The ceremony is 100% unplugged. We have a very talented photographer who will be capturing the special moment, and we would like everyone to be in the moment with us! We will have a video camera setup, and a tablet that will be live streaming for those who cannot be in attendance. If you have your phone out, our usher will politely ask you to leave, so just avoid that drama and keep your phones off until the ceremony is over, please! No exceptions!
We have many loved ones who are high risk, or have weakened immune systems. Melissa also has a very weak immune system. We are asking that each guest at the very least gets a COVID-19 test taken within a week of the wedding and other events leading to the ceremony. This is just to make sure we can all enjoy the festivities without worry of those we love getting sick. We will be following the state of Oregon's protocols at the date of the ceremony. We will reach out to each guest within a month of the ceremony to clarify those specific mandatory protocols and procedures. Our venue is indoors and we will not discourage or ridicule those who feel most comfortable wearing a mask! If you are ill with something other than COVID-19, we still ask that you be respectful and responsible about your illness. If it is something contagious, please let us know so we can make a proper decision about how to avoid spreading germs and sickness. We want everyone to feel safe and still enjoy our big day with us! Thank you in advance for helping us do our part in keeping all who attend safe and healthy!
The venue is The McMinnville Grand Ballroom, which is located in the historic district of McMinnville, Oregon on Third Street. The venue's address is 325 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, OR 97128. It is on the second floor of the building, above Community Plate.
We have many nephews and a niece, and absolutely LOVE all the children in our life. Children will be in attendance at the wedding ceremony and reception! If you are invited and have a child, they are most certainly welcome! There will be a special corner at the venue which will have activities for the children in attendance. There will be access to the bridal suite for those who need privacy for breast feeding; please include that need with your RSVP so we have a heads up!
Handicap access to the venue is located on the backside of the building, off of Fourth Street and Cowls Street. There will be plenty of parking available near that entrance in the US Bank parking lot and also in the Oregon Mutual Insurance parking lot across the street. There will be signs outside that door. We ask that guests use the main entrance off of Third Street, next to Community Plate. Keep in mind, this entrance is not handicap accessible.
We have decided that instead of having a proper meal or dinner, that we preferred to have a "grazing table" and an assortment of salads and finger foods. This will include; kebabs, meatballs, sausage stuffed mushrooms, sandwiches, crackers, meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, dips, and spreads. There will also be a caramel apple station with apple slices accompanied by caramel, chocolate and other toppings. The cake will be made by a close family friend. Make sure to indicate any dietary restrictions or food allergies in your RSVP!
There will be a selection of local ciders, wines, and beers available at the reception. All drinks are free to guests, but we ask that guests not over indulge so that everyone can have a fair share! There will also be non-alcoholic options for those who choose not to drink, and for minors. If you have any suggestions for wines, beers, or ciders, please let us know! And please, don't forget to tip your bartender!
Dressy casual. We ask that all guests wear fall colors or navy blue if possible. The venue is indoors. Bring your dancing shoes! if you plan to join for the bar hop following the reception, make sure to bring a jacket. Oregon in the fall can be wet and cold. Layers are always a good idea!
Yes, most definitely bring a date if you feel inclined. We ask that you make sure to include any dietary restrictions or food allergies for them on your RSVP. However, if you have not included them in your RSVP, you will need to make sure to let us know that they will be in attendance no later than October 5th.
We have a honeymoon cash fund on our Zola website, as well as a cash fund for our favorite local non-profit, Juliette's House. We are also registered on Etsy and at Target. The links are located on the website. And we will have a honeymoon fund at the sign-in table during the reception.
Yes, for personal reasons we decided that we should go ahead and elope to help us out in numerous ways. That being said, we still have not exchanged our personal vows that we have written for each other and want to share a special ceremony with our loved ones.
Our hashtag is #beautyandthebeardforever A hashtag lets you tag pictures in social media, especially Instagram, that way they are easy to search and find. We’d love lots of pictures of our relationship, events leading up to the wedding, and the wedding itself. So please post on Facebook and Instagram using our hashtag!
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1pm on Saturday, November 5th. We ask that guests show up by 12:30pm and are seated by 12:45pm, so that there are no unnecessary delays.
Right here on the website! Click the RSVP tab in the upper right corner of the screen. Plug in your name and everyone in your party will pop up. The website will walk you through RSVPing to any and all events to which you were invited.
Yes! As mentioned earlier, we eloped back on May 4th, 2022 and I have legally changed my name to Melissa Thatcher Bansen. My maiden name was Melissa Di Anne Thatcher, and I really wanted to still have Thatcher in my name and had no attachment to my original middle name. So I chose to have Thatcher as a middle name while also taking Peter's last name. It's been extremely helpful when I make a mistake signing my name.