No! Montreal and the surrounding areas are very friendly to English speakers.
Most likely not. If you have an alcohol related driving offense on your record you will not be allowed into Canada. You need a passport or an enhanced license (available to NY residents only) to enter Canada and return to the US. If you are a citizen of the US you are legally entitled to be admitted back into the country, and if you're not a citizen remember to bring your documentation with you. If you purchase anything while in Canada you must declare it at customs.
The reception is a beautiful 35-40 minute drive from the ceremony. If you're driving to the ceremony please be prepared to drive to the reception. If you would like to be put in touch with other guests for car pooling, or if you have an extra spot or two in your car and would be open to taking a car pooler, please contact us.
Please, no white, off white or cream. Cocktail attire, black tie optional. Please be mindful that our ceremony is taking place in a house of worship and therefore guests are asked to dress appropriately- no denim, shorts, skirts shorter than the top of the knee, and shoulders must be covered. While some Orthodox churches practice head covering for women, the Sign generally does not. If you have any other questions feel free to ask the bride.
Yes...asterisk. Because of the evolving situation with tariffs between the US and Canada, any gifts physically brought to the wedding may incur a large fee when brought into the country (if coming from the US) AND when brought back to where we will live in the US. If you would like to generously give a gift, please consider shipping a gift from our registry directly to our US address to avoid surprise fines. If you would prefer to give a cash gift via our registry or other means that is also greatly appreciated.
We've marked everything over $225 as a group gift, to enable our guests to contribute how and what they'd like. A group gift allows someone to put any amount of money they'd like towards an item, and once fully funded, it ships to the couple. If an item is only partially funded by the wedding date, the funds are given as cash to the couple. You don't need to coordinate with other guests for a group gift. If you would prefer, there are cash funds available as well.
It's an orange sapphire flanked by two diamonds. Embedded in the band are emeralds and alexandrites, Stella and James's birth stones. James designed it himself.
It's a beautiful ceremony rich with symbolism about God's love for humankind, made manifest in the couple's love for each other. A noticeable difference from a standard ceremony is that the couple wears crowns. The crowns symbolize that the couple is king and queen of their new family, and that each of the pair is promising to put the other first, as a king or queen puts their people's needs before their own. Expect to stand about half of the hour long ceremony if you are able.