FAQs
Question
Where is the wedding?
Answer
Both our wedding ceremony and the reception following it will be held at the same location: Sparrow Valley Retreat in Aptos, California.
Question
What can I expect at your venue?
Answer
Our secluded venue is nestled back down a Santa Cruz mountain road in the Redwoods, less than 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. You can expect an intimate outdoor ceremony in the trees and a rustic outdoor reception dinner with <50 of our favorite humans in the entire world. There is a seating area indoors if you need a break from being outside.
Question
What weather can I expect?
Answer
Heatwave is lingering! You can plan for 80°F and sunny. After the sun goes down, it will cool off to 60°F.
Question
Will the ceremony and reception take place indoors or outdoors?
Answer
Both the wedding ceremony and reception will be fully outdoors. Plan footwear for natural ground surfaces like grass.
Question
Is there a dress code?
Answer
We want every guest to feel confident and comfortable in what they wear AND we also have a specific style and aesthetic we are hoping to create. We have a style guide PDF that we emailed you. Let us know if you need us to resend it. Our dress code formality would be considered "cocktail". Please don't wear black!
Question
What are your wedding colors?
Answer
Our wedding color palette is: Terracotta, Rust, Burnt Orange, Clay, Neutrals, Sand. Think soft, warm, autumn California sunsets on the beach. Linen suits in light, muted tones. Satin slips and velvet dresses in colors of the earth. Refer to our Style Guide!
Question
What is the wedding-day timeline?
Answer
Our ceremony starts at 4:30pm. Following that will be cocktail hour, with seated dinner around 6:30pm. Following that will be toasts, dancing, desserts and more. Music will stop at 10pm and shuttles will take you back to town.
Question
Will there be any other events to attend during the wedding weekend?
Answer
Yes! We are hosting a Welcome Party 8-10pm the night before our wedding on 9/8 and a post-wedding beach hang on 9/10 for anyone lingering in the area. See "A Weekend Affair" tab for more information!
Question
When will the reception end? Will there be an after-party?
Answer
The reception will end at 10pm. Due to local ordinances we cannot host an after party at the venue.
Question
How do I get to your wedding?
Answer
See "Travel" details. Most people will choose to fly into San Francisco, though there are regional airports closer to our wedding venue, in Aptos. Aptos is about 75 miles south of San Francisco. If you are interested in carpooling with other guests, I'm sure we can help you find a ride leaving from San Francisco - just ask!
Question
How do I get to the wedding venue? Will transportation be provided?
Answer
Shuttles are both available and required for all guests. The shuttle pick up will be in Aptos, CA at 3:45pm SHARP! See "Travel" tab and check your email inbox for detailed instructions.
Question
Is there parking available at the wedding venue?
Answer
No. There are only 10 parking spaces at the entire venue which are reserved for vendors and immediate family.
Question
Can I park by the shuttle pick up?
Answer
Yes and you can also take a taxi/Lyft/Uber from your hotel. Pick up location will have available street parking.
Question
Will I have time in between the ceremony and reception to do x,y, or z?
Answer
No. Shuttles will not go back into town until later in the evening, so you will be stuck with us until then! Sorry NOT SORRY!
Question
What type of food will be served during the cocktail hour and reception?
Answer
We are serving a vegetarian family-style dinner with a set menu. There will be passed and stationary snacks during cocktail hour, before our seated dinner.
Question
I have a food allergy, can I make a special request?
Answer
We will make sure that gluten-free and vegan options are identified. If you have a specific food allergy, please let us know and we will make sure we identify that food as well. We don't want any of our guests to get sick!
Question
What's the best way to RSVP?
Answer
The only way to RSVP is via this website, click "RSVP"
Question
When is the RSVP deadline?
Answer
Please RSVP by August 9, 2022 at the latest, the sooner the better
Question
Can I bring a date?
Answer
Unfortunately we are not doing +1's. We are having an intimate microwedding. There are many friends and family we wish we could have invited. We're sure your prospective date is great, and we look forward to meeting them another time. Only the names listed on your invitation are invited. Please don't ask us to make an exception for you!
Question
Do you have a gift registry?
Answer
We are extremely lucky to have love, laughter and house full of furniture and kitchen gadgets, so if you'd like to celebrate us with a gift, we prefer cash gifts over physical objects. We are currently saving money to buy a house in the Bay Area and start our family! These priorities are way more meaningful to us than a list of physical objects. We'd love for you to directly contribute by supporting us as we build our future family!
Question
Where can I mail a card/cash gift?
Answer
You can send it to us at 2160 Leavenworth St #104 San Francisco, CA 94133
Question
Is there a wedding party?
Answer
We intentionally opted for a small wedding to be surrounded by the people we love and care for most. There is no formal wedding party, but we consider every guest to be our wedding party!
Question
Where should we stay?
Answer
Aptos and the Santa Cruz area will have plenty of Airbnb and Hotel options. Accommodations in this area tend to book out quickly, so would recommend reserving accommodations ASAP
Question
Can I take pictures or videos during the ceremony to post on social media?
Answer
Our ceremony will be 'unplugged' (no phones or cameras). Don't worry though, we hired professionals to capture our ceremony from start to finish. Besides, wouldn't you want your happy teary eyed faces in our photos instead of you holding up your phone? Pics/videos are encouraged after the ceremony ends!
Question
I'm visiting from out of town, What can I do while I'm in the Bay Area?
Answer
Check out "Things to Do" or just bug us for recommendations. We LOVE the Bay Area!
Question
What COVID health and safety measures will you be taking during the event?
Answer
We aren't requiring masks or COVID tests. Our wedding is fully outdoors and all 41 guests are vaccinated. Take any extra precautions that would make you feel safe.
Question
Should I be worried about wildfires?
Answer
Unfortunately, California wildfires usually become more frequent and widespread during the summer and fall seasons. Wildfires are unpredictable and there is no way to avoid the possibility of one in California. That being said, we are confident our wedding won't be directly affected by fire, though the potential for smoke in the air should be something you're ready for.
Question
What's the best way to contact you if I have additional questions?
Answer
Any way you'd like! You can email both of us at niko-max@googlegroups.com