FAQs
Question
SO IT SNOWED!
Answer
Go figure...what Covid started, Snow 2021 has finished? As if we hadn't adjusted plenty times already... Here's the plan. First and foremost, please be safe and take care of yourselves. As of now, we are planning for the show to go on as scheduled with whomever and as many people who can make it to the wedding site as possible. Unless there are severe concerns tomorrow, this is our plan. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Mari at 206.669.2535 or marmar.mari@gmail.com.
Question
What happens if it snows?
Answer
Well, of course this is the first weekend this winter where we get snow and have a potential/impending snowstorm looming over the wedding. The show must and will go on! Thankfully we still have our videography set up for the livestream, so if you don't want to drive out in snow (if it is still around), watch from your device without issue!
Question
What is the website to watch the livestream?
Answer
Here you go! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibDil0yqeEw&feature=youtu.be
Question
Wait, what's going on now?
Answer
We are getting married! In Seattle! On Sunday, February 14, 2021! Outside of a high school! In rain or shine! And you're invited!
Question
Why are you having a Covid-19 outdoor wedding in February?
Answer
For us, we knew we wanted to get married and start our next chapter and it wasn't so much about the wedding as it was about finally making it legal and getting hitched. Back when we planned our wedding, February 14, 2021 was always the date we liked and chose - and not just because it was Valentine's day. For Alysa, it was important to consider her family and friends who work at schools and/or have kids going to school, as this date aligned with a 3-day weekend and mid-winter break, for many. When Covid-19 began changing things over the course of 2020, one thing remained - no matter the location, or Covid-19 restrictions, let's stay true to our date, at least. Shifting our plans to get married in Seattle meant we would potentially be able to still invite and include all of our family and friends, as originally hoped. Even with the possible weather craze of mid-February.
Question
Where is the wedding?
Answer
The wedding ceremony will be held outside at Alan T. Sugiyama High School @ South Lake, thanks to the great support and efforts of Dr. Joe Powell, Assistant Principal, of the school. As of 12/15/2020, Covid-19 wedding ceremonies are limited to 30 people, or 20% of the capacity for an indoor facility. The parking lot of the school will be where guests can park to view the processional as best as possible.
Question
How will this drive-in wedding ceremony work?
Answer
Check the Photos page for a map of the property. The map shows the entrances to the parking lot, where to park, where the ceremony will take place, and where the post-wedding "receiving line" will take place. The wedding ceremony will be available to livestream for those in their cars on site and those watching from the comfort of their homes. When the information is available, we will have a QR code which you can scan with the camera of your smartphone and this code will take you directly to the livestream site.
Question
What do we do when we drive up to the school?
Answer
If possible, enter the parking lot on S. Cloverdale St. You can also enter from Rainier Ave. S. Once there, we would like for guests to park in Section 1 (refer to the Photos page for the map) and upon arrival, you should receive a program from one of the wedding attendants. If you miss the program handout, please feel free to mask up and exit your vehicle to find a wedding attendant for your program. We don't want you to miss anything!
Question
Will we be able to see any of the ceremony?
Answer
Check the Photos page for a map of the property and location of the wedding ceremony. The processional will travel from the main entrance of the school and end at the ceremony location, so those parked in Section 1 will most likely be able to see the processional at some point. The Section 2 is purely overflow parking spots, but these are technically community center parking, which means they won't be explicitly reserved for the wedding. Also, Section 2 viewing can be obstructed somewhat by the grassy hill, which is shaded off in the picture for reference.
Question
Can we say hi to Alysa and Adam?
Answer
At the end of the wedding ceremony, we will be hosting a "drive-thru" receiving line in hopes of seeing all of you who join us at the wedding in person and to give you a small token of appreciation for coming. Please check the Photos page where there's a map of the property to view the location of the receiving line. There will be wedding attendants helping to direct guests through the line where you can visit with us briefly.
Question
Can we open our windows?
Answer
If you open your vehicle windows, please make sure you are wearing a mask. This ensures all of our guests are being safe and cautious for those in vehicles around them, who may also be opening their windows at the same time.
Question
Can we get out of our vehicles?
Answer
At this time, we must limit the actual ceremony gathering to the 30 people, as per current Covid-19 guidelines. You may, however, stand outside of your vehicles but please leave 6 feet or more space between you and other individuals not in your family or party. Please allow sufficient space for the wedding ceremony to proceed without any danger to all guests.
Question
What will you do if the weather is bad?
Answer
Rain or shine Covid-19 wedding ceremony! We have not yet figured out our backup plan, but the ceremony will proceed no matter what. We may have a canopy to serve as some protection for us during the ceremony, but it is still TBD. Umbrellas may also come in handy. Or we may just speed-talk our way through the vows if Mother Nature has plans of her own.
Question
Why are you getting married at a school?
Answer
This isn't just any school, this is Alan T. Sugiyama High School @ South Lake! When we started brainstorming Seattle locations that could work within Covid-19 wedding ceremony guidelines, we also tried to think of places that could accommodate a lot of vehicles, in the event we could do a drive-thru/drive-in style ceremony. After thinking of both indoor locations and outdoor locations, we settled on the high school, as it would be a meaningful way of including Alysa's dad, while also being an outdoor space with a spacious parking lot open to some possibilities.
Question
What happened to the original plans for Hilo, Hawaii?
Answer
Out of the safety and respect for others, we made the difficult decision to cancel our Hilo, Hawaii wedding ceremony and reception. While we would have loved to gather and celebrate with all of you in Hilo, Covid-19 paired with Hawaii travel requirements and arrangements were too much of a concern and imposition. Hilo will always be a special place for us and we look forward to traveling back to Hawaii and being able to celebrate our marriage some time in the future. Excitedly, we will still be getting married on February 14, 2021, although it will look a little different from what we first envisioned, we hope to bring some of the Hawaiian spirit to our Seattle wedding ceremony. We'd like to request Hawaii weather, too! Thank you for all your love, patience, and support. We could not do this without all our wonderful family and friends. In having to shift and adjust many times, it became clear to us what we really wanted in a wedding and how we wanted to celebrate! With you!