FAQs

Question

What is the dress code?

Answer

We kindly ask our loved ones to join us in Cocktail attire for our special day. We are so blessed to be receiving the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Out of reverence for the space we will be having the ceremony, we request you kindly follow the below dress code given to us by the Church staff. GENTLEMEN: Please wear a suit jacked with dress pants and a tie for the ceremony. Jeans and hats are respectfully not permitted during the Mass. Note: Cowboy hats in clean and good condition are welcome at the reception. LADIES: Modest cocktail attire is requested for the ceremony. Shoulders and décolletage must be covered, and we ask that you be mindful of dress length. Note: Standard cocktail attire is requested for the reception, shoulders and décolletage may be uncovered to your preference. LITTLES: We as that our younger guests attend the ceremony in their "Sunday best". The are welcome to change later if needed. We ask that cocktail attire remain the minimum dress code for the evening's celebration.

Question

I've never been to a wedding in a Catholic Church before. What do I need to know?

Answer

Great question! We are so excited to celebrate with you and to welcome you to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower for our wedding. PHONES: Please silence all mobile phones and stow them away for the full extent of the ceremony. We ask that you respect that you are in a holy place and follow this request. Please do not worry about photos, we have hired a professional to take photos and we will happily share those photos with you. If you are unable to respect the Sacrament, you may be asked to step out for the remainder of the ceremony. QUIET: As a reminder, this is a Holy space. While quiet "hellos" are appropriate while in the church, we ask that you save louder conversations for after the ceremony. We're having a reception after the ceremony for this very reason! DURING THE CEREMONY: At different points in the ceremony, you will stand, sit, and kneel. If you're unsure, feel free to follow the crowd around you. There's a lot of folks who have done this MANY times so they're basically pros. HATS: Unless veiling is part of your practice, we ask that no hats, scarves, or other head coverings be worn during the ceremony. Save those hats for the reception! EUCHARIST: Holy Communion is reserved for Catholics who are in a state of grace, have properly prepared, and have observed the Eucharistic fast. If you are not Catholic or are not prepared to receive, we warmly invite you to join us in prayer for our marriage at this most sacred moment. During communion, we invite you to receive a blessing by walking forward with your arms crossed on your chest (each hand resting on the opposite shoulder) or remain seated. For more guidance on what to expect at a Catholic Nuptial Mass, here’s a helpful FAQ: https://www.catholicweddinghelp.com/questions/expect.htm#:~:text=Catholic%20Wedding%20Q&A,%2C%20the%20Church%2C%20and%20Christ.

Question

Are kids invited to the wedding?

Answer

Yes! While many couples choose to host an adults-only celebration, that simply isn’t us. We are delighted to welcome children of all ages to join us for both the ceremony and the reception. Kid-friendly meals will be provided. When you RSVP, please be sure to include the number of children attending so we can plan accordingly for meals. Please note that alcohol will be served during the reception. We look forward to celebrating with guests of all ages and kindly ask that parents and guardians keep an eye on their little ones throughout the evening.

Question

What is the timing for the Wedding day?

Answer

We will be celebrating the Nuptial Mass uniting Raleigh and Emmiline in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, beginning promptly at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 25th. To ensure a seamless and relaxed arrival, shuttles will depart from The Westin Riverwalk starting at 12:00 PM (please see the shuttle section of the Travel page for more details). We kindly encourage all guests to allow ample time to arrive at the hotel and board the shuttles, so that everyone may share fully in this joyous and sacred celebration. For those planning to arrive Friday evening, please indicate your arrival on your RSVP. The Our room block at The Westin Riverwalk is available for your convenience. Please note that early check-in on Saturday morning is generally not available, so we invite you to plan accordingly.

Question

I still have questions. Who do I ask?

Answer

While I have tried my best to make sure this FAQ is exhaustive, I get that there may be more questions. If you have any questions, you may contact the Bride, Maid of Honor, or Mother of the Bride. Gentle reminder, if you have last minute questions, please reach out to the Maid of Honor of Mother of the Bride. The Bride may be hard to reach in the last two weeks before the big day. Bride | (206) 250-3459 | derkshq@gmail.com Maid of Honor | (206) 853-8789 | hknordale@gmail.com Mother of the Bride | (206) 396-3212 | misty.nordale@outlook.com