how we met
new york city
Devon and James both have very similar stories that brought them together. Devon spent 4 years of undergrad in the Boston (cough: Cambridge) area at a decent educational institution. James spent the same 4 years at Northeastern University, which is also in Boston (NOT Chicago, contrary to some family members' beliefs). After undergrad, Devon moved to the tropical climate of Los Angeles, and James moved to the tropical climate of Miami. A few years later, Devon went back to that same decent university she previously attended to get her MBA, and James... didn't. In the summer of 2017, they both moved to New York City, and met a few short months later. In their own words, this is how it happened:
James: I was feeling pretty good about myself in Summer '17. Had a nice Miami tan, was in pretty good shape and just moved to NYC. Only problem was the lack of free time. So I hopped on the dating apps because that's where every hard working guy goes to find his "the one". In September, I was on "Coffee meets Bagel", and to my surprise, this gorgeous girl with a heart-stopping smile AND not one but TWO degrees from Harvard had "WooHoo'd" me. What's a woohoo? I'll tell you. It's when the girl presses the button that says "Hey. I like you. A lot". I quickly returned the like and sent a really sweet message: "So does this mean we're exclusive?" Cute and funny, right? Nothing. Silence. So I figure Devon lost her phone (for what turned out to be a couple months). Then, in November, on a different app called "The League", there she is!! She must have found her phone! I quickly liked her and to my surprise, we matched again! I sent a follow up message ("Here's to second chances!") and she replied! This was the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we were both at home for the holiday. I wooed her pretty smoothly, asked her to meet me for dinner the following night when we returned to NYC, and she said yes. I will always remember her smile when she was walking up to greet me and that first hug that just felt right.
Devon: I had been on a lot of first dates by using the dating apps. 5 million men in NYC, and not one was tall, dark, handsome, brilliant, sweet, funny, ki-- Sorry, James stole the keyboard. I don't recall an app called Coffee Meets Bagel, and I have no idea what a "WooHoo" is. Nor did I lose my phone in the fall of 2017. However, what seemed like days before I was going to delete my dating apps, over Thanksgiving break, I decided to have a little fun. I was with my whole family for the holiday and decided to let my cousins talk to some of the suitors on my apps, pretending to be me. My cousin Blake came across James and thought he at least didn't appear to be a serial killer. After a few back and forths, James, today, claims to have "wooed" Blake (not Blake's words) and the phone was passed to me. We did hit it off and that Sunday after Thanksgiving was the about the only evening I was truly free for the next few weeks. The timing was perfect. And I will also remember that hug forever.
the proposal
tulum
In keeping with the them of this page, here is the proposal story from the couples' perspective:
James: I've always tried to think ahead. I started saving for a ring when I was 18 years old. I just knew I'd find the right girl someday, and it's better to be prepared. I knew I was going to propose to Devon very early on in our relationship. I even started writing my vows months before I proposed. There were only three things I wanted out of my proposal: surprise, tears (of joy), and a yes. Tulum is our relaxing place. We had been once before after a big meeting of mine and completely disconnected. It's such a romantic and mysterious place on a beach but also built into the Mexican jungle. The night before I proposed, I was in Miami and Devon was coming to meet me. I practiced sticking things in my pants in the mirror (more on that later), pulling out the ring, and most importantly, the posture and right angle required of the knee bend. The next morning we flew to Tulum. I had the ring in my carry on, and of course, going through customs, my bag is randomly selected to be screened. Fortunately, the Mexican version of TSA man could not have cared less what was in my bag. He opened it, saw a bathing suit and closed it. Then we went to the hotel, and I told Devon I planned a very early sunset dinner at a really trendy restaurant. The catch: it was at 5:30 and we have to walk a short way down the beach to get there. She offered to look up how far the restaurant was, to which I said "NO! It's close!" (it isn't close). Shockingly, she got ready and we left on time! It was a