Let's start by breaking down the term. "Garden Party Formal" is a dress code that combines elements of formal attire with a relaxed, outdoor vibe. Think of it as a blend of elegance and comfort. It's about looking polished and put-together, but in a way that's suitable for an outdoor setting. For women, this could mean a chic midi or maxi dress in a floral print or light spring colors. For men, a light-colored suit or blazer could be the ticket. The key is to choose outfits that are stylish yet practical. After all, you'll be navigating grassy lawns and uneven terrain. For the ladies, I recommend sandals, a block heel, or flats. The brick lay streets will be hard to walk in stiletto heels! So, while it's a step down from black tie, it's definitely a step up from casual. It's the perfect balance for a garden-themed wedding.
For the welcome reception on Friday, May 15, the dress code is casual cocktail. For men this means a collared shirt, and a lightweight sport coat, no tie. For women, this means a more polished dress, or separates with nice heels or sandals.
To help with our planning, please RSVP as soon as possible. However, the deadline is April 1, 2026. If we do not receive your RSVP by this date, we cannot make any exceptions and will have to mark you as a "no" for attendance. We need to provide the venue with a total guest count in a timely manner and hope you understand.
Parking will be available at the Fort Conde Inn. From there we will have transportation to and from the church. We ask everyone to arrive to the Fort Conde by 1:30 PM to begin the process of shuttling over before our bride and groom must depart!
Since our ceremony begins at 2:30 PM, we ask for guests to arrive no later than 2:00 PM if you are shuttling over from the Fort Conde. This will allow time to find parking, a seat, and settle in before the procession begins promptly at 2:30 PM.
While we know everyone is so excited, we kindly ask for everyone to put their phones away and enjoy the ceremony. We have photographers we have paid to take all the pictures we could ever ask for on our special day.
If you have been given an invitation that accounts for your children, then yes. If not, we kindly ask that you make arrangements to leave your little ones at home.
To ensure we can accommodate all guests comfortably within the venue's capacity, we ask that only invited guests attend our wedding festivities. You'll find the details about your party size, including whether it includes a plus one, on your invitation. We appreciate your understanding and cannot wait to celebrate with everyone!
Our ceremony will be indoors while our reception will be a combination of both indoor and outdoor space. The weather will be warm so please make sure to stay hydrated and dress appropriately!