Who is invited?
You are! We invite all our friends and family to join us for this special occasion. If you are coming, please let us know so that we can plan seating and refreshments accordingly.
Do I need to RSVP?
We ask that everyone RSVP. However, if you do not, please bring your own chair and a snack. 🙂
When should I RSVP by?
We kindly ask that everyone RSVP by December 15th.
How do I RSVP?
You can RSVP online by filling out the form on our RSVP page. Please include your email address to receive a confirmation email for your convenience. If you need to change your RSVP, please let us know through our contact us page.
Where will the wedding be held?
The ceremony followed by a cake reception will take place at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA. It is the parish Elisa grew up attending and will better accommodate the number of people attending than her home parish in West Chester.
What should I expect for an Orthodox wedding?
The ceremony will be different from what many consider to be a typical wedding. The beautiful wedding ceremony, practiced by the Orthodox Church for hundreds of years, is rich with meaning. It has two distinct parts: the betrothal and the crowning. During the betrothal, which will take place in the back of the church, the union of the couple is blessed, and wedding rings are exchanged. The wedding party will then go to the front of the church where the main part of the service, the crowning, will take place. During this part, crowns will be placed on the bride and groom, making them king and queen of their home, which is an extension of the Kingdom of God. The crowns also symbolize martyrdom, because marriage requires self-sacrifice for each other and for God.
Will it be like “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”?
If you’ve ever seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, it’s actually not much like that at all. While their wedding took place in an Orthodox church (like ours will), it was a Hollywood version of the ceremony. Our ceremony won’t be in Greek, and there definitely won’t be any spitting (please). While you’re welcome to shout “Opah!” at the reception, you’ll probably be the only one.
Of course if you do have a minor injury or blemish on the day of the wedding, you’re welcome to try using Windex. We can’t make any promises that it will work for you.
What can I expect during the ceremony?
You don’t have to sit on the “bride’s” or the “groom’s” side. All guests are welcome to sit wherever they want during the ceremony. If you arrive on time (or early) and the choir is already singing, that’s normal, and it doesn’t mean you missed anything. Of course if you see Jeremy and Elisa standing at the back of the church with a priest or two, then your clock might be off. You can still enter quietly to either side.
During the service, most of the Orthodox people will be standing. This isn’t a requirement (especially if you have difficulty standing for long periods), and no one will mind if you’re seated.
There will be music during the ceremony, but it is in the form of singing, rather than a pipe organ or other instruments. There won’t be the “normal” wedding songs that you may expect, such as Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” (Here Comes the Bride) or Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” (most often played at the end of the ceremony).
Is there a dress code?
No. The wedding party will be in tuxedos and floor-length dresses, but come in something you are comfortable wearing. You can come dressy-casual if you’d prefer, but you won’t be out-of-place if you dress more formally.
Can I take pictures?
We ask that you not take pictures during the ceremony in order to minimize distractions and moving around. However, please feel free to take pictures after the ceremony and during the cake reception.
Will lunch be served?
There will be cake and light refreshments but not a full meal. Please keep this in mind if you have young children or health concerns. There are some restaurants in the area if you need more substantial food after celebrating with us.
Will gluten-free food be served?
Please let us know via the Contact Us page if any members of your party require a gluten-free option.
Is there a gift registry?
You can find this information on our Registry page.