FAQ'sFAQ's

Question

our ceremony & celebrationour ceremony & celebration

Answer

We have chosen to exchange vows in a private ceremony, allowing this part of our day to remain intimate and deeply personal. Surrounded by our closest loved ones, we will begin our marriage quietly and intentionally before joining everyone for an evening of celebration. We cannot wait to celebrate with the people we love most through dinner, music, dancing, laughter, and memories we will carry forever. Your presence is one of the greatest gifts we could ask for, and we are so excited to share this night with you.

Question

how do i rsvp?how do i rsvp?

Answer

Please RSVP online by September 20th, 2026, using the RSVP tab on our website. To respond, enter the first and last name of one member of your party. If you are replying for yourself and a guest or family members, you will be able to RSVP for your entire group at the same time. If we do not receive your RSVP by September 20th, we will assume you are unable to attend.

Question

what if i can't make it?what if i can't make it?

Answer

Your presence will be dearly missed. If you are unable to attend, we kindly ask that you RSVP ‘No’ as soon as possible so we may plan accordingly. If you have already RSVP’d ‘Yes’ and your plans change, please contact us at thepovlockparty@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Question

I didn't rsvp...but i'm coming!I didn't rsvp...but i'm coming!

Answer

We wish we could celebrate with everyone, but we are working with finalized seating and meal counts and cannot accommodate unconfirmed guests. We’ll be thinking of you from afar and saving you a slice of cake in spirit.

Question

do I get a plus one?do I get a plus one?

Answer

Due to venue capacity and planning considerations, we kindly ask that only those listed on the invitation attend. If you received a plus one, it will be indicated on your invitation and within the RSVP section of the website. Thank you for understanding, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you.

Question

what about my kids?what about my kids?

Answer

We absolutely adore your children and are delighted to celebrate with the little ones included on the invitation. Due to space and planning considerations, we are only able to accommodate children specifically listed on the invitation.

Question

what do i wear?what do i wear?

Answer

We’re excited to celebrate with our family and friends and invite guests to wear all black semi formal attire for the evening. Optional accents of antique gold or dark green through accessories such as ties, scarves, jewelry, or pocket squares are warmly encouraged to complement the atmosphere of the celebration. The vibe? Stylish, social, and a little bit fun. For men: dress pants with a button down shirt, tie, or bow tie are perfect. A jacket or full suit is welcome but not required. For women: cocktail dresses, midi dresses, dressy separates, or elegant pant suits are all wonderful options. Statement pieces and elevated accessories are absolutely encouraged. Please avoid jeans, sneakers, casual attire, white dresses, and costumes. We promise the evening will still feel festive and fun. For a glimpse into our wedding style and outfit inspiration, visit our Pinterest mood board: Please copy and paste the following link into your browser >> https://pin.it/OMP2TUzot

Question

is this event indoors?is this event indoors?

Answer

Yes. Our wedding will be held indoors at The Harris Building, a historic venue in Grand Rapids’ Heartside District dating back to 1892. Once home to a fraternal lodge, a furniture company, and later an ArtPrize space, the building now features 18 foot ceilings, exposed brick, and hardwood floors. Its moody, vintage character made it the perfect setting for the celebration we envisioned. Guests will need to climb one flight of stairs to reach the main event space. An elevator is available for anyone needing assistance. Please see the attendant upon arrival for access. Venue Gallery: Please copy and paste the link below into your browser https://theharrisbuilding.com/gallery/

Question

when should i arrive?when should i arrive?

Answer

The private ceremony will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Family attending the ceremony are encouraged to arrive 20 to 30 minutes early to allow time for parking, seating, and getting settled before the festivities begin. Guests joining us for cocktail hour and the reception may be asked to wait briefly upon arrival while our wedding planner directs everyone to the appropriate area. Complimentary valet parking will be available, along with additional parking options listed below. Please note that guests will need to climb one flight of stairs to reach the main event space. An elevator is available for anyone needing assistance. Please see the attendant upon arrival for access.

