THE CELEBRATION
FRIDAY · JANUARY 8, 2027
Six o’clock in the evening
Warehouse XI
11 Sanborn Court
Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
This is a relaxed celebration, not a black-tie event!
We said "I do" two years ago on January 8th, 2025, and now, on our 2nd wedding anniversary, we're finally celebrating with all of our favorite people!
Come ready to eat, drink, laugh, dance, and celebrate with us. Having you there is the greatest gift we could ask for, and we can't wait to make wonderful memories together.
See you in January!
With love,
Mengqiao & Elias
WILL DINNER AND DRINKS BE SERVED?
Yes! Dinner will be served buffet-style, with a variety of options available to accommodate most dietary restrictions. Drinks will also be available throughout the evening.
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?
Be classy, but comfortable — and be warm! Black tie is not required.
WHAT’S THE PLAN FOR THE EVENING?
We’ll start with cocktails and mingling at 6:00 PM, followed by a buffet dinner, a little anniversary moment, dessert, and plenty of dancing to finish the night!
6:00–7:00 PM · Cocktails & Mingling
7:00–8:30 PM · Dinner
8:30–9:00 PM · Toasts & Dessert
9:00–11:30 PM · Dancing & Party
CAN I BRING A PLUS-ONE?
Your invitation will indicate whether a guest has been included in your RSVP. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out to us!
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE?
The celebration begins at 6:00 PM. Come ready for cocktails, dinner, and plenty of dancing!
ARE THERE MORE WEEKEND PLANS?
Yes! We’re still planning a few more ways to spend time together throughout the weekend. Check back here later — we’ll add the details once everything is confirmed.
WHEN SHOULD I RSVP?
Please RSVP by November 8, 2026 through the online invitation. If your plans change afterward, just let us know as soon as possible.
HOW DO I GET TO WAREHOUSE XI & WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
We’ve included hotel recommendations and travel information on our Travel & Stay page.
First Date
Blossom Bar
For our first date, Mengqiao and I met at Blossom Bar at Sichuan Garden in Brookline, MA. I had failed to make a reservation, and the restaurant told us we'd need to wait at least 45 minutes. After more than an hour, we eagerly accepted an outdoor table under an umbrella even though a slight drizzle had begun. This drizzle quickly progressed into pouring rain, but we sat outside anyway, drinking "award-winning cocktails" (best cocktail on this side of the street?), eating mediocre 红油抄手 (pork dumplings in chili oil), and chatting away :).
Mengqiao's Apartment
BLVD at Revere Beach
The first time I visited Mengqiao's apartment, I was taken by a few things. First, her apartment's windows looked out directly on Revere Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Second, her room was strewn with half-read books and covered with her gorgeous, absurdly detailed watercolor paintings. I realized immediately that Mengqiao was both seriously intellectual and deeply artistic. I announced I was moving in right away, and I did!
The Move to Columbus
Picking out a ring
When Mengqiao and I had been dating just two years, I finally won my first full-time conducting position: Assistant Conductor of the Columbus Symphony and Music Director of the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra. I was moving to Ohio. Mengqiao and I had already discussed what would happen if I won a job like this: we were considering continuing to date long distance with me regularly traveling back and forth. Mengqiao wasn't interested in that, though, and despite not knowing a single person in Ohio and having to leave her wonderful life in Boston, she announced she was coming with. I knew then that I would propose to her. I even secretly picked out the ring with my grandmother's help during the move to Columbus. We broke up the trip by staying over with my parents for a couple days in Albany, NY. During that time, I snuck off to Rhinebeck for an afternoon, and Jama and I picked out an artist to design Mengqiao's engagement ring and wedding band. Jama had impeccable taste, and I wasn't going to decide on a ring for an artist like Mengqiao without Jama's advice!
Dating a musician?
Elias’s whole world revolves around music. He is constantly thinking about what to perform at the next concert, how to become a better conductor, how to make each concert better than the last, and how he might one day work with even greater musicians and orchestras. I remember our very first date when he spent almost the entire evening telling me about how he started his own orchestra, from the smallest details, like finding a venue and negotiating prices, to the much bigger task of slowly putting an entire concert together from nothing. I understood maybe half of it, and my first impression was definitely, Wow, this guy talks a lot.
