Wait, you’re already married?

Yes. We exchanged vows and were married at a small ceremony in New York on July 25, 2014. We have the marriage certificate to prove it.

But…I would have flown out, had I known.

Yes, we know. We’ve gotten a lot of that. That doesn’t mean we love you any less. We're two dudes in our mid-thirties. "Eloping" to City Hall and keeping it intimately low-key was more our style. #YOLO

New York City Clerk's Office, July 25, 2014. We were joined by witnesses Ken Sanchez, Heather Langham & Matthew Paustian.

So what sort of party is this?

A love for non-traditional theater, and Sleep No More in particular, was one of the first subjects we realized we had in common on our first date. The McKittrick Hotel is a unique venue that lets us share an experience that means a lot to both of us. Also, Aron has seen Sleep No More 26 times, and has brought many friends to the show, so he’s obviously excited to share the experience with all of our guests.

Having attended many weddings over the years and learned what worked best, we wanted to plan a celebration that would be as much fun for our guests as possible. We also wanted to celebrate and share our love for New York with our friends and family before we move to California.

So consider this both a wedding reception and a farewell party.

What is Sleep No More?

Sleep No More is an immersive theatrical experience. Rather than merely observing the performance while seated, guests are free (and strongly encouraged) to explore the McKittrick Hotel, follow performers throughout the space and generally get lost in the environment. Guests are also encouraged to explore the McKittrick Hotel on their own, leading to individualized experiences that will be personal to each guest (and will differ from what other guests experience). With five floors and over 100 rooms, there is much to see—much more than you will likely be able to view during just one visit. The show is loosely inspired by the stories of William Shakespeare's Macbeth and Alfred Hitchcock's film adaptation of Rebecca, and involves a mix of dance, music and mystery. The entire space has a dark and mysterious aura—but, while at times feeling like a haunted house, is not intended to be a scary environment. Guests are not permitted to speak while in the actual performance space.

We don't want to give too much away, but we think you'll enjoy the performance. Attendants in black masks will be able to direct you back to the Manderley Bar during the performance, if you need a break, would like a drink or get overheated.

Do I need to buy tickets to see Sleep No More?

No. As our guests for the evening, it is our pleasure to welcome you to join us for a very special performance of Sleep No More prior to the main celebration.

What if I’ve already seen Sleep No More?

We encourage all of our guests to stay for the entire event, including the performance of Sleep No More. The performance will be open exclusively to our guests, so this is a unique opportunity to see the space at a less crowded time—meaning you may have a greater chance at getting a 1-on-1 experience with one of the performers or experience sections of the performance space completely alone.

If you are running late or would prefer to join us just for cocktails and dancing, we have arranged to have an additional entrance time of 7pm. If you plan on arriving late, please let us know so we can advise the front desk staff. We plan on a limited number of toasts and speeches to begin at 7pm, so please plan your arrival time accordingly.

What time do I need to be there?

The event will begin promptly at 5pm. As the special performance of Sleep No More will only last until 7pm, we encourage everyone to arrive no later than 5pm in order to have as much time as possible in the performance. Please be advised that it will take some time to check in to the McKittrick Hotel and get settled before being permitted into the event space—so plan accordingly.

What if I need to leave the venue?

Unfortunately, for staffing and security purposes, if you leave the McKittrick Hotel you will not be permitted to reenter the venue. There will be quiet areas to make phone calls, if you need to do so. If you need to leave for a cigarette break, please notify one of the McKittrick Hotel staff members, and they will assist you.

Do I need to bring cash / credit cards?

Not for the event itself—all expenses (i.e., food, drinks, tickets, coat check) have been covered. Please make sure you have a Metrocard, cash or a credit card for your ride home.

Will there be a coat check?

Yes, coat check will be available for jackets and bags. We strongly encourage you to check any jackets or other articles of clothing you do not need for the event. Bags are not permitted in the venue, and you may be required to check them—so consider leaving them at home.

What if I have special medical needs?

Please contact us at the email addresses below, and we will coordinate with the venue staff.

Should I wear glasses or contacts?

If you need glasses to see, by all means wear them. However, during the performance of Sleep No More, guests will be required to wear a full face mask—so we would strongly recommend wearing contact lenses instead of glasses.

