Ashley & Joel
October 12, 2013
Stories
How It All Began
Joel and Ashley met at CAP 21, a musical theatre-training program in NYC. Ashley was Joel's ballet teacher in the summer of 2007 for a six-week intensive. On the final day of class, Joel mentioned to Ashley that they should go out sometime. Ashley smiled and shook her head, but did not think much would come of it. About a week later, Joel Facebooked Ashley to ask her out on a date. She was nervous to accept, but was glad she did! Joel and Ashley’s first date was on August 12, 2007. They went to Rosa Mexicana for dinner Wine and Roses, for wine afterward. It was an 8-hour date! Joel ended up earning an A- in Ashley's ballet class and the rest is history!
How It All Cemented
After Joel and Ashley's first date, Ashley went out of town for two weeks to dance in a movie. During this time away, Ashley and Joel talked on the phone several nights, late into the night. Joel also made Ashley a mix tape (on CD) and sent it to her hotel. Upon Ashley's return to NYC, Joel invited Ashley to Hoboken where he cooked her diner and showed her the town. Future dates included seeing shows together, going to the movies, and eating at a variety of restaurants. In November, Joel invited Ashley to his parents' home in High Bridge, NJ to celebrate Thanksgiving. They had the most special and wonderful time together during this holiday. Ashley enjoyed meeting Joel's family and friends during this trip. Joel's first trip to Florida to meet Ashley's family and friends was during Easter of 2008. He had a wonderful trip and enjoyed some Florida sunshine!
How It All Went Down
Ashley and Joel's lives would be forever changed on their 5th annual ski trip to Mont Tremblant, Canada. On the evening of Sunday, February 12, 2012, Joel and Ashley left the hotel they were staying at with Joel's parents to "meet up with one of Joel’s co-workers and her husband who were visiting Mont Tremblant the same weekend as they were." It was a beautiful and very cold night, as they walked down a winding, snow-covered, lit path, where they crossed over a bridge and came to a cabin in the woods. Joel knocked on the door. Ashley said to him, “I don’t think anyone is in there. Did they forget we were coming?” This is when Joel pulled the keys out of his pocket and said to Ashley, “What if I said this was ours for the night?" He put the key in the door and opened it to reveal a romantic room that was decorated beautifully. There was a fire going in the fireplace, rose petals sprinkled on the bed, his and her towels draped over the claw-foot bathtub, and pictures of Joel and Ashley throughout the room. There was a bottle of red and a bottle of champagne and two beautiful flutes. Joel said, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” Ashley was overwhelmed with surprise and did not know what to say except, “Thank You!” Joel suggested they take a tour around the cozy cabin. There was an antique dresser that had a silver jewelry box on it with a picture of Joel and Ashley from Joel's 30th birthday party. Ashley asked if she could open it and Joel said yes, but explained to Ashley that she should not get excited because there was not a ring inside. However, when Ashley opened the jewelry box, there was a note inside that read, “Turn around and look at me! Love, Joel” At this moment, Ashley knew something great was going to happen! When she turned around, Joel was on one knee trying to get something out of his pocket. Joel said, “You have been very patient for the past five years.” He managed to pull the velvet, navy blue box out of the pocket of his skinny jeans. He opened the box and inside there was a stunning, super sparkly ring. Joel said to Ashley, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Ashley said, “Of course!” while giving Joel and big hug and starting to cry a bit. Ashley kept saying thank you over and over. Joel kept saying, “You deserve it.”
They had dinner reservations at a wonderful restaurant, La Forge. When they arrived there was a special table waiting for them, with a chilled bottle of champagne and beautiful arrangement of calla lilies on the table. Joel mentioned to Ashley that his parents might stop by to wish them congratulations. As Ashley was hugging Mr. Newman, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She did not know exactly who it was, but she knew that it was someone she knew very well...it was indeed....it was her mother and father!! Ken and Paula had flown to Canada from Florida and were staying at a different hotel so that Ashley and the Newmans would not run into them by accident!! The Eichbauers and Newmans all had dinner together that culminated with a delectable cake with an inscription that read "To the future Mr. and Mrs. Newman!"