Wow, this is so fun!
The second time we met, we spent an entire weekend together. He played opera in the car, dramatically gesturing along while translating Italian I obviously couldn’t understand. He taught me music theory, told me stories about classical music, and was reading a book about Tchaikovsky, a name I actually remembered learning about in high school. Aha! Finally, something I knew. Our conversations somehow kept circling back to music, and strangely, I never got bored. I was drawn to everything he said, but even more to the person saying it. Somewhere in those endless conversations, I realized I was falling in love with one of the most passionate and endlessly curious people I had ever met.
Little did I know, I had signed up to listen for the rest of my life.
And ever since then, there have been endless concerts to attend (which I genuinely love), endless concert posters for me to design (which, honestly, I love too), and more wonderful musician friends than I could ever count. It’s a whole new world for me, but somehow, life is simply more fun with Elias in it.
And he loves the beach
We never got tired of telling people how we met, and of course, every single time, Elias had to mention the moment he stepped out of the car after driving me home from our first date and said, “Wow, it smells like the ocean!”
Yes, I happened to live in an apartment in Revere, right on the beach. And then he immediately announced, “I’m moving in!” I still love joking that he chose to date me for my apartment, and honestly, true or not, I’m just glad it worked! After three beautiful months by the ocean, we moved into the city, but we couldn’t stay away for long. Somehow, we found our way back to the beach and into the little studio we had always dreamed of.
We spent countless days and nights by the ocean, collecting seashells, walking along the beach, spotting piping plovers running around and guessing when they’d have their babies, reading about clams and horseshoe crabs, watching people stroll across the sandbars as the tide went out, and seeing more sunrises, sunsets, and changing tides than we could ever count. Some of our favorite days were the ones spent having beach parties with our friends, lounging around the pool all day, grilling, laughing, running around on the beach, diving into the ocean, and, of course, playing Frisbee and cornhole until the sun went down. And somewhere in between all of that, we spent countless hours sitting by the water, talking about the future and imagining where life might take us next.
It’s funny to think that moving to the beach during the pandemic, a decision I once thought was one of the worst I had made for myself because of how isolated I felt, somehow became one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It brought me to Elias, and together, we filled that same beach with so many beautiful memories that I’ll carry with me forever.
THE PROPOSAL
Revere Beach, Again
November 10, 2024
Back in Boston for an Apollo concert, I spent a week panicking about the ring. The jewelry designer had been delayed for various reasons, and now that he had finally completed the rings and shipped them off, they seemed possibly lost in the mail. Finally, they arrived the morning of the concert, just two days before my planned proposal. Once the concert ended, my parents and our friends wished us strangely tearful goodbyes, pretending they wouldn't see us again for several months.
After a day spent enjoying the beach with Mengqiao, I took an early morning Uber to Logan Airport. Once there, I posted a photo to my Instagram story bidding goodbye to Boston. I had picked out a fake return flight (with a connection!) to Columbus, and I proceeded to put my phone in airplane mode when the specified flight departed. I even texted Mengqiao when I "landed at LaGuardia" and again when I "took off for Columbus."
In reality, my old high school youth orchestra stand partner, Sharon Lin, grabbed me at the airport. After brunch, we made a trip to see another dear friend - Apollo Ensemble Assistant Conductor, Reuben Stern - at their then day job at Eureka Puzzles & Games in Coolidge Corner. We needed Reuben's help to figure out how to use a very fancy camera they had recommended I buy. Then, we headed off to Revere to buy champagne and collect a slew of additional friends.
Meanwhile, Ruth Mangan, Apollo Ensemble violist and one of Mengqiao's best buddies, spent the day distracting Mengqiao. First brunch, then a haircut, and then some shopping on Newbury Street before heading back to Revere Beach to "take some photos." Mengqiao was quite puzzled by this request and repeatedly asked to stay downtown and get dinner - fortunately, Ruth was able to persuade her!
