Drs. Xiaojiao Jiang (晓娇 蒋) and Andrew Cassey invite you to celebrate their marriage.
July 5 2019 5:45
Ceremony
First & Central Presbyterian
1101 N Market St, Wilmington DE 19801
Reception
Gold Ballroom
Hotel du Pont
42 W 11th St, Wilmington DE 19801
The Day Before the Wedding Celebration
(optional)
July 4, 2019
4:00 Visit our house
213 W 14th St
7:30 Meet in Hotel du Pont lobby
Walk to Fireworks at Tubman Garret Riverfront Park
80 Rosa Parks Dr
8:00 Delaware Symphony Orchestra on the Riverfront
9:30 Fireworks on the Riverfront
Watch Fireworks from the 2nd story of the Parking Garage
(Easier to meet everyone there than among the crowd in the park)
10:00 The End
The Day of the Wedding Celebration
July 5, 2019
5:30 Prelude
5:45 Ceremony
6:30 Drinks
7:30 Dinner
9:30 Party
11:30 The End
The Day After the Wedding Celebration
(optional)
July 6, 2019
10:00 Bus departs for Atlantic City
Hotel du Pont lobby
4:00 Bus returns to Wilmington
7:30 Stitch House brewpub
829 N Market St
10:30 Nomad bar
905 N Orange St
1:00 The End
The Venue
Ceremony: First & Central Presbyterian
1101 N Market St, Wilmington DE 19801
Officiant: Rev. Kaci Clark-Porter
Music: David Schelat
First & Central Presbyterian is the result of the merger of First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1737, and Central Presbyterian Church, founded in 1855. The Old First Presbyterian church, built in 1740, has been located in the park near our backyard since 1916. The British used it as a hospital and a jail during their occupation of Wilmington in September 1777. Seven members of the congregation served in the Continental Congress. First & Central played a major role in reconciliation efforts following Wilmington’s race riots in 1968. While many churches left the city for the suburbs in the 1960s and 1970s, First & Central elected to stay and be a church of the city.
Reception: Gold Ballroom, Hotel du Pont
42 W 11th St, Wilmington DE 19801
The DuPont building was constructed in 1908. It was the headquarters for the DuPont company until 2015 when the company moved to suburban Wilmington. Now the DuPont building is the headquarters of the Chemours company. The hotel was added to the building in 1913, and remains a Gilded Age icon. The hotel features ornate, hand-carved wood, mosaic and terrazzo floors, and imported European chandeliers created by French and Italian craftsmen.
Questions & Answers
It is traditional in China for guests to give the newly weds cash in a red envelope. The amount should be even, and not end in a 4 because the mandarin word for 4 is “si” and the word for death is “si.”
You may also donate to one of the charities that we support.
- The closest airport is Philadelphia (PHL), which is an American Airlines (one world partner) hub.
- It is 21 miles from the airport to Wilmington.
- Some Wilmington hotels offer airport shuttle service. Best to check.
- It is about $45 on Uber from the airport to Wilmington.
- There is a SEPTA commuter train from Philadelphia to Wilmington ($8), and a train from the airport to Philadelphia ($8). But you have to change trains at University City to get from the airport to Wilmington. You can pay the conductor on the train with cash. Wilmington is Zone 4, and the airport is Zone 4. Because of this, while it is easy to take the train into Philadelphia for the day to sightsee, we do not advise taking the train from the airport to Wilmington.
- Baltimore (BWI) is often cheaper, but it is 81 miles away. You will need to rent a car. There is also an Amtrak directly to Wilmington.
- Newark (EWR) is also a possibility. It is 111 miles away. But there is an Amtrak directly to Wilmington.
- It is 0.9 miles from Wilmington train station (Amtrak & SEPTA) to the Hotel du Pont. There are plenty of taxis at the station.
Yes, there is a dress code. A fancy one.
We are getting married in a Presbyterian church, and the reception is at the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel du Pont, opened in 1913.
But feel free not to wear socks.
Yes, there will be a vegetarian option, which can be vegan upon request. It is a triple tomato risotto with basil leaves, grated asiago, and balsamic with summer vegetables. There are also two vegetarians hors d’oeuvres: summer roll stuffed with shiitake, onion, and sesame; and mushrooms caps stuffed with spinach. Though the appetizer is not vegetarian, you may ask service for a salad.
