Darin Forde
Alli Spears
Darin Forde
Alli Spears
September 23, 2023
How We Met
Somehow, some way, during a pandemic, a Jersey boy and Florida girl were close enough to find each other on a dating app, and decided to try. After identifying themselves as a Gryffindor (Alli) and a Ravenclaw (Darin) they met up at a bench by a nearby lake. A chocolate frog and feelings were exchanged. Because social distancing was at a max, the first date was watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Discord. They jumped in and never let go.
The Proposal
Another year, another adventure! A stressful road trip expedited the original plans, but on April 11th, Darin proposed with his Mother's ring by crackling firelight. It was magic and it melted away the day. One last question from insecurity and then she said yes! The ring was too small to wear as usual so it was worn on a chain with a golden snitch. To preserve the ring's integrity, a new ring was designed, resembling the snitch but with a sorcerer's-stone red gem in the center. This prompted another proposal by candlelight and to Bob Marley's, "Is this love?" It is. ♥
Schedule
Friday, September 22, 2023
Wedding Shower/Rehearsal Dinner/Bachelor/Bachelorette Party!
6:30 pm
Casual; Come how you are!
This dinner has been modified to encompass ALL the things!! It will be informal and lots of fun. We will go over the flow of the next day and show our guests around the property. And Vanessa, the matron of honor, has offered to host as our bachelor/bachelorette party. Bring your game face and fun ideas! We will also be presenting some small tokens of appreciation to our wedding party to thank them for all the support and hard work they have put in for us. If you are in town the night before our wedding, we hope that you will join us for drinks and food as we celebrate the last night of our engagement and welcome the future as a married couple.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Wedding Ceremony
5:00 pm
Black-tie Casual; We want all our guests, including our own wedding party to look and feel their best, so dress up and stay comfy!
Our ceremony will be outdoors. When you park, please follow the signs for the ceremony area.
Cocktail Hour
5:30 pm
Immediately after the ceremony, please grab yourself a drink and some appetizers while we finish our photos and set up for the reception! It will be held in the small house just behind and to the right of the ceremony area. During this time we ask that you visit our tables and sign our guest book! Appetizers: Shrimp Cocktail Caprese Bites Charcuterie Drinks: Caramel Apple Cider Black Magic Sangria Harvest Punch (non-alcoholic) Butterbeer Vodka Cranberry 1/4 Keg beer TBA 1/4 Keg beer or cider TBA ...or mix your own at our partially-stocked bar! We will also have a small assortment of sodas and juice.
Locked Stories
6:00 pm
We will be doing some non-traditional takes on some of the common wedding traditions. We hope that you participate in our unique celebration! In lieu of the Bouquet & Garter Tosses~ When you enter our cocktail hour next door, you will ve faced with a choice: a red key or a blue key. The choice is yours... During the reception, guests will be asked to try their keys on our two locked book prizes! The winner takes home the stories within.
Raffle
6:00 pm
We will be doing some non-traditional takes on some of the common wedding traditions. We hope that you participate in our unique celebration! In lieu of the Dollar Dance~ Instead of dancing for dollars, we will be raffling away some of our centerpieces and decor items! All proceeds will go towards our honeymoon fund. Please see Pattie, the mother of the bride, to purchase tickets. They are $1 per ticket, and if you buy 10 you get 1 free! There will be a single bin and draw during the reception, and winners can choose their prizes as they are drawn. You will be able to see the centerpieces and prizes on display during the reception. (: Raffle Prizes: The Faye centerpiece and framed quote Unicorn Centerpiece and framed quote Magic Mushrooms centerpiece w/lights Woodland Creatures centerpiece w/ small Zelda Master Sword Storybook centerpiece w/ Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology and bookmarks Patronus centerpiece Aurora Borealis centerpiece Aurora Borealis candle holders, set of three
The Reception
6:30 pm
Cocktail Casual; Come ready to eat, drink, dance, and celebrate with us!
Our dinner/reception will be in the larger house next door, and we will begin as soon as we can get all the food hot and ready. After you get your dinner you can head outside to the far back lawn area where our tables and reception area are set up. There are no assigned seats! Pick your favorite table theme, and your party favor (the wand that calls to you) will be waiting at your seat. Dinner: Pernil (pork) London Broil (beef) Rice & beans Baked potatoes and Sweet potatoes bar w/ toppings Glazed Carrots Garlic Bread Dessert: Chocolate Raspberry cake Assorted Ice Cream
After Party & Games
8:00 pm
After everyone has eaten, had cake, and collected their raffle prizes, we will head inside the houses where we will have drinks and games! We will be bringing our PS5 with several JackBox party games, as well as Cards Against Humanity, Munchkin, and a few other board games! In the basement level of the smaller house, there is a game room with foosball and air hockey!
Travel
Flight
Wilkes-Barre International Airport
This is a very small but lovely airport about 20 minutes from our home in Scranton, PA and about 40 minutes from our venue. We have flown out and in from here and both were pleasant experiences!
Flight
Philadelphia International Airport
It is about 2 hours 40 minutes from the Philly airport to our venue, and an additional hour to our home in Scranton. It is a much larger airport than Wilkes-Barre, but may offer cheaper flight options.