Events
Key People
The Bride
Ashley Eichbauer
Bride
Ashley was born in Ft. Myers, Florida on July 9, 1983. She was raised in Cape Coral, Florida by amazing parents and family. She began dancing at the age of 4 and at age 10, her training brought her to the Robin Dawn Academy of Performing Arts, where she danced on a competitive team and also served as a dance teacher to aspiring young dancers. She was also fortunate to perform in seven shows at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, which began her love of musical theatre. Ashley graduated from Bishop Verot High School in 2001 and shortly after, moved to NYC to pursue this passion. Ashley studied a musical theatre at CAP 21 and graduated from NYU in 2005 with a BFA in Theatre and a double major in History. She is on the faculty of CAP21, where she met Joel and continues to teach Ballet and Jazz there when she can. Ashley was a member of the contemporary-dance company, The Chase Brock Experience from 2007- 2010, where she also served as the Assistant Artistic Director and later the Director of Education. In the Fall of 2010, Ashley began graduate school at Bank Street College of Education in NYC. She will graduate in December 2013 with a degree in Middle School General and Special Education. For the past two years, she has been a teacher at Stevens Cooperative School in Hoboken, NJ. Ashley is also the choreographer at SKIT, a children’s community theatre group in which Joel is the director and Mrs. Newman is the producer. This fall she will be teaching at CAP21 and enjoying final wedding preparations before the big day on 10.12.13!!! She can't wait to marry the love of her life and begin their life together!
The Groom
Joel Thomas Newman
Groom
For those of you who don't know him, Joel is the groom. A native of West Central New Jersey, Joel is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (go Quakers!) and currently works for Google in mobile advertising. When not working, Joel loves snowboarding, playing tennis, listening to public radio, trying new beers and spending time with his beautiful fiancee, Ashley. He is so excited to have his family and closest friends all together to celebrate the marriage to his best friend!
Bridesmaids
Sarah Hodges
Matron of Honor
Sarah has been Ashley's best friend since their mothers met in the pediatricians' office when they were six weeks old. Ashley was Sarah's maid of honor when she got married in 2005. Sarah is a nurse in Bradenton, FL and a new mommy to Brielle Marie. Sarah is most looking forward to seeing Ashley walk down the aisle and standing by her side to celebrate!
Mellissa Moore
Bridesmaid
Mellissa and Ashley grew up dancing together in Cape Coral, Florida. They became duet partners and were a hugely successful team! Mellissa currently lives in Atlanta, GA where she is an Assistant Property Manager for a commercial real estate company. She is most looking forward to spending many special moments with Ashley and to an amazing wedding!
Leah Landau
Bridesmaid
Leah and Ashley first met at NYU in a ballet class. Leah and Ashley became friends when Leah asked Ashley to dance in a piece she was choreographing. It was a huge success and they have been close friends ever since! Leah is most looking forward to the ceremony and the kiss. She is also excited for the party - to dance and party! She also hears that Joel is planning a ballet solo for the reception...so that should be interesting! :)
Amanda Lehman
Bridesmaid
Amanda and Ashley met in dance class at STEPS on Broadway in 2001. A group of us would take the same class on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and then grab dinner together afterward. Their friendship grew over the years as they auditioned, took classes, taught classes, and judged dance competitions together. Amanda is most looking forward to celebrating with some of her favorite people along with dancing and drinking and taking lots of pictures! She can't wait to see Ashley chasse down the aisle to marry the love of her life, Joel!
Missy Charko
Bridesmaid
Missy and Ashley met at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2002 where they were summer performers. They became even better friends the next summer when they both returned to dance all summer long! They also bonded over a few glasses of wine! Ashley was Missy's Maid of Honor when she got married in 2011. Missy is excited to celebrate the marriage of her good friend!
Krisy Nasto
Bridesmaid
Krisy is Joel's oldest sister and mom to three beautiful children: Emma, 7; Madeline, 4; and Aiden, 1. Krisy is a pediatrician at CHOP in Philadelphia and she loves to read! She is looking forward to celebrating with friends and family.
