Lockdown was the best thing that ever happened to us.
It was September 2020. LA was shut down. No restaurants, no parties, no distractions, just two native New Yorkers orbiting each other in the silence of the city, swiping on dating apps with mild skepticism and zero expectations. And yet somehow here we are.
With nothing to do and nowhere to go, we just hung out and talked. A lot. We’d walk to each other’s apartments, pick up a bottle of wine on the way, plop down on the couch, and gab about life, our families back home, and how much we missed good bagels. In December, we caught COVID and spent two weeks passing tissues, tea, and Tylenol back and forth. Somewhere between the fever dreams and takeout pho, we realized we were in it for the long haul.
Now, a few years later, we're building a life that teeters between creative chaos and quiet joy. Ruby’s a stylist. Nico writes about men’s fashion. We have two crusty little white dogs we found on the street. We share a love for clothes, coffee, deep dives, reality television, and doing things our own way [including this wedding].
We’re so excited to celebrate with all the people who’ve shaped our story so far, and all those who will help shape the next chapter.
We know traveling to our wedding might be a big trip for some of you, and we completely understand if you’re not able to make it.
Whether you're there in person or in spirit, we truly appreciate your love and support.
Staten Island is pretty easy to get to from other parts of town, but if possible, we recommend staying on the island, as it’ll make things even easier.
If you’re flying, the closest airport is Newark (EWR).
If you're coming from elsewhere in New York City, you can take the free Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan, or drive over the Verrazzano Bridge from Brooklyn.
On the night of the wedding, we’ll have a shuttle running between the venue and the Staten Island Ferry, so you don’t need a car if you're staying somewhere with access to public transit.
Uber and Lyft also work well on the island if needed.
Will there be multiple events?
We will be hosting Welcome Drinks on the evening of Friday, 5/22. This event is totally optional.
I’m coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
We have a room block at the Hilton Garden Inn in Staten Island. You could also stay in Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn (this is New York City, after all — you can get anywhere at any time!).
Do you have a registry?
We don’t have a traditional registry. Instead, we’re asking for contributions to our honeymoon fund. The best gift would be a daiquiri on the beach, courtesy of you.
Should I plan to bring my brand-new girlfriend? I think she’s the one.
We are sooo happy for you, but no. To keep our celebration intimate, we kindly ask that only those listed on the invitation envelope attend. Thank you for understanding!
Most importantly, what is the dress code?
Semiformal, fun, and danceable. Feel free to turn a look! You know we will.
If you’re making a weekend of it, here are a few places we love:
Staten Island
Food & Drinks
Lakruwana: Cozy, colorful, comforting family-run Sri Lankan sit-down with portions big enough to share.
King’s Arms Diner: Your traditional greasy spoon sort of diner, great at any hour.
Randall Manor Tavern: An unassuming and very Staten Island local watering hole.
Seppe Pizza: A little bougie, but a worthwhile indulgence offering wood-fired pizzas and tasty Italian fare.
Burrito Bar: It’s in the name, but also go during happy hour for the margs.
Forest Superette Bagels: Ruby’s local bodega with the best bagels and breakfast sandwiches that’ll cure the worst hangover. They might be rude to you. That’s part of the charm.
Parks & Walks
Silver Lake Park: Quiet paths, good for a morning walk or decompressing.
Clove Lakes Park: An identical park right next to the other park. Choose your fighter.
St. George Waterfront: Best views of the harbor and Manhattan skyline. Hop on the ferry for the best view of the Statue of Liberty (and it’s free!)
Lower Manhattan
Food & Drinks
The Dead Rabbit: A legendary Irish pub with excellent drinks downstairs and a cozy upstairs. Tell them Tom sent you.
Conwell Coffee Hall: If you love Art Deco, boy, do we have a cafe for you.
Takahachi Bakery: A great Japanese bakery for quick pastries.
Fraunces Tavern: Historic watering hole dating back to the Revolutionary era. We love old stuff.
Parks & Walks
Battery Park: Beautiful green walking paths along the waterfront with great views and ferries heading out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
The Elevated Acre: A tucked-away green space with surprising quiet in the middle of the Financial District.
Wall Street: Witness the ever-elusive animal “finance bro” in its natural habitat. Beware their zip up vests and worship at the foot of their Bull God.
Museums
National Museum of the American Indian: Free, educational, and housed in a stunning historic building. A favorite of the Lazaro family.
Manhattan (Above Canal St)
Food & Drinks
Abraço: A quaint cafe in the East Village with the best coffee in NY.
J G Melon: Nico’s favorite burger spot. Get the cottage-fried potatoes!
El Castillo De Jagua: Incredible, comforting Dominican-Caribbean food with large portions at good prices.
Cocoron: The best soba noodles outside of Japan.
Museums
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: If you only do one museum, make it this one. You could spend days here and still not see everything.
The Frick Collection: A formerly private collection of beautiful art in an intimate setting.
MoMA: A compact, walkable collection of modern art.
The Whitney Museum: The place to go for Contemporary American art and great views from the terraces.
The Museum of Natural History: A must-visit for any kids (or adults who were once kids.)
Parks & Walks
Central Park: The obvious choice, but it’s huge, and you can’t go wrong no matter where you wander.
Washington Square Park: What NY parks feel like in movies: musicians, chess, and great people-watching. Don’t let anybody hand you anything.
The High Line: Elevated park with native plants, built on a historic rail line; great for a slow stroll.
Brooklyn
Museums
Brooklyn Museum: A big space with varied programming and often the best special exhibitions.
MoMA PS1 (technically Long Island City, but nearby): Contemporary and more experimental shows in a former public school building.
Parks & Walks
Brooklyn Bridge Park: One of the best skyline views in the city.
Prospect Park: The backdrop to Ruby’s childhood. It was designed by the same team as Central Park, but has a quieter and more local feel.
Fort Greene Park: Compact but beautiful, and surrounded by brownstones. A great spot for a picnic.
Food & Drinks
Xi’an Famous Foods: A chain with tasty hand-pulled noodles and locations all over town.
Krispy Pizza: The crispiest pizza in the world. Not to be confused with Crispy Pizza in Staten Island. They are lying about their level of crispiness.