Loading
Loading
Loading
Loading
Loading
Loading
Welcome to our wedding website. Check out our story, meet our wedding party, and find helpful information in the details and Q&A sections. We're looking forward to celebrating with you!
Welcome to our wedding website. Check out our story, meet our wedding party, and find helpful information in the details and Q&A sections. We're looking forward to celebrating with you!
October 4, 2025
West Des Moines, IA

Emma & Brennan

    Home
    Questions and Answers

Questions and Answers

If you have any outstanding questions about our wedding day that are not listed on this page, please feel free to contact the Mother of the Bride (Jennifer Hayes) at 515-865-2898
Question

When should I respond to the invitation by?

Answer

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience, but no later than 8.31.2025 using the RSVP tab in the menu above. If you do not RSVP by this time, you will be marked as declining.

Question

What should I do if I can't make it?

Answer

You will be missed but we also understand! If you cannot attend our wedding, please indicate your regrets at your earliest ability on our RSVP tab so we can plan accordingly.

Question

What happens if I don't submit my response in time?

Answer

If we do not get an RSVP back by 8.31.2025, you will be marked as a "No". We will miss you celebrating with us, however, as we are offering a plated dinner, we have to provide total guest counts to the venue in a timely manner. Due to this, we cannot accept late RSVPs which means there will be no seating, food, or beverage accommodations for you.

Question

When should I arrive?

Answer

The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:30pm in the chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope. Please arrive early enough to find a seat and socialize before the ceremony begins. The chapel doors will be closed during the ceremony and you will not be allowed to enter, so please try to arrive NO LATER than 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Question

Is there a dress code?

Answer

We'd love our friends and family to dress up with us! We are requesting formal, black tie optional attire. We encourage knee-length, midi, or floor-length dresses for the ladies and suits with ties for the gentlemen. Darker colors are preferred. Please avoid hues of white, ivory, champagne, or very light/almost white pastel colors such as "butter yellow".

Question

Can I bring a plus one?

Answer

We can only accommodate those guests formally invited on your wedding invitation. If you receive a plus one it will appear on your invite. We want to keep our wedding intimate with our closest family and friends.

Question

Are kids invited?

Answer

We love your kiddos, but we are asking guests refrain from bringing kids unless otherwise stated on the invitation. We are hoping this is a much deserved date night for the parents.

Question

Is there parking available at or near the venue?

Answer

There is parking available at the church and at the venue. A complementary valet is also available at the reception venue for those who would like to take advantage of drop off at the door.

Question

What happens after the ceremony?

Answer

Due to spacing limitations and overlap in scheduling with Saturday night worship services, the church does not allow receiving lines. Upon dismissal by our ushers, guests can immediately make their way to Glen Oaks for cocktail hour where drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Additional details and directions will be available in the program provided upon your arrival at the church.

Question

Will there be an open bar?

Answer

We will provide a hosted open bar for our guests. All drinks except for shots and top shelf liquor will be included on the hosted tab. If the hosted dollar limit is reached, guests will be invited to purchase drinks on their own. Self serve water, coffee, and lemonade will also be available. Please drink responsibly.

Question

Will there be meal options for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies?

Answer

Yes! A gluten free and vegetarian option will be available as an alternative selection. Please indicate on your RSVP which meal option you would like.

Question

Where should we bring/send our wedding gift?

Answer

A card box will be available at the church and reception venue. If you would like to provide a gift, we ask that you place it at the reception venue rather than the church. If you prefer to have a gift shipped, you can have it delivered to 14136 South Shore Dr. Clive, IA 50325.

Question

Am I allowed to take photos at your wedding?

Answer

Yes, we would love for our guests to take photos and/or videos at the wedding. Cards will be provided at the reception with directions for where you can send your photos and videos for the Bride and Groom to enjoy following their wedding day. We only ask that guests be respectful of the photographer and videographer on site and do not get in the way of professional photos or videos.

Question

If I'm coming from out of town, where should I stay?

Answer

We sincerely appreciate all of our friends and family who are spending their time and money to travel in from out of town for our wedding; your extra efforts are not unnoticed! We have carefully selected two different hotel options and booked room blocks to help offer you the best possible rate. If you would like to book a room in one of our room blocks, use the links on the "travel" tab in the website menu above.

Question

I booked a room in one of your room blocks, now what?

Answer

Please let us know once you've booked a room and where so that we can keep track of capacity. Feel free to share that information with either the Bride or Groom or any of their parents.

For all the days along the way
About ZolaGuest FAQsOrder statussupport@zola.com1 (408) 657-ZOLA
Start your wedding website© 2025 Zola, Inc. All rights reserved. Accessibility / Privacy / Terms