Thanks to everyone for their generous gifts. We will never forget your love and support for us at this special time!

Geni and Ash are getting married on May 30th!

Hello!


Welcome to Giovanna Marie Allegretti and James Ashley Hopkins' wedding website!

If you are visiting this website because you are wondering why you didn't get an invitation, PLEASE DO NOT BE UPSET! The couple merely wished for their wedding to be as intimate as possible, and as a result of the small venue, only immediate family and a couple of very close friends will be present. The original guest list had 100 people, and the final one had 40, so most of the people we wanted to invite had to be cut. We're very sorry!

Bellow you will find (hopefully) all the information you need. If anything seems to be missing, let us know.

Please RVSP! Scroll down to the bottom for phone numbers.

A Special Note to Giovanna's New York Relatives:
The couple currently plans on visiting New York after the wedding, to celebrate with the extended family, so if you can't make it down, don't worry! The party is coming to you.



A Very Short History of Us


July 3rd 2005: They met for the first time (in person) on Geni's birthday, when Ash was touring with "Jump, Little Children" and played at the Eno River Festival.
September 2006: The couple starts "dating" long distance between NC and SC. (Many thanks to Steve and his van for driving us back and forth 300 miles to see each other!)
January 2007: They began living together in Charleston, SC. When Giovanna decided to move back to Chapel Hill and finish her degree that fall, Ash of course went with her.
November 2007: Ash flies to see his Mom in Utah, and returns after Thanksgiving with his grandmothers engagement ring! Surprise!
May 30th, 2009: And now here we are, a very long engagement later, the wedding day.



The Food


The food and beer will be served before the ceremony, starting around 5:30 or 6. The ceremony will be at 7 or 7:30, and cake will be served afterward. Ashley and Giovanna have decided to have the party catered by their favorite Indian restaurant in Chapel Hill. There will be Chana Masala (chickpeas with tomato sauce), Palak Paneer (spinach with cream), and Alu Gobi (cauliflower with tomato sauce) to choose from, buffet style. There will be white rice and delicious bread (Nan) as well. Don't worry if you're bringing picky children, Mom Allegretti will be making a delicious pasta and red sauce dish for them. If you are a picky child who happens to be all grown up, or you have allergy conflicts with our food choice, please let us know WELL in advance, so we can accommodate you accordingly!

Alcohol will be served. The bride is fond of raspberry mead and champagne, and there will be a keg or two of hearty, high-quality beer made by Bob Allegretti himself.



Gifts


Many of our friends are humble musicians like ourselves, with little to no money for a gift. If you fit this description, just bring yourself and your instrument of choice, and provide us and our guests with a small amount entertainment. Original compositions are encouraged!

If you do have the means for a more traditional wedding gift, we would love a simple cash contribution to fund our ambitious plans for our future (seriously folks - we can't fit any more stuff in our house!). Grad school, world travel, and babies all cost money.

If you would like to contribute now, click on the secure Paypal button bellow. Thank you!

(We have a registry, too. Click here!)



Location


The celebration will be held at the house of Bob and Shyrl Allegretti, the bride's parents. The invitation says sunset, but we're thinking about serving the food first, at about 6pm, and having the ceremony afterward at sunset. Hope you don't mind dogs, cats, and chickens, because plenty of all three can be found at this Bahama, North Carolina six-acre paradise. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so scroll down for some cheap hotel suggestions. All of these are about 10-15 minutes driving distance from the wedding site. Please refrain from making reservations at the Arrowhead Inn, since this is where Ash and Giovanna are staying, and they wish to be completely alone and isolated on their wedding night.

For some of our more adventurous (and poor) friends, you are more than welcome to camp out on the property, since the beds inside the house will be filled with aunts and grandmas (though there may be living room floor space available for those who ask nicely). We have two tents, one holding two people and one holding up to four. We also have cots, sleeping bags, and blankets. By May it should be beautiful weather for sleeping under the stars! Dad Allegretti is always looking for an excuse to build a fire, so just ask.

Due to the relaxed, casual nature of the surroundings of this wedding, please do not wear shoes that you wouldn't want to step in chicken poop in. Feel free to dress casually.



Nearby Dive Hotels:

Red Roof Inn
$67 per night for two full beds
1915 north pointe dr Durham, NC, USA 27705
(i-85 at guess rd, exit #175)
Phone: (919) 471-9882

America's Best Value
Duke Inn
$37 per night, one double bed
2517 Guess Road
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 286-0771

Howard Johnson
$60 per night for two double beds
1800 Hillandale Rd/I-85
I-85 Exit 174
Durham, NC 27705 US
Phone: 919-477-7381



Local Bed and Breakfasts:
Same prices as nearby chain hotels, but with more charm. The Bride and Groom suggest that you contribute to the local economy during your stay.

Blooming Garden Inn
$110.00-$130.00 per night for one double bed
513 Holloway Street
Durham, NC 27701
888-687-0801
919-687-0801

Old North Durham Inn
$110 to $150 per night, double occupancy
22 N Mangum St,
Durham, NC‎
(919) 683-1885

Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast
$145.00-$210.00 per night for 1-2 double beds
914 Vickers Ave
Durham, NC 27701
Tel: (919) 687-4366

Carol's Garden Inn
$100 per night for two people
2412 S Alston Ave
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 680-6777
877-922-6777


Wedding/Reception Location:



7512 Ball Rd
Bahama, NC 27503
Home Phone:
919-479-7825
Cells:
(Giovanna) 919-667-3576
(Shyrl) 919-698-3976
(Bob) 919-698-3975
(Ash) 404-375-9141




Directions:
Take 15-501 north (also called "Duke St" and "Roxborro Rd") until you start seeing cows and open spaces. Turn RIGHT on John Jones Road. The street sign is on the median, there is no light, and there will be an old school ("Little River Community Center") on your left.

If you find John Jones, take the first LEFT onto Ball Road. We are the first driveway on the right. If you cross the little bridge, you missed it, turn around!

If you miss John Jones Rd, you'll come to a light at Bahama Road with a "welcome to Bahama" sign. Just turn right onto Bahama Rd and make a right onto Ball Road. Our driveway will be on the left just over the little bridge.

BEFORE YOU CLOSE THIS WINDOW, call one of the numbers above and RSVP!! It is very important for planning reasons that we know how many people will be trying to fit in the Allegretti's living room.