Here are the links to viewing the photos from the photographer:

https://plus.google.com/photos/116932434339282940300/albums/5910415167490957585?authkey=COXG_7jBt5-6Hg

Second link - Original Photos

https://plus.google.com/photos/116932434339282940300/albums/5910411353164008401?authkey=CLeGw63gzIPOEw

Finally got around to uploading honeymoon photos.   If you would like the commentary on the pics, follow the Picasa links below: 

Looking for something to do between the ceremony and the cocktail hour?  (Of note the cocktail hour is actually 1.5 hours and starts at 4:30pm)  We've made an arrangement with the Whitaker Center so that any guest interested in touring the exhibits can do so.  We will be distributing tickets outside the church following the Ceremony.  If you happen to miss that opportunity, we will also leave a few tickets with the front desk of the Hilton.  

July in Pennsylvania can be a muggy, buggy month of misery.  But if you make it to the rehearsal dinner, you can plan on easing that misery with a frozen treat from the ice cream truck that will be parked in the Wenger driveway from 7pm-9pm.  

Technically, it's a Kona Ice truck, which I had never even heard of until I saw one parked at a Notre Dame tailgate last fall.  It serves 40 different flavors of Hawaiian shaved ice (translation fancy snow cones) as well as some of your traditional ice cream truck treats like strawberry crunch bars, ice cream sandwiches, fudgesicles and cones.  

What is shave(d?) ice you ask?

According to Wikipedia, it is an ice-based desert made by shaving a block of ice rather than crushing it (like the more well-known snow cone).  The finer texture absorbs syrup more easily rather than just surrounding the ice.  Apparenty if properly made, it rarely requires a straw and is traditionally served in a cup.  Even though it is made of shaved ice, it is apparently called "shave ice" not "shaved ice" by legit Hawaiians.  Since I don't think any legit Hawaiians will be in attendance, feel free to call it whatever you like...  

Here's the best part: were you one of those kids that got funny looks from the high school punk working the park concession stand when you asked for ALL the snow cone flavors?  Well now you can make your own concoction that ends up looking kind of brown and terrible but ends up tasting amazing!  It'll be best thing since being able to mix every flavor of soda together at Taco Bell soda fountain. In addition to the 40 flavors they serve, they have a "Flavorwave Station" (see picture) that lets you add any or all of their 10 most popular flavors.   Should be awesome...hope you'll be there!

Hopefully you're all going to be able to make it to the rehearsal dinner...and if you're staying downtown, you'll be riding in style.  We will have a 14 passenger van on a constant loop between the Hilton and the Wenger Home starting at 5:30PM, so you can come and go as you please.  

In Town Early?
There will be a caravan of wedding party/family that will stop by the hotel between 4:30 and 5:00pm to give rides to anyone that is around.  
Getting In To Town Later?
You should still come to the party!  This isn't the typical sit-down-and serve rehearsal dinner.  Think of it more like an ongoing picnic.  There will be plenty of food, plenty of drinks and you may even be able to catch the ice cream truck.  Even if you just stop by for a few minutes to say hi and take the last shuttle back at 11:30pm, we'd love to see you.  

There will be no shortage of sugar at this shin dig: ice cream bar, candy bar...and of course the obligatory cake!  We did our best to avoid our biggest pet peeves when it comes to wedding cake: too much fondant, not enough cake.  So here's the plan - one little cake for cutting, and then a cake/Vienna table with lots of icing, lots of cake flavors and lots of deliciousness.  










The cakes will be from Ciao! bakery in Harrisburg and will include:

1) Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filing and chocolate ganache icing 
2) Vanilla cake with berry filling and vanilla icing
3) Red velvet cake with white chocolate mousse filling and cream cheese frosting
4) Carrot cake with cream cheese filling and cream cheese icing
5) Tiramisu cake with coffee filling and chocolate ganache icing 

So save room and eat up!

