golden retriever was being walked by Tara. Tara had just started fostering and Mitch was her very first. When Mitch spotted a squirrel, he took off after it and escaped from Tara's grip. Panicked she ran off in the dog's direction, calling his name and asking anyone if they had seen her escaped pooch. After an hour of looking, Tara feared Mitch was gone forever and her career in fostering dogs was over. Still looking with little hope, she noticed a man playing with a golden retriever and her hope was instantly restored after realizing it was Mitch! Tara ran over, grabbed Mitch, and thanked the man who kept her dog safe. Kevin had heard from others that there was a frantic woman looking for the dog so he decided to watch out for the pup until the owner crossed their path. Luckily, the plan worked! Tara offered to buy Kevin lunch at the Loeb Boathouse to say thanks and, being famished, Kevin agreed. As they sat outside watching the rowboats and drinking cocktails, they both enjoyed each others conversation so much that they decided to keep the day going despite both being exhausted. Even as day turned into evening, they never ran out of things to talk about. Both knew it was fate that had brought them together and they just couldn't shake the feeling of kismet. When it was time to part, Kevin asked for Tara's number and said goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. The rest is history... Just kidding! We both swiped right on Bumble.

How He Proposed 

Kevin's original plan on proposing to Tara in Germany was unfortunately squashed due to the global pandemic and extensive travel restrictions that kept everyone grounded. Never at a loss for clever ideas, Kevin knew he still wanted to make the proposal as memorable as possible. On the morning of August 4th, a day picked to honor his late grandmother, Tara's late sister, and Meghan Markle, Tara noticed that Kevin was acting rather funny when they woke up. Looking back, she should have known something was up. Kevin insisted on taking a shower and getting ready for the day almost immediately. This should have been the first red flag as both Tara and Kevin can be incredibly lazy. After his shower, he was very keen on when Tara could take hers. Tara didn't mind, but at this point, she definitely should have picked up in Kevin's funny business. Finally finished in the bathroom, Kevin insisted it was Tara's turn to shower. After hopping in and mid-lather, Tara started singing a song and Kevin knew it was the perfect time. Dressed in a tuxedo speedo, he pulled the curtain back, scaring Tara and causing her to scream. Instead of seeing Kevin laughing, she saw him on bended knee as he asked the question, "Will you marry me?" In a state of complete SHOCK, instead of saying yes, she asked, "Are you serious?! I look like this? Are you serious?! You're serious...You're seriously asking me when I look like this?!?" for a good thirty seconds before she finally said, "YES!" As you can imagine, there are no pictures from this event, but Kevin recorded their voices so they can relive the moment forever. It wasn't what she expected, but the proposal was perfectly Kevin and Tara and they wouldn't have traded it for all the mountain tops in Germany. Unlike the story before, this is very, very true

Our Story

Since opening in 2016, The William Vale has become a buzzing hub for Brooklyn visitors and locals to connect and recharge, whether that’s over a drink at the pool, a rooftop film screening, or dinner at Leuca. The property is also a dog friendly resort so you don't have to worry about leaving your pups at home. We felt that the ambiance and distance from the venue made this the perfect hotel for our guests. The room block includes a standard king room with a balcony for $429/night with a two night minimum or 15% off any other room on the property. The William Vale will also adjust their pricing of the rooms if you happen to find a better rate at any given time of their website, so keep your eyes out! If you would like to book, please do so by August 24th. After that date the unsold rooms will go back into hotel inventory.

The William Vale

If the William Vale isn't for you, just down the way is the Willamsburg Hotel. This is central Williamsburg, in the middle of the action and on the stoop of local hotspots, from entertainment to culture. Minutes from Manhattan and moments to all major NY transport hubs. We do not have a block at this hotel so please be mindful of changing prices and book as soon as possible to secure the best rate.