Finally, with a good number of friends in tow, I surprised Mengqiao on the same beach that had always meant so much to us. She truly didn't see it coming - after accepting my proposal, she demanded to know why I was still in Boston and if I had missed my flight!
January 8, 2025 — We Got Married
11:30 a.m. · Cambridge City Hall
We've never been very good at planning. Even though Elias has successfully planned so many great concerts, and okay, let’s not forget the perfect proposal he planned as well, we’ve always been entirely spontaneous, even while on trips together. And, of course, our wedding was rather unorganized too.
Just weeks before the wedding, we were still scrambling to make an appointment at city hall and reach out to friends. While heading to New York for New Year’s, we realized we had forgotten to bring my wedding ring. Elias still hadn’t bought his ring, and I still hadn’t bought my dress. It certainly didn't help that, right before the wedding, I got the sickest I had been in as long as I could remember. I had a high fever that didn't go away for ten days! I ended up in urgent care twice, and I coughed so badly that I could barely sleep at night. Eventually, after a course of antibiotics, I finally started to get better.
With the wedding less than two weeks away, and I still didn’t own a white dress. Still weak and recovering, I wandered the streets of New York, looking like a zombie, walking in and out of what felt like countless bridal and clothing stores, telling complete strangers that I was getting married and desperately needed a wedding dress. It was both miserable and exciting at the same time. Eventually, I found the one that felt just right. Then, we still had to find Elias a wedding ring.
Once everything was finally ready, we made our way back to Boston. We decided to have our ceremony at the beautiful Cambridge City Hall, and somehow, luckily, we managed to get an appointment.
And just like that, the day arrived.
It was cold outside, but we were surrounded by our closest family and friends. We put wedding rings on each other’s fingers and officially became husband and wife. The ceremony itself was very short, only a few minutes, but those few minutes meant everything.
It all happened so quickly that it barely felt real. I didn’t even have time to process the fact that we were actually married. I did, however, have plenty of time to cry through almost the entire ceremony. Honestly, it’s surprising that there are even a few photos where I’m not ugly crying. I’ve always cried at other people’s weddings, so I wasn’t about to let anyone outcry me at my own.
Because it was such a small and intimate celebration, there was none of the chaos or exhaustion we had always imagined came with a wedding. The whole day just felt calm, happy, and full of love.
After the ceremony, we went to a lovely little restaurant to celebrate with everyone. Then we spent the rest of the day - and really, most of the following week - looking through our photos over and over again, sharing the news with family and friends, reliving all the little moments, and slowly finding our way back to real life.
TRAVEL
Warehouse XI
11 Sanborn Court
Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
Warehouse XI is located in Union Square, Somerville, just a few miles from downtown Boston and Cambridge.
DRIVING & PARKING
If you’re driving, please keep in mind that Warehouse XI does not have a dedicated parking lot. Street parking is available around Union Square, but it can be limited, especially in the evening. We recommend allowing a little extra time to find parking or taking a rideshare or the T when possible.
FROM BOSTON / CAMBRIDGE
The easiest public transportation option is the MBTA Green Line E Branch to Union Square, followed by a short walk to Warehouse XI. Uber/Lyft is also a convenient option from most parts of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.
FLYING INTO BOSTON
If you’re flying in, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is the closest airport. Depending on traffic, the ride to Somerville is typically around 15–30 minutes by Uber/Lyft or taxi.
Public transportation is also available. Take the free Silver Line (SL1) from Logan Airport to South Station, then take the Red Line to Park Street and transfer to the Green Line E Branch to Union Square. Warehouse XI is just a short walk from the station.
GETTING AROUND BOSTON
You really don’t need a car for the weekend! Boston, Cambridge and Somerville are relatively compact and easy to explore by the MBTA (“the T”), walking or Uber/Lyft. If you’re staying in Somerville, Cambridge, Back Bay, Downtown Boston or the Seaport, getting around—and getting to and from the celebration—should be fairly easy.
