The Scottish government has just announced new restrictions over the Christmas and New Year's period. However, NO RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO OUR WEDDING. As a result, we are SO happy to announce that we are still going ahead with the wedding! We'll see you next week!! Please note, one restriction that may affect you is that Hogmany (New Year) celebrations of over 100 indoor, 200 seated and 500 outdoor, will be canceled. If this applies to you, please reach out to Chris (chrisryan121@gmail.com).
We CANNOT wait to celebrate with you. We also want to make sure you feel safe. With that in mind, we wanted to let you know that it's standard practice in the UK for all vendors and staff to get tested prior to working at events. This was the case before Omicron, and remains the case now. If you live in Edinburgh: We kindly ask you to please take rapid lateral flow tests before the welcome event. If you're traveling to Edinburgh by car: We kindly ask you to please take rapid lateral flow tests before the welcome event. These will be provided in your welcome baskets. Americans and anyone else arriving by plane: As you will have already have taken your government-required tests, there's no need for you to take any extra tests. However, rapid lateral flow tests will be provided in your welcome baskets for your comfort.
Yes, we are! Many of you have reached out given the latest roller coaster news Omicron has thrown our way. So first, thank you. We can't tell you how much we love you and how desperately we want to see you in person. We also can’t begin to express how deep-in-our bones grateful we are for you trying to make it over here in these wild times. This curveball really, really sucks, and we want to help you navigate it in any way we can. We are closely monitoring the situation and will do our best to keep this page updated. But as you know, this is a dynamic, evolving issue, so please, please use government websites as your final sources of information. We sincerely want to help you but given how quickly things change, we would be absolutely kicking ourselves if you boarded a plane with out-of-date information.
December 17. We realize this is very close to the wedding date, but at the moment, this is when the UK government is meant to reevaluate their travel restrictions. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sajid Javid (UK health secretary) said, “If this variant is no more dangerous than the Delta, then we won’t keep measures in place for a day longer than necessary.” Given that the variant doesn’t seem to be too dangerous in these early reports, this is a good sign, but we will keep a close eye on how the next couple of weeks evolve, and potentially adjust sooner if need be.
This is what we know so far: At the moment, you DO need to take a test before arriving in the UK, even if you are fully vaccinated. This can be a PCR or a lateral flow test. Children ages 11 and under are exempt. You DO need to take a PCR test WITHIN 48 hours of arriving in the UK. Please bear in mind that news sources, including The Washington Post, are misreporting this, making it sound as though you need to wait until Day 2, as that was the rule in place up until a few days ago. According to the UK government sites, this is incorrect. This change is actually good, as you can now take your PCR test as soon as you land. You DO need to self-isolate until you receive your PCR test results. You DO NOT need to self-isolate for 48 hours. As soon as you receive the results, you are free to go about your business. Labs vary in wait time. You could get lucky and receive results in five hours. Given this, we highly suggest taking your test as soon as you land, if possible.
(Went over the word count limit) You DO NOT need to quarantine in a government-regulated hotel. Self-isolation is unmonitored by the UK government. As long as you have a negative PCR test, you DO NOT need to quarantine for ten days, even if you’ve been in contact with someone who had Omicron. We have personal thoughts and experience regarding self-isolation in the UK. I (Alex) actually traveled twice with similar rules in place, once from the US to the UK in December 2020 when there was a required 10-day self-isolation, and a second time from the US to the UK in August 2021, when there was a required 2-day self-isolation. Please feel free to reach out to me directly about my experience.
