FAQs

Question

Where and when is the wedding ceremony?

Answer

We are getting married at St. Josephs Catholic Church on Capitol Hill (313 2nd St NE, Washington, DC 20002) on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 1:30pm. We recommend that our guests arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled start time to be seated and ready. Our wedding ceremony will be a Catholic Mass, and it should last approximately 1 hour.

Question

Can I take pictures at the wedding ceremony?

Answer

We want you to be fully present at our wedding ceremony. We ask that all of our guests refrain from taking photos before, during, and after the Mass. While in the church, your phones and cameras should be put away and silenced to respect the sanctity of the ceremony and not distract from prayer and reflection during Mass. We have paid for a team of professional photographers who will be on hand to capture all the special moments. We will share all of our photos with you on this website once we receive them from the photographer. We do not plan to livestream our wedding.

Question

What should I know about the Wedding Mass if I am not Catholic?

Answer

We are excited to have our family and friends attend our Wedding Mass. While both of us are Catholic, we know that our guests include people of all faiths and backgrounds. We want you to participate in our worship to the fullest extent possible so that you can more fully share our joy. If you have not previously been to a Catholic Mass, or if it has been a while, we invite you to review these guidelines on etiquette at a Catholic Mass: https://thosecatholicmen.com/articles/12-things-to-know-if-youre-going-to-mass-for-the-first-time/ https://catholic-link.org/10-things-a-non-catholic-should-know-before-attending-a-catholic-mass/

Question

What impact is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic having on the wedding?

Answer

We are still planning to have our wedding on its planned date of April 10, 2021. We are excited and heartened by the wide availability of COVID-19 testing and treatment and the rapid rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. We are monitoring COVID-19 guidelines for DC, which can and will likely change between now and our wedding, before finalizing our COVID-19 strategy for the event. We will let all of our confirmed guests know the plan prior to our wedding weekend. We look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it!

Question

What happens after the wedding ceremony?

Answer

Following the conclusion of the Wedding Mass, the bridal party and immediate family will break away for pictures at the church and elsewhere. Guests can take a few hours to relax and enjoy the sites before heading to the reception venue for the reception, which starts at 5pm. For ideas of places to check out between the ceremony and the reception take a look at the "Things To Do" page on this site.

Question

Where and when is the wedding reception?

Answer

Our wedding reception will be held at St. Francis Hall (1340 Quincy St NE, Washington, DC 20017) starting at 5pm. The reception kicks off with a cocktail hour on the lawn next to St. Francis Hall (weather permitting, otherwise inside) before moving into the main hall for dinner and dancing. The reception should conclude around 10pm.

Question

What should I wear? Is there a dress code?

Answer

The dress code for our wedding ceremony and reception is formal attire. Ladies should wear floor-length or tea-length dresses, and gentlemen should wear a dark suit and tie. For footwear selection, be advised that we intend to have a cocktail hour on the lawn adjacent to the reception venue, which may make certain types of high-heeled shoes inadvisable for that portion of the evening.

Question

Can I bring my children?

Answer

While we love your little ones, our wedding is going to be an adults-only (21+) event so that everyone can relax and enjoy the evening. We appreciate you making arrangements ahead of time and leaving the kids at home so you can celebrate with us.

Question

Can I bring a date?

Answer

We have a strict guest list to stay on budget. Our wedding is strictly RSVP only. We will only able to accommodate those listed on your invitation.

Question

When is the RSVP deadline? Do I need to mail back my RSVP or can I do it online?

Answer

We must receive your RSVP by March 1, 2021 to allow us to report our finalized headcount to the reception venue and the caterer. We prefer that guests RSVP online on this website, however the formal invitations will include an option to send your RSVP by mail. If mailing your RSVP, please allow for enough time for your reply to arrive by March 1.

Question

Do you have a hotel block for guests? Where do you recommend I stay?

Answer

We have negotiated a room block with the Kimpton George Hotel for a great rate. We recommend you stay here or at another hotel close to this one. The Kimpton George Hotel is located within easy walking distance from the wedding ceremony church and is where the wedding party will be staying. It is also a convenient driving/uber/public transit distance from the reception venue. You can find booking details on the "Accommodations" page on this site. If you wish to use the room block, be sure to make your booking by March 10, 2021.

Question

Will food and drinks be served at the reception? What kind of food?

Answer

Our wedding reception will provide ample sustenance for our guests including passed appetizers and a cheese table during cocktail hour, multiple mini buffet stations during dinner (including vegetarian options), and dessert. In addition we will have wine, beer, signature cocktails, and soft drinks.

Question

Should I post about this wedding on social media?

Answer

We are very excited to share our wedding ceremony and reception with all of our guests. We would like for this to remain a private event. We would prefer that guests remain present in the festivities and refrain from posting about the wedding and reception on social media.