FAQs

Question

What's the dress code?

Answer

At Dennis Hill, we’ll be outdoors in August (but in the cool shade of stone lodge) and there is a hiking trail to a gazebo lookout with a nice view that you may want to do, so bring sandals or decent walking shoes! Also, we ask those who are able-bodied to walk up the paved road from the parking area to the ceremony pavilion rather than drive. The stone floor of the pavilion is level, so if anyone wants to change into heels you could certainly wear them throughout the reception without issue. But you’ll have to walk across a lawn to the restrooms, and there will be some tables set up out on the lawn to hang out at, so keep this in mind! I myself will be wearing flat sandals with my wedding dress! Summer dresses, light pants, and button-down collared shirts with short or rolled-up sleeves would fit the bill. If you worry about getting hot bring shorts to change into- we want our guests comfortable! The Michigan Reception will be even more casual, so dress for a fun backyard party!

Question

Are dogs allowed at the wedding?

Answer

Yes!! As long as they are friendly and will get along with the Dog-of-Honor, our 14 year old boy Wilson! Coming together in marriage wouldn't feel right without an important member of our pack with us. Wilson loves other dogs and would enjoy some playmates! But he is a little guy (20lbs) who does have some arthritis now, so he just can't get jumped on by big dogs who can't control their exuberance; and there will also be little ones (of the human kind) running around playing :) Also, good behavior and quiet during the ceremony will be appreciated from our canine guests.

Question

Will there be electricity and running water at the Dennis Hill outdoor reception?

Answer

There is no electricity at Dennis Hill State Park, but we will have a generator hooked up so that we can have speakers to play music, run a few fans if need be, etc. There is also no running water, so we will have large jugs of cold water for guests, paper cups and ice, recyclable cartons of water on ice, and cans of coconut water. Hydration is important and we will be sure you are covered so you can tear up the dance floor!

Question

How will we stay cool outdoors at Dennis Hill State Park in August?

Answer

The bungalow we'll be having both the ceremony and reception in is made entirely of stone, with a stone floor and walls on all sides (that have large cut-outs where the windows and doors once were for nice air flow) and a high vaulted metal roof stretching above where the former second floor of the home once was. So it does a better job of keeping the space cool and shaded than a typical park picnic pavilion. This will be like a cross between a Kelly wedding and our annual summer Kelly Picnic, in a space that keeps us cooler than the pavilions at Sloper's Park! It's also on a hill above the treetops, so a nice breeze might be in the cards! There will be lots of coolers of ice, cold beverages and drinks, cold water, a cooler of ice packs if anyone wants to use one, individual hand fans, and a few electric fans if needed. And if anyone needs a respite from the great outdoors, we have an AirBnb house in Norfolk only 10 minutes away where folks can take a rest indoors at any point :)

Question

Is booze allowed at the state park?

Answer

Yup! Wine, beer, and simple mixed drinks will absolutely be made available. It's a party! If you have any other favorite drinks you'd like to have on hand, go ahead and bring them. It's a picnic!

Question

Will food be provided at these laid-back outdoor receptions?

Answer

Yes. Freund's Farm Market is catering the Dennis Hill reception. It will be buffet style, with a couple hot meal options of free-range ethically raised local farm chicken, sustainable wild-caught salmon, salads and a couple sides of organic local farm-fresh vegetables, dairy-free / vegan / gluten free meal options, and a mix of desserts including vegan and gluten-free. If anyone feels compelled to bring any favorite snacks (especially for the little ones in attendance), by all means feel free! For our Michigan reception, Erik's mom Evelyn will also provide hot catered meals with plenty of options accommodating dietary restrictions, along with a mix of fine home-cooked dishes and desserts made by Erik's aunts and Evelyn herself (and she is one heck of a cook!). We will be spoiled with all the feasting in store for us!

Question

What's the parking situation at Dennis Hill?

Answer

The state park's hiking trail will remain open to the public, but the lodge atop the hill accessed only by a winding paved road is rented. We'll have ample privacy in this secluded area away from the rest of the park. Before the winding road up, there's a gravel parking lot with room for 40 cars that also remains open to the public. So we encourage guests to carpool as much as possible. Parking along the road up is strictly prohibited. We ask able-bodied folks to enjoy the nature walk up the road to the lodge after parking, but we're arranging some sort of shuttle system to drive others to the space. There will be room for a few cars to park right by the ceremony space, but we'd prefer to feel surrounded by Nature and the views rather than cars, so dropping people off and then parking back down the hill is ideal. *LATECOMERS WILL HAVE TO WALK UP RATHER THAN DRIVE, as a car would be a major interruption driving RIGHT by the ceremony space. NO KELLY-TIME (yes, I actually said that)!

Question

What is the protocol if running late for the wedding ceremony?

Answer

Again, because of the location of the open-air ceremony space in proximity to the road up to it, if you are running late to the ceremony itself YOU MUST PARK AT THE BASE OF THE HILL AND WALK UP. PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE UP TO THE PAVILION IF RUNNING LATE FOR THE WEDDING CEREMONY BECAUSE IT WILL BE A MAJOR INTERRUPTION. I know this is ironic coming from me (working on my relationship with time- ha, it might even be in my vows)! If someone is running a bit late and walking up the hill is an issue, try texting wedding MC Julia Kelly to find out if the ceremony is starting late to see if there is time to drive up: 860-913-9553. If you don't get a response, assume the ceremony has begun and please wait until it's over. Once the ceremony has happened, latecomers to the reception can drive up for a drop off at the space and have someone park their car back down the hill so we can all enjoy the views of the Berkshires surrounding us. We'd like to feel connected to Nature on this sacred day xoxo

Question

Are Children invited?

Answer

Yes! We want this to be a fun summer picnic kind of day for everyone and all the youngest members of the tribe are welcome! There will even be some hula hoops, bubbles and a game of cornhole set up outside for the kids (and adults who want to play!). Feel free to bring a baseball glove and ball to toss around or anything else your family might enjoy. And of course Dog-of-Honor Wilson is a big hit with little ones and very gentle. If you have kids, when you type your name into the RSVP area, it should pull up your entire family so you can RSVP for all.