Dance Rehearsal

The boots, a preview.

Oh, swoon!!!!

Notes on Attire- Or what is comfortable yet festive?

So, what to wear? what to wear!?

I'm wearing a white (ish) dress. Don't laugh. Bob is wearing a suit of some kind, and a cowboy hat! To me, the whole day is about being yourself and having fun, so I don't want anyone to wear uncomfortable outfits that they don't like. You will find no tuxes or weird matchy-matchy bridesmaids dresses...unless that is your thing, then go for it! Most likely it will be warm to hot, summer day. We will definitely be outdoors a lot. Wear something light and wear smart shoes. Ladies, that means flats. Gentlemen, you don't HAVE to wear a tie.

Viking hats are optional, but pretty much always a good idea.

Accomodations

I am so glad that so many are joining us from out of town. I have some suggestions for you for hotels....

The Holiday Inn is the ol' dependable- where ever you go, it's the same. This one has a pool, and a workout room. It is about 15 miles away, but the drive is easy from the hotel to the farm. I got a discount for reserving 10 rooms for thursday, friday and saturday. I need to finalize the reservations by AUGUST 13th, so let me know if you would like a room. They are $110 a night. If that is too pricey, I am happy to arrange room-sharing. I was trying to find the mid-range, non-roachy, meet everyone's needs kind of place.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Quakertown
www.hiexpress.com1918 John Fries Highway (Route 663)Quakertown, PA 18951(877) 863-4780

There are also some decent camp grounds in the area. May I suggest:

QUAKERWOODS CAMPGROUND 2225 Rosedale Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951-4052 Tel: 215-536-1984 Fax: 215-536-5478 Toll-Free Reservations:1-800-235-2350

and there are cabins and yurts at Lake Nockamixon:

Make online reservations or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, for state park information and reservations. But, remember, it is Labor Day, so get your hustle on!

Driving Directions To The Farm

Hello, Party People! Lucky You! You are going to the beautiful countryside of Bucks County, Pennsylvania! Here are some driving directions to help you out.


FROM ALLENTOWN...click here for mapquest driving directions and map

-Merge onto I-78 E/PA-309 S.
4.6 mi

-Merge onto PA-309 S via EXIT 60 toward QUAKERTOWN.
9.3 mi

-Turn LEFT onto W BROAD ST/PA-313 E. Continue to follow PA-313 E.
8.8 mi

-Turn LEFT onto BEDMINSTER RD/PA-113.
1.1 mi

-Turn SHARP RIGHT onto ELEPHANT RD.
0.1 mi

-Turn LEFT onto IRISH MEETING HOUSE RD.
1.3 mi

-436 IRISH MEETINGHOUSE RD.
0.0 mi



FROM THE HOLIDAY INN IN QUAKERTOWN...click here for mapquest driving directions and map


Start out going EAST on JOHN FRIES HWY/PA-663 toward QUAKER POINTE DR.
3.1 mi

JOHN FRIES HWY/PA-663 becomes PA-313 E.
8.8 mi


Turn LEFT onto BEDMINSTER RD/PA-113.
1.1 mi


Turn SHARP RIGHT onto ELEPHANT RD.
0.1 mi

Turn LEFT onto IRISH MEETING HOUSE RD.
1.3 mi

436 IRISH MEETINGHOUSE RD.


FROM PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT...click here for mapquest driving directions and map


1:
Start out going NORTHEAST.
0.6 mi
2:
Merge onto I-95 S via the ramp on the LEFT toward DELAWARE.
5.8 mi
3:
Merge onto I-476 N via EXIT 7 toward PLYMOUTH MEETING (Portions toll).
20.4 mi
4:
Merge onto I-276 E/PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE via EXIT 20 toward NEW JERSEY (Portions toll).
9.1 mi
5:
Merge onto PA-611 N via EXIT 343 toward DOYLESTOWN/HORSHAM/NAS JRB WILLOW GROVE.
14.0 mi
6:
Take the PA-611 N ramp.
0.6 mi
7:
Stay STRAIGHT to go onto PA-611/N EASTON RD.
1.4 mi

8:
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto HARING RD.
1.6 mi
9:
HARING RD becomes LOG CABIN RD.
0.9 mi

10:
LOG CABIN RD becomes DEEP RUN RD.
0.3 mi

11:
Keep RIGHT at the fork to continue on DEEP RUN RD.
0.2 mi

12:
Turn LEFT onto DERSTINE RD.
0.5 mi

13:
Turn RIGHT onto IRISH MEETING HOUSE RD.
0.2 mi

14:
436 IRISH MEETINGHOUSE RD.

I hope that you find these helpful, but if you need additional directions, don't hesitate to contact us at hiltheartist@hotmail.com, or call at 484 221 8910. If you are lost, call Bob's cell at 610 393 2557. There should be some signs to look out for along the way to let you know you are on the right path. Can't wait to see you there!

Wedding Location

This is the farm of my dreams, a large part attributed to the fact that the most wonderful people live here. I am so grateful that my Aunt Karen and Uncle Don are allowing us to use this as both the ceremony and reception location. I promised I wouldn't be one of those brides, but I can't resist a little Eeeeeeeeeee!

