How to tell your guests about your unique wedding or FAQ's
I was just over at weddingbee and one of the bloggers was writing about selling her guests on her camping wedding.
We had a similar situation.
When I started getting questions on email or through my mom, it became clear to me that people were not checking our blog (where it was spelled out pretty clearly), or I started worrying that I wasn't clear enough, or even worse (and this was one of my constant fears), that my wedding seemed disorganized and sloppy.
I gathered the email addresses of all the guests (yes, this was time consuming and frustrating). I then created an FAQ that I send out in the body of the email as well as posted a link to it on our blog. It finally increased traffic to the blog (having it six times on our invitations didn't really seem to do anything :).
I sent an email once right after the save the dates went out, again once people got their invitations, and a final time about a week before the wedding.
There were still people who were calling trying to figure it all out.
Great thing was: people had an amazing time - they were thrilled to be part of such a unique experience, and so many said they wanted multi-day weddings to be a new tradition in the family.
*my relatives who got hotel rooms realized their mistake after getting to the location (9 miles on a dirt road with a creek crossing) - we luckily were able to find space for them at the site, so no one was driving back into town late at night. I did my part in warning them and let them do their thing, though - no more stressing after I had done the warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bubbs and Gigi are getting married!
What is Lake Leonard Reserve?
Lake Leonard Reserve is a private retreat located in inland Mendocino County. We will have exclusive use of the entire property for the weekend, including the largest natural lake in Mendocino County, canoes and kayaks, ping pong, badminton, a “rustic” tennis court, numerous camping sites, and five beautiful houses. The nearest town with services is Ukiah, roughly a 30-minute drive from Lake Leonard. Lake Leonard does not have a website with information, so if you have questions, please feel free to call us or email us.
The road up to Lake Leonard lake is a narrow, winding, single-lane gravel and dirt road with a stream crossing.
Pets are not allowed, babies and children are welcome.
How are you fitting your entire family in one place?
We aren’t. Unfortunately, we can’t fit everyone at Lake Leonard. We wish we could invite everyone, but we'll celebrate together in the fall at a large potluck celebration in Golden Gate Park where the entire Wertz clan can fit.
What should I bring?
For everyone:
* Food – we will be providing dinner on Saturday night.You should coordinate with your housemates on food/drink (we’ll let you know as soon as we do who those people are).
* Flashlight and batteries
* Your bathing suit
* One party outfit (with sweater, we’ll be outside)
* Towels for outdoor use
* Games – bocce, croquet, Frisbee, board games
For those of you staying in a loft you might also want to bring:
* Sleeping bag
* Air mattress/sleeping pad
* Dishes for you (there should be enough, but we are packing them in the lofts – if you have camping dishes, it might be a good idea to pack them)
For those of you camping:
* Prepare for camping – you can use the bathrooms and kitchen in the houses.
What is provided at Lake Leonard?
* Full kitchens in all the houses (refrigerators, stoves, sinks, coffee makers, etc)
* Full bathrooms in all the houses
* Bed linens (for those who have beds – if you are sleeping on your own air mattress or are camping, you need to bring your own)
* Bath linens (to be used indoors only)
* Canoes, kayaks, water noodles
* Firewood
* Dinner & drinks Saturday night
How do I book a room?
Your accommodations at Lake Leonard are being hosted. You do not need to call to make a reservation - we have already booked all of the accommodations at Lake Leonard. It is a priority for us that immediate family over the age of 35 getting first choice at rooms. There are no “private” houses at Lake Leonard, but there are limited private rooms. If you RSVP online early, you can list your housing preference and we do our best to accommodate you.
We will be sending out formal invitations in February and the sleeping arrangements will be revealed them (if you need to know earlier, send us an email).
We would prefer that everyone stay on site as the road is dangerous and dark at night, but if you love staying in motels in Ukiah, feel free to book a hotel room (and promise not to drink and drive). A couple people are staying in RV’s (you are welcome to do that as well).
What about food for the weekend?
We are providing dinner and drinks on Saturday night after the ceremony. For all other meals, you could coordinate with your housemates on that, or you can plan for yourself. There are quite a few grocery stores in Ukiah that you will pass by on your way. Once you get to Lake Leonard, you will probably want to stay, so pick up food on the way. (See Google Map for grocery store locations).
How far is Lake Leonard Reserve from my house?
* San Francisco: 2 ½ hours
* Sacramento: 2 ½ hours
* Oakland Airport: 2 ½ hours
* Santa Rosa Airport: 1 hour
What will the weather be like?
In the last 10 years it has not rained on May 30th in Redwood Valley. The average daily high is 76 degrees (the last two years it has been in the low-mid 80’s).
If you have other questions, leave a comment below and we will answer them here.
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