We plan to proceed and get married on November 21st, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The state moved into Phase 3 on October 3rd, 2020. However, Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral or Brier Creek Country Club could receive new state guidance on the pandemic at any point from now through November 21st that could alter how we carry out our plans. We'll continue to monitor the pandemic and bring you any changes as we learn them.
Face masks are strictly required at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral for wedding guests participating and attending the ceremony. You are required to wear a mask at Brier Creek Country Club when entering the ballroom, moving around the ballroom and using the dance floor. Bartenders have a strict "no mask, no drink" policy when wedding guests approach the bar.
Wedding ceremonies are considered a religious event in the State of North Carolina and are exempt from Phase 3 gathering restrictions. Therefore, there is no specific limit on the amount of people we can host at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, which has seating for 2,000 people. At the Brier Creek Country Club, the reception is going to operate as a restaurant and only host guests at up to 50% capacity. At any point from now through November 21st, the State of North Carolina can loosen or tighten restrictions on gathering sizes and we'll have to adjust accordingly.
Temperature checks are required to enter our wedding ceremony at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. We also ask that guests enter the church 6 feet apart and use the available hand sanitizer at the doors. Per the church, seating during the ceremony is only a few people per row, every other row. Once you are seated, please do not switch seats. At the Brier Creek Country Club, the staff has been re-trained in safety and servers must wear masks and gloves during plated food service. We have arranged for other food throughout the night to be individually wrapped or served on sticks. Per the club, tables are being placed 6 to 10 feet apart and seating per table is being lowered. There are hand sanitizer stations throughout the club and restrooms strictly for wedding guests. Our venues are sanitizing the spaces we're using right before we arrive and immediately after.
If you test positive or present any symptoms of COVID-19, we please ask that you stay home or at your hotel. We strongly encourage you to wear a mask and practice handwashing during your stay in Raleigh to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other wedding guests or in your own communities. We encourage testing, even if you don't present symptoms.
Our recommended hotels each have safety measures in place on their websites. Hotel discounts are for reservations starting Thursday, November 19th and ending Sunday, November 22nd. If you need a longer reservation, you are welcome to contact the hotel and ask to use the discounted rate for Monday, November 23rd, for example. If your preferred hotel no longer has rooms left at our discounted price or the room type you need, you may also contact the hotel and a manager can add more rooms, depending on availability.
Children wearing masks are welcome at the wedding ceremony. However, due to restrictions on guest count, the reception is for adults only. There is a gap of time between the ceremony and reception for parents interested in bringing children to Holy Name of Jesus.
Free parking is available at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral and Brier Creek Country Club. We have buses making trips from downtown to Brier Creek Country Club starting at 4:15pm as a courtesy to our wedding reception guests. It also assists those who may be uncomfortable using several rideshares throughout the day.
Feel free to email turningtownsend20@gmail.com or call us with any specific questions you have. We are happy to discuss any aspects of our wedding with you.