Meet the Wedding Party (ABS edition) !

Meet the lovely ladies keeping Abi-guel sane through their wedding weekend!


MAIDS OF HONOR:

Amanda Salvest (London, United Kingdom)

Abigail and Amanda have been roommates since day one at Georgetown University. Though not immediately friends, they soon became inseparable. Amanda is currently working in New York City as a project manager for a translation firm, but don't let the "desk job" fool you -- this Brit is a free spirit and a trickster! Don't be convinced when she tells you to refer to the bride-to-be as "Gail"!

Julia Steinhilber (Montgomery, Alabama)

They met on the first day of Kindergarten and have been going strong ever since! Julia is completing her Masters in Accounting at Auburn University this spring, and this sweet and smart Southern belle (and a bridesmaid expert!) has pulled on yet another hat as Abigail's co- maid of honor.

BRIDESMAIDS:

Maggie Cleary (Springfield, Virginia)

Maggie and Abigail have shared many laughs and experiences over the years, but this will be one for the (Face)books! Maggie is graduating from Georgetown one month after the wedding and headed off to law school. Hopefully, she'll hang a Smith/Santana wedding photo in the White House when she's elected as the first Republican woman-president!

Sofia Iatarola (Chicago, Illinois)

Growing up together through summers at Sanborn Western Camps, and staying friends through their loves of art history and Cafe Leopold's pancakes, "Fifi" is one of the precious few allowed to call Abigail "Abby". Sofia graduated from John Hopkins University last spring and will be traveling to Alabama from Los Angeles, California, where she has moved to pursue a career in cinematic production.  

Maggie Rickard (Montgomery, Alabama)

They ran together throughout high school, and now it's time for Maggie to help Abigail walk down the aisle! Maggie is completing her illustrious collegiate track and cross-country career and graduating in the spring from Davidson College in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Lesley Shinbaum (Montgomery, Alabama)

Though Abigail and Lesley will never agree on politics, Lesley has agreed to stand by one of her oldest friend's side on her wedding day. The number of sports-team practices and high-school memories these two made are endless, and, though "soon-to-be-Santana", to Lesley, Abigail will always be "Snaily"! Lesley is currently working on the gubernatorial campaign for Terry McAuliffe (D-VA). 

Rachel Kichler Smith (Elberta, Alabama)

Five years ago, Abigail walked down the aisle as a bridesmaid as Rachel married her brother Bart; now it's time to return the favor! Rachel, mother of Martha (9 months), gourmet-quality cheesecake chef and all-around fantastic sister-in-law, will serve as a Brides-Matron in the Smith/Santana nuptials.

Flight Information!

If you are flying into the wedding, the recommended airport would be Montgomery Regional Airport (MGM). They are fully equipped with rental car services, but we would recommend booking a car around the same time as your flight, as April is a big wedding season for our part of the country! (If rental car is out of the budget, someone can grab you from the airport and take you to the hotel, or perhaps we can do some sort of carpooling system!)

Hotel Information

The information for the hotel we have booked for the wedding weekend is below, and we will continue to update the information.

Renaissance Hotel
-30 rooms available; must be booked by March 14th.
-Selection of King-Sized Bed or Double Queen Beds** rooms.
-$123/night
-Request the "Smith/Santana Wedding Block" when you call, or use this handy link to book online!  
Book your group rate: Smith Santana Wedding >>

(The "Double Queen Beds" option is great for current or recent university students looking for the best deal. It holds 4 people to a room, averaging out to $31/person/night.)

If the Renaissance fills up, please ask, and we can provide a list of alternative hotel venues.

RSVPs!

Many are beginning to receive their "save-the-dates" and checking this blog, and this is fabulous! We will be sending out invitations in early January with postmarked RSVP cards. Having just left the college scene, though, Miguel and I both know that sending an RSVP card back in the mail can be a hassle for the average university student and even for some full-fledged adults!

If you would prefer, feel free to RSVP to my email, absmith816@gmail.com . For those of you who know my dad, you know that there is roughly a 5% chance that any RSVPs emailed to him will be remembered and taken note of -- contact me just to be safe, please!

Save - The - Date Cards

If you are looking at this page, it is likely that you have already received your save-the-date postcard!

In the interest of clarifying -- for those of you who haven't seen us in a while -- I am the daughter of Ellyn Dunbar Hudson and Dr. Wilburn Anthony Smith, Jr. Many of you have not met Miguel yet, but hopefully you will soon!

If you already have a definitive answer on whether you will be attending or not, please feel free to go ahead and RSVP!

 (Please refer to the "RSVP" section of the blog. And don't worry; we'll send an invitation regardless.)

Engagement Photos!

We had a wonderful engagement photography session with Natalie Franke Photography at sunrise yesterday. Here are some of our favorites! 

Wedding Info!

The nuptials are to be held at First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, on 5 April 2014, with a reception at the Montgomery Country Club. (So look for your invitation in the mail!)

In June, we are going to have an additional party in Portugal to celebrate with our friends and family “across the pond”!

Honeymoon Destination: TBD (We’d love your suggestions!)