FAQs

Question

COVID safety - do I need to test prior to coming?

Answer

We ask that you be COVID tested ideally within 72 hours of the first event you attend, with the caveat that if you have had confirmed (by a doctor's test) COVID in the past 90 days, you may attend without a new test as long as you don't have new symptoms or new exposures.* *Since we know that you are likely to shed the virus for up to 90 days and less likely to get a new contagious COVID infection in that time period. To explain further - the most recent COVID recommendations (updated 03/17/22) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html depend significantly on how many COVID numbers are in a county - i.e. more stringent recommendations for “medium” # of cases versus “low” # of cases. To be on the cautious side (as in, following recommendations for “medium” case levels), it is still recommended that for large indoor gatherings where some cannot be immunized (due to age <5) and/or are high risk, each guest should still obtain a COVID screening test. We will NOT be checking this test (bouncer-style), but ask that you honor our request and get a test to reassure yourself and our few high-risk attendees. ----A home rapid antigen test (available over the counter and actually can be reimbursed by many insurances - https://www.solvhealth.com/blog/insurance-covered-covid-test ) is most accurate if you are symptomatic, however it is can miss early disease after recent exposures. This is ideal for someone who has low suspicion of being exposed in the last 2 weeks. ----PCR is BEST. It is the gold standard, meaning it is >90% accurate measure of if you have COVID in your body. These are done by medical staff/pharmacists, and, given the volume of tests per day, typically take 1-3 days to get your results back. Anyone in a high-exposure setting including those working in healthcare, working in-person in an office, attending/working in any school K-12 or in a college, or those with children who are unvaccinated - we recommend a PCR.

Question

Will all guests attending be vaccinated against COVID-19?

Answer

As you might expect when attending the wedding of 2 doctors (a pediatrician x 3 years and an almost-psychiatrist graduating med school in May), we're requiring all guests >=5 years old to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Drinks, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, and live (!) music will be fully indoors and, while many safety measures are in effect (see below), full-time masking and social distancing will not be possible. While the dinner portion will be plated, other parts are buffet-style and otherwise may not allow for full social distancing. For your safety as our guests - and especially for our MANY immunocompromised guests (newborns, folks > 60, those w/ asthma, those receiving immuno-suppressant therapies) we are REQUIRING that all guests over the age of 5 are fully vaccinated against COVID with 2 shots and a booster. There's no gift more important than the safety of those we love. Please, if you have questions, reach out so we can address them - garyandmichelle2022@gmail.com.

Question

What safety measures is the venue taking for this pandemic?

Answer

The resort will only be in the second week of its open season - which is good in that likely nobody will have stayed in your lodging since October 2021 when you arrive in April. The RVC Outdoors company which owns Lake Raystown has been adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines in terms of keeping areas sanitized and having all employees (whether serving food or not) masked at all times which we noted at our recent tasting - and hand sanitizer was present throughout the Conference Center area (where the ballroom / bathrooms are). In addition, since they work for a large >50 person company, the employees are required by federal law to be vaccinated. -We will have "surgical masks" available for guests to use starting at our rehearsal dinner and throughout the wedding. Per the venue -“Masks are recommended at all food and beverage stations for service, including the bar. Any buffet items will be served by a caterer (not self-serve)." The dinner courses will still be plated so served separately. -It is only truly recommended at this point in the pandemic to wear a mask while indoors in spaces you cannot guarantee good ventilation or 6 feet of distance from others. Knowing our venue, that will include the bathroom or when you’re up getting food/drink or in a line. Otherwise masks should not be needed at the event. The ballroom is large! -FYI - when masking, N95 is still the best mask to protect you in small spaces, such as when using the restroom, as it's the only type of mask that both prevents you from spreading your own germs but also prevents you from breathing in germs that might be in the air around you. Surgical masks, which we'll provide, are second best. -For folks who feel more comfortable, you can bring your food out to the adjacent outdoor terrace to eat at any point. Will try to have "to go" containers for folks who need it for that purpose especially with younger kids.