Theme

Bob and I decided today, in honor of our shared heritage, to incorporate some PA Dutch elements into the wedding. We are thinking patchwork quilts, hex signs, hearty farm food, beer and soft pretzels.

The symbol of the triple star, pictured above, symbolizes good luck, success and happiness. The ring of brown is associated with the cycle of life making this particular sign a wish for a lifetime of happiness. Blue is my favorite color, and yellow is his...we might be incorporating this symbol somehow. We'll see!

Our Registries

Bob and Hil are delighted with the huge gift of your presence at our wedding, and really don't require a thing more. The problem is, Hil just has too much fun with the little scanner gun they give registrants at those big fancy stores....

Functional: Target http://target.com/
Heirloom-able: Pottery Barn http://potterybarn.com/
Pretentious Artiness: Home and Planet http://homeandplanet.com/
Home and Planet is an art gallery and boutique with some really intense prices, but everything in the store is recycled, earth-friendly, and sustainable. The store is also located in a struggling art district in Bethlehem, so it is excellent to buy local and support the neighborhood guys. They do have a website, but they don't have a web registry. You have to call or visit them, old skool style.
Home and Planet, 25 East Third St, Bethlehem, Pa 18015 610. 866. 7370
hours: mon,tue, wed 10-6, thur 10-7, fri 10-8, sat 10-6, sun 12-5

Visitors Guide or You are getting married WHERE?

My aunt and uncle have a beautiful, historic farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Think stone farmhouses, covered bridges, and the occasional horse and buggy. Both the wedding ceremony and the reception, god willing, will be held there. If you are not familiar with the area, here is a great website for visitors...Experience Bucks County!

Sneak Peak at the Dress (Bob, don't look at this!)

Oooh! Isn't it pretty?

Our Proposal

12/31/2008- New Year's Eve

We really called ourselves engaged soon after we met, but Bob insisted it was not official until Hil had a proper ring. Unable to keep a secret, Hil knew he HAD the ring, but he held on to it for weeks before proposing. Over the holidays, every time a special event happened, Hil wondered, "Is today the day?" He didn't propose on the Solstice. He didn't propose on Christmas Eve. Bob spent Christmas Eve throwing up, and decided that wouldn't be romantic. When he didn't propose on Christmas, when all of our families were gathered together, Hil was beginning to wonder if he had changed his mind, and coyly said, "I KNOW YOU HAVE THAT RING! WHY DON'T YOU GIVE IT TO ME!!!!"

"Not so fast,"said Bob, grinning. "I am waiting for the right moment."

On New Year's Eve, we decided to stay in. After the kids went to bed, Bob brought in take-out chinese, and laid out a picnic on the livingroom floor. Inside the package for the fortune cookie, Hil discovered the most beautiful, shiny engagement ring. Luckily, she didn't eat it. Bob got down on one knee, asked her to marry him, and of course, she said yes. The fortune in the fortune cookie said,"Accept the next proposition you hear." Hil framed it, and put it on the wall to keep forever.

All About Us

About the bride (or who is this Hil person?)

Hilary "Hil" Eldridge is the proud mama of two daughters, Genevieve "Nevie", and Phoebe. Originally from upstate New York, she has travelled to thirty-five of the fifty states, loves the outdoors, and shares Bob's passion for art. She attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and is a professional tattoo artist in Allentown, PA.

About the groom (or who is this Bob person?)

Robert H."Bob" Jischke is the fifth Robert H. Jischke in his family. This causes confusion at the bank, because their roman numerals don't go up to "V". Born and raised in Allentown, PA, Bob is a passionate and experienced pro-wrestler, using the name The Heavy Metal Cowboy, Bob Henry. He is also a talented artist in the Marvel comic style, and makes a mean eggplant parmesan.

How They Met (or do they actually know each other?)

Summer. 2006.
While working in a cubicle at T-Mobile, Hil would often whine and complain to her co-workers about many topics, a favorite one being how lonely she was in Allentown. Finally, Hil's friend Tasha said,"I have just the man for you! He's pretty cute, for a white boy!" Hil couldn't wait to meet him, but there was a problem. Tasha's mystery man said,"No way! Not interested! Thankyou very much!"

Tasha was sneaky and determined, so she invited us both to her twins' first birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese (I know, when you think of romance, you think of Chuck E. !) and didn't tell either one that the other was there. Unfortunately, the party was complete toddler mayhem, and Tasha was so busy fishing twins out of the ball pit that she totally forgot to introduce Hil to the mystery man! Hil did have a nice talk, over Chuck E. Cheese pizza, with a pretty woman with curly hair, who turned out to be one of Bob's oldest and dearest friends, Vicki. Vicki told Bob that Hil didn't seem TOO psycho, and the match was soon made.

Hil and Bob talked for hours on the phone before they realized that they lived only five blocks from each other. They found out that they not only had the same friends, but they pumped gas at the same gas station and bought groceries from the same grocery store. Immediately, they agreed to walk towards each other until they met, and the couple first laid eyes on one another on the corner of Greenleaf St. and Albright Ave. in the west end of Allentown.