We recognize everyone has different risk levels and beliefs about what's safe. Because it is our wedding, we wish to err on the side of caution and do our best to honor local regulations for everyone's health. We ask all guests to wear a mask while in the church building and while inside the event hall at Enoch's Stomp. If you are not able to wear a mask, we ask you to watch virtually from a separate room at the church (more below) or from home. At the reception, we ask that guests wear their masks whenever not eating or drinking, unless you are outside and socially distancing. We realize this is an inconvenience, but we think it not unreasonable. As much as you can remember to, we ask you to also wash your hands frequently while in attendance, for your safety and the safety of those who touch doors, tables, etc. after you.
Yes, both our ceremony and reception venues are set up for your safety. The ceremony is at Longview Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Every other row is cordoned off and rows are filled so that households can sit adequately spaced. Our church has been successful with this. Our church also cleans carefully and regularly to protect successive groups of people from previous occupants. Please reach out to the bride if you would like to know more about these practices. There are bathrooms and hand sanitizer on-site so that you can clean your hands before and after the ceremony. The reception is still at Enoch's Stomp Vineyard and Winery. We will space the tables and seating carefully. There is also outdoor seating on a semi-covered deck although non-guests may pass and sit there as well. With current numbers, we should be able to safely social distance. Please take extra caution when removing your mask to eat and be cognizant of your neighbors.
Josh and I encourage our high risk guests to view our ceremony online. While we recognize your freedom to take risks with your own health, we also see the real threat COVID-19 is to your health and have made this option available so that you may still witness our special day and participate while guarding your life. Also at the church (ceremony venue), we do have several rooms onsite with virtual viewing set up. If you are interested in being seated in one of these, a heads up to the bride when you RSVP would be greatly appreciated. As for the reception, there will be seating available outdoors (under a pergola) although the main seating is indoors. We are confident that we can accommodate our current expected number of guests and maintain social distancing. We do advise you to be most cautious about the reception, however, because people will take their masks off to eat. You may wish to eat outside or to keep a greater distance when inside and around people eating.
I'm well aware the Texas looks scary in the news. I honestly think your greatest risk will be traveling to the wedding, not encountering people in Longview itself. I want to reassure my guests from out of town that Longview (Gregg County) is not nearly as risky as Houston or Dallas at this time (written on 7/31). So that you can check track things in the coming weeks, I offer the resources below. (Some may need to be updated by you to make sure you're viewing the correct day and not my snapshot from 7/31). https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/48183.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/county-map.html https://usafacts.org/visualizations/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-map/state/texas/county/gregg-county