Ceremony: Saturday Oct. 3, at 5 p.m.
Location: Ponca State Park Education Center
Directions from Omaha: click here
Directions from Sioux City: click here
We love PSP! We have ridden, raced and camped there for years. The banquet hall looks like a lodge, complete with a vaulted wood-beamed ceiling, two fireplaces and beautiful wooded surroundings that can be seen from the many windows in the hall. There are trails leaving right from the area if you feel so inclined! Connected to the banquet hall is a small museum featuring the animals, flora and fauna of the Missouri River Valley. And it's FREE!
Want to come up and spend a weekend? You can golf, horse-back ride, and hike at the Park. Feel like camping? Pop a tent or bring your RV! But please call for reservations. The park is right on the Missouri River, so don't forget your rod 'n reel.
The town of Ponca has limited choices, but they do have a small grocery store for food and camping provisions as well as a lunch counter that serves the biggest ice cream blizzard this side of the Missouri. Also there is a coffee shop in town so you won't be without your latte!
Sioux City proper is only 35 miles away where you can shop or dine at many area establishments. There is a lovely river walk too! Or just go for a drive. The two-lane highways wind their way through classic rolling farmland and early October means the trees will be in their full range of chromatic splendor!
The Schedule
Friday Night:
Rehearsal and dinner at 6:30 sharp. It gets dark around 7:30-8. It takes about 2 hours to get to PSP from Omaha, so please plan ahead. Meet at the Education Center which is just inside the entrance to the park. Wedding party's accomodations are walking distance from the Ed Center. Once done with rehearsal you can get settled in. We will be catering in dinner! Woo-hoo! We'll cap off the night with some libations around a camp fire at the Groom's condo. So if you're at the park come join us!
Saturday:
Breakfast is on your own. All bridal party condos and guest cabins come equipped with kitchens, so bring whatever you'd like to make or stop by the little grocery in Ponca. Wedding party condos will have munchies all day. Please feel free to stop by. Beware of bridezilla!
Photos 1-3pm
12:45 All family and wedding party report to Ed Center.
(Please eat prior-to. And bring water with you. We will be a short drive away from the Ed Center). My hope is to be done in enough time so that we can all rest and be fresh for the big event!
Ceremony
3:30 - Bridal party at Ed Center
4:00 - Greeters in place
5:00 - Ceremony begins
5:30 - Ceremony ends, photos
6:00 - Reception meal (Don't wait for us. Dig in!)
6:15 - Bride & Groom arrive at reception
6:30-7:30 - Dinner, toasts, slide show, bride & groom share s'mores!
7:30 - Sunset toast
8:00 - Karaoke DJ (get your song picked out)
10:00 - Bon fire and after party at groom's condo
Sunday
R&R catch a plane to California.
What shoud you wear?
Layers. October could be high 70s or in the 40s.
The bridal party will be dressed to the nines so feel free to dress up too. Just know you are going to be outside for part of the time and hopefully the night will end around a campfire. So maybe bring a change of clothes for later. You can change in the Lodge or in one of the bridal party condos.
Gift Giving Ideas
We will definitely be embarking on an adventure for our honeymoon. If pedaling through sky-scraping forests sounds like something you'd like to contribute to, check out this link to get a glimpse at what we'll be doing: Mountain Bike Trip through the Great Sequoia National Park
If you want to contribute to gift box jenga on the gift table, we are registered at these fine retail and online stores:
REI.com - Camping and outdoor gear
Canfields Sporting Goods - Camping and outdoor gear (no online shopping)
Bed, Bath & Beyond - Matching towels are a good thing
If none of the above appeal to you, we are always open to new adventures in our own city so gift certificates to movie theatres, restaurants and local bike stores is always a hit with us!
Accommodations
Sioux City Proper (approx. 25 miles to Ponca)
Just opened in July, this new hotel has the feel of a cabin in the woods.
300 3rd St
712-234-1101
Mention Abbott/Feagan wedding
Please reserve by August 31
Continental breakfast, pool, etc. Right off I-29.
4716 S. Hills Drive
712-276-5600
Mention Abbott/Feagan wedding
Please reserve by August 31
Ponca (3 miles drive to Ponca State Park)
Trails Inn Motel - $75-$65-$55/night
This is a drive-up, mom-pop type motel. Of the 16 rooms, eight are more like studio apartments, complete with kitchenettes and two queen beds. It's walking distance to the coffee shop and liquor store.
117 Nebraska St.
402-755-2237
Mention Abbott/Feagan wedding
Please reserve by July 30
Ponca State Park
Tent or RV camping
RV camping books up fast so call pronto.
402-755-2284
Stuff To Do
Highland Golf Course
9-hole, located at the entrance of the Park
402-755-4222 to schedule T time
402-755-2284