STAY
Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville
515 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Hotel Room Block
We’ve reserved a limited block of rooms at the Cambria at a special discounted rate for our guests!
Group Name: Miller-Sun Wedding
Group Code: FL95E9
Reservations: +1 (617) 341-9040
Book by: Monday, Dec 7, 2026.
All rooms must be booked before Monday, Dec 7, 2026. After this date, the group room block is released to the general public and you will no longer have access to the special group rate.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you in Boston!
THINGS TO DO
If you have a little extra time, we hope you’ll explore Somerville, Cambridge and Boston. January can be chilly, so we’ve included plenty of museums, shops, restaurants and other indoor places to enjoy.
SOMERVILLE
BOW MARKET
Explore independent shops, small restaurants, cocktail bars and local makers in the heart of Union Square.
AERONAUT BREWING COMPANY
Visit a lively local brewery featuring craft beer, live music and community events. While you’re there, try one of the delicious Venezuelan arepas from Carolicious—one of our favorites!
DAVIS SQUARE
Spend an afternoon exploring neighborhood cafés, restaurants, independent shops and nightlife.
SOMERVILLE THEATRE
Catch a movie or live performance at this historic independent theater in Davis Square.
ASSEMBLY ROW
A waterfront neighborhood with shopping, restaurants, a movie theater and easy access from the MBTA Orange Line.
CAMBRIDGE
HARVARD SQUARE
Walk through Harvard Yard and explore the surrounding bookstores, cafés, restaurants and historic streets.
HARVARD ART MUSEUMS
Explore collections spanning centuries and cultures under the museum’s beautiful glass roof.
HARVARD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
See fossils, minerals, wildlife collections and Harvard’s famous Glass Flowers.
MIT MUSEUM
Discover interactive exhibitions exploring science, technology, design and innovation.
THE BRATTLE THEATRE
Visit an independent cinema in Harvard Square known for classic, international and art-house films.
BOSTON
ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM
Explore a Venetian-style palace filled with art and a lush indoor courtyard garden—especially lovely during winter.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
Spend a few hours exploring one of the country’s most extensive collections of art.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
A fun indoor option featuring interactive science exhibitions, a planetarium and live presentations.
NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
Visit the giant ocean tank, penguins, sea turtles and hundreds of marine species along Boston Harbor.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Explore the historic McKim Building, its grand reading rooms, murals and Italian-inspired courtyard in Copley Square.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART (ICA)
If you’re into contemporary art, the ICA is definitely worth a visit. The building itself is beautiful, right on Boston Harbor, with amazing views of the water and city. It’s also a great excuse to explore the Seaport and walk along the Harborwalk.
BEACON HILL & BOSTON COMMON
Wander through one of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods, known for brick sidewalks, gas lamps and classic brownstones. Continue through Boston Common and the Public Garden for a quintessential Boston walk.
THE FREEDOM TRAIL & NORTH END
Follow the Freedom Trail through Boston’s historic landmarks, then stop in the North End for Italian food, espresso and pastries.
BACK BAY & NEWBURY STREET
Explore boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants along Newbury Street, then visit Copley Square and the Boston Public Library.
BOSTON HARBOR & THE SEAPORT
Walk along the Harborwalk, explore the Seaport’s restaurants and shops, or enjoy panoramic city views from View Boston at the Prudential Center.
OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS & BARS + LOCAL FAVORITES
These are a few of our favorite places to eat and drink around Somerville, Cambridge, and the greater Boston area. Popular dinner spots can fill up quickly, so we recommend making reservations in advance when available.
BACKBAR
An award-winning cocktail bar hidden on Sanborn Court—just steps from Warehouse XI. Known for creative cocktails, playful menus and excellent nonalcoholic drinks. Our all-time favorite was their kimchi cocktail. It’s probably long gone, but they promised to remake it if we bring an unopened jar of kimchi. We’re still thinking about it!
PUNJABI DHABA
A casual Inman Square favorite serving comforting Punjabi and North Indian dishes. The most recommended Indian restaurant in town since Elias was in college. Very casual and yummy, our must-go every time we’re in town.