Holly Pedri
Bridesmaid
Holly is Joel's middle sister and Ashley first met her during Thanksgiving weekend in 2007. Joel brought Ashley to High Bridge for the holiday because she was not flying to Florida. Holly is an Institutional Research Associate at Luzerne Community College. She is a wonderful mommy to Evan, age 6 and Andrew, age 3. Holly is most looking forward to seeing her little brother and his bride on the happiest day of their lives and to seeing Joel and Ashley's genuine smiles as they experience the true joy of knowing they have found the love of their lives and that all of the people they love most in the world have come together to celebrate with them! She is also looking forward to seeing her handsome boys slowly carry the rings to the alter and to have one fun party with family!
Groomsmen
Thomas Lione
Best Man
Tom is one of Joel's best friends from his days at UPenn. A med student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic medicine, Tom is heading off to the North Shore LIJ next year, where he'll begin his internship in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Tom is one of the nicest people who you will ever meet, is amazing at asking questions and is one of the most dapper gentlemen out there. Joel is pumped to have Tom as his Best Man and he looks forward to a killer speech and bachelor party (no pressure).
Jeff Yau
Groomsman
Jeff (a.k.a. "Yau") is one of Joel's oldest childhood friends, having grown up one street over from Joel in High Bridge. Likely one of the most insightful and mind-blowingly intelligent people you will ever meet, Jeff is a fellow in Neurobiology at Johns Hopkins University. Despite this, he remains alarmingly down-to-earth and an incredibly selfless. Jeff is a new dad, an impressive Fantasy Football commissioner, and a beast behind the keys (and trumpet) [At least he was in 8th grade!]. Joel is thrilled to have Jeff standing up for him in October.
Justin Johnson
Groomsmen
Justin (a.k.a. "Jay") is one of Joel's best friends from High Bridge, growing up down the street (on Stillwell Ave). Justin (and his parents) played host to nearly every gathering of Joel's childhood friends. The only West Coast groomsman, Justin lives in Santa Monica, CA, where he manages a Swatch Group repair facility. Justin is voracious reader, a devourer of online games, a master at drinking anyone under the table and all-around warm soul. Joel's pumped to have Justin fly across the country to help celebrate his wedding!
Kevin Neary
Groomsman
Kevin (a.k.a. "Kevs") is one of Joel's best buds from Penn. Perhaps one of the most selfless and inspiring people you will ever meet, Kevin has been faced with some incredible challenges over the past two years, but has managed to face them with dignity and a positive attitude. Kevin is a die-hard Phillies fan, knows his way around a sports book, and is particularly fond of a cold and delicious Bass Ale. Joel couldn't be happier to have Kevin join him as a groomsman.
Darian Alexander
Groomsman
Darian is one of Joel's good friends from his earliest days as a transfer student at Penn. A lawyer by trade, Darian is smart as a whip and is one of the more intense people you're likely to meet. (That's intense in a good way.) Darian is an indie music aficionado, a lover of small dogs and an amazingly loyal friend. Joel is pumped to have Darian among his Groomsmen ranks this October.
Ray Nasto
Groomsman
Ray is Joel's brother-in-law. Ray lives in Mount Laurel, NJ with Joel's sister Krisy and works as a telecom executive at Comcast. Ray is fan of all things tech (you name it, he has it), an surprisingly big fan of Bud Light Lime, and is probably the most dedicated and loving dad you've ever seen. It's eleven years later, but Joel is happy to switch places with Ray for the Groom/Groomsman role.
David Pedri
Groomsman
Dave is Joel's brother-in-law and lives in Hazelton, PA with Joel's younger-older sister, Holly. A lawyer by trade, Dave has a way with words (often jokes) and is an incredibly persuasive and dynamic guy. Dave is known for leading a great sing-along, consistently winning the Newman Family Fantasy Football league and for being an all-around hoot to be around. Joel's super excited to have Dave as a groomsman, and he knows Dave will be 'incredibly handsome.'
Flower Girls
Emma Nasto
Flower Girl
In July Emma turned 7 and she will be a 2nd grader at Springville School in Mount Laurel, NJ. She takes dance (tap, jazz, and ballet) at CORE Movement Dance Studio. She also does CCD at her church, Girl Scouts, and this will be her second year in SKIT. In January, Emma is so excited to play the part of Molly in ANNIE! She has been wanting to be a flower girl for years, so she can't wait to finally get the opportunity - thanks Uncle Joel for asking Aunt Ashley to marry you!