Guests staying at the Hotel du Pont may use the valet parking for free, except for the gratuity. Others may use valet parking for $15. On street parking is free after 6P. There is parking immediately in front of the church, and along 12th Street.
The reception is across the street from the ceremony venue so you will be able to park once and walk to both events in the least practical of shoes.
Yes. Wilmington loves to shift driving lanes in intersections, which means if you are driving you often need to shift left or right to continue straight in your lane. If you don’t, you risk the other cars moving into you, or at least honking. And Wilmington does not paint the lanes very well!
We purchased the digital rights to the photos. Once the album is edited, we can provide you a link for free. You may download as many pictures as you like.
Old City Philadelphia features Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, Ben Franklin’s grave, and many other historic sites. July 4 is the busiest day of the year in Old City Philadelphia and Independence National Historic Park. To tour Independence Hall and other sites, get tickets at recreation.gov. It’s $1 per ticket. There is also plenty to see just by walking around outside.
You can take the SEPTA Wilmington Line regional train from Wilmington-Biden station (0.9 miles away) to Philadelphia for $8 in cash per person each way ($7 on weekend), which can be paid in exact change on the train. Depart at Jefferson Station. It will take about an hour each way on the local train. It is about a 25 minute drive from Wilmington to Old City.
Yes. Delaware does not have a sales tax on any purchase. Christiana mall is 9 miles away, though there are many great stores in Wilmington.
Andrew grew up 14 miles away, in Newark, Delaware. He went to elementary school in Wilmington before college at The Ohio State University and graduate school at the University of Minnesota. He moved to Pullman, WA in 2008 and met Xiaojiao in 2011. He is a Gemini and a monkey.
晓娇 is from Jinyun, Zhejiang Province, China. She went to Chinese Agricultural University in Beijing and graduate school at Washington State University in 2009. She improved her English, and learned that Americans have loose morals, from watching Friends. She has two sisters. She is an Aquarius and a rat.
Our Story
2012 – Pullman
2015 – State College, PA
2016 – St Paul, MN
2017 – Orlando, FL
2018 – Wilmington
Andrew proposed on March 9, 2018. He proposed in the recently renovated bathroom of their recently purchased home. The bathroom symbolizes partnership, collaboration, and a life together.
Gallery
Lodging
There will be activities on Thursday July 4, Friday July 5, and Saturday July 6. Guests are encouraged to depart on Sunday July 7.
Main wedding hotel
Hotel du Pont
Rooms available for Cassey-Jiang wedding at $169 inclusive of taxes and parking. Details.
Must CALL 302.594.3100 to reserve. Code: JIAN0705A
(General reservations won’t have our wedding discount)
Rooms without wedding special are $199 inclusive of taxes and parking.
Walking-distance hotels
Marriott Courtyard
Sheraton Suites
Marriott Residence Inn
Hilton Doubletree
Uber-distance hotels
Marriott Westin – Riverfront (1.5 miles)
AirBnB & AirBnB – Trolley Square – managed by our photographer (1.0 mile)
Eating
American
Bank’s Seafood – 101 S Market St – Premier seafood
Domaine Hudson – 1314 N Washington St – Steaks and fine dining
Eclipse Bistro – 1020 N Union St
Trolley Square Oyster House – 1707 Delaware Ave
Walter’s Steakhouse – 802 N Union St
Tonic – 111 W 11thSt – Very close to hotel. Caters to the lame after-work attorney crowd. Has Dogfishhead 120 Min IPA on tap
French
Green Room – Hotel du Pont – Classic old world. Different kitchen & chefs from our reception.
La Fia – 426 N Market St – Small and fantastic
French Coffee & Breakfast Café
de la Coeur Café – 1836 Lovering Ave – XJ’s favorite breakfast
Greek
Terra Café & Grille – 721 King St – Lunch only
Indian
Masala Kitchen – 825 N Market St – Excellent vegetarian
Italian
Mrs. Robinos – 520 N Union St – Fantastic old-time family restaurant
Bardea – 620 N Market St – Hip, new, trendy restaurant. James Beard semi-finalist for 2019 best new restaurant
Piccolina Toscana – 1412 N DuPont St – Upscale, and a Johnny Weir haunt
Jamaican
D&H – 10 E 4th – Andrew’s favorite place. Too spicy!
