FAQs

Question

How do I RSVP? When is the deadline for RSVPing?

Answer

RSVP through the heading on this website. Please RSVP by May 1st.

Question

Where should we stay in Madison?

Answer

See the travel tab on the website for information on hotel blocks and discounted rates. There are also plenty of other hotels in the area, so feel free to browse around! If you choose to stay in Madison, there's lots to do downtown by State Street and the Capitol. The wedding itself is in Stoughton, which has a charming Main Street to bop around too, and there are a few hotels there as well.

Question

Will there be transportation provided for Friday night's Shabbat Dinner?

Answer

Yes, there is a shuttle between the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace and Temple Beth El. The Hilton’s complimentary shuttle bus will be waiting for you at the front entrance of the hotel at 4:45pm. The shuttle post-dinner will meet you at 7:10pm outside the temple. Temple Beth El is just a 15 minute drive from Hilton Madison Monona Terrace and also close to other local hotels if you chose to stay elsewhere in Madison. Feel free to carpool with folks with cars or take an Uber/Lyft.

Question

Will there be transportation to and from the wedding venue?

Answer

We will provide a shuttle service between the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace hotel and the wedding venue. Look for a white bus from the company Mad City Limo. The shuttle will have three trips to the wedding: 2pm (if you want to tour the cute little Main St before the wedding ceremony), 3pm, and 3:30pm The shuttle will have three trips back to the hotel: 10pm, 11pm, Midnight Guests can choose to drive or use Uber/Lyft as well. If you choose to travel independently, be sure to arrive and find your seats in the Chorus Public House before 4pm so as to not interrupt the start of the ceremony.

Question

When do we arrive/leave each event?

Answer

Visit the Schedule tab to see details about timing, address, and other logistics.

Question

What's the parking situation at Temple Beth El on Friday night? What's the parking situation at Chorus Public House for the wedding?

Answer

Temple Beth El has an onsite parking lot and some residential and urban street parking nearby. Chorus Public House has plenty of residential and urban street parking as well.

Question

What's for dinner at the wedding?

Answer

We will have salad and pizza with the good chewy crust, so if you're a crust-snob, this won't disappoint! While RSVPing, please inform us of any dietary restrictions. Salvatore's has dietary accommodations. They will also be catering some hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hour.

Question

What's for dessert at the wedding?

Answer

A little taste of our favorite treats in Madison -- a Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream truck right outside the venue and an array of Greenbush Kosher Bakery donuts inside the venue! Coffee will be provided as well! It doesn't matter how full we get, we all have a separate stomach for dessert, right?

Question

Will there be an open bar at the wedding?

Answer

Yes! We will have a variety of alcoholic and NA beverage options! You won't pay for the drinks themselves, but the bartenders will have tip jars and their venmo available for tips!

Question

Will the weekend's events be indoor or outdoor?

Answer

Everything will be indoors, so our hair and heels will be safe, ladies!

Question

What is the dress code for Friday and Saturday?

Answer

For Friday's Shabbat dinner, be comfortable as well as respectful. Think sundresses or nice blouses/pants, long or short khakis, long or short-sleeve button-downs or polos. Saturday's wedding will be formal/cocktail attire. If you prefer to wear a cow onesie for either rather than dressy clothing, Lauren and Jake will applaud you for your Wisconsin tuxedo.

Question

Am I allowed to bring a plus-one or children?

Answer

When you RSVP, it'll ask for your name, and when it pulls up your name, it will also pull up RSVP questions for your partner and/or children if they're included in the invitation. We like to surround ourselves with people who warm our hearts, so if you attend solo, you'll be sure to make some friends!

Question

Where is the wedding registry?

Answer

It is most important to us that you are there to celebrate with us on our big day, and we understand that some folks have come from far away to be here, as well. If you wish to give a gift, too, we will gratefully accept a contribution to our travel fund, house fund, tzedakah (charity) fund and/or an item from our registry. Visit the Registry tab on our website to give a gift electronically. If you prefer to mail a check (our address can be found on your physical invitation), please indicate to which fund you prefer we allocate it. We can also collect physical cards/checks in our card box at the wedding.

Question

Can we take and post pictures? Do you have a wedding hashtag?

Answer

We hired two professional photographers and a videographer. During the ceremony, we ask that you be present and avoid use of cell phones. After the ceremony, you are welcome to take pictures on your cell phone and post them, but please don't bring any photography equipment. Once our professional wedding photos go public, you are welcome to save and repost them -- AND please give a shoutout to Eryndae Photography when you do so. As far as a hashtag -- we can have fun with this! #NitzkieAndSilbs #BestFriendsAcrossTheLake #LaurenAndJakeWedding #OnceUponADingus1AndDingus2

Question

Which Jewish practices will take place during the wedding?

Answer

Judaism is central to Jake and Laur's identities and relationship to one another. We don't observe every holiday or practice every tradition, because being Jewish is unique to each person, and there is no one way to be Jewish. We are very passionate about our history and our culture, and we incorporate the pieces that are meaningful to us into our lives. Whether you are Jewish or not, we are welcoming you into our family this weekend to be a part of something that's very special to us. The extent of your participation is up to you, so here's what to expect! On Friday night, we are inviting you to welcome Shabbat with us. There will be some short Hebrew blessings over the candles, the wine, and the challah, followed by dinner. This holiday takes place every week, beginning Friday at sundown and concluding Saturday night. We conclude Shabbat by gathering in a circle and letting the sound of calming melodies and the light of our braided Havdallah candle wash over us. Overall, this experience is all about letting go of the stressors of your work week and welcoming in a time of presence, relaxation, and connection with loved ones. It can be very soothing to rest your eyes on the flame of the candle and reflect on happy moments from your week. During the ceremony, our brothers Daniel and Ari are co-officiating and incorporating Jewish wedding traditions. They will introduce the meanings of these traditions. Although most Jewish weddings are led by a Rabbi, this would not be able to take place during Shabbat. During the reception, we will also have a dance called Hava Nagillah, where Jake and Laur are hoisted in the air on chairs while our friends and family surround us in a circle to celebrate this next chapter of our lives!

Question

If I'm not Jewish, am I still invited to Friday's Shabbat Dinner?

Answer

Yes! Everyone's invited to join us! We'll light some Shabbat candles, but mostly we're just there to nosh and shmooze! No religious services or anything. In lieu of a rehearsal dinner, we prefer to celebrate with everyone joining us for the wedding weekend. Some of you have traveled far to join us and some of you live in our neck of the woods, and we'd love to treat you ALL to dinner!