Together with their families

Mr.Jonathan Rhodes& Mr.Alex Garcia

request the pleasure of your company

The Old Woolen Exchange

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Illustration of Jonathan and Alex seen from behind, standing hand in hand at a tall arched window that looks over the city, one in a navy pinstripe suit and one in a forest green check suit

Countdown

until Ceremony

318 days until Ceremony

Schedule

  1. 6:30 PM

    Welcome Drinks

    When
    Friday, September 24, 2027, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
    Where
    Hotel Bellwether — The Cutting Room1418 Sansom Row, Philadelphia, PA 19102
    Attire
    Dressy casualA jacket if you like one. No tie required until Saturday.
    Notes
    Old fashioneds, soft pretzels and both families in one room for the first time. Come say hello.
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  1. 4:30 PM

    Ceremony

    When
    Saturday, September 25, 2027, 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM EDT
    Where
    The Old Woolen Exchange — Skylight Court214 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
    Attire
    Black tie optionalSuits, tuxedos, gowns, jumpsuits: wear what makes you stand up straight. Nobody has to match us.
    Notes
    Doors open at 4:00. We walk in together, from opposite ends of the court, and meet in the middle.
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  2. 5:15 PM

    Cocktail Hour

    When
    Saturday, September 25, 2027, 5:15 PM – 6:30 PM EDT
    Where
    The Old Woolen Exchange — Counting Room214 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
    Attire
    Black tie optionalA tuxedo or a dark suit and tie; a long gown, formal cocktail dress or dressy separates.
    Notes
    One signature drink from each of us: a rye Manhattan and a mezcal paloma. Vote with your glass.
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  3. 6:30 PM

    Dinner & Dancing

    When
    Saturday, September 25, 2027, 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM EDT
    Where
    The Old Woolen Exchange — Trading Floor214 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
    Attire
    Black tie optionalA tuxedo or a dark suit and tie; a long gown, formal cocktail dress or dressy separates.
    Notes
    Dinner at 7:00, two short toasts, one first dance, then the band until 11:30. Jackets off is allowed after the cake.
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  1. 10:30 AM

    Farewell Brunch

    When
    Sunday, September 26, 2027, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM EDT
    Where
    Hotel Bellwether — The Cutting Room1418 Sansom Row, Philadelphia, PA 19102
    Attire
    CasualWhatever you feel good in. Comfortable shoes are a good idea.
    Notes
    Bagels, strong coffee and the stories nobody told in the toasts. Come as you are.
    Directions to Hotel Bellwether — The Cutting Room (Google Maps, opens in a new tab)
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Our story

The fitting

In the spring of 2021 we were both being fitted for other people’s weddings, at the same tailor, on the same Saturday. Jonathan was a best man. Alex was a groomsman. The appointments ran over, and the shop was small.

The mix-up

The tailor sent each of us home with the other one’s trousers. Alex called the number on the ticket to swap them back. The swap took one coffee, then one dinner, then most of that summer.

The question

Alex asked on the river trail in October, ring in his coat pocket. Jonathan laughed, and took a second ring box out of his own. We had each ordered one from the same jeweler, a week apart.

Wedding party

  • Simon Rhodes

    Best Man

    Jonathan’s brother. He gave the tailor our number and has not let us forget it.

  • Camila Garcia

    Best Woman

    Alex’s sister. Holds the rings, the schedule and several opinions.

  • Wes Patterson

    Groomsman

    Jonathan’s college roommate. Can tie a bow tie in the dark.

  • Robin Castellano

    Best Person

    Alex’s oldest friend. Introduced him to mezcal, and to tailoring.

Travel & stay

Where to stay

Airports

  • PHL Philadelphia International Airport about 25 minutes
  • TTN Trenton–Mercer Airport about 50 minutes
  • EWR Newark Liberty International Airport about 1 hour 30 minutes

Getting around

A shuttle runs between Hotel Bellwether and the Exchange from 3:30 pm on Saturday; the last one back leaves at midnight. Center City is flat and walkable, and trains from New York and Washington arrive at 30th Street Station.

Good to know

Late September in Philadelphia is mild: around 75°F in the afternoon and 58°F after dark. The Skylight Court is indoors, so the ceremony goes ahead whatever the weather does.

Things to do

  • The Saturday market Coffee, pretzels and people-watching before you get dressed.
  • The river trail Where the question was asked. Flat, easy and good at sunset.

Gallery

  • The first fitting, 2021
  • Swatches we argued about
  • One tie, one bow tie
  • Two pairs by the door
  • Two rings, one week
  • Boutonnieres, test run
Illustration of a navy pinstripe jacket on a wooden hanger, marked with white tailor’s chalk, a yellow tape measure draped round its collar
Photo 1 of 6 The first fitting, 2021

RSVP

Kindly reply by August 20, 2027

For a copy of your reply and a link to change it.

Welcome Drinks Friday, September 24, 2027, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ceremony Saturday, September 25, 2027, 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
Dinner & Dancing Saturday, September 25, 2027, 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Farewell Brunch Sunday, September 26, 2027, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
How many in your party, including you?

  1. 1 You

  2. Leave empty if not coming

Registry

Questions

Black tie optional. A dark suit or a tuxedo, a gown or a jumpsuit, in any color you like. Please do not worry about matching the two of us.

Your reply form shows how many seats we have saved for you.

Children are welcome at the welcome drinks and the brunch. Saturday is for the grown-ups.

Yes. The Exchange has a step-free entrance on Chestnut Street, an elevator to every floor and accessible restrooms.

There is a garage one block east of the Exchange. The shuttle from Hotel Bellwether is easier.

Links below. We already own too many ties, so please do not add to the drawer.