We have found multiple testing sites in Edinburgh that administer the required PCR Day 2 test with same-day results (whohoo!) https://www.assuredscreening.com/edinburgh-airport/ https://www.est-health.com/bookings-checkout/edinburgh-same-day-day-2-test/book?fbclid=IwAR2twfLF-gKkK10Bck2AinVfr54e-3OO8NAYYKanj5oBDXc9DyldoGfVssQ And for ease, you could get it at the airport right when you land, though the results are delivered by 10 pm the next day. https://www.expresstest.co.uk/book-a-test/?activeFilter=2&fbclid=IwAR0d8HspQfOJjFc6lI9_1fCb4MtqIroqQ_kBRgd7X2WbTo38-2Ha-8EV880 We'll also supply rapid lateral flow tests in your welcome bags, which deliver results in 15-30 minutes. You are not required to take them, and they do not fulfill the UK government’s regulations, but they are there if you quickly need to know whether or not you have COVID.
In short, yes please. Everyone traveling by air is required by the UK government to take COVID tests anyways. For those who live in Edinburgh or are driving up from England, we do ask you to take a lateral flow test on December 28, before the welcome event. You can take them in the comfort of your home or hotel room, and results are delivered in 15-30 minutes. This will help us ensure that we can all hug and dance, knowing everyone is safe. Chris and I will do the same!
To return to the states, you need any viral test, which includes either a PCR or an antigen test. These rules have not changed. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html We’ll also source where best to take those tests and update the website as soon as we can.
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/ England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae US: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
The wedding (fingers crossed, knock on wood, pray to forgotten gods, do a little jig) is on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021. If you are not taking the provided transportation to and from the Sheraton, please arrive at Barnbougle Castle by 1:30 pm in the afternoon. We will also have a welcome event on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021.
The wedding ceremony and reception will take place at Barnbougle Castle on the Dalmeny Estate, which is a 25 minute drive from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Yes! We have a welcome event December 28th and brunch at the Sheraton on the 30th. (Breakfast is included in the hotel room block rate!)
The Welcome Event is from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, an old Victorian bathhouse converted into a contemporary tapestry museum. Passed canapes will be served, along with some alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. A whisky tasting station will be set up for those who would like to participate. Dress is cocktail attire. Address: 10 Infirmary St, Edinburgh EH1 1LT.
Yes! We have a room block for guests at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in the center of Edinburgh. It's within walking distance of New Town and Old Town, where there are attractions galore.
Absolutely! We're still working out the details, so stay tuned.
Yes, you're welcome to get a cab if you'd prefer. As some of you know, there is a code to enter the estate, but the gates will be open that day, so please don't worry about it. However, we strongly suggest you pre-book your cabs, as it will be a busy time of year.
The wedding will be black tie (though we'll be so grateful to see you, you could show up in jeans and we wouldn't bat an eye). This means tuxes, kilts, and floor-length dresses (or jumpsuits if that's your thing). We've spent a year in our houses wearing sweats. Let's be fancy.
It's usually in the 40s and 30s F/2-8 C. We advise you bring winter coats and shoes you don't mind getting a bit wet, as it might rain or snow.
Your presence is honestly gift enough! If, however, you'd like to give us something else, we'll have a registry up on this website when it seems relatively likely that the plague ravaging the land will chill long enough for us to be in the company of friends without fearing our untimely demise.
No, you do not need a car in Edinburgh. It's a very walkable city with plenty of taxis and Ubers. Transportation from Edinburgh Airport is also extremely easy with multiple options including a tram, a bus, and taxis. If, however, you would like a car for road trips or are driving from England, parking will be discounted at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa.
Fine dining: 21212 (Michelin starred), Dean Banks at the Pompadour, New Chapter, Dine Edinburgh, Mono, Number One (Michelin starred), Martin Wishart (Michelin starred), Condita (Michelin starred), The Witchery, Rhubarb at Prestonfield House Upscale: Forage and Chatter, Locanda de Gusti, L'Escargot Bleu, The Little Chartroom, The Rabbit Hole, Ondine, Cafe St. Honore Casual: Honeycomb & Co (for breakfast/lunch), Bon Vivant, The Palmerston, Baba, Chez Jules, Nok's kitchen, Pizzeria 1926 Bars: Smith and Gertrude Wine Bar, Good Brothers Wine Bar, Panda and Sons (drinks only), Bramble (drinks only, walk-ins only), Nauticus (drinks only)