The Williamsburg Hotel

Located just a few blocks from the venue and hotels is the Bedford stop on the L train. This line connects Brooklyn to Manhattan making stops in the East Village, Union Square, and Meat Packing District. From Union Square, you can connect to other lines that will take you all over the city including: uptown to the Upper East and West sides, downtown to the financial district, and into the heart of the city - Times Square. Fare for a one way ride on the subway is $2.75, and you can purchase metro cards in the subway station before you ride.

The Subway

If you are coming direct from the west coast, you will have to fly into JFK. From JFK to Williamsburg, you will have to take a taxi or Uber which will cost roughly $70.00. If you take a connecting flight, or you're not coming from CA, you can fly into LGA which is much closer and will only cost you roughly $35.00 for a cab to Williamsburg. HOWEVER, there is crazy construction happening at LGA and you'll have to walk with your luggage to a designated area for cabs and Uber pick-ups. We recommend taking an Uber so that, if you do get caught in construction getting out of the airport, you are not charged by the minute. IMPORTANT: When you are at the airport, please only take designated taxis or Ubers. There will be other random drivers asking if you want a, "taxi". Do not go with them. They won't hurt you and they aren't going to kidnap you, but it's best to stick with the Ubers and taxi's. If the taxi line looks insanely long, I promise you it moves fast!

Flying into JFK and LGA

Accommodations + Travel

Things to do in Willamsburg

Bathhouse is a home for people who strive to look, feel and perform their very best. Bathhouse features three thermal pools: hot (104°F), cold (52°F), and thermoneutral (94°F), dry and tropical saunas, a starlight steam room, and heated marble hammams. In addition, you can book a message, facial or body scrub. Before or after treatment, visit Bathhouse Kitchen, a Williamsburg oasis featuring a selection of hyper-seasonal plates, sustainable wines, and creative cocktails. If you plan on going, don't forget your bathing suit!

BATHHOUSE

For a relaxed experience, visit the Brooklyn Brewery,&nbsp;a local institution that helped reinvent the beer industry in Brooklyn. The borough was once home to many major brewers, but Brooklyn Brewery ushered in a renaissance when it was founded with a dream to return brewing to Brooklyn in 1988.&nbsp; Today their beers travel to more than half the United States and over thirty countries. Their James Beard Award-winning Brewmaster Garrett Oliver and his team brew everything from classic styles to bold experiments and collaborate with brewers, innovators and artists from around the globe. Feel free to book a tour, or just grab a few pints and enjoy the late September weather.

Brooklyn Brewery

Williamsburg, unlike some New York City neighborhoods, is home to plenty of green space. McCarren Park is centrally located between Nassau Avenue, Bayard, Manhattan Avenue, and North 12th Street. It has baseball fields and basketball courts, playgrounds, running tracks, and dog run areas. On Saturdays, try to get there between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the&nbsp;farmers market which runs year-round.

McCarren Park

Williamsburg's full of creative people who toil at their day jobs but revel in their "real" work as musicians or performers, writers, or artists. If you'd like to see the creative spirit of Williamsburg on full display, you'll have a lot of choices when it comes to the art form. Whether you prefer poetry readings at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.petescandystore.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pete's Candy Store</a>, music performances at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music Hall of Williamsburg&nbsp;</a>or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brooklynbowl.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brooklyn Bowl</a>, and theater at&nbsp;<a href="http://bricktheater.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Brick Theater</a>, there's always something interesting going on any given night.

