FAQs
Question
Should we physically bring gifts to the wedding, given that it is in Canada?
Answer
We are asking, at this time, that you do **not** bring any gifts with you across the border to the ceremony and reception. If you would like to give us gifts, we request you mail or ship them to us. If you are purchasing gifts from the registry, this is done automatically. If you are providing money to one of our many gift funds, Zola will also handle this for you. If you are choosing to purchase something that is not on the registry or you wish to gift cash or cards, please ship these to us directly: 6121 Orchard Lake Rd, Apt 103 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Or, you can choose to hold onto your gift and give it to us when we see eachother next. While this may seem a bit odd, we are concerned about the complexities of customs when we arrive back in the United States and do not want to accidentally break any laws the day after our wedding.
Question
What is crossing the border like? What should I know?
Answer
Crossing the border is simple, but you need to make sure you are prepared. This answer will be updated as any new regulations are added. Currently, (rev: 8/29/2022) you need to complete an ArriveCan form for each individual crossing the border. This can be done via an app and should be done within 48 hours of your arrival. As is to be expected, you must have a passport and be fully vaccinated. Less to be expected, you must have a "quarantine plan" in the case you are found to have covid while within the country. We recommend just putting down the hotel information in this space. Given the short timeframe you will be in the country, this is a formality but the odds of this being necessary are very low. We recommend utilizing the tunnel under the Detroit river for crossing, as this appears to be less affected by commercial traffic which can back up the bridge, but you are welcome to use your discretion. Once you arrive at the border, there will be several long lines of cars going through different stations one-at-a-time. The time from arriving at the border to successfully crossing varies wildly. We recommend, for absolute safety, adding an hour of time to your travel plans simply for the border crossing portion. It can be quick, but with traffic and actual wait time at the plaza, this can also be quite time consuming. It seems that Google Maps does factor this into their time-to-arrival, but it is hard to be sure. When you pull up to the border, the Canadian agent will ask for your passports and the names of those in the vehicle. They will then ask where you live, they may ask your purpose for visit, the cities you will be in, and the duration of your stay. They may ask follow up questions. The time you will be with the agent can also vary, but will likely be somewhere from 5-10 minutes depending on your party size. Once you are through, great! Proceed to your accommodations and get ready to celebrate :)
Question
What is crossing back into the United States like?
Answer
Crossing back into the USA is also simple as long as you are prepared. You will cross the bridge first for the plaza at the other size, in a reflection of the Canadian portion. When your car is pulled up, the US agent will ask you to open your trunk or window, and they will scan your car license plate. They will ask for your passports for everyone in the car, and will ask questions about what you were doing in the country, how long you were there, where you went, etc. If you are driving a rental car, make sure to have documentation accessible that shows you are allowed to be using this car at this time. If there are any problems with anything, the agent may ask you to pull forward to get out of your car and go inside. If this happens, do not panic, it is very simple but admittedly intimidating. Follow all instructions given to you by border agents. Given that you are US citizens, you do not need a reason for re-entering the country, nor do you need to complete any customs documentation. There are rules about things that are allowed to be brought across the border back into the country, please be sure you have reviewed these if you are bringing anything new that was not with you when you crossed to Canada. Drive safely!
Question
What is your vaccine / mask policy?
Answer
At this time (rev: 6/12/2022), Canada requires all foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated. In the case this requirement is relaxed, Kelsie and Kevin are still requiring all guests at our wedding be fully vaccinated. We are not going to require masking at any time, however, you are certainly welcome to wear a mask if that makes you feel safer. If you cannot attend close to the date due to covid symptoms, we certainly understand. Please reach out to one of us directly if something happens so we can update any RSVP information.
Question
What is the bar situation like at the reception?
Answer
A very important question. We will have an open bar.