The Wedding: Dates & Details

A quick guide to who's who and what's what on our big day:

The Bride: Jen Abbas
The Groom: Niels de Jong

Matron of Honor: Steph Rossing (Jen's college friend from MI)
Bridesmaid: Jen Vande Vegte (Jen's friend from MI)
Bridesmaid: Sara Kennedy (Jen's friend from China, formerly MI)
Bride's Personal Attendants: Carisa Rasmussen & Liz Abbas (Jen's sisters)

Best Man: Joel Vriend (Niels' friend from Canada)
Groom's Man: Chadwick de Vries (Niels' cousin from Canada)
Groom's Man: Pascal Bloemers (Niels' college friend from the Netherlands)

Groom's Parents: Jan & Kitty de Jong
Bride's Mom: Eileen "Chi" Manthei
Bride's Dad & Stepmom: Elmer & Carole Abbas
Bride's Stepdad & Stepstep Mom: John & Pat Hemza

Groom's Usher: Ingrid de Jong (Niels' sister)
Bride's Usher: Chris Abbas (Jen's brother)

Honor Attendants: Trevor & Angie Price
Vocalist: Liz Abbas (Jen's sister)
MCs: Jared Coleman & Jason Staten (friends of J&N)

DATES & DETAILS:

February 16-21: Jen's mom comes to Ohio to meet Niels (and Niels asks for and receives her blessing)
March 9-11: FamilyLife (pre)marriage conference, sponsored by Jen's publisher
March 15-25: Jen & Niels go to Holland to meet Niels' family and friends.
March 19: Niels, Jen, Jan & Kitty, Jen's Dad, Carisa and Liz (Jen's sisters) and Andy (Carisa's husband) meet in Amsterdam (and Niels asks for and receives her Dad's blessing)
March 20: Niels proposes to Jen at the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris!!! (and she says yes!!!)
March 24: Niels' parents host an engagement party for Jen & Niels.
April - June: Premarital counseling
May 26: Reception in Minneapolis
June 16: Jen's girly shower (afternoon), Grand Rapids reception (evening)
July 2?: House church blessing
July 3: Ohio couples shower
July 22: The Dutch contingent arrives
July 28: Rehearsal in the morning for the wedding party, Open house and Catan-o-rama for any and all at Niels' house (12p-8p), Bonfire and worship (8p-10p).

Sunday, July 29, 2007: THE WEDDING!
1:30pm
Lakeside Banquet Center
5525 Leona Ave SW
Navarre, OH 44662
330.484.0210

Local Hotels:
Sleep Inn in Bolivar, OH: closest to the ceremony/reception site (9 miles), great for one night stays, our negotiated rate is $75 USD/night (regular rate $90, applies if not booked before July 1)
Days Inn in Canton, OH: allows pets, 12 miles from c/r site, starts at $43 USD/night
Hilton Garden Inn in North Canton, OH: closest to the Akron/Canton airport, free shuttle to the airport, 17 miles from c/r site.

Things to Do:
Canton:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
National First Ladies Library
More Attractions

To the North:
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland (approx. 60 miles North)

To the South:
Amish Country