Of course, nothing is considered 100% safe when you talk about coronavirus, but we are doing everything we can to reduce the risk. (You can read about the specific precautions we're taking in the next FAQ). Ultimately, the decision is up to you, and we completely understand whatever you choose. Should you show any symptoms of coronavirus during the weeks leading up to the wedding, PLEASE DO NOT COME. We can celebrate with you another time. Please contact us directly if you have any other questions or concerns. Check back regularly for updates, as things are changing rapidly. We will let you know, should our plans change!
We are limiting our guest list to less than 50% of our venue capacity, which allows increased room for social distancing. Our ceremony was already planned to be outdoors, but we'll now have a tent outdoors for the reception as well. Dinner will be served indoors, but the space does have several glass doors that open out onto a balcony, so there will be plenty of room to distance. Our catering staff will be wearing gloves and masks, and have increased sanitation practices. They'll be serving all of the food and drinks to reduce common touchpoints.
In Virginia, masks are required in all indoor public spaces, except when eating, drinking, or exercising. While we don't expect you to be exercising at our wedding, there will be plenty to eat and drink! You will be required will have to wear a mask when moving through the food stations. (We'll have masks if you forget yours!) We request that you wear a mask to ride the shuttle as well. Also, keep in mind that you will need them for the rest of your stay, including at your hotels and when entering other restaurants you may visit while in town.
We recommend cocktail attire/semi-formal, but we want you to be comfortable! The ceremony will be outdoors (weather permitting) and there will be a 6 minute walk from the parking lot to the ceremony site. We STRONGLY recommend wearing comfortable shoes that can be worn on grass. Seriously. You can always bring a change of shoes for the walk if you really want to wear those heels.
We have arranged for shuttles to and from the Explore Park from the Hotel Roanoke! If you wish to take the shuttle, please let us know when you RSVP. The shuttle company is operating with enhanced safety measures. The chauffeur will be wearing gloves and a face mask, and the vehicle's high touch surfaces (including seatbelts, armrests, and handles) will be cleaned after every trip. We do request that you wear a mask when riding the shuttle. There is also free parking at the venue if you would rather drive yourself, but we do not advise leaving your car overnight so please plan accordingly.
The ceremony and reception are all happening on the Explore Park property, but they are a little bit spread out, so we will also have a shuttle to take you to the reception hall once the ceremony is over. Again, the shuttle company is operating with enhanced safety measures, and we do request that you wear a mask to ride the shuttle.
Please refrain from taking photos during the wedding ceremony. We invested in professional photographers and videographers that we love and trust to capture our wedding day for us and will be happy to share them with you all. We really don't want to look out at a sea of phones in the aisle. Feel free to take as many as you like after the ceremony is over.