Arlene & Shannon
The WEDDING
Arlene McElwee and Shannon Graham are getting married on July 31st. If you’re here, you are probably invited! Please read on for location details, itinerary, and how we’re working around the covid situation. But first:
RSVP to wedding@rocketships.ca
Countdown
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Territory Acknowledgement
We are settlers on the land of lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. We live, work and play as visitors on lands belonging to the lək̓ʷəŋən People since time immemorial and we honor their ongoing connection to the land.
The reason that Summit Park is a beautiful open meadow today is because the lək̓ʷəŋən people stewarded the land as a food forest for thousands of years.
Environment
Summit Park is a Garry Oak meadow, one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. Garry Oak meadows used to cover almost all of southern Vancouver Island, and they provided food for the people who lived here, as well as hundreds of animal species that live in balance together.
There aren’t very many Garry Oak meadows left, due to human development. We love them, and that’s why we want to get married in one.
As we gather a couple dozen people in this park, we ask you to take care not to damage the turf, the flowers, or the trees. Please take a moment to appreciate the beauty, and understand why we love it so much.
COVID-19
In order for us to share this day with our close family and friends, we have to ask that no plus-ones attend. Only the people named on the invitation envelopes are invited.
We will obey all public health orders. According to the BC Restart Plan (found here), we should be able to gather in person by July 31st. The attendee limit is supposed to be 50 people, and we’ll be within that limit.
We hope as many people as possible are vaccinated in time for the wedding. We ask that you stay home if you’re not feeling well, and we’ll understand.
This is going to be our first social gathering in more than a year – it will be weird for us, and maybe for others as well.
When & Where
1245 Summit Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 2P9
In the southwest corner, there is a playground where we’ll post signs leading to the ceremony location. Go to the playground first!
Event Details
Date: 31 July 2021
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: 1245 Summit Ave,
Victoria, BC
Predicted Weather
Temperature: 28°
Rain: 0%
Humidity: 58%
Wind: 2mph
Reception
After the ceremony, please enjoy the park while the wedding party gets photographed, and proceed to Fortune Gallery on your own time. There will be a light meal and drinks, followed by mingling until the venue closes at 10pm. According to the BC CDC, no dancing is allowed! We’ll make the best of it.
Reception Location
Date: 31 July 2021
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: 537 Fisgard St,
Victoria, BC
Meal Details
Food: Virtuous Pie and Bunnie’s Kitchen
Toonie Bar: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be served
Gift Registry
We have all the stuff we need! Gifts are welcomed but not required. If you choose to bring a gift, please consider donating on our behalf to one of the following charities, or else help us make our honeymoon special with gift certificates for activities in Tofino.
Rainbow Railroad – A charitable organization that helps LGBTQ+ people escape from state violence by transporting them to safer countries. They work all over the world and are a Canadian registered charity.
ROAM (Reuniting Owners with Animals Missing) – A local charity that helps people find their lost dogs and cats. They’ve helped thousands of animals find their way home and are great people.
RSVP Here
Please email wedding@rocketships.ca. Let us know whether you’ll attend the ceremony, the reception, or both, and whether you have any food allergies or physical accomodations we should be aware of.