Dear Friends and Family,

We are getting excited about hosting you for our wedding in a few weeks. We wanted to give you an update of our plans and outline some important details:

  1. Photography is by you! If you're inclined, set cameras/phones to high size and quality and do with pictures what you will (social media, enjoy, etc.). If you get terrific shots you'd like to share with us, please upload the full-size originals to Wedding Weekend here: https://swork.smugmug.com/share/wedding - Thank you!

  2. Getting here: Please remember to travel with your PASSPORT. Unless you are coming by a charter flight from Bellingham or by boat directly from the US, you will need to cross the border. In the case of those who are driving from the US, you'll need to cross at the Peace Arch (or truck) crossing and then again at the Point Roberts crossing. If you are traveling mid-day when line-ups are long, you'll wish you had a Nexus pass.

    One piece of advice is to try and avoid peak border crossing times. Earlier in the day is usually better, mid-day worst. Arrive early if you come Saturday. We also recommend not bringing food or alcohol across. You can get everything you need on the Point. And while both BC (and the rest of Canada) and Washington State have decriminalized cannabis, please be very aware that the USA federal government has not.

    Please be clear if asked that you are a guest at our wedding, not a worker. The caterers are USA citizens from Bellingham. These questions are likely.

  3. Staying here: We mentioned in our invitation that we have activities planned for those of you who can spend the weekend with us. It's a long weekend for Canadians and some guests are planning on staying through to Monday. If you want to stay on to Monday and you have confirmed reservations with us at the campground, then please let us know (steve@work.renlabs.com) so that we can make plans to extend your stay by one night (currently we have booked sites for Friday and Saturday night).

    Our apologies that we are fully booked for the Lighthouse Marine Park campground, but if you don’t yet have reservations with us and you want to bring your RV or tent please contact the Sunny Point Resort. They may have additional spaces available. https://www.sunnypointrvpark.com

    If you prefer to book an Airbnb or VRBO, there may be some opportunities available (although friends tell me it has gotten very tight for this weekend). Tsawwassen, which is located just on the other side of the border, has hotels and resorts. The only drawback is having to cross the border, but if you time it right, it can be easy.

  4. Cell coverage and wifi: Cell coverage isn’t great in Point Roberts unless you have Verizon or you are hanging out on the beach. There is public wifi in the library parking lot, next door to the community center (and often people sitting in cars writing emails). If you are desperate, we have wifi at the Bell's Grove cabin.

  5. Schedule of activities:

    Friday, August 2, 2019 daytime

    Many people will be arriving on Friday. If you are arriving early to avoid the crowds, there is lots to do on the Point - there are great walks at Lily Point - bird watching – over 140 different species can be found (there are access points to beaches at all four corners of the point and you’ll see eagles’ nests throughout the area)

    • Point Roberts golf course is open and it’s getting good reviews (be sure to book your tee time https://baldeaglegc.com)
    • You can rent bicycles at Pedal Pushers on Gulf Road Nope, we blew our research here, this business closed down last summer. We have some personal bikes to lend out (though are short of locks and helmets! - bring some if you can!)
    • Check out Blue Heron, the small art gallery on Gulf Road
    • Blackberries are abundant and should be in full season in early August
    • There is a great local library and a rather mediocre kids play area, also on Gulf Road
    • Beachwalking at the Lighthouse Marine Park
    For lunch or dinner you have a few options of restaurants. They include:
    • The Saltwater Cafe (Brunch and Lunch) on Gulf Road
    • Breakwaters at the Marina (lunch and dinner)
    • Eagles at the Golf Course restaurant (breakfast and lunch)
    • Kiniskis The Reef pub (lunch or dinner) at the foot of Gulf Road
    • South Beach House (dinner only)