beautiful and clear day and we walked down the beach. When we got to a point with a rock formation jutting out, I said "wow! Let's go up there!" Devon obliged, but would not climb up the rocks with me. I needed to get her in position, so thinking on my feet, I looked out to the ocean and said "Whoa! Look! A dolphin!" Worked like a charm. While Devon was gazing out looking for the made up dolphin, I pulled out a bag of rose petals from the back of my pants and sprinkled them behind her. Then I pulled out a custom book I had made detailing how much I love her from the front of my pants. When she turned around, I started flipping pages. When we got to the last page, I told her how much I loved her and nailed the right angle on the knee. I'll never forget the "of course, yes!" she said to me. Then, Devon turns and says "is there a little Mexican man taking pictures of us?" to which I said "Oh yeah, that's Jorge! I hired him!" He was hiding in the brush, the whole time (hence the need for the perfect timing and positioning). After spending some time with Jorge, we went to the bar at the hotel we stayed at the prior year to facetime family. We spoke to Devon's mother and Muz (the "Hopes"), and when we hung up, I positioned Devon at the bar with her back to the hotel and had her keep looking down at her ring. Meanwhile, the Hopes snuck down from their room and tapped Devon on the shoulder. She lost it. That shocked reaction was like something I've never seen before. It. Was. Perfect.
Devon: James had spent a week in Miami working 20 hour days (for his meeting) leading up to our trip to Tulum. I also had a long few weeks and we were both really looking forward to relaxing in our happy place. I met James in Miami and we flew out the following morning. We had an amazing day on the beach in perfect weather. James said he planned dinner for us at a cool new restaurant I really wanted to try, but could only get an early reservation. I got ready on time (as usual) and we left to make the short walk down the beach. James carried my heels and we held hands. Everything seemed normal. Then we got to a patch of seaweed blocking the whole pathway. We trudged through and it felt like I was getting bit by little bugs on my feet! 10 more steps and I was walking out to the road! But we got through and came to a rock formation out in the ocean. James said he really wanted to climb it - nothing out of the ordinary for him. I was good standing towards the base, but when he said he saw a dolphin, well.... he got me. I was staring out into the ocean near where James was pointing but didn't see anything. When I turned around, I didn't know what was happening. James was standing in scattered rose petals holding a cartoon book of us. I've always said I love the scene in "Love Actually" where the guy has posterboards for the girl that end with "to me, you're perfect". James made his own version of this! Then he got down on one knee and I blacked out. I cried but I don't remember anything else! Then after the ring was on my finger, I looked to my right and saw a little man taking pictures of us. Apparently that was Jorge! After a little photo shoot, we went to Tata to facetime my Mom and Muz. They were so happy for us, but in retrospect, they were dressed up and actually got off the phone really quickly! Two minutes later, they tapped me on the shoulder and I blacked out again! James absolutely crushed the entire proposal. It. Was. Perfect.
Our unexpected elopement (thanks to COVID)
8.26 welcome party
afternoon golf
We're going to head out on the links for a round with anyone who is there and can join! Likely late morning tee times in the Allentown, NJ area (might only get 9 in). Stay tuned.
8:30-10:30pm welcome party
Johnson's Locust Hall Farm
Please join us for welcome drinks and dessert!
We'll have a bus picking everyone up from the Hilton at 8:00pm (if you're at the Marriott, please take the free Marriott shuttle to the Hilton - 3 minute drive). The bus will take you to the Breezeway Barn at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm, meeting up with us and our wedding party for beer/wine/champagne and desserts! We plan to celebrate until 10:30pm, when buses will take us back to the Hilton.
8.27 the renewal
6PM PRE-CEREMONY DRINKS
The Ashford Estate Grounds.
Refreshments will be served on the veranda.
Please arrive promptly!
Buses will be provided from the hotels to the Estate:
637 Province Line Rd,
Allentown, NJ 08501
6:30PM VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY
The Ashford Estate Barn.
Ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30pm.
We promise to make it genuine, heartfelt, and quick!
