FAQs - COVID 19
Question
How safe is the venue?
Answer
The venue we have chosen has an outdoor lawn for the ceremony and a partially enclosed outdoor tent for the reception. The capacity for this venue is 350 people. Per local guidelines, our venue is required to operate all events at half capacity, and we anticipate our guest count will be much less than half capacity.
Question
How many guests are attending?
Answer
We sent out invites to approximately 160 people. Currently we expect about 60-80 people to attend, which will be significantly less than our venue's half capacity of 175 people.
Question
What is the venue doing to comply with social distancing?
Answer
The venue will be set up with extra space provided between chairs and tables to allow for additional social distancing. Additionally we have requested a larger dance floor to allow for more space between guests.
Question
What safety precautions has the venue implemented?
Answer
In addition to executing events at half capacity, they are adhering to AZ government regulated guidelines for outdoor dining. This includes adding additional sanitation in all areas, as well as assigning a designated "Sanitation Captain" staff member who will fully sanitize all spaces of the venue, including chairs, before and after every use. Staff members will be required to wear masks, and they will complete health checks when they arrive at the property.
Question
What can I do to stay safe leading up to the wedding?
Answer
For two weeks leading up to the wedding, if you feel sick, are experiencing symptoms, or are worried that you have been exposed to COVID-19, we ask that you do not attend. We will miss you, but the health and safety of our guests is very important to us. We also would like to encourage all of our guests to decrease social interactions and to wear a mask at all times when you are in public. This way we can all minimize the risk of exposure, and we can make sure our friends and family stay safe so we can see all of you on our wedding day to help us celebrate!
Question
Will guest be required to wear masks?
Answer
Since the venue is outdoors and this is a private event, the venue is not currently requiring masks. However, we encourage our guests to wear masks as much as feasible to protect themselves and each other. As much as we would love to see all of your smiling faces, if you feel more comfortable and safe wearing a mask, please do so. The venue will be providing masks for all guests that do not have their own.
Question
Will there be dancing?
Answer
Yes! The venue is providing a larger-than-normal dance floor to encourage safe dancing while maintaining social distancing. There will also be yard games set up for those of you who prefer not to dance or would like a little additional space.
Question
In light of COVID-19, have you considered postponing, canceling, or reducing the guest count?
Answer
Yes, we have discussed all options between ourselves and the venue. At this time, our venue is not postponing fall weddings, and we are under a non-refundable contract that does not allow us to cancel. Also at this time the venue and government regulations are not requiring us to reduce the guest count. We are constantly talking with the venue and monitoring the COVID-19 trends to see if we will need to make a change.
Question
What happens if the wedding is postponed, canceled, or if the guest count is reduced?
Answer
If we postpone, we will notify all guests as soon as possible of the revised date and location. If we are forced to cancel or significantly reduce our guest count, again we will notify impacted guests as soon as possible. If we move forward with a reduced guest count, we plan to provide an online live stream of the ceremony for everyone who cannot make it.
Question
When will you make a decision to postpone, cancel, or reduce the guest count?
Answer
We plan on making a final decision approximately one month prior to the wedding. If anything changes, we will let everyone know ASAP. If you are an out of town guest looking to book travel for the wedding, keep this in mind as you book. As much as we want everyone there, it is possible that we will need to reduce the guest count or postpone. We would recommend keeping this in mind as you make travel arrangements.
Question
What if I don't feel comfortable attending?
Answer
We want all of our guests to decide on an individual basis what is best for them and to be comfortable with their decision. We will not be sad or disappointed if anyone decides not to attend due to the given circumstances. We would love for you to be there, however there is no pressure or guilt for not coming. We understand some of our guests will need to travel to attend the wedding and the COVID climate in Arizona can be very different from the situation in other states come October. Again, if you are not able to attend the ceremony, there will be a second reception in Mississippi at a later date, and hopefully we can celebrate with you there. We can also set up an online live stream of the ceremony if a significant portion of our guests are unable to attend.
Question
Can I come to the ceremony and skip the reception?
Answer
We'll miss you at the reception, but will understand if you choose to only attend the ceremony. We ask that you let us know before hand so we can have an accurate head count for both events.
Question
Are you still planning on having Welcome Dinner on Friday and a brunch on Sunday?
Answer
We are still considering the best course of action for these events. Please check our website closer to the wedding for updates.
Question
What is this Mississippi Reception you keep talking about?
Answer
Joel's family has generously offered to host a second reception in Mississippi for all guests that are unable to attend. The date for this event will be determined by the changing COVID-19 climate. All guests who are invited to the wedding will also be invited to the Mississippi reception, regardless if you attend the ceremony in Arizona or not. We will update our website with information related to this event as we make decisions.
Question
How can I stay up to date with latest information?
Answer
Please check back to this website for the latest updates. Also, if you would like, we can send out email updates to everyone who wishes to receive them. If you would like to be add to that list, please send an email to jcvarner14@gmail.com, and I will send out the latest information.
Question
Who do I contact if I have a question?
Answer
The best way to ask a question is to send us an email at jcvarner14@gmail.com. I may not have all the answers to all the questions, but I'll do my best to track them down.