How to RSVP

Log into the RSVP section by using the email address associated with your emailed invitation.

You may be the primary contact for a "group" of invitees (ie., you notice a bunch of names when you RSVP, but you were the only person who received an emailed invitation).

You may also be a shared primary contact for your "group", which means that others in your "group" may have received an emailed invitation but others did not.

You may also have the ability to add "plus ones" to your group. These are placeholders for any additional guests you would like to bring with you. You can add them at any time by first logging out, then logging back, then returning to the "RSVP" page. Once you add your "plus one", you will no longer be able to edit their name.

Regardless, please coordinate with each member in your "group" and submit a response for each person. Each person is allowed to have a different response. Note the instructions and descriptions in the RSVP section may change depending on your choices.

If you have any questions or difficulties regarding this process, please reach out to either Haley (haley.huang.0329@gmail.com) or Corey (kirby50993@gmail.com).

Deadlines

Note that you have the ability to modify your RSVPs whenever you'd like, but please make your final decisions by October 31st, 2019 so that we can have an accurate headcount for each of our events.

If you think you might be staying at the Golden Royal Hotel, please let us know in your "Complimentary Lodging" RSVP by April 30th. You will still be able to change your mind up until October 31st, but responding by May will help us lock in a price with the hotel.

Thank you!

Dress Code

Dress code for the procession, ceremony, and reception is formal. Dress shirts and ties for men (jackets optional), and dresses for women.

Contrary to typical Taiwanese weddings, please DO NOT wear sandals, t-shirts, shorts, jeans, or sneakers.

Feel free to wear whatever you'd like for the Happy Hour!

Additional Guests

What if I'd like to bring more people than my allotted +1's?

Please contact us at either haley.huang.0329@gmail.com or kirby50993@gmail.com and let us know. We will adjust your +1 count accordingly.

Temple Etiquette

Removing Shoes

Some areas inside the temple do not permit shoes. These are typically marked with a little sign near the floor, but since they are all written in Chinese, here is the rule of thumb:

- When inside No. 58 (the main temple), remove your shoes if the flooring is made of wood. Shoes may remain on anywhere on the first floor.

- When inside No. 6 (the living quarters), remove shoes inside any of the residential hallways and rooms. There are shoe cubbies for you to put your shoes in outside of these areas.

Touching Stuff

Do not touch the plates of fruit, food, and water sitting around! These plates are offerings to the (sometimes inconspicuous) Buddhas. When in doubt, don't take or touch unless personally offered to you. We will have snacks and drinks readily available in the kitchen areas of No.6.

And it kind of goes without saying, but please don't go around touching any of the statues or decorations either.

Thank you!

Food and Drink Prohibitions

Typically no amounts of meat or alcohol are permitted for the monks and nuns, but the temple has permitted a rule of no noticeable amounts of meat or alcohol for our western guests.

Peace and Quiet

Loud noises and partying is generally frowned upon at the temples, but since no one but our guests will be staying at No. 6, here are the rules of thumb:

- Inside No. 58 (the main temple) keep noise levels at a minimum.

- Inside No. 6 (the living quarters), do not feel restricted about the noise you're making, but still be respectful of the other guests.

Interacting with Nuns and Templegoers

Although most people at the temple do not speak English, they still recognize western greetings. A "good morning" as you pass by will make everyone happier than you'd expect!

Taking Photographs

Feel free to take photos of anything at any time. However, please keep flash off during ceremonies.

A Traditional Taiwanese Ceremony

Morning of the Wedding

Ceremonies (in general) are held in the morning because Buddha doesn't eat after noon. :)

The bride and groom are not permitted to  stay in the same location the night before the wedding. The groom is to travel to where the bride is staying to pick her up and thank her parents before heading to the ceremony location in either a black car, or in our case, by procession (unless it rains).

