We never imagined having a wedding during a pandemic, but here we are...

-Our hope that COVID-19 cases would continue to trend down didn't exactly work in our favor, but we are at least comforted by the knowledge that the current dominant Omicron variant seems to be much less severe, despite being very contagious.

-Andrew and I understand that people can make their own choice to come to our gathering given the current climate- and we hope you do!- but I think anyone would understand that we still feel a sense of responsibility, and desire, to make this a safe (and fun!) celebration.

-Our current guest count is under 200. We assume about 97% of our guest list is vaccinated, with well over half having booster shots as well. We know that of the very small number of unvaccinated guests, most have some natural immunity from prior infection. Our entire event staff is vaccinated, and boosted. That being said, we know that anyone can bring covid into a gathering.

-We realize that the risk of serious infection, hospitalization, or death in children, and for all vaccinated populations is very low, but we'd rather not take that chance on our special day.

-We realize the more common scenario is a spreading of infection that causes mild symptoms. But taking home COVID 19 is still much different than taking home a common cold or flu from our wedding since an outbreak of COVID in a household can have downstream burdensome effects on people's day to day life for several weeks.

-We will still respectfully follow the policies that our wedding venue has in place, which are the state/local guidelines. Currently, masks are still required indoors for all people, unless when eating/drinking. This is not being "policed" by our event staff.

-A vaccination/testing check is not required at The Redd, and we do not plan on implementing one on our own.

-We will have some masks available at our gathering, but please of course bring your own.

-A reminder that our event space is big, with very tall ceilings and proper ventilation. We feel it is one of the best options for an indoor celebration right now.

-We will have a separate lounge space away from the dance floor and eating tables for anyone to enjoy, but especially if there are guests who want a little more distance when visiting and/or drinking.

CHANGING RSVP?

If you have decided you want to change your RSVP because of the current climate, we understand. We really do! Please do not feel guilty, and please let us know by January 12th.

TESTING!

1) UNVACCINATED, and w/o recent infection: Please have a PCR test (not a rapid) within 72 hours of our event. Additionally, please take a RAPID TEST the day of our wedding if you have one on had. We know they are hard to come by right now. Andrew and I do not want our small number of unvaccinated guests to feel persecuted. We simply know that acquiring and spreading of infection is still more likely in the unvaccinated, and we'd like to reduce that risk.

2) UNVACCINATED with PRIOR INFECTION >4 months ago: We'd still prefer you to PCR test within 72 hours of our event, and consider taking a rapid test on the day of, if possible. At this time with continually updated research studies, we cannot be certain how long natural immunity lasts, and we know that having acquired a past variant doesn't guarantee immunity from another variant.

3) IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, BUT HAVE NOT HAD A BOOSTER SHOT (or not done at least 2 wks prior to the wedding: Please consider taking a PCR within 72 hours of our event date, or at minimum, a rapid test the day of.

4) IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED: Please consider taking a rapid test on the day of our wedding if you feel it's necessary.

5) IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, BOOSTED, AND HAVE A HISTORY OF NATURAL INFECTION: We feel comfortable with you not testing unless you want to.

6) ANYONE WITH RECENT INFECTION (in the past 4 mo): While we know having one variant doesn't mean you are fully protected from acquiring another, if you have had a recent infection in the past 4 months we caution you on doing a PCR test since it still might be + when you are no longer contagious. A rapid test is less likely to be + that far along, but it's possible.

WHAT/WHERE TO TEST!?

-HOME RAPID TEST KITS: These are hard to come by right now. Check your local pharmacies. They get random shipments that usually sell out in a day or two. Any mainstream brand the pharmacy has is fine. Some urgent cares also do rapid tests. Rapid are generally very accurate if the test shows "positive." If negative, that is good news, but it doesn't mean you are necessarily negative if your body has not mounted a big enough viral load yet. Most urgent care centers also offer rapid tests. A rapid test has results in 15 minutes

-PCR TESTS: These are more accurate covid tests, and are done by most urgent cares. It takes a little longer to get results, typically 1-2 days.

-If not getting a home rapid test, you can schedule online at any urgent care including legacy, providence, OHSU, and Zoomcare. AFC urgent care is also a great option with many booking slots. CURATIVE is a private company with 6 testing sites throughout portland proper, aso with a lot of booking slots. If you live South of Portland, Countryside community church is offering FREE DRIVE THROUGH PCR TESTING WITH 24 HOUR TURNAROUND TIMES.

PLEASE SCHEDULE TESTING WELL IN ADVANCE IF YOU PLAN TO DO THIS BEFORE OUR WEDDING AS CENTERS CAN BE BOOKED OUT A WEEK OR MORE RIGHT NOW

STILL WANTING A VACCINATION, INCLUDING BOOSTER?

-Vaccines are being provided by most pharmacies. You can book online.

-In Northwest Portland, Playdate PDX has partnered with Pearl Health center. They tend to have sooner openings than the pharmacies, many of which are booked out for a week.

-The State recently opened some drive through vaccination sites, one being at Tektronix in Beaverton

WHAT IF I HAVE COVID BEFORE YOUR WEDDING?

1) If you have the more dominant Omicron variant, you should be quarantining for 10 days from the time of a positive test, IF symptomatic. You should be more vigilant about mask wearing for 5 days after. So, we'd hope you are 15 days out from infection to still attend our wedding due to eating/drinking around others.

2) If you are without symptoms and test positive, then you should be quarantining for 5 days from time of positive test. You should also be more vigilant about mask wearing for 5 days after. So, we'd hope you are 10 days out from infection to still attend our wedding due to eating/drinking around others.

3) If you develop covid related symptoms in the days leading up to our wedding (that which can be the exact same as a common cold or a flu) we

strongly encourage you to to take a PCR Test, but knowing that a test can be negative for several days before turning + when symptomatic, we also would ask you to consider not coming to our event :(

-Finally, we want to state the obvious that asking this of people is NOT easy. Planning a wedding around COVID has been BY FAR the least fun, and most stressful part of it all. We look forward to celebrating our marriage with you- a wedding we REALLY hope can otherwise be free of discussion about Covid, masks, vaccines, the CDC, politics and all other related topics :)

Questions/concerns can be sent to us:

andrewyarborough@gmail.com or to (425) 922-1460.

Lindsey.j.wismer@gmail.com or to (503) 936-1503

THANK YOU

- L & A

Photos

Grateful for all the memories we've made, and all that is to come.