Question

PARKING AND VALET INFORMATIONPARKING AND VALET INFORMATION

Answer

Complimentary valet service will be available upon arrival at The Harris Building. Simply pull up to the valet attendant, who will enter your phone number and vehicle information into the valet system. You will receive a text message with a link to request your car whenever you are ready to head home for the evening. If you choose not to use valet, additional public parking is available nearby. Street parking in downtown Grand Rapids is free on weekends, though availability may vary depending on nearby events. Nearby Parking Ramps: • Louis Campau Ramp Evening parking available after 5 PM. Approximately a 12 minute walk to The Harris Building. • Ottawa Fulton Ramp Evening parking available. Approximately a 9 minute walk to The Harris Building. Please allow additional time for parking and walking to the venue, especially during busy downtown event weekends. All vehicles must be removed from the valet lot by the end of the evening. As the celebration concludes, valet staff will begin bringing remaining vehicles to the front of the building for pickup. Any unclaimed keys will be left with the final member of our cleanup crew. Please note that The Harris Building and valet staff are unable to arrange overnight parking accommodations for guests. If needed, vehicles may be moved to a legal street parking space or nearby parking ramp. Guests choosing to leave their vehicle in a parking ramp overnight will be responsible for any associated parking fees. For additional parking information or Mobile GR payment options, please copy and paste the link below into your browser: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Mobile-GR/Parking

Question

can i take photos and post on social media?can i take photos and post on social media?

Answer

We love that you want to capture and celebrate our special day with us. We have hired an amazing photography and videography team to document every moment, so we kindly ask family to be fully present and refrain from taking photos or videos during our private ceremony. Once cocktail hour begins, please feel free to take and share as many photos and videos as you would like. QR codes will be available throughout the evening so you can upload your favorite moments to our shared photo album, and a photo booth will be ready for even more fun memories. If you post on social media, feel free to use our wedding hashtag: #PartyWithThePovlocks

Question

am i sitting with my friends?am i sitting with my friends?

Answer

We put a great deal of thought into the seating arrangements to help everyone feel comfortable, welcomed, and included throughout the evening. Trust us, your seat was chosen with intention, and who knows, you may even leave with a new friend.

Question

will there be an open bar?will there be an open bar?

Answer

Yes. There will be an open bar featuring our signature his and hers cocktails. Guests can also enjoy domestic and craft beers, a selection of wines, liquors, and non alcoholic options, including Coke products. Please note that shots will not be available in accordance with The Harris Building’s house policy.

Question

can i make a toast?can i make a toast?

Answer

To help the evening stay on schedule, we are keeping speeches and toasts limited to a few pre planned loved ones. However, we would absolutely love for you to leave your sweet words, advice, and well wishes in our guestbook.

Question

what's on the menu?what's on the menu?

Answer

A full service buffet dinner catered by Distinctive Catering will be served during the evening. The menu includes baked chicken, slow roasted beef brisket, garlic mashed redskin potatoes with gravy, fresh green beans with garlic butter, fresh fruit salad, Greek pasta salad, BBQ meatballs, tossed garden salad with ranch and Italian dressings, ciabatta rolls with butter, and a coffee station. During cocktail hour, guests can enjoy a gourmet fruit and cheese display while mingling and settling in for the evening. Late night pizza will also be served to keep the celebration going well into the night.

Question

who do i contact if i have a question?who do i contact if i have a question?

Answer

Literally anyone but the bride. Thanks!

Question

accessibilityaccessibility

Answer

Guests will need to climb one flight of stairs to reach the main event space. If you are unable to use the stairs, an elevator is available. Please see the attendant upon arrival for assistance.

Question

TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION, AND ACCOMMODATIONSTRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION, AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Answer

Thank you for traveling to celebrate with us. We have provided a list of recommended accommodations, along with direct booking links, under the Travel tab to help make planning your stay a little easier. While you are welcome to stay wherever you choose, we hope these recommendations are helpful as you make your arrangements. Need a ride during your visit? Uber and Lyft both operate throughout downtown Grand Rapids and are typically available 24 hours a day, with shorter wait times near hotels and The Harris Building. Guests can use the apps to check pricing, request rides, schedule pickups in advance, and view real time availability. We especially recommend scheduling rides ahead of time for late night or early morning transportation. Uber Please copy and paste the link below into your browser: www.uber.com Lyft Please copy and paste the link below into your browser: www.lyft.com

Question

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN GRAND RAPIDS IN LATE OCTOBER?WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN GRAND RAPIDS IN LATE OCTOBER?

Answer

Late October in Michigan can be chilly, especially during the evening hours. We recommend bringing a coat or wrap for traveling to and from the venue and for the outdoor send off at the end of the night. A complimentary coat room will be available for guests throughout the evening.

Question

WHAT TIME DOES THE RECEPTION END?WHAT TIME DOES THE RECEPTION END?

Answer

The reception will begin winding down around 10:30 PM. At that time, guests will be invited to gather their belongings and make their way outside while the bride and groom share one final private dance together. Following their dance, the newlyweds will exit the building for a celebratory sidewalk send off with family and friends.