Mr. Brian McConnell and Ms. Elizabeth "Betty" Kang announced today that they engaged in a promise to wed. Mr. McConnell proposed to Ms. Kang in their home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn this week. At the time the couple was enjoying their ritual of coffee and reading the New York Times and "In the Papers" on NY1.
As a symbol of their engagement, Mr. McConnell offered a family heirloom ring crafted by Mr. McConnell's great-grandfather Abraham Kiselstein for his wife Toby just before they emigrated to the US around 1910. Abraham re-set the stone in a new ring around 1924 in its current art-nouveau setting.
The couple met in 2001 in a serendipitous collision of correspondence and chance encounter. They initially contacted when Mr. McConnell, then the webmaster for the legendary nightclub Twilo, solicited feedback from the online community. Impressed with the insight and consideration Ms. Kang provided Mr. McConnell continued a correspondence with her. A chance encounter in person at the club several weeks later then precipitated night-long dance affair.
Ms. Kang, 36, is the Owner & President for the public relations firm Plexi PR in New York. She graduated from Barnard College in New York and is the daughter of Jooeun Kang and Dr. Seong Kang.
The Bridegroom, 33, is the Director of User Experience for Cinchcast, a service for personal audio publishing. He graduated with honors from New York University. He is the son of Jeanne McConnell, a professor at Florida Atlantic University and Edward Charles McConnell IV.
The Wedding
Ceremony & Reception
Our wedding ceremony will be held April 14, 2012 starting at 3:00 PM on the Pebble Beach in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
1 Main Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY 11201 [ Directions ]
A parking Garage is available ½ block up the street at 45 Main Street. Street parking and other garages are also available in the neighborhood.
Galapagos can call car services for both you and your guests from a number of dependable local services. Reservations aren’t needed; we call for you as requested and Town Cars often arrive within five minutes.
Galapagos will host guests as they arrive before the ceremony, or in the event of rain.
Cocktail or semi-formal attire.
The Wedding Party
Maid of Honor
Nancy Smith
Bridesmaids
Grace Kang
Esther Chang
Kay Park
Parents of the Bride
Mrs. Jooeun Kang
Dr. Seong Kwan Kang
Grandparents of the Bride
Mrs. Boo Heun Lee
Mr. Kyung Woo Lee
Ring Bearer
Daniel Kang
Flower Girl
Anna Han
Best Man
Max Robins
Groomsman
Dean DiPietro
Parents of the Groom
Ms. Jeanne McConnell
Mr. Edward McConnell
Ushers
David Conkling
Lawrence Kang
Michael Lebowitz
Greeter
Sara Ireland
Guestbook
William Kang
The After Party
At 9pm immediately following the reception, you are welcome to stay for the fantastic Floating Kabarette show at Galapagos, including an incredible line-up of cabaret performers, burlesque, aerialists, live music and variety acts. The doors will open to the public for the show but there will be an exclusive viewing area for our guests on the mezzanine.
Welcome Dinner & Paebaek
Friday, April 13th, 2012 at 7:00PM
금강산 (Kum Gang San)
138-28 Northern Blvd
Flushing, NY 11354 [ Directions ]
The Paebaek is a traditional Korean ceremony. In Korean tradition, the marriage between a man and a woman represents the joining of two families, rather than the joining of two individuals.
The engaged couple will enter together dressed in ceremonial Korean wedding attire called hanbok. Their parents, the honorees, will be seated in front of a table laden with various edibles and soju (rice wine). The couple will bow deeply to the honorees, then kneel as one pours soju. Once each honoree drinks the soju, they impart wisdom, advice or a wish for the couple's future.
Finally, the honorees will throw dates (for girls) and chestnuts (for boys) which the bride will try to catch in her skirt. According to legend, the number of dates and chestnuts caught signifies how many children she will bear. "Noodle Soup!"
The paebaek ceremony was originally a way to pay respect to the groom's family but since brides no longer live with the groom's parents after the wedding, Betty & Brian have modernized the tradition. Relatives on both sides of the family will be invited to participate and offer blessings to the couple.
36 Hours in Brooklyn
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