Matt: 206-940-0641 Caroline: 425-691-7667 E-mail: matthewschultz93@hotmail.com; caroline.s.schuler@live.com Address: 623 SW 23rd Street, Redmond, OR 97756
In January you can expect 17*F - 35*F depending on the day and time. The wind chill can pickup and make it feel much colder from time to time. It is generally light out from 7:30am-5:00PM. Because it is so dry here many breweries and restaurants have heated outdoor seating, if you are planning to be out and about you will want warm clothes, sensible shoes, and Chapstick.
We bought a house 20 minutes from Bend, in Redmond, so we are still very close to Bend but do not live in Bend Proper.
If you aren't driving to Central Oregon - renting or borrowing a car will provide the most convenience for you. The bus system here is efficient but only runs from 6:00am - 7:00pm. There are rideshares like Uber or Lyft here but due to the smaller size there is longer wait times and fees here depending on when you are needing a ride. Weekends are a safe bet but week nights can be super tricky. You can call Enviro Shuttle ahead of time to book a shuttle from the airport to your hotel which will run you around $30 for 1-3 people. They are able to pickup larger groups as well. If you are staying at a hotel, inquire about their shuttles. Many have airport shuttles as well as shuttles downtown and to the mountain for free or affordable rates.
It is pretty cold here in the winters but pretty dry (aside from snow). You will definitely want to bring cold weather clothing! If you plan to stay in Bend for a couple days to play you might want to bring skiis, sleds, camping chairs, or other fun toys you own so you don't have to rent them. If you plan to hike, run, or just have a hard time walking when it is icy, YakTracks can be a good idea. If you're driving over the pass from Seattle or Portland, chains or all-season/snow tires are highly recommended. Most importantly you will want a beanie, good gloves, a good coat, and shoes/boots with good traction in case it is icy. If you have fleece/flannel lined jeans/leggings or long johns it will make for a warmer vacation! Because it is so sunny here you may want to bring sun glasses. If you are not used to super dry weather you will want chapstick and moisturizer. If you plan to ski remember to wear sun screen, sunburnt chins are no fun!
Unfortunately we do not have room to house all of our guests. If you're having trouble finding or affording a place to stay give us a call and we can trouble shoot together.
Bend and Redmond in general are very dog friendly! Many of the breweries and restaurants allow dogs on their heated patios and there are lots of nice dog parks. There are also a large number of AirBnBs and hotels that allow dogs in Bend. Unfortunately because some of the dogs in our family are spicy little peppers we are not having dogs at our actual wedding. We also ask that you let us know if your dog will be attending any large group activities we plan so we can keep them all safe and happy. It is important to note that if you are traveling toward the snowparks out of town, dogs are only allowed at parks on the left side of the highway. They are not allowed at places on the right like Meissner.
Of course we would love to see you but we get it! Life happens, we would never be upset with you if you aren't able to make it. We can plan to do something special with you soon so you don't feel left out. If transportation or lodging is the issue reach out to us. Maybe one of our other guests is driving the same way as you or is looking to split a room/airbnb!
We are planning to serve beer, hard seltzer, and wine. If you have something special you would like to drink you are more than welcome to bring it.
Kind of, weed is legal at the state level but still federally illegal so you can't partake in the devil's lettuce at the park where we are getting married or we can get in huge trouble. Wacky Tobaccky use is also banned in the national forest where the snow play areas are. You are allowed to smoke/eat/drink/vape weed products on private property as long as you aren't driving. Anyone over 21 can buy cannabis products at the local dispensaries, just make sure you get rid of them before going to the airport. Drugs aside from cannabis have been decriminalized but not legalized.