Glasbern Inn

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Glasbern

Reception

Winter

Our Wedding

Pre-Ceremony Activities

Thank you so much for joining us! The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Glasbern Pavilion. Please arrive and find your seats by 4:25 p.m. Prior to the ceremony, Lydia's family and friends are invited to meet her at 4:15 p.m. for a joyful procession to the pavilion, where the ceremony will take place. Details on location coming soon. Don't worry, we will get you there on time!

Ceremony Program

Our ceremony will combine key elements from both the Lutheran and Greek Orthodox traditions to reflect each of our journeys in faith. Additional details and explanations regarding the ceremony will be posted soon. I. Wedding Party - in order of processionKiersten Hougen, KoumbaraNikki Tsimbidis, KoumbaraGene Zwiegel, RingbearerRev. Anne Jones Martin, Christ LutheranMarge Swearer, Amy's mother, with Robert BrownEmily Brown, Matron of HonorTanya Pappas, Maid of HonorMatt Hussmann, Flower ManBob Swearer, Amy's fatherMonica Pappas, Lydia's motherRoss Mitchell, Lydia's uncle II. Informal GreetingIII. Formal GreetingIV. Opening PetitionsV. Prayer of the DayVI. ReadingsVII. Homily by Pastor AnneVIII. Declaration of IntentionIX. VowsX. Giving of RingsXI. Crowning CeremonyXII. Gospel ReadingXIII. Closing PetitionsXIV. Marriage BlessingXV. Prayers of IntercessionXVI. Acclimation and Dismissal After the Acclimation, be sure to grab a handful of flower petals to toss at the couple during the recession photo! A basket will be passed around.

Cocktail Hour Menu & Details

Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., immediately following the ceremony. Proceed to the Glasbern barn for an open bar and hors d'oeuvres. During a portion of the cocktail reception, our photographer, Rebecca Barger, will be available to take portraits of any guests who would like to capture the moment in their snazzy outfits! At the end of the cocktail reception, at 6:15 p.m., please proceed outside to the pond for a group photo with the couple before dinner. Menu: Vegetable CruditeCheese, nuts, and dipsBeef Tenderloin Crostini with Grain Mustard Creme Fraiche and Basil GremolataSeared Lump Crab CakesPear &amp; Brie Phyllo PursesDuck Confit Spring RollsPotato &amp; Scallion Cakes with Creme Fraiche &amp; ChivesBay Scallop Crudo with Citrus, Nastirshin Petals

Reception Menu & Details

The Reception will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. in the Glasbern barn. After the group photo, please head inside and find your seats. Program: Couple's Entrance and first danceChampagne Toast by Mercedes CowperBlessing of the foodRemarks from AmyParent DancesDinnerSpeeches by Emily Brown, Abbie McGee, and Kiersten HaugenPhoto Palooza on the Dance Floor!Anniversary DanceCake CuttingRemarks from LydiaDancing!Announcement of the Find that Guest! Winners Dinner Menu: SaladGlassbern Field Greens Salad: Gorgonzola, Dried Cherries, Candied Walnuts, Cider Vinaigrette. Entree- choice of oneSlow Roasted Bay of Fundy Salmon: Lemon ver jus Emulsion or Grain Mustard CreamThyme Roasted European Chicken Breast: Thyme jus, Porcini Emulsion, Basil PistouVegetable Risotto Pancakes with fresh greens and roots Dessert provided by Dolche Patisserie Macaron Tower - Chocolate Hazelnut, Vanilla, Raspberry, Pistachio, Toasted CaramelTiramisu mousse cupsMini Dolche chocolate cakes with chocolate mousse and creme brule filling, covered in a white chocolate glazeMini Dolche chocolate cakes with lemon mousse and a raspberry compote filling, covered in a dark chocolate glaze

After Party Activities

Following the reception, our wonderful bartenders will remain to keep the festivities going! A cash bar will stay open until 1:00 a.m. and guests are welcome to mingle in the cocktail reception space. Glasbern also has several firepits on site for making smores or simply enjoying what we hope is crisp April weather.

Day After

If you are staying at Glasbern, we invite you to join us for an included, made-to-order breakfast in the main restaurant before you depart Monday morning.

Day-Of Details

Photos

As Lydia is part of a Greek folk dancing group, the night wouldn't be complete without some Greek dancing! Below are some tutorials that will help you get acquainted with the basics. No need to learn the fancy steps (unless you want to). Note: You have to copy and paste the links into your browser. I apologize for not being tech savvy enough to make them live links! Kalamatiano: This is the most common Greek dance and essential for your folk dance arsenal. Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryWGbu7Ubr8In action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sabn5YnWjlE Zembekiko: Otherwise known as the 'drunk man dance'. Feel free to make this one your own with a freestyle in time with the music. Turorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INGlZQjrAA Ballos: If you like a little island in your life Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtKfru3fEWc&amp;t=516sIn action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8nrxanAri4&amp;t=122s Ikariotikos: A Greek party staple. Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPR6f0VV1JUIn action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edwvUO9GquM Pentosalis: A Cretan favorite! Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUNQ1aWYKkIIn action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYZMrFWnMes Hasapiko: Otherwise known as the Zorba dance. Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OKRx3e5xjc Just for fun: Maleviziotis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMigZrfkQPEStankena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns94oi_eyuA

