Questions:

Countdown:

• MAPS?!?!? I NEED a map! I get lost just looking for my bed!
• I'd love to buy you a gift, where are you registered?
• Got your invite! But what about RAIN?!
• Speaking of rain, how do I get to the Plan B ceremony location?
• Why isn't my baby/young child invited?
• How formal is the wedding?
• Why does your save the date look like an invitation?
• When is the wedding?
• Where will the wedding be?
• How did he propose?
• Do you have other websites?
• Why aren't you happy in the image below?

• MAPS?!?!? I NEED a map! I get lost just looking for my bed!
  
  
  • We got you covered! Google maps to the rescue. If you have a GPS system, I'm not sure how it will help. I don't have an address that you can type in for directions. And I really don't know what the longitude and latitude would be either. But! Here's a widget to get Google directions and a Google map with the Tea Room and South Frederick Overlook pointed out for you. :)
    
    To get directions, type in your address in to the widget and click "Go." To print the directions, click "Print." And if you'd like to change your route a little, click on "View Larger Map." From there, you'll be able to pick up the route and drop in on a different road to go a slightly different way.
    
    Got a question? Just ask! Go to the contact page and I can figure it all out and send you a pdf of the directions. :)
  
  
  
  
  
  View South Frederick Overlook, Gambrill State Park, Frederick, MD in a larger map


• I'd love to buy you a gift, where are you registered?
  
  
  
  • I've actually gotten this question, it is the most common. And no, it is not a hint to give us something.
    
    At first we weren't going to register. Patrick and I share a three-room apartment that is more the size of an efficiency. I'm not complaining, it is the right place for us to live right now. We have the best landlords anyone could ask for and it is enabling us to pay off student loans and properly plan for our future. But we don't have a lot of space.
    
    Our first suggestion is seed money for our first house. If you aren't comfortable with that (don't worry, I understand), I created a registry page with links to online companies.


• Got your invite! But what about RAIN?!
  
  
  • We have an alternative location if it rains and we can't have our outdoor ceremony. If it rains, or there is some other type of iffy weather, the ceremony will move 30 minutes earlier and will take place at Coffman Chapel on Hood College's campus. The ceremony will be 30 minutes earlier to give guests time to go to the reception location and for everything else to stay on track schedule-wise. :)


• Speaking of rain, how do I get to the Plan B ceremony location?
  
  
  • We're going to be at the same location, regardless of the weather. If it rains, we'll be inside the Tea Room and Patrick and I will be married in front of the fireplace. Don't worry, we have space heaters and a working fireplace, so we won't get cold. The front and back patios will also be tented. :)


• Why isn't my baby/young child invited?
  
  
  • This was a difficult decision. Patrick and I love children. If we could, we would invite everyone's children and have a blow out wedding, but we can't. Patrick's family is large and there is extremely limited space — 75 people, total, are allowed in the building. That includes staff for the wedding.
    
    Just about every seat is accounted for and we do not have space for extra bodies at each table. I'm so sorry, please try to understand.


• How formal is the wedding?
  
  
  • I would say it is about as close to being black tie as it can get without it actually being black tie.
    
    To clarify, I'm wearing a designer couture gown by Maggie Sottero. Emily is wearing a designer floor length dress by Adrianna Papell. Patrick and Matthew are wearing black suits with vests and coordinating ties. If you have a tux, you're welcomed to wear it but if you have a nice suit, go for that over buying or renting a tux. If I were going to this wedding as a guest, I'd probably wear a cocktail dress. But please, please do not consider that "law." We'd rather you are comfortable and didn't spread your budget too thin just to attend our wedding.
    
    Honestly, we'd rather you wear something that you already have in your closet and are comfortable in, versus renting or buying something. Trust me, it is far more important that you are there.


• Why does your save the date look like an invitation?
  
  
  
  • We got an amazing deal on that set. We have another set (that was an even better price!) for the actual invitations.
    
    We used the RSVP cards and return envelopes because we have extremely limited space. If someone was sent a save the date and can not attend, we will fill that spot with another adult guest. Trust me, there's a long list of people we'd love to include.
    
    We'll send out the invitations shortly after the beginning of August, when we've heard from everyone from the first round.


• When is the wedding?
  
  
  • Friday, Oct. 16, 2009; it is the second anniversary of our first date.


• Where will the wedding be?
  
  
  • Our ceremony will be held at the South Frederick Overlook. The reception will be held about a football field away, at the Tea Room at Gambrill State Park in Frederick, Md. For details, read our blog.


• How did he propose?
  
  
  • On one knee; it was fabulous! For the full story, read our blog.


• Do you have other websites?
  
  
  • Yes, several. I write a blog for the FNP, "Down the Aisle." Then there's our TheKnot.com website; it has a guest book (hint, hint).


• Why aren't you happy in the image below?
  
  
  • I am. It is a perspective image and I was concentrating, so I wasn't smiling. But that doesn't mean I wasn't happy while I took it. The story behind the two images is this:
    
    I sat and worked on a puzzle while the Mendonca clan played croquet with Granddaddy (Jeannette's father). It was a happy trip, we had loads of fun and every time I see the images of Patrick (him looking down on me) and me (looking up at him), I remember that wonderful weekend on the Virginia shore.