See a Show! (Assuming Shows are thing in September) 

Williamsburg could be considered the SoHo of Brooklyn in terms of shopping opportunities. It’s actually one of the best places when it comes to shopping in NYC. However, what makes Williamsburg different from SoHo is the different amount of independent and&nbsp;NYC boutique stores. If you like flea markets, second-hand stores, or vintage items, Williamsburg will be your new favorite spot! The more mainstream and big retailers like ZARA and H&amp;M will be nowhere in sight. Instead, stores that sell unique products dominate this part of town. In Williamsburg, shopping at&nbsp;<a href="https://loving-newyork.com/the-best-thrift-stores-in-nyc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">thrift stores</a>, second-hand and vintage stores is pretty much a lifestyle. Places like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.buffaloexchange.com/about-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buffalo Exchange,</a>&nbsp;L Train Vintage,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Beacon’s Closet&nbsp;are just some of the most popular stores. Other shops &amp; flea markets are run by artists themselves and offer a variety of handcrafted products made by locals. Bedford Avenue is a great spot to find clothes or a special gift for someone. Shopping in Williamsburg is in complete contrast to Manhattan and the glamorous shops of Fifth Avenue. Also worth mentioning, is&nbsp;Brooklyn Flea. This is a centralized location where vendors come together and sell vintage pieces. In the&nbsp;spring and summer,&nbsp;you can find this at the patio of the&nbsp;Williamsburg Hotel. Mainstream Stores in WilliamsburgThere might be more independent and thrift stores in Williamsburg, but there are some notable mainstream shops that have opened up in the area. With all of the gentrification happening in the neighborhood, it only makes sense for the bigger stores to open in the area. Some of these stores include The Northface, Apple Store Williamsburg, Supreme, and J. Crew. Williamsburg BoutiquesBoutiques are everywhere in Williamsburg. This type of store is very specific and is specially curated for their customer. Depending on the boutique, you’ll be able to find designers that you might have never heard before which can lead you to very unique pieces. Sword-Smith and Bird are just a couple of boutiques we love.

Go Shopping! 

Things to do in Manhattan

Without a doubt, one of the best parts of New York City is Central Park. By taking&nbsp;the subway to 72nd Street and Central Park West, you can explore Central Park like a pro. First, stop at the Dakota and see where John Lennon lived and died, then head east to hit up Strawberry Fields to see daily tributes to the late musician. Next, make you way to Sheeps Meadow, Cherry Hill, Bow Bridge, the Bethesda Fountain, the Naumburg Bandshell, the Loeb Boathouse, the Hans Christian Andersen Monument, the Conservatory Water’s model boats and lastly, to the Alice in Wonderland statue, all&nbsp;in a “New York&nbsp;hour.” If you're needing a break during your walk, stop in and grab a meal at <a href="https://www.thecentralparkboathouse.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Loeb Boathouse</a>, a favorite restaurant of Tara's. While you're there you can rent rowboats or take a gondola ride and the park from a new perspective. It's very quintessential New York!

Explore Central Park

The main deck on the 86th floor is the highest open-air observatory&nbsp;offers&nbsp;stunning 360-degree views of the Hudson and East Rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and more. If you&nbsp;want to get higher, head to the 102nd floor's indoor observation deck for a full view of Central Park. And for some background, duck down to the "Dare to Dream" exhibit on the 80th floor, which honors the 3,400 people who built the 1,454-foot skyscraper and features original photographs, architectural sketches and construction notes.&nbsp; While in the area, there is plenty of shopping including: the world's largest Macy's, H&amp;M, Zara, the Manhattan Mall, and almost any other shop you can dream of. If you're hungry, you're only a few blocks away from bustling Koreatown. Packed with Korean BBQ restaurants, karaoke lounges, asian grocery and beauty stores, Koreatown is definitely something to explore. Numerous spas offer massages or sauna time if you need some time to unwind.