    7pm – Music Party, Games Night and Birthday Celebration
    Our events get underway at the Community Centre on Gulf Road (1487 Gulf Road next to the library). We are inviting everyone to join us for a music party, games night and a celebration of two big birthdays - Gerry Sylvester (Shauna’s dad) 90th birthday and Sharon Work (Steve’s mom) 79th birthday - as well as creating a space for the musicians among us to jam (bring your instruments) and the pool sharks, hearts or bridge lovers and board game enthusiasts to gather. It will be a casual night to get to know each other. Join us for some conversation, good beer, wine, punch, munchies, cake and a few toasts. Dress is casual and kids are most welcome.
    Saturday August 3, 2019
    We feel a little bit like the Little Rascals putting on a show, but we recognize it takes a village to host a wedding… so for those who are interested and able, we will be hosting a volunteer set-up party at the old cannery (soon to be Blackfish Resort) the site of the wedding.
    9:30am – Breakfast
    Join us for coffee, muffins, granola and fruit at 755 Marine Drive.
    9:45am to 11:30 – Wedding set-up work party
    Rowan Sylvester is taking the lead in co-ordinating the set up of the space for the wedding. We’ll be putting up curtains and lights, setting up tables, arranging flowers, decorating, putting up signage, organizing sound and preparing for the space for the ceremony, reception and dinner. There are lots of opportunities to get involved, meet new people and help us prepare to host everyone.
    12noon to 2pm – Croquet, bocce or ultimate anyone?
    If it is sunny, we’re convening at the local community playing field for a little R&R. There is a good kids playground area, lots of shade and room to run. And for those who are feeling a little competitive – there’s croquet and bocce – and, if we have the numbers - pick-up Ultimate. NOT A POTLUCK as we don't want people frustrated at the border discovering what food can or can't cross (we can't keep it straight, and we cross here frequently!) We'll have sandwich fixings for lunch, please don't worry about bringing anything.
    4pm – Wedding Ceremony

    The wedding ceremony, reception, dinner and dancing will be held at the old cannery at the "coming soon Blackfish Resort", 755 Marine Drive. There is ample parking there or next door at the Lighthouse Marine Park. It’s a rather rustic place with minimal facilities (yes, there will be bathrooms on site). Steve O’Neil the proprietor has secured permitting to develop the space into a micro-brewery, spa and resort, but for now it’s a weathered yellow building shell located on the south western shoreline of Point Roberts.

    The ceremony will be outdoors and if it is sunny and hot, we recommend wearing a hat and glasses. We will have a small area under a tent reserved for our elders. (Please let us know if you need to be sheltered from the sun during the ceremony). Our close friend and celebrant Marcia Thomson will be leading us through the ceremony.

    Dress is a bit casual. Ceremony surface is dry grass and rocky sandy soil, not great for heels. Besides, you'll want to dance later.

    After the ceremony, we are asking everyone to gather for a group picture on the grounds.

    5pm Reception
    Immediately after the ceremony the reception bar will be open. Join us on the deck and grounds for appetizers, drinks and champagne.
    6:45pm Dinner
    When it looks like the bar-b-que chefs are ready for us, our MC Louise Smith will call us in to be seated for a family-style dinner. We’ve developed a menu that we hope will satisfy the needs of everyone but please let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions (shauna.sylvester@gmail.com). After dinner, we’ll cut the cake, have a few toasts and start the dancing. Please send us your favourite dance music recommendations (steve@work.renlabs.com) and we’ll curate them into a great playlist.
    Sunday, August 4, 2019
    10am Coffee and Muffins at Lighthouse Marine Park

    On Sunday we are going to take it easy. For those who would like to join us for morning coffee, we’ll be watching for whales from the covered picnic area at the Lighthouse Marine Park.

    We are going to take the day to relax, visit and explore the Point Roberts beaches. If you haven’t had a chance to go golfing, bird watching, hiking or cycling, it’s a great way to spend a sunny Sunday.

    For those who are staying the night, we’ll gather at our cabin at 671 Bells Grove for dinner at 7pm. A couple of notes about visiting us at our cabin – there isn’t much parking on Bells Grove so it’s best to walk or cycle and park elsewhere.

    If you do come down in a car, please stay within the 10mph speed zone (or face the wrath of our neighbours) and DO NOT park on the central boulevard. Our drainage system sits at about 2cm from the surface and someone once parked on the boulevard causing a huge break, which created a river that washed out our road (such are the joys of rural life). We have permission from some of our neighbours to use their parking spot so we’ll find a space for you, or you can park in the church lot which is a block to the east of Bells Grove on APA road.

    If it is warm enough, we’re hoping to spend the evening at the beach. Let us know if you are going to join us on Sunday evening so we can get a sense of numbers.

    Monday, August 5, 2019

    We’ll be departing from Point Roberts in the afternoon on Monday. We look forward to spending time with family and friends Monday morning at the cabin.

We hope we’ve covered all the details. Let us know if you have any questions or specific needs. If you are stuck for accommodation, we have a friend who would be happy to host a guest or two in their home and perhaps some tents on their property. Please let us know and we will connect you.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you to Point Roberts and to the wedding. Please, no gifts, we have everything we need! Just come, dance and celebrate with us and enjoy a beachside weekend.

Warm wishes,

Shauna and Steve
Shauna’s Cell: 604-362-3977
Steve’s Cell: 360-219-8726