There are two ways to RSVP: 1.) Click the RSVP tab and type your name or any name from your party that was listed on the invitation. Everyone who is invited within your party will appear under your name when you RSVP. Please ensure that you RSVP for yourself and your guest(s). 2.) There will also be a RSVP card sent with the invitation that can be filled out, have a stamp placed, and then sent back to us.

To coordinate with vendors, we ask that you please RSVP by March 14th, 2025. Thank you!

Unfortunately, if you do not RSVP by March 14th, 2025 you will not be able to attend. We need to know a guest total as soon as possible, so please RSVP as soon as you can. This ensures guests a spot at a table as a seating chart will be used for dinner, as well as allows Shady’s a total number for meals to be provided for guests. If you do miss the deadline, but are still wanting to participate in the celebration you are welcome to join the dance portion of the reception starting at 7:30 PM.

Please arrive to The Church of St. Benedict 15-20 minutes prior to the ceremony to park and find your seat(s). Ceremony starts at 2:00 PM.

Due to the venue's capacity, only the children listed on the invitations are invited. If you receive a plus one it will be listed on your invitation. Thank you for understanding and if you have any questions please reach out to Aries or Nathan!

We are having an "unplugged" ceremony at the Church of St. Benedict. However, we encourage photos to be taken following the ceremony! We invite you to share your photos by; 1.) Use #TheGertkens2025 with your posts on social media. 2.) You can email the photos to our email specifically created for wedding related connections at thegertkens2025@gmail.com 3.) We also will have a QR code printed on signs. These can be scanned with your smart phone and photos can be uploaded. If not able to use the QR code, here is a link to the same photo album; https://my.guestpix.com/Guest/Access/93079/ipxdbzJC

Yes, alcohol will be served at the reception (Shady's Sunset Bay). It is $1.00 per drink starting at 3:30 PM and ending at 11:00 PM. The Bride and Groom's signature drinks (Busch Light, Rum & Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper Malibu) will be $1.00, other drinks that will be $1.00 are; domestic beers, most rail drinks, and a moscato wine. Other drinks not listed will be priced per Shady's Sunset Bay's rates. Water, coffee, and lemonade will be free. The bar will close during dinner but reopen once the dance starts.

The dress code is dressy casual. Jeans are acceptable. Please do not wear white, cream, or champagne.

We have rented a shuttle to take us, the bridal party, and anyone else wanting to continue to celebrate to Cold Spring! The bus will complete two runs to Cold Spring and stop at Grumpy’s Bar. The first one will depart from Shady’s Sunset Bay at 10:30 PM. The reception ends at 11:00 PM and the shuttle bus will then depart from Shady's shortly after the reception ends. This will be the last run of the night. After the drop-off at Grumpy's Bar the bus will be done transporting for the night. Ensure you have a sober driver lined up for your safety and others as the bus will not be returning to Shady's Sunset Bay or completing any additional drop offs. Your vehicle can be left at the Shady’s Sunset Bay parking lot for the night. Thank you for understanding and for making prior arrangements! Grumpy’s Bar Address: 313 Main Street, Cold Spring, MN 56320

We have reserved rooms through Baymont by Wyndham Albany and Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Cloud. Please look under the “Travel” section for more information regarding those options. You are also allowed to camp on the venues property (Shady’s Sunset Bay). There is a hotel option in Cold Spring, The Riverside Inn. Please call to check for availability as there is another wedding that night and they have reserved rooms through them already. So space may be limited. Be safe!