Bull Bay – 900 N Orange St – Fine dining, leisurely service
Japanese
Mikimoto’s – 1212 N Washington St – Sushi
Mexican & Central American
La Poblanita – 3804 Lancaster Ave – Very little English spoken here
Moroccan
Casablanca – 4010 N DuPoint Highway – Prix fixe menu, and belly dancing
Soul
Evelyn’s – 1409 King St – The catfish is simple but amazing
Vietnamese
Southeast Kitchen – 1901 Delaware Ave – Xiaojiao’s favorite phở!
Hoagies
Capriotti’s – 520 N Union St – Andrew’s favorite is the Italian with oil. This is the original location
Scalessa’s – Xiaojiao’s favorite is the porkette
Pizza
Grotto’s – 1819 Pennsylvania Ave – Beach-style classic. Delivery
DiMeo’s – 831 N Market St – Pizza by the slice
Vegetarian
Drop Squad Kitchen – 928 Justison St
Eat Clean – 225 N Market St
Brewpubs
Stitch House – 829 N Market St
Iron Hill – 620 Justison St – The first brewpub in Delaware (as far as Andrew knows)
Dive Bar & Speakeasy
Govatos Tavern – E 8th between King & Market – Open 11:00A – 5:30P!
For those people that have to be done drinking before 6P
Hummingbird to Mars – 1616 Delaware Ave – A speakeasy where you need to hit the intercom to be admitted. Live piano music. The entrance is an unmarked door on 16th St, not on Delaware Ave.
Variety & Markets
DE.co – Test chef food hall – DuPont Building (same location as reception)
Riverfront Market – 3 S. Orange St – Cheesteaks, burritos, sushi, Thai, salad bowls
Beer, Wine & Spirits
Girard Craft & Cork – 5 W Girard St
Things to Do
Visual Art
Delaware Center for Contemporary Art – 200 S Madison St
Delaware Art Museum – 2301 Kentmere Parkway – Reknown collection of Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood works
There are 15 or so galleries featuring local artists that are open by appointment
Cinema
Theatre N (art) – 1007 N Orange St
Penn Cinema (first run & IMAX) – 401 S Madison St
Class A advanced Minor League Baseball
Blue Rocks – farm team for Kansas City
Riverwalk
Russell Peterson Wildlife Refuge
River taxi
Miniature golf & ice cream
Beer
Constitution Yards beer garden – 308 Justison St
Wilmington Brew Works – 3129 Miller Rd
Gay bar and dance club
Crimson Moon – 1909 W 6th St
For the kids
Brandywine Zoo – 1001 N Park
Delaware Children’s Museum – 550 Justison St
Trampoline park – 510 Justison St
Wilmington & Western RR – 2201 Newport Gap Pike (6 miles)
Historical
Kalmar Nykel – replica sailing ship bringing the Swedes to found Wilmington in 1638
Old Swedes Church – founded 1698 – 606 Church St
First State National Historic Park
Delaware Historical Society Museum – 505 Market St
Music
David Bromberg lives in Wilmington and has a violin shop.
Further Away – Brandywine Valley
Brandywine River Museum – Chadds Ford, PA (13 miles)
Known for collection of NC, Andrew, and Jamie Wyeth work
Hagley Museum – 200 Hagley Creek Rd (3 miles)
Original site of DuPont, and the associated estate and workers village
Longwood Gardens – Kennett Square, PA (12 miles)
Mt. Cuba Gardens & Observatory (8 miles)
Nemours Estate – 850 Alapocas Dr (3 miles)
Winterthur Museum – 5105 Kennett Pike (6 miles)
4th largest house in the U.S. (96,582 sq ft), and known for decorative arts collection
Old New Castle – founded 1651 (7 miles)
Charity
In lieu of a gift, please consider donating to one of the charities we support.
Or you may give a traditional Chinese gift in a red envelope.
Visual Art
The Delaware Contemporary
Music
Parade of One
Market Street Music
Theatre
Delaware Theatre Company
Athletics
Diamond State Curling Club
Other important stuff
Innocence Project
YMCA of Delaware
Friends
Support the business of these friends.
RSVP
Indicate your regrets or your acceptance.
Because this is a green wedding, there is no physical save-the-date card or paper invitation.
This website serves as your official-and only-invitation.
A “guest” is anyone who will have their own seat at the reception and eat a meal.