FAQs

Question

What is the significance of a Winter Solstice wedding?

Answer

The Winter Solstice on December 21st marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, BUT, it also symbolizes the return of light, rebirth, and new beginnings. Getting married on the Winter Solstice is believed to bring a couple blessings of joy, good luck, and ever-increasing love. Just as the Winter Solstice marks a turning point in the year, a Winter Solstice wedding also marks a turning point in a couples' commitment to each other through both the light and dark times, and sets a positive tone for their future life journey together.

Question

What is the deadline to RSVP for the wedding?

Answer

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 You will receive an RSVP card to return when we send out our Wedding invitations in late June/early July.

Question

What time should I arrive at the ceremony?

Answer

Please arrive between 4:30-4:55 pm using the Historic entrance at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park (please see the photo in the Gallery section to locate this entrance). The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Sunken Garden will be closed to the Public at 4:30 pm, so if you arrive for our wedding early, you will need to exit the building and re-enter the building at the Historic entrance. The ceremony starts promptly at 5:00 pm.

Question

Where is the Reception being held?

Answer

There will be a Reception starting at 6:00 pm in another room at the Conservatory (the Ordway Garden/Bonsai room). You will be able to easily walk inside the building to reach the reception room. There will be a 20-25 minute break after our wedding ceremony ends and the Reception begins. During this break, we will take a few group photos in the Sunken Garden directly after the wedding ceremony, but after the photo session, you may want to stroll around the Palm Dome to view the lovely flora & fauna there. (Please note that the Conservatory's Spices Room will be closed to visitors during this open time).

Question

Is there parking for the ceremony or reception?

Answer

There are free parking spots available on the street in front of the Conservatory. However, these spaces require a short walk to the Conservatory's Historic entrance, so you may want to drop off your family/friends at the door while you park.

Question

Is there transportation to and from the hotels to the ceremony?

Answer

There is no pre-arranged transportation. If you have flown in from out-of-town, you may want to consider getting a rental car. It is a short drive (approximately 3 miles) from the County Inns & Suites hotel in Roseville, MN to the Conservatory in Como Park.

Question

Do you have any hotel recommendations?

Answer

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Country Inns & Suites in Roseville, MN for Saturday, December 20th & Sunday, December 21st. (please see the Hotel section for more details).

Question

Is there a dress code?

Answer

Yes, semi-formal.

Question

Are there any other St. Paul events/sites to visit the weekend of the wedding?

Answer

Please see the "Things To Do" section for more infomation on events to attend and places to visit when you are in the St. Paul area.

Question

Are kids welcome?

Answer

Due to the limited space in the Conservatory's Sunken Garden, and the requirement that all guests remain on the stone paths, it is not feasible for children to be at our wedding ceremony.

Question

Are you registered?

Answer

We do not have a Registry. Your presence at our wedding is all the gift we need! But if you wish to give a gift, contributing to our honeymoon fund would be greatly appreciated and will help us create lasting memories and special moments as we hopefully journey to our parents' homelands of Norway & Estonia next year.