FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get answers to your questions about our wedding, our plans, and your role in it.

WHAT IS THE WEDDING VENUE LIKE? WILL IT BE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE?

Our wedding is being held a venue which has both indoor and outdoor spaces. The inside has three large rooms upstairs and a kitchen, bar area, and bathroom downstairs. The outside has a large green space, patio, and band stand. We’re planning for most of the event to be outdoors but anyone if welcome to go inside at anytime if they need to. The indoors are not air-conditioned (but there is a walk-in freezer if you need to cool down 😉)

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE WEDDING?

We are having a casual wedding in the style of a "family union". Please feel free to wear whatever you'd like, but know that we will be playing outdoor games. Accordingly, we encourage you to wear clothes that you're comfortable moving around in—and in clothes which you would not be too upset if they were to get dirty.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE WEDDING?

You only need to bring yourself and the rest of your party the day of, but there are a few things that you can bring to make the day a little bit more enjoyable:

• Yourself!
• Lawn chairs (We will have plenty of seating, but if you prefer to be more comfortable and have an option to move around and sit down outside, we would recommend bringing a lawn chair.)
• Alcohol (if you want it)
• Any game equipment you volunteered to bring
• Any food items you volunteered to bring

WHAT IF I CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE WEDDING?

If you can’t make the event, please let us know by going to the RSVP page, clicking "Not Attending" below your name, and scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking "Submit".

WHAT GAMES WILL BE AT THE WEDDING?

We do not yet have the final list of games that will be available, but we will certainly be having fun playing many different indoor and outdoor games throughout the day—and competing against friends and family in friendly tournaments. If there is a game that you would particularly like to see played, please indicate your interest and/or volunteer to faciliate it on the RSVP page.

IF I CAN'T (OR DON'T WANT TO) DO PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE

Yes, there will be other activity options! There will be non-physical group activities, such as trivia and bingo—and there will also be activities set up which can be played whenever, like various board games and coloring. The best way to ensure that there is something you can participate in is to fill out the activity interest form on your RSVP.

DO I HAVE TO BRING ANYTHING TO THE WEDDING, FACILITATE AN EVENT, OR VOLUNTEER?

No, of course not! We understand that a lot of our family and friends are traveling in for the wedding so please don’t feel like you’re obligated to do so, especially if that is you. We have, however, had a lot of people who have reached out to us, asking and offering to help. We'd like to give those who are interested an opportunity to participate in our wedding in a more substantial way. If possible, and if this is something you would like to do, we certainly encourage you to do so—as the more people that volunteer, the more fun activities we will be able to plan and do for all of you.

I'VE SIGNED UP TO FACILITATE AN EVENT, BRING EQUIPMENT, OR BRING A DISH. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I ARRIVE?

We plan to send an email to those who have volunteered with more information about who they should see on the day of the wedding—and where equipment and food will be checked in. We'll send out an email with more details before the wedding, or you can check back here in a few weeks.

I WANT TO BRING A FOOD ITEM THAT NEEDS TO BE KEPT HOT OR COLD. CAN YOU ACCOMODATE THIS?

Yes, if your item needs to be cold, the venue has a fridge and a walk-in freezer. If you item needs to be kept hot, there is an oven. If it is relevant to your dish, please try to bring a Crock Pot if you can. We have places to plug them in.

ARE PICTURES ALLOWED DURING THE WEDDING CEREMONY/AFTER PARTY?

Yes! We would like to encourage everyone to take as many photos as you’d like, during both the ceremony and the after party. We are recording our ceremony, so we’d just ask that you’d be mindful and not block the camera that is recording. We’d also like to ask you all to share the photos that you take with us. We will provide a way to share your photos with us at the wedding—or you can also email or text them to Michael (at mikelopato@gmail.com or (412) 478-9201 ) or Mackenzie (at houseamackenzie@gmail.com or (717) 552-9637 ).

IS THERE A REGISTRY?

Mackenzie has a bridal shower registry, which can be found at https://www.zola.com/registry/michaelandmackenzieaugust29, which has a few items—and a way to contribute to our wedding and honeymoon funds. We do not, however, have a formal registry—and do consider any efforts you make to help us facilitate the wedding as a form of gift, as well.

CAN I BRING CHILDREN TO THE WEDDING?

Absolutely, you can! What good would it be to have a celebration of love without those born of it? While we can't guarantee that your children won't inadvertently encounter a few drunk partygoers or a few instances of foul language as games and tournaments are lost throughout the course of the day, we do intend to have some games and activities designed for children. If you bring your children, please note that you are responsible for their supervision—though we encourage you to allow them to play, run around, and be a kid.

CAN I BRING PETS TO THE WEDDING?

Sorry; due to allergies, potential risks to guests, and a desire to have clean playing surfaces for games, we are not allowing pets at the wedding. Numerous pet sitters and boarding houses are available in the area via sites such as rover.com. Service animals, however, are permitted.

IS PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE WEDDING VENUE?

Yes, the venue has tons of parking! And the best part: it's free!

WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS? WHAT WILL I BE ABLE TO EAT AT THE WEDDING?

If you or anyone in your party has dietary restrictions, especially severe restrictions or allergies that are concern for cross-contamination, please let us know but filling out those details in the dietary restrictions section of the RSVP page. To best accommodate your needs, please fill out your RSVP information by July 15th.

WILL THERE BE ALCOHOL AT THE WEDDING?

The bride and groom may provide some alcohol, but since neither of them really drink—this event will be mostly BYOB. Please feel free to bring anything that you’d like to drink—and if you'd like to bring some to share, we welcome you to do so. (Ideally, please let us know on the RSVP page if you plan to do so.) If you choose to drink, please make sure to do so responsibly—and to get a designated driver or Uber at the end of the night 😊.

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE THERE TO DO WHILE IN PITTSBURGH?

We have compiled a list of interesting things to do while in Pittsburgh on the PITTSBURGH page. We encourage guests to be social, to invite other guests to outings on the day after the wedding—and, if possible, to stick around for a day or two and see what the city has to offer.