As a result of COVID-19, our wedding has been rescheduled from our original date of 10/24/20 to 4/24/21 and now to our final date: 5/29/21. Given recent public health trends and improvements in COVID case numbers due to vaccination, Massachusetts recently announced new guidelines for gatherings that permit up to 250 guests at outdoor venues like the Pierce House, starting the day of our wedding. Based on these, we are really looking forward to gathering with our friends and family as safely as possible. We are expecting just over 150 guests. Several of the most important aspects are reviewed below, and the actual state guidelines can always be found at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/safety-standards-and-checklist-indoor-and-outdoor-events.
Massachusetts has strict guidelines on entry into the state during the COVID-19 pandemic that are luckily very straightforward. If you are fully vaccinated (i.e., 14 days after either your second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or your only shot of the J+J vaccine), and asymptomatic, you can enter the state without testing or other considerations, but should bring proof of vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated and are asymptomatic, you need to provide evidence of a negative test within 72 hours of your entry to Massachusetts (i.e., taken in your home state prior to your flight). In addition to these guidelines, we encourage all of our guests to practice caution before attending our wedding and to continue to wear masks indoors and in crowds, socially distance, and otherwise follow CDC recommendations. Guidelines on travel can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order.
Yes! Although the state of Massachusetts is permitting larger gatherings in outdoor spaces, there are still requirements to follow the guidelines laid out by the CDC for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, guests will be required to wear masks when not eating or drinking, guests will be sat in family units to the greatest extent possible, and more space will be allowed between tables.
Although this is a personal decision, being at a gathering like this impacts all those in attendance, and we strongly recommend that all of our guests do their best to be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the wedding ceremony and reception. The vaccines have been demonstrated to be safe and effective and are the best method we have of preventing the spread of COVID-19 among our guests, among those working at our reception, and among the communities we all will return to after the celebration. Luckily, the vaccine has been rolled out very rapidly and is now available to the general public. We are relieved to have these new guidelines but want to do everything in our power to stay safe!
Although COVID-19 case counts are improving around the country, it remains possible that some of our guests may develop symptoms of COVID-19 in the days leading up to our wedding, even if they are vaccinated. If this occurs, we strongly encourage these guests and members of their household to stay home and recover safely. We will not be offended if you can't make it!
We will be providing shuttles from the hotels to the reception, and from the reception back to the hotels at the end of the night. Please check the Travel tab for schedules.
Cocktail attire is encouraged, and be ready to dance!
Any hotel reservations that were made at the Marriott or Sheraton for the weekend of our original date (10/24/20) as part of the block should have been automatically cancelled. Any hotel reservations made for our rescheduled date of 4/24/21 should have been moved to the new date of 5/29/21. Reservations can be checked by calling the hotel at any time (see Travel tab).