FAQs
Question
It's the wedding day and I need something!
Answer
The bride and groom will not be checking their phones on the wedding day. If you need any logistical support, please contact our wedding planner Dana Ashley at 630-501-8473.
Question
Will there be an open bar?
Answer
Yes! There will be 5 hours of an open bar. Please take full advantage of it! Keep in mind that the photographer and videographer will immortalize the evening. Guests under the age of 21 will have unlimited juice and soft drinks. We apologize to our under-21 Italian guests that the drinking age in the United States is much higher than in Italy. If anyone under the age of 21 is caught consuming alcohol, the hotel will immediately shut down the whole event without refund.
Question
What time does the Ceremony start?
Answer
Ceremony starts at 2:30pm. Please aim to get to the church with enough time so you can park, mingle, use the restroom, grab a program, and find a seat when doors open at 2:15pm. This is a Catholic wedding mass, so expect for it to last 60-75 minutes. There will be a charter bus for all guests without cars to transport everyone from the ceremony to the reception.
Question
Can I take photos during the ceremony?
Answer
We are having an “unplugged” ceremony. This means we are asking that all phones be put away and turned to silent/airplane mode during the ceremony. We have hired a professional photographer to capture some of the most important moments of our lives, and we’d hate to have a well-meaning person’s phone blocking that moment for our photographer to capture. After the ceremony, please feel free to take as many photos as you want! We promise to share the ceremony photos once we receive them.
Question
What do I do if I’m late?
Answer
The wedding mass begins at 2:30pm. Guest entrance will be restricted from 2:30pm, through all entrance rites, through the bride’s entrance, until the opening prayer. At this time, you can quietly enter and take a seat.
Question
What is the attire?
Answer
The dress code is semi-formal to formal. Instead of a traditional "photobooth," we will have a professional portrait station at the Reception, so wear whatever you want to get a professional portrait taken! The Reception is in a gold-gilded ballroom, so it's a nice excuse to get dressed up, if you want to. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe” is an old English rhyme that says what a bride should have with her on her wedding day. Wedding party and family members have been asked to wear primarily blue for the wedding day to look cohesive in pictures. If guests would like to come dressed in any of our coordinating wedding colors, you are welcome to reference the coordinating color chart in your invitation and in our Zola gallery.
Question
Transportation for out of town guests?
Answer
If you are staying at the Hilton President or within walking distance of the Hilton President, you can take advantage of our charter van that will depart for the ceremony promptly at 1:30pm from the Hilton President. If you are late, the hotel can call a taxi for you. The same bus will also return to the Hilton President for the Reception after the ceremony. Uber and Lift also have plentiful drivers in the area.
Question
What will parking be like?
Answer
Parking at Good Shepherd for the ceremony is plentiful and free. Event parking at the Hilton President for the reception is $15 per car. Overnight parking at the Hilton President is $28 per car.
Question
Will there be a Live Stream?
Answer
Yes! Good Shepherd regularly streams their services and weddings on YouTube and Facebook. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frkentoconnor3900/streams Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gsshawnee/videos
Question
Will Sarah take Raffaele’s last name?
Answer
In keeping with Italian tradition where women maintain their surname after marriage, Sarah’s legal last name will remain "Horn." If we shared a surname, on paper, it would look like we are siblings in Italy and we'd like to avoid that. If we are blessed with children, they will take the beautiful surname of “Cipriano.” Keeping with US tradition, Sarah will happily go by "Mrs. Cipriano," though her legal surname will still be "Horn."
Question
What if I have additional questions?
Answer
Please email us at sarahandraffaele@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns not addressed on the website or FAQs or text the bride or groom.