I have kids, can I bring them?
Yup! There is a place to list them on the reply/rsvp form.
I want to bring a wedding buddy, can I?
Yup! Just like with kids there is a place to list them on the reply/rsvp form.
I don't/won't have a car, what should I do?
➤We’ve set up two ride-share sheets for folks. 1)For folks interested in splitting a rental in the area to get to and from the wedding and local lodging is here Car Rental Share/Split
and 2)For folks interested in road tripping/share costs to the Midwest - Road Trip to the Midwest
➤Please note, budget allowing, we might be able to rent school buses to transport folks to and from the wedding on the big day. This is a huge maybe, so definitely make your own arrangements and we will notify all guests who have rsvp’d in enough time to cancel and get a refund for whatever car rental plans you’ve made.
➤Lyft/Uber are in the area, it is a 45 minute ride from South Bend city center to the wedding and roughly $45, this will be a good option to split with friends, but please note that it will be much easier to get a Lyft/Uber from South Bend to the wedding at Camp Tannadoonah, than it would be back from the wedding to South Bend.
We did a test run and the drive to the camp is easy, you don’t have to worry about taking back country or dirt roads even though it is in a rural area. The roads are main state roads and highways.
➤Lyft/Uber are in the area, it is a 45 minute ride from South Bend city center to the wedding and roughly $45, this will be a good option to split with friends, but please note that it will be much easier to get a Lyft/Uber from South Bend to the wedding at Camp Tannadoonah, than it would be back from the wedding to South Bend.
We did a test run and the drive to the camp is easy, you don’t have to worry about taking back country or dirt roads even though it is in a rural area. The roads are main state roads and highways.
Whatever you want. We'll be dressed like fancy-pants folks, but we want guests to feel comfortable. Dress up in any way you prefer, but this is NOT a swanky black tie event! As for footwear - weather permitting we are hoping to have the ceremony outside(only the ceremony, the reception will be indoors and both will be indoors if weather is bad) and we also plan on dancing the night away, so bring comfy shoes especially because the walkways at the camp are gravel and dirt, and parking is on grass, so sensible shoes are a good idea and if you feel like it, change into your glass slippers for the reception. Bring layers too, fall weather can be changeable!
I'm poor, but I want to come, what do I do?
We COMPLETELY EMPATHIZE, we're broke too and this wedding is only happening because so many organizations, sponsors and people helped make it happen. We've created road-trip share and local ride share forms that you can find above on this page and also on our Location/Directions page for folks to use, and on the Lodging/Accommodations page we have a ton of options, including one that is only $15 a night! Also, we encourage you to reach out to friends to see if anybody is interested in road-tripping, ride sharing and splitting a hotel.
What if it rains?
We have two indoor options right on site.
I don't like nature
Don't worry, only the ceremony will be outdoors(weather permitting)
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Email us for specifics.
Is there wifi?
No, our cells worked fine on-site, during a lightning storm on-site there was a delay in a few texts going through for like 10 minutes but it was fine. You'll have to rely on your cell coverage service for all internet needs. For emergencies, the camp staff does have wifi in their office.
The world is scary and I'm nervous about going to a rural suburb in Michigan :(
We feel ya on this one, especially since this is not in the part of Michigan that Maya grew up in. First of all, Camp Tannadoonah's motto is - "Camp Fire and Camp Tannadoonah take pride in our long-standing commitment to providing programs and services to all youth and families. Our programs are designed to reduce sexual, racial,
religious, gender, and cultural stereotypes, and to foster positive interpersonal relationships. In Camp Fire, everyone is welcome."
We have thoroughly investigated the area. By doing the following:
➛Maya emailed black baptist churches in the area to ask them what their personal experiences are and what they recommend. - They replied by saying that though no place is perfect - this area "is a nice little place" and that they have been safe and that their congregations have a lot of racial diversity and they firmly believe that the rainbow coalition that will be coming en mass to our wedding will be ok.
➛Maya also emailed several white owned inn's and Airb&b's in the area and asked them if racial diversity is welcome. - They replied by saying that our diverse group would be more than welcome in the their establishments and that they were so sorry that things in our country are such that we need to ask.
➛We went to eat at the Applebee's in the nearby town of Three Rivers, there were several people of color there, including our waitress. Maya asked her if she could give us some feedback about the area and the waitress replied by saying "Oh I think you all will be just fine."
➛Evan did some online "green book" research as well and there is no scary activity in the immediate area of the camp.