We are absolutely delighted to be hosting our wedding at the enchanting Hotel du Village in New Hope. This remarkable venue is steeped in rich history and adorned with unique touches that make it profoundly personal to our celebration. We would love to share some of the captivating history of this property, allowing you to appreciate the distinct charm of this space before we come together to celebrate our love.

The grounds surrounding Hotel du Village were originally part of a vast land grant bestowed upon the Ely family by William Penn in the 1600s. In 1895, Dr. George Morley Marshall acquired a parcel of this Penn Grant to establish his family residence in the picturesque Bucks County. Dr. Marshall’s sister, Caroline Wood, envisioned the current event spaces as a prime location for a country estate, and at the dawn of the 20th century, she commenced construction of White Oaks, designed by the esteemed architect Morgan Colt, after whom the Colt Ballroom is named—where we will gather for our celebratory dinner.

In 1917, Karline Holmquist founded the Holmquist School for Girls, which flourished rapidly. The success of her institution necessitated expansion, leading her to acquire White Oaks and the adjacent Appledore, a converted stable, from Mrs. Wood in 1925.

The Historic Ballroom, where our nuptials will be taking place, was once part of White Oaks, serving as the academic and social hub for young ladies. That same year marked the founding of Solebury School, a preparatory school for boys at the present “Upper Campus” on Phillips Mill Road. In 1949, the two schools merged, with White Oaks, Appledore, and Stone Cottage on River Road forming the “Lower Campus.”

Much of the original woodwork has been meticulously restored and incorporated into the venue's renovated design, with the historic flooring elegantly reimagined beneath the soaring chapel ceilings of the Historic Ballroom's bar area. Solebury School maintained these campuses until 1976, when Omar and Barbara Arbani purchased the "Lower Campus," transforming Appledore into a summer lodging destination in 1978. The Arbani family managed Hotel du Village until 2012, nurturing its charm for decades.

In 2013, Frank and Jeanne Cretella realized a cherished dream when they acquired this extraordinary historic site, transforming it into the space where we will be celebrating on Feb. 2nd! Their deep affection for the venue, fostered during summers spent there with their daughter—who learned to ride her bike along the long driveway—brings a heartfelt warmth to the space where we will soon celebrate our union.

To Eric and I, the space harkens back to our time in France, where we wandered some of the most picturesque towns we have ever experienced. The venue brings us back to the Frech countryside, in towns like Chartres, Riquewihr, and Strasbourg. We hope that the beauty and lighthearted experience that we shared in France can be carried over into our wedding day as all of our friends and family surround us as we say "I do"!