AACA Museum

Wedding Ceremony

AACA museum 

Cocktail Hour

AACA Museum 

Reception

Our Wedding

How it all began...

Once upon a time in the not-so-distant past, the world was consumed with panic over COVID. A pretty nurse had taken a job in Pittsburgh and was trying to make new friends. With social distancing the new norm, it was difficult to actually meet new people, so virtual chat rooms became her means of socializing. She moved into a one-bedroom apartment and a few months later was having issues with her doorbell. The leasing company would charge an outrageous fee to repair the doorbell, so she turned to her chat group for assistance. A gentleman in the group offered to repair her doorbell to save her a few bucks. A few days later, an awkwardly adorable man was knocking at her door with a tool bag in hand. "Hi, Im Chris", he said with a nervous smile. While they had known each other virtually for a little while, this was their first face-to-face encounter. That meeting blossomed into a deeper friendship, and then eventually a relationship, and the two have been inseparable since.

The doorbell

We are that quirky couple who isnt afraid to try new things and who are always up for an adventure. First and foremost, the puppies are our lives. Diesel, MooMoo and the newest addition Maximus, are always close by. The grandkids and our children will always take precedence over anything. Whether its trips to Disney parks or traveling to France, we enjoy exploring our world. Camping with our friends, kayaking, bike riding, or hiking, the outdoors are always calling. Coffee in the hot tub on cool winter mornings or a glass of wine on the front porch swing on warm summer evenings are how we relax. We enjoy Lego building, Marvel movies, Bridgerton, and dancing like nobody is watching.

What makes us, well us!

No, not the 2009 romcom starring Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, although its one of Jackies personal favorites, this is the story of how I asked Jackie to marry me. Act 1: scene 6 Early on in our relationship while out shopping, Jackie and I stumbled into an estate jeweler. Jackie spotted an antique diamond and ruby ring. That would make an excellent engagement ring, she quipped. Fast forward a few months and I put the ring on Layaway. Act 2: scene 3 In spring of 2024, while watching TV, an airline commercial came on TV about flights to Paris. I turned to Jackie and said lets go to Paris for a long weekend.The planning for the trip turned from a long weekend to an entire week in November. I thought to myself that Paris would make an excellent place to propose. My initial idea was to buy a padlock and propose on the Pont Des Arts (love locks) bridge. But Paris had begun to place plexiglass barriers up to prevent the act of locking padlocks on the bridge. Back to the drawing board! Act 2: scene 5 Versailles palace, a majestic thing of beauty, has a very large grounds and gardens with many fountains and statues. The Petite Trianon was a smaller castle on the grounds that was used by Marie Antoinette as her personal escape. She had a small folly built called The Temple de lAmour. I decided that that is where I would ask her to be my partner for the rest of our lives. With ruby ring in pocket, we made our way to the temple. I asked a complete stranger to record us, got down on one knee in front of the statue of Cupid, and the rest is history. This is how I asked: 1587 days ago, we met and our lives were started on an ever twisting journey. From Hunter to Parkview, California to Paris, and everywhere in between. You have made my life a beautiful adventure, and I want to experience the rest of of my days with you by my side. Every day with you is a wonderful addition to my life and you are everything I never knew I needed. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and sharing the remainder of this adventure with me as, Mrs Jacqueline Suzette Gillespie? End credit scene: She said yes!

The Proposal

Our Story

Photos

Lisa is West Virginian Royalty as she can trace her lineage back to the McCoys, yes, those McCoys. She enjoys TikTok and her grandchildren.  When her and Jackie get together, the conversation quickly turns to Katie Van Slyke and her horse videos.  Lisa and Marc are married.

Lisa Hugus

Marc is an actual Lord as he owns exactly 5 square feet of uninhabitable swamp in a remote forest in Scotland. He is passionate about dad jokes and mapmaking. Marc once commented on a TikTok video and received over 16500 likes.

Lord Marc Hugus

Brittany is Jackie's oldest daughter. She is a Disney princess in training whose spirit animal is Hei Hei. She's a full time chaos wrangler with 4 children, Dalaina, Claire, Lucas, and Grayson. Brittany is the event coordinator for C&J Catering who is providing the refreshments for the wedding.

Brittany Berry

Dan is our resident redneck McGyver. If you don't have what you need, he probably has it in his camper. Dan enjoys smoking meat, cigars, and bagna cauda. With Dan around, you will never go hungry...unless you're vegan. 

Dan Reese

Tonya is our whimsically kindred ever optimist. She is in touch with nature and is a true empath with a generously tender soul! Tonya is married to Dan.

