We recommend parking at the Visitors’ Center lot if spaces are available. If not, use the main lot. There’s also a handicapped-accessible lot closer to the ceremony venue. Please, reserve these spaces for mobility-challenged guests. There should be park staff to help provide directions at main entrance points. A map is available here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/the-gardens-map/

No. We want you to focus on enjoying the event. We've hired a professional photographer. To be honest, we don't want professional photos of people taking photos and videos on their cellphones.

Dinner and dessert will be served at the reception, following a cocktail hour with light hors d'oeuvres. There will also be snacks later in the evening.

Yes! However, if you can only make it to one or the other, we would still love for you to attend.

Nearby Champaign-Urbana has the most restaurant options. However, it’s also graduation weekend at UIUC, so they may be crowded. Charleston-Mattoon has the usual array of fast food options, as well as some decent Mexican restaurants and bar & grills. Fun facts: Charleston was the site of the first Jimmy John’s! Unfortunately, that location has been torn down, and the restaurant is now in a standard strip mall storefront. And Mattoon is the site of the only non-chain Burger King in the country. The owners of the restaurant refused to sell out or change names as the chain expanded, and sued to keep the chain stores out of the area.

We would rather keep it to an adults-only event, but if the only way you can attend is by bringing kids, we can make exceptions. Just reach out to us first, please.

We’re flying back and forth from California, so transporting physical gifts is difficult. Cash or gift cards are preferred.