FAQs

Question

Are your wedding and reception at the same place?

Answer

Yes. Our wedding and reception both take place at the Newt Hollow Picnic Area within Briones Regional Park in Martinez, CA. (Then, there will be a "Millennial Afterparty" from 6pm-midnight at our house in North Oakland.) See the "Schedule" and "Getting There" pages of this website for details and directions.

Question

What should I wear to your wedding?

Answer

Our wedding and reception are completely outdoors, in a shady oak grove. The weather is projected to be cloudy and in the mid-70s, but in the shade, it's likely to feel mid-60s. Bring layers! As for the dress code, we recommend "rustic picnic-wedding chic"—semi-formal/daytime cocktail attire, but no long dresses or heels that will make you feel uncomfortable on unpaved ground. Ultimately, we just want you to wear whatever will help you feel the most present, confident and relaxed!

Question

What should I bring (and NOT bring)?

Answer

Bring whatever would help you feel comfortable spending hours at a rustic outdoor Fall wedding. ◆ Weather-wise, it's shaping up to be cool and overcast, with a very small chance of isolated showers. Be prepared. ◆ Our venue is equipped with several picnic tables, and we are renting some folding chairs for the ceremony. But we recommend that you also bring a sitting cushion and/or picnic blanket. ◆ If you have allergies, consider bringing allergy medicine. And if you or your kids are allergic to bees, bring an epipen, as there will be yellow jackets. (We will have a first aid kit onsite, which includes mosquito repellent bracelets, but we don't have epipens.) ◆ Feel free to bring us a cute card, if you're into that...but please don't bring any physical gifts beyond that. Contribute to our cash registry instead (go to the "Registry" page of this website). ◆ If you're coming to the Millennial Afterparty, bring a change of clothes/warm layers, ideally more drinks (especially bubbly water) and food to share, and instruments for possible fireside jams in the backyard!

Question

Can I bring a plus one?

Answer

If we have told you directly that you can bring a partner, you can! Otherwise, we'd prefer for you to come solo to honor the maximum capacity of our wedding site. If there is any confusion, just contact one of us directly, and we will work it out.

Question

Can I bring my kids?

Answer

Yes, families are welcome—we are expecting nearly 30 kids at our wedding/reception! We will have several lawn games, coloring pages, etc. for the kids. For the Millennial Afterparty at our house, however, please don't bring any children. See the "Schedule" page of this website for more information.

Question

Can I bring my dog?

Answer

No, sorry. Even though we are at a park, no dogs can come to the wedding/reception. Thanks for understanding.

Question

Are we sitting on picnic tables for your wedding ceremony?

Answer

No, the picnic tables are for the reception (and there won't be seating charts or anything fancy like that). For the ceremony, we are renting wooden folding chairs that have seat pads. However, there is probably not enough room for enough chairs for everyone who is attending. If it's important to you to sit in a chair during the ceremony, please make sure to come early to reserve one. Otherwise, feel free to stand, or bring a sitting cushion/picnic blanket to sit on.

Question

Is there cell reception at your venue?

Answer

Not really! Maybe one bar at best depending on your carrier. So, we strongly recommend that you read the "Getting There" page of this website before you start driving to our wedding.

Question

Will there be bathrooms at your rustic outdoor venue?

Answer

Yes—we are renting "fancy" portable toilets through the East Bay Regional Parks department that include mirrors and sinks. Ooh la la!

Question

Is there poison oak at your rustic outdoor venue?

Answer

YES—there is poison oak around the outskirts of the picnic site and parking areas. We will do our best to mark the poison oak on the edges of the wedding/reception site, but please be prepared to monitor your children—and know what poison oak looks like! "Leaves of 3, let it be..." There are also going to be yellow jackets around, so bring an epipen if you or your kid(s) are allergic to bees/stings. We will have a first aid kit onsite, but cannot provide epipens.

Question

Who's invited to the afterparty (and how do I stay safe in Oakland)?

Answer

The "Millennial Afterparty" following the wedding/reception will be held at our house, 539 58th Street in North Oakland, between 6pm and midnight or so. If you're a Millennial or Millennial-adjacent, you're invited! Greeters (a few good friends and our siblings) will be there as soon as possible after the reception with the leftover food and drinks if you want to drive straight from the wedding venue to our house. We would appreciate folks bringing more booze, bubbly water and food to share, but don't leave any valuables in your car if you stop at a store! We (Patrick and Janel) will be doing sunset photos in the hills above the wedding venue, so we won't be there right away. So, you can either go home/to your hotel to decompress a little first and show up a little later in the evening, OR you can get to our house right away and chill with our awesome greeters. We'd love to show up to a full house of our friends when we roll up around 7/7:30! DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR IN OAKLAND. Walking around with bags/backpacks at night is also not recommended. If you have a lot of stuff, pull right up to our house to unload, THEN go look for parking. At the end of the night, do this in reverse.

Question

What if I have last-minute questions?

Answer

Please contact Adine, our Day-Of Coordinator, at 415-200-7786. However, since she will be at our rustic venue early to set up the day of the wedding, she probably won't have cell reception day-of. So, please read our website thoroughly before you depart, so you hopefully won't have any last-minute questions!

Question

How can I share my photos with you after the wedding?

Answer

Post any photos you take at the reception on social media using the hashtag #patrickandjanel. Also, look out for a Dropbox link from us after the wedding to upload all your photos to! We do ask, however, that you don't use your phones during the ceremony. Our videographer and photographer will be documenting it, and we are happy to share the footage with you afterwards. Please be present and experience the power of the moment with us.