Tonya Reese

Dalton is married to Loren, and they have two beautiful little girls and a brand new baby boy  (Harper, Hazel, and Hardy) , with little boy due any day now! Dalton loves his Steelers, Pirates, and Nittany Lions. He enjoys hunting and fishing.

Dalton Jones

Loren is Jackie's second Daughter, wife of Dalton, and Mother to Harper, Hazel, and brand new baby boy Hardy. She enjoys country music, especially Luke Combs, casinos, and quiet time at the cabin.  Don't be fooled, she is a mama bear and will defend her cubs as such.

Loren Jones

CJ is Chris's brother. He lives in Ohio with his wife and three mini CJs. He is an avid Apple fan who enjoys Anime movies and board games.

CJ Gillespie

Jorden is Jackie's youngest  daughter. She is a passionate dog mama and would do anything for her two step-daughters, Addison and McKenzie, and their father Jake. They are her world! She enjoys riding her Honda Shadow and gardening.

Jorden Kienzle

Lucas is Jackie's oldest grandson. He is Chris's best friend. He enjoys Marvel super heroes, Disney Movies, and his toys!

Lucas Kienzle

Hazel is an absolute doll baby, but she will cut you! She loves Mike Myers and Chuckie, but she also loves Bluey and dressing up in her princess dresses. She lights up any room she walks into!

Hazel Jones

Wedding Party

Q + A

The museum is only a few miles from Hershey Park, so hotel rooms can be pricey near the venue. It can be cost effective if you stay a little further away near places like Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, or Carlisle to the west or Lebanon and Palmyra to the east or York and Lancaster to the south. AirBnB and VRBO are also great options. Listed below are the three closest hotels to the venue.

This Hershey hotel offers a seasonal outdoor pool and rooms that feature a flat-screen TV and dark wood furnishing. Hersheypark amusement park is 3 minutes’ drive. Rooms offer cable TV with HBO movie channels along with a seating area. The Inn at Chocolate Avenue is 2 miles from Zoo America and Tanger Outlet Center is 5 minutes’ drive.

Spark by Hilton Hummelstown Hershey

Located within 2.2 miles of Hershey's Chocolate World and 2.9 miles of Hersheypark, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hershey Near the Park has rooms in Hershey. With free bikes, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel has an indoor pool, fitness center and a 24-hour front desk. At the hotel, rooms include a desk. The rooms at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hershey Near The Park come with a seating area and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The accommodation features amenities such as an on-site business center and hot tub. National Civil War Museum is 10 miles from SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hershey Near the Park, while Pennsylvania State Capitol is 14 miles from the property. Harrisburg International Airport is 10 miles away. This hotel actually shares a parking lot with the venue.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hershey Near the Park

Located 2 miles from Hersheypark Amusement Park, this hotel serves a daily continental breakfast and has an indoor heated swimming pool. A flat-screen TV and refrigerator are featured in every room at the Hampton Inn &amp; Suites Hershey Near the Park. A work desk and coffee maker are also included. The Hershey Near the Park Hampton Inn &amp; Suites has a treat shop with snacks and drinks, as well as a business center and fitness center. The Hollywood Casino is 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Hersheypark Arena is 2 miles away.

Hampton Inn & Suites Hershey Near The Park

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

What Is Cocktail Wedding Attire?

Cocktail Dresses to Add to Your Cart ASAP

What Guys Need to Know About Dress Codes

For the gents:You wanna look like a real big shot, see? Slip into a well-tailored suit—none of that sloppy stuff—or you’ll look like a real sap. Keep it dark and classy, maybe a snazzy tie to show you’ve got some moxie. Shine those shoes till they’re the cat’s pajamas, and toss on a pocket square if you’re feelin’ extra ritzy. A fedora? Now you’re cookin’ with gas.For the dames:Doll yourself up in a dress that’s the absolute bee’s knees—knee-length or a touch longer, something that sways when you move. Silky, satiny, or anything that makes you feel like a real looker. Add some sparkling jewelry—nothing too loud, just enough to make the room say “who’s that classy broad?” Heels, a clutch, maybe a bit of rouge—now you’re the cat’s meow.Bottom line:Cocktail attire ain’t about lookin’ like a stuffed shirt—it’s about bein’ sharp, stylish, and just a little bit flashy without makin’ a razzmatazz outta yourself. Walk in like you own the joint, and you’ll be the real McCoy

Chris & Jackie

Chris & Jackie

C&J

Wedding Ceremony

5:30 PM–6:00 PM

Wedding Ceremony

6:00 PM–7:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

7:00 PM–11:00 PM

Reception