We would love our younger cousins to celebrate at our ceremony with us! We will be providing certified babysitters and food (including gluten free!) on-site in the main house during the reception - we want the adults to enjoy themselves!
party time (finally)
7-8 COCKTAILS
The Ashford Estate Grounds.
Celebratory cocktails.
8-12 RECEPTION
The Ashford Estate Ballroom.
Sit-down dinner & dancing.
We'd love nothing more than to pack the dance floor!
12-[...] AFTER PARTY
The Ashford Estate Library.
DJ and late-night food.
The Harvard crew will show everyone what they actually did in the Library when they said they were "studying"
8.28 saturday
9:30-11:30am HANGOVER BRUNCH
Hilton Garden Inn Garden Patio.
Those staying at the Residence Inn can take a free shuttle to the Hilton.
welcome drinks
Thursday, August 26, 2021
8:30pm - 11pm
Dress: Summer Cocktail
ceremony and reception
Friday, August 27, 2021
6:00pm - 12am
Dress: Black Tie (preferred)
after party
Saturday, August 28, 2021
12am - 3am-ish...
Dress: Loosen up the ties and suspenders, unbutton a few buttons and let's keep it goin'!
transportation
To/From the Ashford Estate
To the wedding:
Coach buses will pick you up promptly at 5:30pm (both hotels) and take you to the Ashford Estate in-time to enjoy a welcome drink on the veranda.
Zero stops: 15-20 minute ride
Back to the hotel:
- We'll have one coach bus on standby ready to depart the Ashford following the reception and every hour thereafter, as needed (hopefully not needed until the lights come on).
- Last bus at 3am-ish.
- The return bus will stop first at the Hilton, followed by the Residence Inn (they are one mile apart): 15 - 25 minutes
Should you want to leave earlier, Ubers are available, or you can try and sneak in with James' grandparents.
getting to the ashford
Coming from: CA, FL, GA, MA, NC, NH, SC, TX, VA, WI ..... England, France, Germany, India, Korea, Mexico, Morocco or Poland?
The closest major airports are as follows:
- Philadelphia International (PHL): ~51 miles (approximately 1 hour drive)
- Newark Liberty International (EWR): ~52 miles (approximately 1 hour drive)
We tested both of these FROM the Ashford in December and they were ~$60-$75 Ubers (pending surge)
Prefer to Drive or Train? (lookin' at you NY/PA/NJ/CT/MD)
75-minute drive from NYC
60-minute train from NYC to Trenton Station + 15 minute Uber to hotels
We also partnered with a special website to provide you with custom directions: www.google.com
accomodations
Our Preferred Hotel (& Wedding Party) OPTION 1: For all you Hilton Honors People
The Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton, NJ
We've got a room block set aside for Thursday and Friday nights (August 26-27) on a first come, first-served basis (please book early!).
The day of our wedding, transportation will be provided to and from the Ashford Estate (see below). Ubers are also available if you're planning on being extra fashionable (late).
** To book this hotel for $139/night, please use this Booking Link:**
http://group.hiltongardeninn.com/STEWART-BACHER
You can also call the hotel directly (609-585-6789) and use the group name (Stewart-Bacher Wedding) or use special rate Group Code SBW827.
For the non-Alan Turing's of the world, this stands for Stewart Bacher Wedding August 27th
OPTION 2: For all you Marriott Bonvoy People
The Residence Inn Hamilton, NJ
We've got a room block set aside for Tuesday night through Sunday (August 24-29) on a first come, first-served basis (please book early!). Not sure why they gave us a 5-night block, but we don't ask questions. Just remember the wedding is now the night of Friday, August 27.
The day of our wedding, transportation will be provided to and from the Ashford Estate. Ubers are also available if you're planning on being extra fashionable (late).
**To book this hotel, please use this Booking Link ($179/night...unless you want to be a baller and get a 2 bedroom suite for $329):**
https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1599673942183&key=GRP
You may also call and mention the Stewart-Bacher wedding block (609-585-2111)