HIMALAYAN KITCHEN
A neighborhood spot near Union Square offering Nepalese and Indian dishes, including momos, curries and tikka pizza.
MUQUECA RESTAURANT
Another one of our favorites near Somerville—very cozy and comforting. This Cambridge restaurant specializes in Brazilian seafood stews and other dishes served in traditional clay pots.
SARMA RESTAURANT & OLEANA RESTAURANT
Sarma and Oleana are part of the same restaurant family and both are known for Eastern Mediterranean flavors. Sarma is more creative and experimental, and one of the hardest reservations in town, while Oleana feels more traditional, warm and intimate. We like Oleana slightly better, but both are worth trying! Reservations open 30 days in advance, so book through their websites as soon as your date becomes available.
FELIPE’S
Definitely Elias’s all-time favorite casual dinner and hangout spot! It’s always packed and perfect when you’re craving an affordable late-night burrito and frozen margarita.
PAVEMENT COFFEEHOUSE
A relaxed local coffee shop overlooking Harvard Square, perfect for coffee, bagels and a slow, cozy weekend morning.
BERRYLINE
A Harvard Square favorite for frozen yogurt, rotating flavors and lots of toppings. Don’t miss the homemade mochi!
PAGU
A playful, high-end Cambridge restaurant inspired by Japanese, Spanish and Taiwanese flavors. Don’t miss the sesame pudding dessert if you see it on the menu!
YOMA BURMESE FOODS
A casual, family-run Burmese restaurant in Allston. Known for comforting curries, noodles, tea leaf salad, and other traditional Burmese dishes.
IRU
A stylish Korean restaurant bringing a modern take on Korean flavors. A great choice for a nicer dinner while exploring the Brookline area.
COREANOS ALLSTON
A super casual Allston favorite mixing Korean and Mexican flavors—think Korean BBQ tacos, burritos, kimchi fried rice, and loaded fries. Great for a quick and affordable bite.
SUN KONG
Our favorite dim sum spot in town—and maybe our favorite anywhere! When we’re in town, you’ll find us here almost every Sunday with some of our favorite people. Come hungry—this is a must-try for dim sum!
CIAO! PIZZA & PASTA
One of our favorite pizza spots! Our go-to is the Funghi pizza. We definitely recommend the Chelsea location, but the Somerville one is great too. A little out of the way, but so worth it!
A FEW MORE LOCAL FAVORITES
CELESTE
An intimate Union Square restaurant serving vibrant Peruvian dishes, including ceviche and slow-cooked stews.
FIELD & VINE
A cozy, seasonal restaurant tucked away on Sanborn Court, very close to Warehouse XI and backbar.
VINAL BAKERY
A neighborhood bakery specializing in house-made English muffins, breakfast sandwiches, pastries and coffee.
UNION SQUARE DONUTS
A Somerville favorite for handmade doughnuts and coffee.
TATTE BAKERY & CAFÉ
One of our favorite places for breakfast, brunch, pastries and coffee, with several locations throughout Cambridge and Boston.
ZINNEKEN’S
A small local spot for warm Belgian waffles topped with fruit, chocolate, speculoos and ice cream.
CICADA COFFEE BAR
One of the coolest little spots in Cambridge! Vietnamese coffee, creative drinks, and really good food in a cozy space. Their sea salt coffee is a must-try, and it’s a great spot for brunch too.
GIULIA
An intimate neighborhood Italian restaurant known for its handmade pasta and warm atmosphere. A perfect special-occasion dinner—reservations are highly recommended.
PAMMY’S
A cozy but lively restaurant between Harvard and Central Squares, serving creative New American food with Italian influences.
MOËCA
A neighborhood seafood restaurant from the Giulia team, serving seasonal small plates with Mediterranean and global flavors.
FALLOW KIN
A high-end, vegetable-forward farm-to-table restaurant focused on local ingredients and sustainability. Named Boston Magazine’s Best New Restaurant of 2026.
PURITAN & COMPANY
A casual but polished Inman Square restaurant serving seasonal, modern American food inspired by traditional New England flavors.
