FAQs

Question

Why Florida?

Answer

Our friends and family are scattered all over the US, Canada & the world! We wanted a destination that is relatively easy to get to, accessible & with consistent weather in November. We also spend a lot of time in the area due to Mike’s job. Plus, St. Pete is just a great place!

Question

When should I RSVP by?

Answer

Please RSVP by September 30, 2022. You are welcome to RSVP either electronically on this website (under the RSVP tab) or by mail with the RSVP card provided in your invitation. Electronic RSVP is preferred.

Question

Where are you staying? Where should we stay?

Answer

We have room blocks at the Avalon Hotel and the Hollander Hotel on 4th Ave, which are sister properties that are adjacent to each other and share amenities like the pool, restaurant, on-site bar(s), parking, spa, etc. Mike & Sarah are staying at one of the suites at the Avalon Hotel. Some of our friends/family have booked at the Hollander Hotel as well as the Avalon Hotel. If you are planning to stay at the Avalon or Hollander (which we hope you do), we suggest choosing where you stay based on what you want, like proximity to the pool, room features, quiet, space, etc., & what is available, as there are a variety of room types at each locations. Please note also that our room blocks have guaranteed rooms only & there is no price advantage with the room block. If you book either through the hotels' websites or through a third party booking site/agency, please call the hotel & let them know you are with the Gatti & Murov Wedding. This will enhance your stay & also help us to prepare & organize accordingly. We will also have a number of guests who are planning to stay at the Courtyard Marriott on 4th Street, around the corner from the hotels. This is a great option if you want to earn or use Marriott points. Please note, however, that we do not have a room block at the Courtyard Marriott. We do, however have a discount code - use code W14 for a 20% discount. See the “Travel & Accommodation” tab for more info. If you do book at the Courtyard Marriott or somewhere other than the Avalon or Hollander Hotels, please let us know so that we can send you any info you might need about the wedding day/schedule/events/etc.

Question

Do I need to rent a car?

Answer

Up to you! We have planned the weekend so that all events are within walking distance of the hotels & the MFA. A car will not be necessary for getting to the venue & there is limited parking at the MFA (mainly just for our vendors) & the hotels. Also, the Saturday event is essentially across the street (kitty-corner) from the Hollander & Avalon hotels. Ubers/Lyfts are readily available in St. Pete. The area is generally walkable & nice to walk.

Question

What should I wear?

Answer

Please keep in mind that our wedding is in Floriday and it will be warm, but not scorching (think, mid-70s). For the wedding, since it's at a museum, elevated cocktail or formal attire is appropriate. Suits are welcome, but tuxedos are not necessary. Dresses, jumpsuits, etc. of all lengths are welcome as well. For the St. Pete Lawn Bowling Club event on Saturday, cook-out casual will be perfect! Wear whatever makes you comfortable when playing yard games.

Question

What about my kids?

Answer

While we love your kids, our Friday wedding is a child-free event. Unfortunately, we are not able to host children at the MFA (with the exception of our flower girl & ring bearer). However, children & anyone traveling with you are welcome at the St. Pete Lawn Bowling Club Saturday event. Please just let us know if they will be joining. If your kids are traveling with you & you need childcare, we would suggest reaching out to your hotel, as they may have babysitters or suggestions. We would also suggest using Care.com to secure childcare, as there are lots of well vetted, reputable child care providers on Care.com in the St. Pete area.

Question

What time should I arrive at the ceremony?

Answer

5:45 at the latest. Please arrive and be seated at the Membership Garden in the MFA by no later than 5:45 PM.

Question

How will I get to the MFA?

Answer

Up to you! The MFA is a few blocks from the hotels, so walking is an option. There are also plenty of Ubers & Lyfts available in St. Pete. The hotels also have a shuttle, but it’s availability/reliability varies. Unfortunately, the pedi-can company seems to no longer exist. We are working on finding alternative arrangements.

Question

What is the Plan for Friday?

Answer

Please refer to the Schedule of Events on the website. Any guests at the hotels will also receive itineraries for the weekend.

Question

What is the plan for Saturday?

Answer

Saturday we will be hosting a casual event at the St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling Club as a thank you to our guests for having traveled for our wedding. We have shuffleboard courts rented at the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club (right behind the Lawn Bowling Club) as well. The Lawn Bowling Club is kitty-corner to the Avalon hotel. This is a casual event - think cookout or barbecue! You are welcome to drop in, hang out, stop by for a little, stay the whole time, come & go as you please, say bye-bye on your way out, etc. There is no obligation to come, but we do think it will be a fun time & welcome all who do! Also, anyone traveling with you, including kids, are welcome! We do ask that you let us know how many extra people are coming and who they are to you (parent, child, babysitter, etc.) so that we can better estimate food & drink orders. The plan is to have a food truck as well!

Question

What should I do if I get in early (like Thursday)?

Answer

Definitely take advantage of all that St. Pete has to offer! Go for a walk downtown; check-out the Dalí Museum; stroll down the pier; try out a restaurant or bar. You can stay close & take advantage of the hotels' amenities, like the pool, restaurant & spa at the Hollander. We will likely be making a trip or 2 to the pool & bar ourselves!

Question

What will the weather be like?

Answer

PLEASE PLAN FOR RAIN! It is expected to rain on our big day. Our wedding will be just after the end of hurricane season. Typically weather in St. Pete in early/mid November is in the mid-70s & is less prone to rain.

Question

Wait, you're moving... where should I send cards or gifts?

Answer

Any gifts sent on or before September 1, 2022 should be sent to Sarah's family's house. You are also welcome to bring any cards/gifts to the wedding, but we do not expect anyone to want to travel with excess items if they don’t have to! We are still determining the best places for gifts sent after September 1, 2022 that are not brought to the wedding. Please reach out to Mike or Sarah if you have any questions or want to check.

Question

Is Sarah changing her last name?

Answer

No. While Sarah loves Mike's last name, she also loves her own last name & is the last of her generation with it. Plus, her degrees, bar admissions & written publications are all as a Gatti. While Sarah won't be changing her last name, you are, however, welcome to refer to us as "The Murovs" if it's easier.

Question

Do I get a plus one?

Answer

Unfortunately, we are not able to extend invites to guests of our guests. We are very limited with the number of people we were able to invite & could not extend invites to our own friends & family. As such, we needed to prioritize including people we know & care about over those we may not know.

Question

What about food allergies & dietary needs?

Answer

Dinner at our wedding will be served family style and we have selected a range of foods to try to accommodate many dietary restrictions, preferences and likes. We are generally avoiding gluten & nuts, limiting dairy, & also have a selection of meat, vegetarian & vegan plates with dinner. No shellfish (or fish sauce) will be on the menu. We do, however, completely understand dietary restrictions & allergies - please let us know if you have any so we can try our best to accommodate!