FAQs

Question

What should I wear?

Answer

We want our friends to look and feel their best. We highly encourage you to bust out your favorite hat, cowboy boots, outfits, and accessories best for a Texas watering hole if you got them handy in your closet or want an excuse to add them to your wardrobe. Otherwise, we request dress-casual.

Question

What's the weather like in Central Texas this time of year?

Answer

High temperatures usually range from 76°F to 68°F, rarely falling below 54°F or exceeding 86°F. Low temperatures typically range from 57°F to 48°F, rarely falling below 35°F or exceeding 70°F. November is typically the fourth coldest month in Texas, which is a good thing considering most of the year it is very hot. November is dry, however in 2022 we had record rainfall and cold temperatures during this time of year. We highly recommend checking the weather the week leading up to the event and discourage high heels and stilettos that can sink in the grass since the ceremony will be outside along with a short 8 minute walk between the ceremony and dinner reception.

Question

Will the ceremony be indoors or outdoors?

Answer

We plan to have the ceremony outdoors in the back garden of The Caroline with weather permitting. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved inside. Our dinner at Commerce Hall will be indoors, and our reception party will be at Old Pal Texas Tavern, which is also indoors.

Question

Can I bring a date?

Answer

We have very limited space for our ceremony and dinner reception, however if you'd like to bring a date - they are welcome to join us at our reception party at Old Pal from 8:30pm to 1am. Please contact Amanda Carto if you plan on inviting a guest to Old Pal who was not a part of the ceremony or dinner reception.

Question

Are the ceremony venue and reception venues wheelchair accessible?

Answer

The Caroline, where our ceremony will take place, is not wheelchair or walker accessible. There are three small steps on the front porch and back porch that lead to the restroom facilities. Our ceremony outdoors will take place in the back garden, which is walker and wheelchair friendly, however extra assistance will be needed if our ceremony takes place inside due to rain. Commerce Hall and Old Pal are both handicap accessible, but with limited space for wheelchairs and walkers.

Question

Are children welcome?

Answer

We kindly ask our friends and family with children to find sitters and accommodations for any child who is not reliant on a nursing mother. We are making a few exceptions for immediate friends and family, so please contact Amanda Carto with any questions or inquiries.

Question

Will any dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Answer

Yes. Please note in your RSVP if you have any dietary restrictions or allergens. We are working closely with Commerce Cafe to ensure any dietary restrictions and allergies are addressed. Our late meal snack at Old Pal will have limited options and will not be able to accommodate all allergens and dietary restrictions. Please contact Amanda Carto if you require further details on what will be served throughout the day.

Question

What's a Pittsburgh Cookie Table?

Answer

A cookie table is as much a part of Pittsburgh culture as Heinz ketchup, Primanti Brothers Sammies, and Steelers Sundays. The cookie table is deeply rooted in Western Pennsylvania tradition gaining popularity among Italian, Irish, and Polish immigrants during the Great Depression. The mothers, sisters, aunts and loved ones of the married couple would bake their family cookie recipes in lieu of an expensive wedding cake. At the end of the wedding, guests are encouraged to take a goody bag of cookies home as a party favor from the evening. This tradition continues today in Pittsburgh to the point where it isn't a wedding without a cookie table! We're hoping to bring a taste of Amanda's home city to Texas and encourage all of our friends and family to bring their favorite cookie, preferably homemade, to Old Pal before our ceremony at The Caroline. If it's not a deep family secret, Matt & Amanda would highly appreciate a recipe card so they can revisit all of the delicious cookies their friends and families made to remind them of their special day. Please coordinate with Jill Carto at jillacarto@gmail.com to discuss which cookies you would like to bring and if you are able to provide a recipe card with your cookie set.

Question

I want to bring cookies for the Pittsburgh Cookie Table! What do I need to know?

Answer

That's awesome! If you plan on bringing a cookie, brownie, candy, rice krispy treat, blondie, etc. for the cookie table - we ask you to please coordinate with Amanda's mom, Jill Carto.

Question

Can I take pictures at your wedding and post them to social media?

Answer

Absolutely. Feel free to take any photos, videos, stories, whatever your heart desires! We just ask you to send any photos to us after our wedding day, and tag @amandacarto and @mgkess16 on Instagram and our profiles on Facebook if you post on social media with the hashtag #cartokessler

Question

What's up with the last names?

Answer

We're glad you asked, because this has been a long time question and joke among friends and family. We're happy to say we'll both be keeping our last names, so y'all can safely keep calling us Kessler & Carto. Since we are keeping our names, we kindly ask anyone who is looking to purchase a personalized gift to refrain from monogramed items with our initials or last names (ex "The Kesslers, The Cartos")