JAHUNGER
A local favorite for bold Uyghur flavors, handmade noodles, dumplings and comforting Central Asian dishes. Michelin Bib Gourmand recognized.
YUME WO KATARE
A tiny, very casual Porter Square ramen spot known for huge bowls—and for inviting guests to share their dreams after finishing!
BAR VLAHA
A cozy Greek spot in Brookline inspired by the food of northern Greece. Great for sharing a bunch of dishes with the table. We especially love the warm, relaxed atmosphere—perfect for a longer dinner with friends.
KRASI
A lively Greek restaurant and wine bar in Back Bay, known for creative Mediterranean dishes and an incredible Greek wine selection. Great for sharing plates and a fun night out.
MAHANIYOM
A small and lively Thai restaurant in Brookline Village serving bold, flavorful dishes and creative cocktails. A great spot if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual Thai favorites.
FOR THE COFFEE, BAKERY & MATCHA LOVERS
KOMUGI BAKERY & CAFE
We used to live right next door and came here all the time! A great little spot for matcha and cute Japanese pastries and breads. Definitely one of our neighborhood favorites!
FORGE BAKING COMPANY
A Somerville favorite for coffee, fresh bread, and really good pastries! Cozy, casual, and a great spot for breakfast or an afternoon coffee-and-pastry stop.
ASARO BAKERY & CAFE
A really cute little café and bakery in Inman Square! Great coffee, beautiful pastries, and a cozy atmosphere. A perfect stop if you’re exploring Cambridge.
YEGO COFFEE
A Somerville neighborhood gem serving coffee made with Rwandan beans. Cozy, friendly, and very local.
DIESEL CAFE
A longtime Davis Square classic! Big, casual, and very Somerville—a great place to grab coffee and hang out for a bit.
REVIVAL CAFE + KITCHEN
A local favorite for great coffee, fun drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries. It’s from the same team behind the former Crema Cafe in Harvard Square—Elias’s parents’ favorite coffee spot in town!
IGGY’S BREAD
One of our favorite local bakeries in Cambridge! Amazing fresh bread, pastries, and sandwiches. Definitely grab a loaf (or two) to take home!
OGAWA COFFEE
A Japanese coffee spot in Downtown Boston and a great stop for serious coffee lovers. Beautiful drinks and a fun change from your typical neighborhood café.
MATCHA CAFE MAIKO
One for the matcha lovers! Matcha lattes, soft serve, and plenty of Japanese matcha treats.
MIZU MATCHA
A matcha lover’s stop in Central Square! Matcha is the main event here, with lattes, hojicha, and matcha treats. Definitely worth a stop if you love a stronger matcha flavor.
MARUICHI SELECT
A little Japanese market and café in Coolidge Corner with really good, more traditional matcha. A great pick if you like your matcha strong and not too sweet!
KYO MATCHA
A matcha lover’s dream in Brookline! More dessert-focused, with matcha lattes, soft serve, crepe cakes, and lots of other matcha sweets. Come with a sweet tooth!
SOFRA BAKERY & CAFE
A Cambridge favorite for amazing Middle Eastern-inspired pastries, breads, and breakfast. A little out of the way, but absolutely worth the trip!
OUTDOORS & NATURE
Even though it can be cold in January, bundle up if you’d like to walk around, enjoy some fresh air and see Boston’s skyline from across the river.
CHARLES RIVER & THE ESPLANADE
Walk along either side of the Charles River for beautiful views of the water, Cambridge and the Boston skyline. Crossing one of the bridges makes an easy scenic loop.
FRESH POND RESERVATION
A peaceful Cambridge escape with a walking path around the reservoir, surrounded by woods, meadows and wetlands.
MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY
A beautiful and quiet place to walk, with historic monuments, landscaped grounds and plenty of birds and wildlife. The view from Washington Tower is especially lovely.
MIDDLESEX FELLS RESERVATION
For guests who want a real hike, the Fells offers miles of wooded trails, reservoirs and scenic overlooks just north of Somerville. Check the weather and trail conditions before visiting.