FAQs

Question

ONE SMALL CHANGE TO THE TIMELINE

Answer

Please note: we've made one small change to our wedding day timeline. While our invitations state that the ceremony will be starting at 3:30pm, it will now be starting at 4:30pm. We hope this will better accommodate everyone as they plan their weekend. We will also be providing a shuttle between the Courtyard Marriott and Happy Days Lodge that will run for one hour prior to the ceremony (from 3:15-4:15pm) and one hour following the conclusion of the reception (10-11pm)

Question

Will the wedding be indoor or outdoor?

Answer

Both our ceremony & reception will be held within the lodge, with options for wandering the outdoor grounds & trails of the national park. The ceremony itself will be held within a covered patio that is plexiglass enclosed during the winter season. It may still be chilly, so dress accordingly. We will be providing a wood burning fire inside the reception area. There will be designated smoking areas outside with provided propane heaters.

Question

Is there a dress code?

Answer

Our dress code is Christmas cocktail. We encourage guests to wear their most festive holiday attire including sequins, velvets & holiday ties. Please refrain from wearing white or white appearing attire. Gold & champagne is fine as long as it's on the "darker" side.

Question

Can I bring my children?

Answer

While it's no secret that we cherish little ones, we regretfully cannot accommodate children outside of the wedding party at our venue due to age restrictions. We hope you will make our event a special date night for yourselves. Infants under 12 months are welcome.

Question

What time should I arrive?

Answer

We strongly encourage guests plan to arrive at 3pm for a 3:30pm ceremony start. Please plan on arriving early to accommodate for potential winter weather within the park as well as a short walk to the venue location.

Question

Where should I park?

Answer

There is very limited parking next to the lodge for guests with limited mobility. For guests driving themselves, we ask that everyone who is able please park in the large lot across the street from Happy Days Lodge & follow the crossing path to the tunnel that leads under the street. Since alcohol will be provided we encourage guests to take advantage of designated drivers for transportation including ride shares such as Lyft or Uber, in which case they can be both dropped off as well as picked up at the lodge entrance.

Question

How much time will there be between the ceremony & reception?

Answer

Not much. Our ceremony will begin at 4:30pm and we don't anticipate it being very long. Immediately following the ceremony guests will be able to transition into the reception space where they can mingle, grab a drink, sign our guestbook ornaments & find their seats for dinner. We're hoping everyone will be seated by 5:15pm.

Question

Can I bring a plus one?

Answer

Unfortunately due to strict venue limitations, we can only accommodate those listed on the invitation. We appreciate your understanding.

Question

Will dinner be served?

Answer

Yes - We will be providing a festive holiday buffet & are very much looking forward to dining with you.

Question

What should we do if we have any dietary restrictions?

Answer

We're aware that a number of our loved ones have special dietary restrictions such as gluten & dairy allergies as well as vegan & vegetarian preferences. We plan on doing our best to make accommodations so that EVERY one of our guests can have a fun & relaxing evening free from worry in this aspect. We WANT to know if you or your guest falls into one of these categories. Please message our wedding planner Tali at 440.328.5874 so we can ensure we accommodate accordingly.

Question

Will there be an open bar?

Answer

The drinks are on us. The stories will be on you. We will be providing an open bar for the evening which will be available from 5pm-10pm. Since alcohol will be provided, we encourage guests to make prior transportation arrangements including Uber, Lyft, hotel shuttles & designated drivers.

Question

Is there anywhere local we can stay?

Answer

We’ve reserved blocks of rooms at the Courtyard Marriott in Stow for both Friday and/or Saturday evening at a discounted rate of $119 per night. Mention the Cooksey wedding to receive this rate for either or both nights with your choice of a king or 2 queen beds. Reservations must be made by November 13 to receive this discounted rate. Please consider lodging well in advance as the area near the North Pole gets busier during the Holiday season. We will also be providing a shuttle for transportation between the hotel & the venue for one hour prior to the ceremony as well as one hour following the reception.

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

If you're familiar with Cleveland at Christmas Time you know that it may be a total blizzard. It may also be 70 & sunny. We're doing our best to prepare for every possible outcome & will share updates here as they become available. We ask that all our guests observe the weather leading up to our event & make travel decisions that are safe for everyone.

Question

Are there any other events going on in the area?

Answer

We specifically chose this location based on the wonderful holiday events that happen this time of year. The North Pole Adventure (previously Polar Express) runs nightly via the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad & temporarily stops at the North Pole (The Winking Lizard on Main Street Peninsula). Feel free to watch the train pass through the North Pole while enjoying dinner near the tracks. For other holiday experiences we recommend visiting Kringle's Inventionasium in Tower City (downtown Cleveland), Castle Noel in Medina, walking or driving the Zoo Lights at the Cleveland Zoo, taking a tour of the Christmas Story House (downtown Cleveland), seeing A Christmas Carol at Playhouse Square while touring the Festival of Trees through The Allen Theatre Lobby (which was our first date), touring Deck The Halls at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, and taking a holiday lantern tour at Hale Farm & Village. If you can only fit in one experience, we strongly recommend Castle Noel.

Question

Any recommendations of where to eat in the area?

Answer

Our dowtown Cleveland favorites include Brewdog & Hofbrauhaus (about 35 minutes north of the venue location). More locally to the National Park area we recommend Missing Mountain Brewing Co as well as Oak and Embers Tavern for lunch/dinner and The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery for Brunch. (The Blue Door Requires joining a waitlist online about an hour in advance & fills up very quickly.. but we can't recommend it enough.) We also strongly recommend a morning at the Peninsula Coffee House (which becomes a wine cellar after 4pm). We love to sit right alongside the Cuyahoga River while enjoying our coffee as well as local from area bakeries that are available there.