FAQ
Such a big weekend ahead of us comes with a lot of questions and we're here to help! This page is a living collection of answers to the most common questions we get about Montréal, the wedding, and everything in between. Still have questions? Don't hesitate to ask us. No question is too big, small, or dumb. We'll continue to add more to this page over time.
Getting to Know Montréal
Where and what is Montréal?
Montréal is the largest city in Canada's Québec province. It's located on the east side of North America, about 375 miles north of New York City.
Why are you getting married in Montréal?
It's one of our favorite cities in the world and where our relationship began. It's the place of many "firsts" for us: our first trip together, our first days as officially boyfriend and girlfriend, our first "I love you", among many others. It was in Montréal where we realized that "home" was more than just a place, but rather the feeling of each other's company.
Do I need a passport to visit Montréal?
Yes, because you will be crossing international borders, you will need a valid passport to enter the country. Passport and travel information can be found here.
Do I need to speak or understand French to get around?
One of our favorite parts about Montréal is that it's a truly bilingual city, meaning everyone speaks both French and English fluently. It's customary to greet someone with "Bonjour, Hello" or "Bonjour, Hi" and speaking in the language that the other person chooses. While we're sure the locals would appreciate you attempting to speak French, you can get around with English perfectly fine.
What's the weather like in the summer?
Montréal is home to relatively moderate climate (except in the winter, we don't recommend visiting during a snowstorm). In the summer, expect it to be warm (around 80 degrees) but nothing extreme. Worst case scenario, all of our events will be held indoors with proper air conditioning.
Getting ARound Montréal
What's the best way to get around the city? Do I need to rent a car?
Montréal is both a walkable and transit-friendly city, so no rental car is needed. Ubers are cheap and frequent, while the metro system is convenient to access the different neighborhoods. A 3-day unlimited pass costs $21.25 CAD.
Do I need to use local currency? What's the exchange rate?
Yes, Canada uses the Canadian dollar, which the US dollar has a favorable exchange rate against (typically around 0.75 USD to 1 CAD). We like to think everything is 25% off when we're in Canada. Additionally, most places (unless cash only) accept all major credit cards.
Which neighborhoods do you recommend staying in?
For closest proximity, we recommend staying at one of our hotel blocks or in the surrounding areas of Old Montréal, Downtown, and Chinatown. If you're not staying at either hotel or in the area, there are many neighborhoods we recommend with different things to offer. A few we recommend are La Petite-Patrie, Mile-Ex/Little Italy, Mile End, and Le Plateau (in order of our preferences).
What should I do while I'm in Montréal?
We have an exciting schedule of events planned for our big weekend. Outside of that, we've created a useful guide of our favorite things to do in Montréal here.
The Wedding Festivities
What neighborhood are all the wedding events in?
All of our wedding events will be conveniently located in the heart of Old Montréal and nearby Downtown and Chinatown. The wedding will be within walking distance of our hotel blocks and conveniently accessible by metro.
When should I get to Canada?
We recommend getting into Montréal on Friday afternoon if you are planning to attend our Welcome Drinks. However, we understand if travel is difficult and you can't make it on Friday and can only fly in on Saturday morning. Our wedding starts at 5 pm on Saturday so please be sure to leave ample time to get ready and be on time.
What does Black Tie attire mean?
For women, long gowns or dresses. For men, black tuxedos.
Do I need to attend all of the events?
While we'd love your presence at the various events all weekend, they are truly all optional (outside of the wedding itself, of course).
Do I get a +1 to the wedding?
We unfortunately cannot accommodate plus ones, unless they are specifically named when you log in to the RSVP section of the website.
What does Chartensday mean?
The word is a portmanteau of our names, Charles and Kristen, and the word "day", but it has deeper meaning than just a funny way of making us into a single unit. Over the past year, we noticed our lives were getting more demanding (from work, friends, family, etc.) and we found ourselves not making time for each other. We made a pact that every Wednesday, or at least one day each week, we'd dedicate the day to spending time together, just the two of us. We called it Chartensday. And on August 5th, we'll be celebrating our most important Chartensday of them all.
What's that symbol on all your wedding materials?
The Double Happiness sign is a traditional Chinese symbol commonly used at weddings to represent double the joy and happiness for the newlyweds as they begin their marriage. Our logo is a creative spin on the traditional logo that incorporates our initials.