We know you are all excited, and with multiple events and aspects to our special day, we’ve amassed answers to common questions about our wedding. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for here, let us know and we’ll publish an answer to your question.
Travel and Accommodations
I’m driving in. Where can I park?
You’re brave enough to drive into NYC? While we recommend taking public transportation into and around NYC, having a car may be what works best for you. Unless you find street parking, garage parking can be expensive. If you are attending the temple sealing, garage parking is available underneath the temple. This space is leased to ICON Parking. The temple can validate your parking, which will save you about $10. If you are attending just the reception, parking is available at Pier 40. Note that if you are attending the temple sealing, there will be transportation provided from the temple to Pier 40 and back, so if you park at the temple for the sealing you can leave your car parked at the temple site.
Can I book my accommodations at a different hotel than the hotel you recommended?
We do advise that all guests who require hotel space use the The Hudson, following the instructions on our Travel and Accommodations page to book your room at the heavily discounted rate. The hotel includes a reduced price for guests and services not normally afforded because you are visiting New York City for our wedding. Travel into and around New York City also takes time; it can take almost an hour to travel just five miles in some circumstances, and the money saved may not be worth the added stress.
The recommended hotel on our travel page is located in Upper West Side, one of the safest neighborhoods in the city and very close to both the temple and reception site, but we understand that for numerous reasons this may not work for everyone.
If you would prefer not to stay in the city, you can stay in Jersey City or Hoboken. Both have connections into Manhattan via the PATH train. You can then take the subway or a cab after arriving in New York City. For more information on the PATH, click here.
You also have the option of remaining in New York City by either staying in another borough (Brooklyn, Staten Island, etc) or staying in northern Manhattan. If you choose this option please be mindful that while New York City is very safe, there are “good” and “bad” areas, so please feel free to reach out to us if you are unsure about a specific area.
The Ring Exchange and Reception
Can I bring additional guests with me?
Sadly, no, unless the guest’s name is on your RSVP or you have been allocated a plus one, additional guests may not be added. Note that for security reasons we need to provide a list of authorized guests allowed to board the ship prior to the wedding day. We have a hard limit of 100 guests on the ship. Coupled with additional logistical challenges, such as special requirements for those under 18, we had to make incredibly difficult choices. We apologize that we are unable to accommodate everyone we care about. When we made our initial list of everyone we wanted to invite, the list topped over 300 people! It is our hope that you will be able to attend an Open House to be held this summer out West, where everyone can be accommodated, to celebrate the occasion with us.
I tend to get seasick, and I’m worried about the ring exchange / reception being on a ship. What can I do?
We will have Dramamine on-hand for those who get seasick, or maybe never knew they could get seasick. Once the yacht leaves port, the vessel itself will be fairly stable. Most people will not notice any difference from being on dry land because the yacht is so large (think the cruise ship effect).
I am responding to the RSVP on behalf of my family and one family member can’t make it. May I place another person in their spot?
No. Only invited guests may be added. If you believe you have a special case, please contact us and we will work with you.
The invitation states this is a “dry wedding”. Will alcohol not be served?
Members of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adhere to a strict code of health called “The Word of Wisdom” that stipulates, in part, the consumption of alcohol is forbidden [D&C 89:5]. The Bride and Groom respectfully ask that guests please do not bring alcohol to any of the wedding events. Numerous other beverages will be served.
Temple Sealing
Why did I not receive an invitation to the Temple Sealing?
It is customary in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that only immediate family (including grandparents), some close family members, and very close friends (generally only members of the wedding party) witness the temple sealing. Temple sealing rooms are much smaller than a chapel and can only accommodate a handful of witnesses (the largest sealing room in the Manhattan, NY Temple accommodates only 30 people).
Why are you getting married in a Mormon Temple where most can’t see your actual marriage?
We’ve created a whole page dedicated to this question. We would love for you to learn more about our beliefs and what motivates us to be married in the temple. You will learn about the purpose of temples, why a temple marriage is so different from what you would expect in a traditional wedding, and all the ways we are making certain all of our loved ones have the ability to celebrate with us.
What is the difference between the Temple Sealing and the Ring Exchange?
Robert and Brontë are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, better known as the Mormon Church. The Temple Sealing is a sacred ordinance, or sacrament, that will marry or “seal” Robert and Brontë for time and all eternity as opposed to, “until death do [they] part”. This ordinance is conducted in a Latter-day Saint temple (there are only a about 150 in the entire world), which Mormons believe to be literal houses of God where only the highest and most sacred sacraments of the church are practiced. Only members of the Mormon Church who hold an active temple recommend are permitted inside the temple. Because of this, it is customary to hold a ring exchange in a public place where any and all can witness Robert and Brontë’s commitment to each other. The Ring Exchange will be the first public celebration of Robert and Brontë’s eternal marriage and will be conducted similarly to a traditional wedding, but no vows are exchanged.