Should I bring a camera or cell phone?

No. Due to the nature of the performance, cameras will not be permitted in the venue. We will have a professional photographer and photo booth following the performance, so there will be plenty of opportunities to have your photo taken. Since the evening is a step back in time, we would also like to encourage everyone to ditch their digital attachments for a night and fully immerse themselves in the moment.

What should I wear?

Festive attire. Something you are comfortable wearing while exploring the venue (note that there are many stairs in both the performance space and afterwards during the party—so comfortable shoes are recommended) and while dancing. If you would like to dress to match the overall venue, we suggest thinking 1940s “Hollywood glamour”. We will be wearing three-piece suits (but will likely discard our jackets early on). We politely ask that you not wear jeans.

What beverages will be available?

A wide selection of beer, wine and premium liquor (full bars) will be available, as well as a selection of non-alcoholic beverages and water. We also anticipate serving custom cocktails for your enjoyment. Open bars will be set up throughout the space following the show, and the Manderley Bar will be serving drinks during the performance of Sleep No More. Please drink responsibly.*

*Aron, the consummate lawyer, insisted on this language. Chris, conversely, encourages you to drink with undergrad-era abandon.

Will there be food?

In keeping with the festive nature of the event (and to avoid the formality of having a sit down dinner), we will have a selection of passed appetizers following the performance of Sleep No More. However, due to the timing of the event on Sunday, we encourage our guests to either have a late brunch or make plans to have a late dinner after the event.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

There will only be a limited selection of passed appetizers at the event, however we will do our best to have vegetarian options.

What sorts of activities are planned for the evening?

We don’t want to give too much away, but following the performance of Sleep No More, our guests will be free to continue to explore certain spaces in the McKittrick Hotel and enjoy drinks, food, live music and dancing. Quieter lounge spaces will be available to catch up with friends, in addition to space set up for dancing.

Is this appropriate for children?

No. While we love children, and certainly love your children, we would highly recommend that you make arrangements with a family member or baby-sitter for the evening. Please note that the performance of Sleep No More contains nudity, fog machines, strobe lights and other elements that may be frightening to small ones. Please contact us at the email address below if you do plan on bringing a child to the event—as additional arrangements will need to be made with the venue.

How long with the event last?

The event will begin promptly at 5pm, and will include a two-hour performance of Sleep No More. That will be followed at 7pm with cocktails, passed appetizers and dancing throughout the McKittrick Hotel. The event will conclude at 10pm.

As Monday is a work day, we understand if you do not plan to stay through the end of the event—but of course welcome you to do so.

Where will you be during the event?

Hiding. If you can find us, you win a prize. In all likelihood, one or both of us will be in the Manderley Bar during the performance of Sleep No More, and will then be circulating throughout the space visiting with our friends and family during the event. If you need to find either one of us, please let a staff member from the McKittrick Hotel know and they will attempt to locate us.

Note that cell phone reception is not great in the venue, so we would not recommend bringing your cell phone with you.

WHERE IS THIS EVENT TAKING PLACE?

All festivities will take place at the McKittrick Hotel, which is located at 530 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001—between 10th and 11th Avenues on the South side of the street.

DOES THIS VENUE HAVE A WEBSITE?

Yes, you can visit their site here for additional information, including photos of the space and from past events.

Is the McKittrick Hotel a hotel?  How can I book a room there?

No, the McKittrick Hotel is not a real hotel. It is the home of Sleep No More. Please see below for suggestions for hotels close to the venue.

Where should I stay?

For all of our out-of-towners, Hotel Americano and The High Line Hotel are the two hotel options that are nearest to the venue. Other close options include: The Gem Hotel, Hotel Indigo, DoubleTree Chelsea, Dream Downtown, Maritime Hotel, and The Standard. You might also find more choices via Hotels.com or Orbitz. We'd recommend places in Midtown Manhattan or lower (below 59th Street) and preferably on the West Side (west of Broadway) for the easiest travel.

What if I have more questions?

Really? Only Aron has that many questions. Feel free to email us, and we will attempt to answer any further questions you have: aestaver@gmail.com or intheayres@gmail.com