Flight
Newark Liberty International Airport
While in New Jersey, this airport is also only 2 hours from our venue and might be a good choice.
Hotel
Our Vrbo Venue
Traveling can be very expensive, so we are so glad we can provide rooms for our out-of-town guests! We rented a large Vrbo vacation home that will be our venue for both the ceremony and reception, as well as house our guests. We have rooms for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We have tried to assign rooms based on everyone's different needs and preferences. We hope everyone has the best weekend possible! Small house: Bedroom 1 - Jason & Kristen Bedroom 2 - Ollie Bedroom 3 (downstairs) - Barb, Sara, & Terese (one extra bed) Large house: Bedroom 1 - Alli & Darin Bedroom 2 (upstairs) - Christie Bedroom 3 (upstairs) - Vanessa & Gary Bedroom 4 (upstairs) - Erin There are also 2 large L couches and 1 couch in the small house basement, and we will be bringing an air mattress and blankets. The houses are very open-concept, so there is lots of room for anyone who wishes to crash here. Or, bring your tent and camp in the yard! There is plenty of room. (:
Registry
Amazon Wedding Registry
Wedding Party
Vanessa
Matron of Honor and Cake Artist
Vanessa and Alli have been friends for almost two decades. Life sometimes creates physical distance, but they kept in touch through many milestones. Vanessa is an absolute rockstar mother, wife, daughter, baker, seamstress, event planner, homesteader, and all-around multi-skilled powerful woman that anyone would be lucky to call a friend. Vanessa enjoys working in her garden and bakes the most delicious cakes around with frosting to die for, including the magical cake she agreed to make for the special day. She identifies as a Ravenclaw.
Pops
Best Man and Photographer
Pops was born as a Marine Force Recon and will die as a Marine Force Recon. As the father of the groom, he has been a symbol of support, strength, and family, and continues to display all the characteristics you could hope for in a father. He is artistically inclined and dabbles in photography and photo manipulation, and is Slytherin in disguise as a Hufflepuff.
Erin
Maid of Honor and Graphics Coordinator
With last names close together, Erin and Alli were often seated beside one another in school, and their friendship was inevitable. Time and distance fill the gaps, but theirs is a friendship built on common understanding. They've shared sleepovers and diaries and superstar dreams, and have both tried to overcome many challenges together like body image and anxiety. Erin is a pillar of patience and kindness - a model Hufflepuff - and will be providing some AI-generated artwork to help decorate our special celebrations.
Gary
Harbinger of Happiness
Husband of Vanessa, friend of the wedding couple, and absolute delight to the rest of the world! Gary will be officiating and leading our handfasting ceremony and vows. He is a steadfast Ravenclaw, expertly using his intellect to overcome obstacles in both video games and diapers.
Danielle
Flower Sister
Introvert. Caretaker. Nerd. Sister. Danielle has always been a flower in her family's life; not always open to the world but always beautiful, ever-growing, and smells nice. As the sister of the bride, Danielle has ofered to step into the spotlight for a short while to support them in their ceremony. What more could you ask for in a sister?
Pattie
Flower Mother and Raffle Coordinator
As mother of the bride, there are few things not shared between Pattie, Alli, and Darin. She is always there to provide love and support for those she loves, during everything from birthdays to dog-sitting to doctors' visits to sunflower picking. Always an ear, a hug, or a phone call away. Pattie has provided encouragement during the entire planning process, and will be handling all sales of the raffle tickets during the wedding.
Jason
Pillar of Support and Photographer
Jason and Alli have been friends since childhood, and the shared memories are some of the happiest. From playing Frogger for the first time to visiting frozen waterfalls, Jason has been an adventuring and supportive companion for the majority of his friends' lives. He is fiercely loyal to his loved ones, and is one of the most generous, gentle souls one will ever meet. He traveled all the way from North Carolina with his wife Kristen to attend the wedding of two people who attended theirs.
Christie
DJ and Everlasting Light
Christie is another whose friendship has endured through time and distance. No matter where life has taken her or her friends, she always reconnects and arrives as a light and joy to have around. Ever supportive and engaaging, Christie is a professional at deep, thoughtful conversation. She has a master's degree and works remotely, traveling with her husband and pup.
Katie
Community Mom and Hair Stylist
Katie is a neighbor of Vanessa's, and kindly offered her amazing hair-styling skills to the happy couple! She is a wife, mother, and a valued community member, and shares her radiant smile with all those she meets.
Gallery
FAQs
Question
When should I RSVP by?
Answer
We know invitations are going out later than initially planned, but it will make things as easy as possible if RSVPs are received by the end of July. This gives us plenty of time to make plans for catering, alcohol, and overnight accommodations. If you still aren't sure, just send us a message and talk us through. We will do whatever we can to work things out.
Question
Are kids welcome?
Answer
While we love kids - especially yours! - we want our wedding to be a night off for you as well. We have pre-arranged and paid for a babysitter that we know and trust to look after little ones while we make our unbreakable vows. Please let us know if you will be traveling with your kiddos by the end of July.
Question
Can I bring a date?
Answer
Yes! You may bring a +1, just please indicate so on your RSVP so we can keep an accurate head count.