Ali and Tom

The Story

On Friday 8th December Ali arrived back in London from the states. After a meal in the city Tom surprised a jet-lagged Ali and took her ice skating (something Tom swore he would never do) at Somerset house. Afterwards they walked over Waterloo bridge where Tom proposed with a beautiful antique ring.

There was much debate over how to break the news to Tom and Ali's families; Sue was told before Christmas but it wasn't until the Tuesday before the big day that Ali was able to pluck up the courage to ring her Mom & Dad. With their family's excited reaction and blessing, Tom and Ali felt even more ready for the coming Saturday.

On January 6th dawn broke on a fine day in London. Tom and Ali were only expecting Sue and one other witness to arrive however they were a bit miffed when the entered the town hall to see a photographer snapping away. Much to their surprise, it was Ali's mom taking pictures with her dad waiting just around the corner. Apparently they had conspired with Sue to arrive in time for the wedding with only 4 days notice! Once Ali was able to compose herself, there was a beautiful ceremony in Brixton Town Hall which brought even the registrar to tears. In attendance that day were Sue, Patrick, and Marie (as a representative of Clare) as well as Ali's parents Lisa and Rick. Ali's sister, Amy, would have loved to have been there, but the dog ate her passport!!!

Following the exchanging of vows, the wedding party headed to Liberty's for tea and champagne to celebrate the excitement of the day.

Tom and Ali spent their honeymoon weekend showing Ali's parents around London.

Sunday, 1 June 2008

Honeymoon & registry

Hardly a vacation goes by that you don't find Tom and myself visiting Dad, Amy, Rusty, and Bo (the dog) at a Braves game in Atlanta, or buried in snow with Mom, Doug, and Darwin (the other dog) in Oswego.

For our next holiday (if it ever comes back around) we are hoping for something a bit more exciting (no offence mom & dad!)...

Tom and I have registered our details with Trailfinders, an international travel company that helps plan exciting getaways! Instead of trekking back to the UK with blenders and waffle makers, we are hoping to try a different kind of trekking next summer!

If you would like to contribute to our next adventure, you can help us along by visiting www.trailfinders.com
Gift List Reference: 5AYSPM
Surname: Annenberg

Or click Here for more details

Monday, 12 May 2008

Crescent Yacht Club

Chaumont...

...as seen from above. And if you look a bit further south west, you'll see the lovely home built by my grandfather, Dandy.

Visiting Chaumont will probably be a very different part of upstate NY that most of you will not have seen before, and we hope you enjoy it!

It's about 1:45 from Syracuse, so consider treating yourselves to an evening away! Watertown is easily accessible and has plenty of hotel options, but if you are looking for something a little more romantic, try one of the B&B's around Sackets Harbour or one of the other lakeside towns.

Here are a few hotels in Watertown:

Ramada Watertown

6300 Arsenal St

21000 NY State Rt 3

Watertown, NY, 13601 US
315-788-0700

Days Inn Watertown

110 Commerce Park Dr

Routes 81 & 3

Watertown, NY, 13601 US
315-782-2700

Watertown Travelodge

652 Arsenal Street

Watertown, NY, 13601 US
315-786-8888

Or for something a bit different, try:

Dexter 1855 House‎

414 Brown Street
Dexter, NY 13634, United States

(315) 639-6336

Ontario Place Hotel‎

103 General Smith Dr
Sackets Harbor, NY 13685

(315) 646-8000

The Celebrations

After much debate back and forth across the Atlantic as to where to have their party, Tom and Ali decided to go for the best of both worlds, literally...

On July 26, 2008, the Crescent Yacht Club will play host to the happy couple with a festive Clambake and dancing under the stars.

and if that wasn't quite enough...

On November 22, 2008, the picturesque Yorkshire Sculpture Park will come to life with the final celebration of Tom and Ali's marriage where they will toast with those who weren't able to make it to the US over the summer.

Drinking, dining and dancing for all!

The story...

Following graduation from Brenau University, Alison was looking for something a bit different to set her off into the real world. The offer to move to France came at just the right moment and there was little hesitation to say yes (a feeling she would recognize immediately, about a year down the line). Though a bit nervous about establishing herself in a new country, she was met with open arms by her aunt Lucy and uncle Loic who settled her in to her new quaint, cozy, quintessential life in Clermont Ferrand!

Somewhere across the pond, Tom was likewise looking for a change from his job working in accounts. Spending another year in France seemed like the perfect way to get a fresh start and a bit of perspective. Moulins, France was to be Tom's new home for the next 9 months where he would train future English teachers.

But before they could get too comfortable in their respective towns, there was the Stage to attend; a week of training, introductions and, well, parties, to get everyone acquainted! There were plenty of colorful, international characters to meet and Ali and Tom quickly bonded with a fantastic group of people from all around the world.

The ten months flew by too quickly with fantastic memories of friendship, good food, beautiful scenery, great wine, and before they knew it, love for Tom and Ali!

Tom brought Ali back to his native Manchester where she got to know the english countryside and Tom's mother, Sue. Over the next few months, and a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between the US and the UK, Tom and Ali made London their home; but not before giving Tom a whirlwind tour of Ali's America.

After an evening of ice skating in London, Tom proposed with an antique ring on Waterloo Bridge. The ceremony was planned for January 6, 2007, however it wasn't until the 2nd of January that Ali could gather the courage to tell her mom and dad! Thankfully, Rick and Lisa conspired with Sue to arrive in time! Once Ali was able to compose herself, there was a beautiful ceremony in Brixton Town Hall which brought even the registrar to tears. In attendance that day were Sue, Patrick, and Marie (as a representative of Tom's sister Clare) as well as Ali's parents Lisa and Rick. Ali's sister, Amy, would have loved to have been there, but the dog ate her passport!!!

The happy couple have been long awaiting celebrating their marriage with their friends, family, and loved ones - and can't wait to see everyone this summer!

Lots of love,
Tom and Ali Gardiner

The Story

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Ali and Tom in London

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Where should we go on our honeymoon?