FAQs

Question

What are you doing about COVID?

Answer

As with the rest of our lives, this has become the central question around wedding planning! We are cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to proceed as planned thanks to the vaccines, and hope kids under 12 will be eligible soon. We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we monitor continuously changing CDC guidelines, venue restrictions, and local regulations. All of our guests over age 12 are vaccinated, and should be prepared to show proof of vaccination if required by the venue. All guests must wear masks indoors when not eating or drinking, and we strongly encourage you to get tested before and after travel. The health and safety of our loved ones is the most important factor in all decisions. Both bride & groom, as well as many close family members, are high risk for COVID-19. We appreciate your cooperation with all safety precautions, and encourage you to make decisions about attending based on your own health and comfort level.

Question

When should I RSVP?

Answer

Please let us know if you're able to join us by Friday, August 20, 2021, by submitting your RSVP here on our website.

Question

How do I get to the wedding ceremony and reception?

Answer

We're providing a shuttle to and from our wedding from select hotels in Ogunquit, as our wedding venue is in York. Please check out your Welcome Bag for more information, or download the bus schedule at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11MT400gQrVFA-5kEWNcdGozGVg-h5xI1?usp=sharing Questions? Call Rick MacInnes: (443) 253-0267

Question

Can I take photos?

Answer

We will be having an unplugged vow renewal ceremony, after our high-tech ceremony last summer! While we fully encourage everyone to bring their phones, cameras, and Polaroids to document the weekend, we request that all devices be turned off during the ceremony. Once we receive the professional images from our photographer after the wedding, we'll be happy to share! Aside from the ceremony, we encourage you to snap away! We'd love to see all your photos — use #MBMaineEvent to share them with us!

Question

What's the dress code?

Answer

Cocktail attire — ties optional! We are planning to renew our vows outside on the lawn, so the ground may be soft, and we recommend checking the weather forecast as New England temperatures can be unpredictable. Most of all, we hope you bring your best dancing attire — it's a party!

Question

What kind of ceremony are you having?

Answer

As most of you know, we come from different backgrounds! Our unique vow renewal ceremony will be based on Reform Jewish wedding traditions, and officiated by one of our closest friends, Alex (you may recognize him as the emcee of our Zoom wedding!). For many of our guests (and even for the bride!), this will be your first time at a Jewish wedding! We're excited to share these traditions with you. Alex will explain the origin and meaning of many parts of our ceremony, but if you're interested in learning more, you can read about some of these traditions here: https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-rituals-wedding-day

Question

I've never been to a Jewish wedding. Can you tell me more about what to expect at your ceremony?

Answer

Sure! Before you arrive, we'll be signing a ketubah, which is the Jewish marriage contract, with our wedding party as witnesses. When you arrive, we will provide yarmulkes — both men and women are welcome to wear these, if you choose, regardless of your faith. You may notice that the processional is slightly different than Christian weddings — for example, the bride and groom will both process, escorted by their parents — and the bride will stand on the right. We'll stand under a chuppah, the wedding canopy, with a covering made by Meg's great-grandmother. The ceremony will include Hebrew blessings, followed by translations in English. At the end, we'll step on the glass! A well-known tradition, this is your cue to shout "Mazel Tov!", which means congrats! After the ceremony, we'll take a few minutes alone for yichud, or seclusion, before rejoining you for photos and cocktail hour. At the reception, get ready to dance the Hora with us! The song, Hava Nagila, means "Let's Rejoice!"

Question

I have a food allergy, can I make a special request?

Answer

Our wedding is allergy-friendly! We have many close friends and family with food allergies — including the groom. Please note your dietary needs on your RSVP, and we'll make sure your meal is safe (and delicious) for you to eat. The excellent staff at our venue will also be prepared to answer any questions, but do let us know if there's anything more we can do to help.

Question

Are your venues accessible?

Answer

The ceremony, reception, welcome party, and after party locations are all wheelchair accessible; however, our brunch venue is on the 2nd floor and the building does not have an elevator. Please let us know if you need assistance accessing any of our venues. Ogunquit is an inclusive community, and guests are welcome to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity. At our wedding venue, all bathrooms will be gender neutral for our event. During the reception, the dance floor and band will be separated from the dinner tables by a wall, but let us know if you or your child may need additional quiet space. We want all of our loved ones to comfortably enjoy the weekend! If you need any additional accommodations, or have any questions, please reach out to us.

Question

Where should I stay?

Answer

We've provided several hotel recommendations on the Travel & Places to Stay page! We hope that all guests will choose to stay in Ogunquit, where we'll be staying and hosting the majority of our events. Be sure to book your room ASAP, as hotels frequently fill up as far as a year in advance in this resort town. In our recommendations, we've listed the reservation timelines and cancellation policies for each hotel.

Question

What should I pack for the weekend?

Answer

In Northern New England, the weather is notoriously unpredictable! We recommend keeping a close eye on the forecast, and preparing for many eventualities — in October, it's not unheard of for it to be 80 degrees and sunny one week, and snowing the next. No matter what the forecast says, we recommend bringing sweatshirts or cozy sweaters, rain jackets, and comfortable walking shoes. The average temperature in Ogunquit in mid-October is in the mid-to-low 60s. Unless it is raining, snowing, or significantly colder than expected, our short ceremony will be held outdoors, followed by an indoor reception with most windows open to allow for additional ventilation. Don't forget to bring your camera! This is the perfect time of year to see New England's crown jewel — the vibrant fall foliage.

Question

Will anyone's last name change at the wedding?

Answer

The bride and groom will both keep their birth names.

Question

Are there any other events that I should know about around the wedding?

Answer

Yes! We can't wait to spend the whole weekend celebrating with you! Check out the Schedule page for more details.

Question

Are kids invited?

Answer

We love your kids! However, since we both have big families and limited space at the venue, we've had to limit our guest list. If your child wasn't listed on the invite or isn't included on the RSVP, we're not able to accommodate them. If your kids will be making the trip to Maine, we are happy to connect you with excellent childcare providers, vetted by family and friends in the area.

Question

I don't have a car. Will I have trouble getting there, or getting around?

Answer

Once you arrive in Ogunquit, the majority of our events, as well as plenty of food and entertainment, are all within walking distance! We're also providing transportation to our ceremony and reception. For travel to Maine, please check out our recommendations on the Travel page.