FAQs

Question

COVID-19 UPDATES

Answer

Vaccinations: We strongly recommend and personally request that everyone of all eligible ages that is currently able to, to be vaccinated for our wedding. As we've all learned, we need to be flexible and things can change quickly, especially in the Fall/Winter months. We will be following CDC and local guidelines for the evolving Covid-19 pandemic so please stay tuned. Masks: Masks are currently not required as per CDC and local guidelines, but can change quickly in a large city like Chicago. We cannot guarantee that masks will not be required, but we will know more as we get closer to the day. The more of us that are vaccinated, the less likely we will need to wear masks. For any specific questions or concerns regarding anything Covid-19 related for our wedding, please contact Kenzie or Maks directly.

Question

Is there transportation to and from the hotels to the ceremony?

Answer

For guests staying at the Springhill Suites there will be transportation to and from the venue provided by the hotel. These times will be set the week of so stay tuned for more specific information. For all other guests, please be mindful of alcohol consumption and utilize safe options such as Lyft, Uber, a designated driver, or the CTA.

Question

Do you have any hotel recommendations?

Answer

Please check out our "accommodations" tab, we have a wedding block set up at the Springhill Suites near O'Hare with great deals and freebies!

Question

Is there parking for the ceremony or reception?

Answer

The church is attached to a school (with a parking lot) and in this area on Saturdays parking typically isn't an issue even for street parking. The church isn't on a main road so it's safe to park on the streets if the lot is already full. The Chateau Ritz has abundant parking (at no cost).

Question

What time should I arrive at the ceremony?

Answer

Please plan to arrive and be seated by 12:50pm so we can start on time as there will be a wedding right after ours that day. Guests who arrive late as the wedding party is processing will be asked to wait outside until the processional is complete.

Question

I don't want to use CTA, but I don't want to drive. What can I do?

Answer

Luckily, we have plenty of options! While both the "Uber" and "Lyft" apps are available and work well, we have found Lyft to often be cheaper here in the city and Uber to be cheaper in the suburbs based on availability and recommend checking both to get the best price. If you plan ahead of time there are "Wait and Save" options with time frames between 5-10 minutes and sometimes up to 25 minutes with more money saved the longer you are willing to wait. When using these apps, check your surroundings and make sure you're not getting picked up right at one of the CTA bus stops as indicated by blue & white signs with bus numbers on them. We also recommend sharing lyfts/ubers and splitting the cost. For families staying at the Springhill Suites, it's only 5.3 miles from the venue so costs should be minimal :)

Question

How do I use the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)?

Answer

Chicago has one of the best public transportation systems in the United States. For anyone that frequents the city, we recommend downloading the "Ventra" app to use a reloadable card. Trains are commonly referred to as the 'L' or by the lines color, such as the red line. For anyone that does NOT frequent Chicago, there are 1 day passes and weekend passes available to purchase at any of the redline stops. These passes can be used for both buses and trains. If you want to use the CTA, but do not want to use a pass, you can also "tap" with a debit/credit card or Apple/Google Pay apps at any of the turnstiles at train stations or when entering the bus--both also take cash but do not provide change so it needs to be exact. Here's the price breakdown: ~1-day pass for unlimited rides ($10) ~Weekend/3-day pass for unlimited rides ($20) ~Buses per ride ($2.25) ~Trains per ride ($2.50) ~Transfers between rides, up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours ($0.25)

Question

How do I park in Chicago?

Answer

There are still options for paying directly at the meters, as well as an app called "Park Chicago." There are signs at all the meters and anywhere there is street parking that may be paid, these signs are green & white and say "Park Chicago." Pro-tip: To see if parking is free at that time and in the zone you have found, there is a code on these Park Chicago signs. Input the code in the app and you'll likely get a notification that there is no need to pay at that time for that zone. Parking meters are largely meant for the week days and rush hours, so the weekends often are free. If street parking is a concern, there are also a few garages in the area for parking. We also recommend looking into the "Spot Hero" app.