Greek Dance Tutorials

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is dedicated to not just promoting child literacy, but instilling a love of reading in children from a young age. Participants in the program receive a free monthly shipment of age-appropriate books from birth through the age of 5. Last year, more than 2 million books were delivered to children every single month. As lifelong bookworms whose love of reading started early, we'd be honored for you to give more children the precious gift of reading in our name: &nbsp;https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/ Micah Ecumenical Ministries is a coalition of local churches dedicated to serving and loving our unhoused neighbors. Micah strives not just to provide for participants' immediate physical and basic needs, but to provide them with a coordinated care system and work with them pursue income, housing, and medical/mental health solutions - enabling them to regain stability and succeed in the long term. We would be honored to have you "do justice and love mercy" amongst our neighbors in our name. You can donate to the general ministry here:https://micahfredericksburg.networkforgood.com/projects/212000-love-your-neighbor-2024 Alternatively, you can find links to Micah's Amazon Wish List here:https://micahfredericksburg.org/give-help/donate-items/ Operation Paws for Homes is a nonprofit organization devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of dogs and cats who have overcome great odds and deserve wonderful, caring forever homes. It provides responsible pet adoption services to families located in Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania, and neighboring states, and every year facilitates the "forever" adoption of more than 1,000 cats and dogs who otherwise faced almost certain euthanasia. Our lives have been so blessed by the love of animals who adopted us as much as we adopted them, and we'd be honored for you to help more of God's precious furballs find a forever home on our behalf. https://ophrescue.org/donate

Q + A

We have reserved a room block at the Glasbern Inn as well as the nearby Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites by Marriott. There are also several other nearby hotel options, including another Marriott, as well as Hilton and Hyatt properties. Please be careful while traveling!

https://fs20.formsite.com/aCgFOL/vroya7vru5/index Please book through the group link above and not independently. The room block will likely be between $190-250 per night depending on the ultimate room selected. Please call the hotel to secure your room placement. Otherwise the hotel will reach out closer to the date of the wedding to discuss room assignment options. If you book independently of the room block, it is likely to be much higher as a majority of the available rooms are being held for the room block.

Glasbern - A Historic Hotel of America

Please use the link above or dial 610.841.0100 and reference the Pappas-Swearer Wedding. Room Reservations must be made by March 23, 2024 to secure the room block rate.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Allentown West

If you are unable to stay at the Glasbern, but would still like a luxury option, this is the place for you!

Delta Hotels by Marriott Allentown Lehigh Valley

If you are a Hyatt loyalist, this is your place!

Hyatt Place Allentown / Lehigh Valley

A great budget option, and one of two Hilton options nearby the venue.

Hilton Garden Inn Allentown West

Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown-West/Fogelsville

Where to Stay

Things to Do

I. Mini-Golf TournamentII. Meet &amp; Greek!III. Portrait PhotosIV. Randall's RestaurantV. Virtual Photo GalleryVI. Find that Guest!

To kick off the weekend with some fun, we are hosting a round of putt-putt for the early birds! Please join us at Putt U at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, 13 April 2024. Putt U is for serious mini-golfers only and has even hosted the U.S. Open mini-golf championship. We hope to see you there!

Mini Golf Tournament

For those who are staying on Saturday evening, we will be hosting a welcome reception at the Glasbern Inn. If you'd like to learn a few Greek dance moves prior to the wedding, stop on by and say hi! There will be a cash bar (and maybe a hers, hers &amp; ours whiskey flight if you're early enough!). The doors will open at approximately 6:45 p.m. There will also be a fun Sip &amp; Solve puzzle. Winner gets a prize you don't want to miss!

Meet & Greek!

During the cocktail hour, our photographer will be available for portraits. Stop on by and get a great picture before you dance the night away! We will also be doing 'photo palooza' on the dance floor during the reception. Lydia &amp; Amy will be seated on the dance floor for the duration of an extra extra-long song picked by our DJ. And guests are welcome to jump in for a photo with the couple! #dancefloorphotodash

Portrait Photos

We know that many of you are traveling and may be taking this opportunity to spend a long weekend in the Poconos. We highly recommend grabbing a lunch or dinner reservation at Randall's if you have the time. The food is excellent and it is only 10 minutes away from Glasbern. (If you're really early to the party, you may spot Lydia &amp; Amy there Friday night!)

Randall's Restaurant

During the reception, please use the QR code above to access an online photo gallery. Upload your favorites, we would love to see the day through your eyes! The code will also be on tables throughout the reception.

Photo Gallery

During cocktail hour and the reception, there will be a 'Find That Guest!' game. Mingle and find out more about our family and friends. The more answers you find, the more points you get. And there will be a door prize table for the top 10 at the end of the night! Trust - you want these prizes. ;)

Lydia and Amy

Lydia and Amy

L&A

Wedding Day

Reception