Empire State Building, Herald Square, and Koreatown

A favorite of Tara's and, a not-so-well-kept secret among New Yorkers, is tucked away on the 65th Floor of 30 Rock. With your favorite cocktail in hand, some good friends, and the skyline just outside our floor-to-ceiling windows, every moment is perfectly crafted. Cocktails are expensive but the view more than makes up for the price. Offering some of the best views of the city, it really doesn't get much better than this bar. Make sure you make reservations and follow the dress code or they won't let you in. However, if you're feeling lucky, and not wearing flip-flops, get there right as they open to see if they might make you an exception and let you up without a reservation. If you can't get into Bar 65, you can purchase tickets for the Observation Deck on the 70th Floor at 30 Rock. <a href="https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/buy-tickets/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAv6yCBhCLARIsABqJTjYBihTBc9wg8pPdCQ3mnq3amOjSMfx-cQYYRXbt8FhYkk2MvivNP9IaAnspEALw_wcB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Top of the Rock</a> provides views of the Empire State Building, One World Trade, Statue of Liberty, Central Park and if you look really hard, Tara and Kevin's apartment. While at 30 Rock, <a href="https://www.thetouratnbcstudios.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">take a tour </a>of NBC Studios where they film: The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Seth Meyers and much more.

Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room and tour NBC Studios at Rockefellar Center

A MUST if you've never been. "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. If you don't feel like paying for tickets, or they've simply sold out, hop on the Staten Island Ferry and take a quick ride to the outer borough. The ferry is free and the views are priceless.

Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island & Battery Park

It would take multiple visits to fully appreciate this sprawling–as in 13-acres of Central Park sprawling–collection of over 5,000 years of art from every corner of the world. As one of the biggest museums in the world, the gorgeous late 19th century neo-classical institution displays some of the finest examples of art spanning from mummified royalty of ancient times to avant garde fashion couture from last year’s runway. Visitors young and old are mesmerized by the Temple of Dendur, an Egyptian temple from 10 B.C. that was transposed from its Nile-side location to the bright, sun-drenched Sackler Wing overlooking a reflective pool. Other highlights include the impressive array of European and Asian armor, Grecian sculptures, medieval art and contemporary photography. After hours of exploring relax by a fountain in the indoor sculpture garden or ponder what it all means in the Astor Chinese Garden Court, nestled off the Asian Art galleries.Advanced online tickets will allow museum-goers to skip the lines, but, word of warning you’ll have to pay the full suggested donation ($25, seniors $17, students $12). The special exhibits change every few months and vary from big-name retrospective blockbusters to displays of little-known gems.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

With its star-spangled ceiling, imposing clocks and elegant Beaux Arts structure, Grand Central Terminal qualifies as a bona fide architectural landmark. Though you can certainly marvel at the building’s gorgeous lines on your own, a little history and background information helps you take even more away from a visit. Rent a headset for a half-hour audio tour so you can get the full backstory of this iconic building.

Visit Grand Central Terminal

Welcoming all guests to the top of the tallest building in New York City. See for yourself why&nbsp;One World&nbsp;Observatory is truly an experience above the rest. After visiting One World Trade make you way to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. This is truly one thing you should put on your list if you've never been to NYC. The 9/11 Memorial Museum tells the story of 9/11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts, presenting visitors with personal stories of loss, recovery, and hope. There are no tickets needed for the memorial, <a href="https://www.911memorial.org/visit/visit-museum-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">but you will need them for the museum. </a>

One World Observatory, 9/11 Memorial and Museum 

Things to Do 

I am honored that the future Devines have asked me to officiate their wedding ceremony. 

Kevin and I (and Eddie) have been best friends for over 20 years. We were born one day apart and on the same t-ball team when we were 5.  The Devine family always had room for me, and Thanksgiving on Manor Alexander was a tradition. We did college spring breaks, Saturday nights at the Loop; and now annual road trips and incredible days on the boat. 

Kevin has always been there for all the good times, but especially during difficult times. He's the best friend anyone could ask for. Tara and Kevin deserve each other and it's obvious to anyone that has been around them that they have found each other's soul mate.

Love you both!

Chris Smith

Wedding Party

Travel Pics 

Engagement Pics

Photos

Honeyfund and Registry

Please see additional information about Saturday at our other website linked <a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/kevin-devine-and-tara-knapp-sep-2021" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>

Tara & Kevin

Tara & Kevin

Honeyfund and Registry