The Ceremony

We will be providing a transcript of the ceremony translated into English, but for those who are curious, the ceremony will follow this sort of order:

1. Wedding procession begins.

2. Father enters with the bride and hands her to the groom.

3. Nuns chant a song.

4. Fathers of the bride and groom give a speech.

5. The head nun gives a speech.

6. Rings are exchanged.

7. Marriage certificate is stamped.

8. Nuns chant another song.

9. Wedding procession walks out.

The Fengshan Lotus Temple

Temple Address

Please copy both the English and Taiwanese versions of these addresses onto your phone or print them out and keep them on you. If you ever get seriously lost, hail a cab and show them the Chinese version of either address or input the address into your Uber app.


For the main temple (where the ceremony is held), the address is:

830高雄市鳳山區三民路58號

No. 58, Sanmin Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 830


For the living quarters (where Corey and I will be staying most of the time), the address is:

830高雄市鳳山區三民路6號

No. 6, Sanmin Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 830


Both buildings are on the same street. The main temple can be seen from many blocks away, so try to use it as a guidepost!

Help and Contacts

Emails

Any questions or concerns? Feel free to contact us at any time via email or text.

Haley
haley.huang.0329@gmail.com
+1 678-523-4050 (USA)

Corey
kirby50993@gmail.com
+1 438-394-5175 (Canada)

Where to Find Help in Taiwan

Corey and Haley: We will, for the most part, be staying at No. 6, 3rd floor, furthest room away when entering the residential space. Visiting a foreign country that speaks a different language can be overwhelming. We're here to help! Come bother us at any time.

Haley's Mom and Dad: They will, for the most part, be lurking around No. 58 around the residential floors. We will give you their exact room and floor when we know it ourselves. They are also here to help (and speak both Chinese and English), so feel free to bother them whenever you have questions!

Front Desk of No.58: During normal business ours, No. 58's doors will be open. If you enter and head right and pass the elevators, you will see the temple's reception desk. If you walk up to the receptionist and ask for help, she will give one of us (listed above) a call for you or find someone to assist. However, she doesn't speak English herself, so play your best game of charades if needed.

Other Guests: Your best hotline will be your fellow guests. Get to know each other! Especially if they know Chinese. ;)

Phone Numbers of Helpful (English Speaking) People in Taiwan

Kevin (Haley's cousin): +886 0983181758

JJ (Wedding host): +886 0937955637

Weather

Winter in Kaohsiung typically ranges from 18°C - 27°C or 64°F - 81°F with around 65% humidity.

Northern parts of Taiwan (Taipei and especially Hualien) are a bit colder averaging between 10°C - 27°C or 50°F - 81°F.

Overall, we recommend bringing at least a light jacket (preferably weatherproof, especially if you plan on visiting the Northern side of the island).

Schedule Changes Due to Rain

If it rains on the ceremony day, we will cancel the procession.

If it is scheduled to rain on any of the tour days, we may switch around the city we visit or change some of the scheduled events. 

Any changes will be sent out as a notification through AppyCouple, so please download the application on your phone and register our website using the code "templewedding".

Sharing Photos

Downloading the AppyCouple App

Please share any photos by uploading them to the "Gallery" section of this website. You can do so directly from your phone by downloading the AppyCouple app and registering our website using the code "templewedding".

Necessities Near the Temple

Food

Donutes No. 296, Sanmin Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 830

Bakery with some solid bread choices. This area has several restaurant and food choices.

Chenggong Street Day Market (morning 7 AM - 12 PM only) 號, No. 40, Chenggong Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 830

Traditional morning market with produce, snacks, and meals.

Supplies

7-Eleven No. 63號, Zhongshan Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 830

Basic needs and snacks.

Bo Bo Coin Laundry No. 352, Guangyuan Road, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 830

Laundromat. 

Appy Couple App

We highly recommend you download the Appy Couple app for your phone. That way, we can send notifications out if something changes on the ceremony day or on any of the tour days. You'll also be able to upload comments and pictures through the website. See the "Our App" section for details.

Use the code templewedding to log into our website on the app.

Change of Plans

We will send out an email if there are any major changes to any plans.