Sorry punks, there wasn't enough interest in babysitting.  Hopefully you can all find a dryer to keep them safe while you partay...just kidding.  Tiny lap-sized munchkins are not a problem for any event.  All older kids are welcome at the rehearsal dinner and ceremony, but you'll wanna find your own Mrs. Doubtfire or less-hilarious, more responsible equivalent for the reception.   

Here you'll find a hodge podge of stuff that will hopefully make our lives as real adults a little more...adult.  Apparently it becomes less cool and more pathetic that the majority of your glassware consists of pint glasses stolen from various bars as you get older...

So we finally managed to make it to Harrisburg to try to take care of some wedding logistics.  Priority #1?  Picking out the eats to eat.  

Emily (maid of honor), Aaron and I ate ourselves silly as we did our best to pick the best.  Emily's beef-hating ways meant more filet for us, but also helped make sure the non-beef entrees were well selected. 

Appetizers will include:

     *  Crudités 
     *  Assorted Cheese & Crackers  
     *  Spanikopita
     *  Swedish Meatballs
     * Prosciutto and Smoked Mozzarella Crostini (surprisingly this is served cold, but is still delicious)
     * Assorted Mini Quiche

We went with the arugala and mixed greens salad with pear, cranberries, goat cheese and walnuts and a pomegranate cranberry vinaigrette.
NOTE:  If you don't like/can't have any of the salad ingredients, just let us know.  The chef assured us that they can be "made-to-order".     

Grilled Portobella, Zucchini, Red Pepper and Eggplant Pave, Goat Cheese, Smoked Tomato Coulis

Vegetarians.  So often doomed to settle for lukewarm pasta with some mushy concoction of frozen vegetables that's passed off as "primavera".  Hopefully our choice for the vegetarian option doesn't disappoint.  It's flavorful, filling, and a great option for chicken/cow sympathizers.  

So watch your mail for the invitations and choose wisely on your RSVP card.  And remember, you can also opt to RSVP online. More details to follow...

...but we're hoping to get some input from those of you who have back seats full of car seats, pack bags full of diapers & cheerios, and can quote every episode ofThomas The Tank Engine verbatim.   Below is a link to our "Got Kids? Survey"

Hopefully this can help us get a better idea of how many kids will be in town for the weekend and how we can help parents enjoy at least a little kid-free time.  Below are the general details to help you plan around the kiddos.  

1) The Rehearsal Dinner

This shin dig on Friday night is open to everyone, including ankle biters.  The weather will be hot, the pool will be open and there will be plenty of games and goodies for all.  So by all means, bring the little ones  We are still working out transportation to and from the rehearsal dinner (which will hopefully consist of shuttle buses at various times throughout the night between the Hilton and the Wenger Home).  But if you'd rather drive yourselves (in anticipation of an early bedtime or potential meltdown), it is almost a straight shot across the river from downtown Harrisburg to the Wenger Home (~15-20min drive).  

2)  The Ceremony

Feel free to bring your kiddos if you like.  We don't mind a little kid chaos (within reason)...and if the kids get too rowdy you can always take them outside to play on the capitol building's steps.  

3)  The Reception 

We've planned on the reception being a kid-free event.  But the good news is: 
- The Hilton is actually attached to the Whitaker Center (site of the reception) by a glass walkway, which could make checking on the munchkins reasonably convenient
- Based on your answers to our poll above, we're hoping to be able to coordinate some child care during the reception.  We will likely have a private room in the Hilton staffed by local babysitters and set up with a movie screen and projector to play entertaining kid-friendly movies and TV shows along with coloring books and any other kid-friendly activities you could suggest.  
- You can also opt to bring your own babysitter who could always bring your kids down to watch movies and hang out with the other little ones
- There are 6 McDonald's within a 3 mile radius of the hotel for easy access to Happy Meals as needed
- And of course, there will always be exceptions.  If you REALLY want to bring child to the reception, just e-mail one of us and we can work something out