Mei & Ben
Mei Seva & Ben Levinsohn got married!
Sunday, August 24, 2025
5 PM • Reception, Dinner, Music & LOTS OF DANCING
Pavilion at Sunken Meadow
Long Island, NY
Thank you to all family and friends who joined us for this amazing, joyous, multicultural (and multigenerational) celebration of love and light!
Congratulations from Around the World
View messages from family and friends who were not able to attend.
Thank you to all who submitted videos!
Translations
Anastasia Hyseni
Dear Mei & Ben, I wish that in this special moment of your life, I could be there with you and celebrate together. I’m sending congratulations and special wishes from Amsterdam. I wish you a happy life filled with laughter and joy! Many kisses from your Aunt Ana!
Irena & Ilir Bega
We wish you a life filled with joy, happiness, and love! Congrats and best wishes from Irena & Ilir from Skopelos Island, Greece.
Liri Sharra
Greetings from Elbasan, Albania, for Ben & Mei! Let it be the new life for this couple, like a garden filled with flowers, sun, and happiness. God bless you and much love from Aunt Liri!
Sofia & Genci Balla
Congrats to the new couple, and much love from Sofia & Genci in Athens! Love you, my heart.
Blessings
shared by Ben and Mei during the wedding ceremony
Blessing for the Earth, Environment, and Nature
Nature and the environment provide sustenance for our bodies and spirit. Land, air, water, all living creatures and plants bring us great joy. Our appreciation of nature reveals an essence of ourselves.
Blessing for the Diversity of Humankind
The recognition of differences, in each other as well as the recognition of the things we have in common, helps us to appreciate the diversity and commonality we find in all of humankind. We are challenged to respect each other for those differences. We learn tolerance through our relationship and the understanding of difference makes our lives richer.
Blessing for Peace and Freedom for All People
We are fortunate to live our lives in peace and freedom, and we wish for a world free from suffering and oppression. May the actions we take in our lives contribute to the making of a better world.
Blessed is the Joy of Art and Music
We are blessed with art and music. They add joy and fulfillment to our lives. Through the making of art we become in touch with ourselves, through the sharing of art we are brought closer to each other and to our fellow human beings.
Blessing for Family and Friends
We are grateful for the love and support of family and friends: love that is expressed in laughter and through tears, and support that is founded on trust and respect. We wish good health, long life, and much happiness for all those we love.
— Mei and Ben
Pre- & Post-Wedding Happenings
Optional stuff — if you are able to join or not • drop in or out — all good!
Open House • Levinsohn Pied-a-Terre
Friday & Saturday Mornings • 9 AM to noon
Stop-up for coffee, tea, breakfast treats & hanging out
150 West 76th Street
(no buzzer • call 917 428 4873 when here)
Sunset at the River
Friday Evening • 6 PM to 10 PM
We will walk down to (or meet at)
Pier I Cafe at the Hudson River and West 70th Street
(full bar & bar food piericafe.com)
Weather permitting: a glorious sunset!
Open House • Levinsohn Pied-a-Terre
Friday Evening into the Night • 9:00-ish PM TBD to Whenever
Stop-up after Pier I Cafe or on your way from wherever
for light-bite supper, dessert & hanging out
150 West 76th Street
(no buzzer • call 917 428 4873 when here)
Check to make sure we have come up from the river.
Families (Un-Rehearsal) Dinner
Saturday • 6:00 PM to 9 PM & Beyond
Serafina Italian Restaurant • West 77th & Broadway
Approximate Program
6:00 — welcome • mirësevini
6:30 — find our places • introductions
7:00 — dinner is served
8:00 — slideshow • MIA guests video
8:15 — stories • tributes • toasts
9:00 — goodnight • naten e mirë
optional: linger for more connecting
or at the Arthouse bar next door
attire: smart casual
Day at the Beach
Monday • Fire Island National Seashore
ferry from Bayshore or Robert Moses State Park • see map below
Transportation
To/From Airports: From JFK — AirTrain to LIRR (Long Island Railroad) to S Subway to 1-2-3 Subway. A lot of transfers, but under $10 per person. I can meet you at the AirTrain-LIRR connection.
From LGA ‚ Express Q70 bus to E-C Subway at Jackson Heights. I can meet you at the Q70-E transfer. I think the fare is just the subway, which is $2.90.
Or if traveling in a group, it might be worth it to just get a Lyft, Uber, or cab. From JFK, taxi is a flat fare of $70 plus surcharge if 4-8 PM plus tip. You can check your Lyft or Uber app because it varies.
To/From Wedding Venue: “Executive” private bus from the Upper West Side to Sunken Meadow and back, with possible stop(s) at the Hampton Inn, Huntington. Outbound is “sold out” but we have room coming back!
ETD: Sunday 3 PM
Arthouse Hotel • 2178 Broadway • West 77th Street
To/From Wedding Venue: Long Island Railroad (LIRR) from
Penn or Grand Central Station to Kings Park Station • Port Jefferson Branch
Uber, Lyft or carpool to Pavilion at Sunken Meadow
Brooklyn
Ben & Mei are at 180 Jefferson Street in Bushwick.
Subway service to & from Manhattan is good on the L line, which transfers to the 1-2-3 if you are headed up or down the West Side. Morgan Avenue or Jefferson Street station.
Long Island Hotel
Blocked for Sun night at the link below.
Located in Huntington, The Hampton Inn (by Hilton) is housed in what was the village Town Hall. The historic structure was recently converted into this beautiful boutique hotel with its original character and charm preserved.
11 miles west of the wedding venue, the town of Huntington was founded in 1653!
Mei & Ben are reserved here, and have promised to join guests Monday morning for breakfast (maybe not first thing ;-). A full “hot” breakfast is included.
Hampton Inn & Suites • Huntington Downtown
227 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743
Code: SEV • Block expires July 25 at 12 AM Eastern.
Upper West Side Hotels
Blocked for Fri, Sat, Sun nights at links below.
I toured all three properties and met with each event manager. All are lovely and within a couple-few minute’s walk of each other, our Saturday out-of-towner dinner venue, and Sara & Adam (and Wren) at 150 West 76th Street.
Arthouse Hotel
West 77th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam
information • reserve
Arthouse a little less expensive. The only reason I can see is that the building is currently scaffolded, which they say will be removed early summer (…we’ll see). Code: 2508SEVALE • Block expires July 22 at 12 AM Eastern.
Hotel Belleclaire
West 77th Street & Broadway
information • reserve
Code: 0822SLW • Block expires July 23 at 12 AM Eastern.
The Lucerne
West 79th Street & Amsterdam
information • reserve
Link above, select “check availability” and then “special codes or rates.” In the “promo code” dropdown, choose “group code,” enter 082225SEVA, and click/tap the “apply” button. Block expires July 23 at 5 PM Eastern.
