2 Months away

LnA_0193Can you believe the big day is almost 2 months away! It seems like yesterday we were still living in separate states and sending gifts to each other every Wednesday!

We are very excited and busy with all the planning – we just want to check in to see if we can help answer any questions our guests may have. RSVPs are due January 28th!! Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions section on our website (http://aaronlaura.com/faq/) and feel free to submit a questions if have one. Also feel free to call and text! We want to make sure you are well informed and enjoy yourselves at the wedding!

 

Do you want to bring your kids to the wedding?

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We are looking into hiring a babysitter starting at 8pm the night of the wedding. We would invite one of our college student leaders to attend the wedding then leave at 8ish with any children. They will go back to the hotel to watch movies and put the kids to bed so you can enjoy yourself a little longer at the wedding! We would only ask students that we would trust with our own (future) children so your little ones will be in excellent hands. Just let us know if you are interested in this.

Fill out this form if you are interested:

Hotels

We have made arrangements where our guests can stay. You have 2 choices. If you would like to stay near the wedding ceremony site go with Courtyard by Marriott-York. It is only 11.2 miles (16 minute drive). If you would like to be closer to Lancaster hot-spots like the outlets and some nicer restaurants then we would suggest the Eden Resort & Suites.  This hotel is 16 miles (21 minutes driving).

**Fun Fact Laura had her Prom at this hotel and her Aunt Tina and Uncle Dave had their wedding at the Eden Resort over 30 years ago**

We also did some quick searches on vrbo.com or airbnb.com and there are some houses to rent. They highlight the Pennsylvania Dutch attractions!

The last day to make reservations with these rates are February 20th.

 

Courtyard By Marriott – York 

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2799 Concord Rd.
York, PA 17402
P: 717-840-7840
F: 717-840-7841
www.marriott.com/haryk         

 

Room Types Rates (20 rooms reserved-we can get more if needed)

Queen & Queen $129.00

King w/ pullout $129.00

King Suite (1) B&G $129.00

Room Tax: 9.00%

Method Of Reservation: Individual Call In – Say Laura McGrath or Aaron Hood Wedding

 

Highlights

They light a fire pit every evening

They have pool and fitness center

Free Wifi

Starbucks and Evening bar in the lobby

Closer to Baltimore, MD, Southern States, BWI

Downside – No complimentary breakfast

 

Eden Resort & Suites

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222 Eden Road

Lancaster, PA 17601-4216

P: 866-801-6430

http://www.edenresort.com/

 

Room Types Rates (10 rooms-We can get more if needed)

Queen & Queen $119.95

King w/ pullout $119.95

Room Tax: 9.00%

Method Of Reservation: Individual Call In – Say Laura McGrath or Aaron Hood Wedding

 

Highlights

Close to the Lancaster outlets and Lancaster Mall – Park Cite

They have pool and fitness center

Delicious Breakfast $$

Closer to Philadelphia, NY, Northern States, PHL Airport

Downside – No complimentary breakfast

 

The Eden Resort also has some nice suites and cottages with kitchens.  I was not able to reserve them but they are still available.

 

 

 

*All hotels are handicap accessible, please specify if you need one

*These hotels might add additional fees for more than 2 people per room. Please ask the hotel if that is a concern.

*If you are having trouble please let us know.

That one day we Registered…

This was at the end of the day and we are happy to say that those smiles were genuine
This was at the end of the day and we are happy to say that those smiles were genuine

According to every wedding book, Aaron and I were supposed to register the first weekend we got engaged so people could buy us engagement gifts. Oh well! And really…People attending the wedding should be enough. We don’t need gifts, especially $30 towels from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. But alas, I know that if we didn’t register, we would be getting funky punch bowls like the colorful one from Friends from Chandler’s Aunt.

ALBlog-Chandler

 

 

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I tried out all the utensils!

So we decided to register at Crate and Barrel. They also open up the store to only couples registering once a month (Thank you Lisa Hegwood for that insider information). So on a windy Fall Sunday morning, Aaron and I woke up early and got some Starbucks then went to the Crate and Barrel in Clarendon to pick our “future household needs”. We started with plates. I’ll be honest, that’s all I wanted. Nice plates, silverware, and a fun apron. We probably looked at plates and napkins for longer than we needed to. Once we decided on a pattern, we found the section for everyday plates and had to start all over. We also many staff members talking to us about the importance of glassware for entertaining purposes and how weddings are the start of us as a couple entertaining for other events like Thanksgiving or Christmas. The first thought in my head, how can I entertain in a residence hall?!!? #liveinproblems But obviously we like to entertain so I can’t wait to get into a new place and start inviting friends over for themed nights and game nights. But I guess we should get through the wedding first.

 

 

We then met up with my cousin Maggie. Maggie and I had plans to go to DSW and try to pick out shoes for the wedding party. We were not finished with registering so she came with us.

 

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This was the moment I said – let’s blog about this experience! Aaron was thrilled!

We ventured over to Pentagon City to the Bed, Bath, and Beyond. This is where we met a very happy Kory-the bridal consultant at BBB. He helped us with the scanning gun and would periodically pop into the isle we were discussing which shower curtain would match which rug. It was kinda creepy but I understand some couples need help. Bed, Bath, and Beyond had too many choices. The sheets section and over priced pillow section was just too much for me so we left. We ventured over to DSW. Now that is a place that Aaron and I could both register at. I could finally get the Michael Kors boots or Aaron could use some nice running shoes.

 

After DSW, we ate some Mexican at Lime. That’s when we were able to ask about what’s new with Maggie… Nothing really if you were all wondering. She’s running the Marine Corps Marathon next week! That’s about it.

 

Finally we left the DC area and went to Target closer to Fairfax. That’s where we finished our registry outing. Towels, sheets, and a vacuum. The important stuff in life can always be purchased at Target. We even threw some fun electronics and Peanut Butter on there for good measure. I wanted to register for cute Thank you Cards but Aaron thought it was rude for other people to buy cards that they would receive later on in life. I guess he’s right…

 

So after leaving for registry day of fun at 8:45am, we got back to campus and into our apartment at 4:25pm. I felt like we shopped forever and only came home with lettuce, bobby pins, and tongs. Seems like unproductive but it was actually a pretty fun day. So finally you can view our registry on CrateandBarrel and Target but like always – gift cards, Longaberger Baskets or fun monogrammed gifts are always welcome. Just don’t tell Aaron!

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Chalk Nametags! So cute!
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If anyone wants to buy this chair for Aaron, he sat in it for a long time.
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All throw blankets were VETOED — Insert Sad Face!

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I loved this COUCH!

 

Updates!

We’re updating the website with some new information and some engagement photos! We’re working on finalizing venues and vendors so we can put together the wedding we envision to have the most fun. Hotel block information, wedding events, locations will all be posted soon.

We’re working on it

Like many things in our wedding plans this website is a work in progress and will see many updates in the coming weeks. The first things to get updated are the colors and accents. We’re almost there but I’m still finding elements in the old color scheme.

We’re also finalizing our save the dates to send out soon!