Question

Is there a kennel nearby?

Answer

You know we're dog people! Here are the kennels recommended by the venue: Is there a kennel nearby? A: Yes Dogwood Dog Lodge – 10945 RDream Drive Huntingdon, PA 16652 – (814) 643-3979 May’s Kennel – 220 Old Rt. 36 Duncansville, PA 16635 – (814) 695-9206 Stone Valley Pet Lodge – 11114 Red Rose Road Petersburg, PA 16669 – (814) 667-3000

Question

When is check-in and check-out at the Resort?

Answer

Depends on where you're staying. Lodge Rooms: 2pm check-in, check-out 11:00am Villas: 3:30pm check-in; check-out 11:00am Campgrounds: 12pm check-in

Question

How big is Raystown Lake?

Answer

Per their website - Raystown Lake, with over 118 miles of shoreline and 8300 acres of water, is the largest lake in Pennsylvania and one of the largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River.

Question

"This seems rustic" - Are bed linens and towels included? Is there central heat and A/C?

Answer

Yes & Yes. All Lodge rooms & Lakeside Villas include all bed linens and towels, except for the Villas which do not have pillows (but Michelle & Gary will bring some new pillows to share with anyone who might not bring their own). All accommodations have heat and A/C.

Question

Will I get an invite on paper (in the regular mail) as well?

Answer

No, we are just sending invites over email and expecting RSVP's via our website (or via you calling or emailing us with all the details). Gary and I are trying to streamline this wedding-planning process given our busy work schedules. Sorry to those who are more traditional re paper invites! It's definitely a "greener" option, but we mostly chose to do things this way because we can get RSVPs easily uploaded and sent to the venue to plan the event! Thanks for understanding.

Question

Is there going to be Kosher food at the wedding?

Answer

We can't guarantee that Kosher guidelines will be followed in the preparation of food at our wedding, so we're hopeful that our Kosher-keeping friends and family will be able to attend and enjoy the dairy and vegetarian appetizers, entrees, and desserts we will have available with them in mind. We had hoped to have salmon available as the entree the wedding, however at our tasting we were swayed by the vegetarian entree which actually was even more tasty than the salmon. Please let us know if we can provide any other details re Kosher food availability. For our non-Jewish attendees who may not be familiar with Kosher food laws, one of the key laws of a kosher meal is that dairy and meat cannot mix. This means that there can be no cream sauces on beef or fowl dishes, and no dairy creamer for coffee or tea if animal meat is on the menu. Some people avoid this problem by choosing to have a vegetarian main course, or by using permitted types of seafood instead of animal meat.

Question

Why/how did your choose this venue?

Answer

Michelle attended her dear friend and former-teacher-colleague Cecilia Newman's wedding here in 2012 and couldn't forget how beautiful it was. When we started looking this past year in 2020, we had a few reasons why we loved this place. We both love the outdoors - Michelle prefers sitting or walking Zeus outside while Gary prefers doing more active things outside (bike-riding, hiking). We wanted a venue that both our families from Michigan and from the Northeast could drive to during the pandemic so folks wouldn't be forced to fly if they preferred not to. We wanted a child-friendly venue for our many friends/families with children we love. Also, as you'll see, there is plenty of room to distance the guests to also keep them safe if the pandemic is still a concern in April. Another cool part about this Central PA area is that Gary's Polish relatives lived over here in Altoona area for many years prior to moving to Michigan and he remembers fun visits to the area as a child.

Question

Is there a vegetarian option? What about vegan? What should we do if we have a food allergy?

Answer

We have a vegetarian option for all courses including the entree. Please let us know if you have additional dietary restrictions or allergies so we can make arrangements for that in advance! The venue has been super accomodating!

Question

Will there be a Hora?

Answer

YES - we are pumped to incorporate quite a few Jewish traditions at the wedding!!!! Start practicing your grape-vines now ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGTho2a9t9k&t=18s&ab_channel=BimBam