Madeline Nasto
Flower Girl
Maddie turned 4 in July and will be entering her final year of nursery school at Trinity Episcopal Preschool. She takes ballet and tap and had a blast in her first dance recital this past June. She also takes music classes. She is so excited to be a flower girl!
Ring Bearers
Evan Pedri
Ring Bearer
Evan is Joel's sister Holly's oldest son. An incredibly energetic child, Evan is known for running non-stop, tearing it up on the soccer fields and showing his Uncle Joel and Aunt Ashley how to properly play Transformers. Ashley and Joel are thrilled to have this little guy be part of the wedding. Let's just hope he walks - and doesn't run - down the aisle with the rings.
Andrew Pedri
Ring Bearer
Andrew is Joel's sister Holly's youngest son. Andrew is just as energetic as his older brother, Evan, and an equally big fan of Transformers and SpiderMan. He is also the best little hugger you might just ever meet. Ashley and Joel couldn't be happier to have this little cutie carry the rings down the aisle. They're pretty sure he's going to steal the show...
Parents
Paula Davis Eichbauer
Mother of the Bride
Paula is originally from Plain City, Ohio where she grew up on her
family's farm and was the is the youngest of three girls. She
graduated from Ohio University with an Education degree and then moved
to Florida for her first teaching job at The Canterbury School. She
met Ken at the A & B Lobster House when she was on vacation in the
Keys and the rest is history! Paula worked many jobs after being a
teacher: bookkeeper, substitute teacher for Ashley's elementary
school teachers, dance studio manager, legal assistant, and now she is
a substitute teacher once again and really loves being in the classroom!
For the past twenty-two years, Paula has also been the business manager for
West Coast Pool Service, Inc, which she and Ken own. Paula enjoys spending time with her family and visiting Ashley and Joel in NYC/NJ as much as she can! She
is thrilled that Ashley and Joel are getting married and that her
little girl will have the initials - A.M.E.N.!!
Carolyn Newman
Mother of the Groom
Carol is Joel's Mom. She runs ShowKids Invitational Theatre, a youth theatre in Joel's hometown that is a true institution in the community. A director by trade, Carol is comfortable in front of a crowd and has no problem running things. Despite being a strong leader, though, Carols is probably the warmest and most caring person you'll ever meet. Indeed, when not working to put on three major productions a years, you can find Carol babysitting her grandkids (1.5 and 2.5 hrs away respectively) and driving to Hoboken to take Ashley and Joel out to dinner. Ashley and Joel can't wait to have Carol join them for their special day.
Ken Eichbauer
Father of the Bride
Ken grew up outside Detroit, Michigan and was one of five children. He
played football at Western Michigan University and worked at Chrysler
for a period before he met Paula at the A & B Lobster House while on a
trip with some friends to the Keys. He moved to Florida to be with
Paula and worked for Tri City Pools, then Neptune Pools and then in
1991 he began his own business, West Coast Pool Service, Inc.
Ken's company has grown into a thriving business in Southwest Florida
over the past 20 years and he enjoys his work and his customers. Ken
loves sports, particularly University of Michigan Football. He is a season
ticket holder at the Big House and he travels to at least three games
a season. He especially enjoys it when his girls are able to join him for
a game! He also loves anything Christmas and puts up 5 trees in the
Eichbauer home annually. He loves family traditions which have grown
over the years!! Ken also enjoys boating, fishing and relaxing on the water with his family and friends! He can't wait to walk his little girl, who is all grown up, down the aisle to marry the greatest guy, Joel!
Tom Newman
Father of the Groom
Tom is Joel's father. A former telecom executive, Tom is newly retired - and thoroughly enjoying it! When not babysitting the grandkids, you can find Tom working on a host of projects - be it home-improvement or running the sound for Joel's mom's theatre. Tom is known for his love of bad jokes, his incredible character acting and, perhaps most importantly, for his wisdom and sage advice. Ashley and Joel can't wait to have Tom help them celebrate their special day.
Westin Governor Morris
Gifts
Gallery
Joel t & Ashley
Gallery