Chit Chat

Question?

Ok I have picked out the church I love and the reception hall I love! The problem is that they are 20 miles apart from eachother! :/ it is easy to get to from the church..its straight down the interstateand one exit with two right turns! My question is that to far apart for ppl to drive to after ceremony! Thanks in advanced!
Wedding Countdown Ticker Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: Question?

  • jemmini6jemmini6 member
    5 Love Its Name Dropper First Comment First Anniversary
    edited May 2012
    20 minutes is fine.

    ETA:  I just saw that you have 20 MILES, not minutes.  20 miles is a little too far.  I'd keep the total travel time 20 min or under, and 20 miles doesn't fit into that category.
    Anniversary
  • edited May 2012
    20 miles sounds too far to me, sorry.  I guess part of this depends on the "driving norms" in your area though - here, if you drive 20 miles, you'll end up in the next county, so my friends and family would consider it "far."  I recognize that may not  be the case in more rural areas, where people are used to things being further apart.

    ETA:  Also, due to traffic patterns, it would generally take 35-45 minutes to travel 20 miles around here, so that's part of why I come down on the "too far" side of the line.
    imagemy to-read shelf:
    Steph's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (to-read shelf)
  • AbbeyS2011AbbeyS2011 member
    First Comment
    edited May 2012

    It is not too far apart.  Make sure you have maps printed up and insert them in the invites, as well as on your wedding website (if you have one), and also on the programs, or just a copy of the map from church to reception hall available at the actual ceremony site.

    ETA:  I saw the 20 miles and thought it read minutes - my bad.  That is a bit much, unless it is about 20 minutes from one to the other. 

    Anniversary
  • I am in the "it's too far camp".  15-20 minutes is fine. 20 miles in traffic will be at least 35-40 minutes.   I'd probably attend either the ceremony or the reception, but not both.

  • That sounds like nothing to me, but then again I drive an hour to work everyday and an hour home, 20 miles for most ppl (40-45 min) would be a bit much. I would look for something closer.
  • I haven't booked the venue yet, but we did book the church.  The two venues we are looking at are both within a 30 minute drive from the church.  We might look at a venue in the same towm as our church, but not too sure as we are in love with our two top choices.  I mean 20 miles can be alot, but it all depends on traffic too.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • IMO it's not too bad. If there isn't a ton of traffic on the highway, it should only take maybe 30 min. But maybe it's just me?
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    March 2013 March siggy challenge - wedding preview
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Follow Me on Pinterest
    Planning Bio
  • My venue is in Houston but the church is in a suburb...we are hiring a police escort for our guests from the church to the reception so that they won't have to deal with traffic. We are also providing a shuttle with chauffeur to their hotel(s) in case anyone over imbibes at the reception.
  • If it's under an hour, I say it's fine.  It's a wedding and it's a one day one time thing so I think most people won't mind.  If people do mind, they will either choose the ceremony or the reception or choose to not go at all.  
    Daisypath Wedding tickers
  • edited May 2012
    Way back in 2008, I went to a ceremony in NYC's Central Park, got a ride from the city back to my apt. and then drove back to my job so my CW could get her car. Then, I drove 45 min north for the backyard reception. That day was so crazy! I probably should have chosen one or the other! LOL!

    If you have your heart set on a particular church/venue, you should go with that. Your guests will decide what they want to do.

    Since we have no desire to get married in a church, we are getting married at the venue.





    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • <p>In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_question-22?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:6c590d4d-9c93-40e1-87f2-814f72561b8dPost:19f60357-805c-4d1a-a3f3-1deb4f99d7ac">Question?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Ok I have picked out the church I love and the reception hall I love! The problem is that they are 20 miles apart from eachother! :/ it is easy to get to from the church..<strong>its straight down the interstateand </strong>one exit with two right turns! My question is that to far apart for ppl to drive to after ceremony! Thanks in advanced!
    Posted by KoriMarie062213[/QUOTE]</p><p>Is it a busy interstate?  What's the speed limit?  :) 

    Seriously, if it's even 60 miles an hour and it's not a busy interstate, that's a 20 minute ride.
    </p>
  • NYC to Rockland County is 20 miles! Yup too far... And believe me if ppl need to make a choice btwn ceremony or reception, they would probably pick reception. Wow yeah the police escort is a bit much... Sounds like a waste of money IMO.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_question-22?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:6c590d4d-9c93-40e1-87f2-814f72561b8dPost:dac41790-8f82-4b33-9715-52097cb5a03a">Re: Question?</a>:
    [QUOTE]My venue is in Houston but the church is in a suburb...<strong>we are hiring a police escort for our guests from the church to the reception so that they won't have to deal with traffic.</strong> We are also providing a shuttle with chauffeur to their hotel(s) in case anyone over imbibes at the reception.
    Posted by Lizzieyounce[/QUOTE]

    I think this is going a bit overboard.  I mean, why hire a police escort, why not just rent a hearse and have all your guests put "funeral" magnets on their cars and drive with their headlights on...this will help with traffic as well.

    Guests do not need police escorts, also you would have to make sure all your guests are in their cars and ready to leave at exactly the same time.

    OP, IMO 45 minutes is the max that I would drive between ceremony and reception.  I have been to a few weddings that had this drive time and when you are with your SO or are carpooling the drive goes by pretty quickly.

  • AbbeyS2011AbbeyS2011 member
    First Comment
    edited May 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_question-22?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:6c590d4d-9c93-40e1-87f2-814f72561b8dPost:dac41790-8f82-4b33-9715-52097cb5a03a">Re: Question?</a>:
    [QUOTE]My venue is in Houston but the church is in a suburb...we are hiring a police escort for our guests from the church to the reception so that they won't have to deal with traffic. We are also providing a shuttle with chauffeur to their hotel(s) in case anyone over imbibes at the reception.
    Posted by Lizzieyounce[/QUOTE]

    That does seem over the top.  I am hoping you will be informing the guests of this, so they can co-ordinate how to all get out to the parking lot, in their cars, and off to the reception in time.  Make sure to tell them they cannot visit or pee or anything else once the ceremony is over, least they miss the departure.
    Anniversary
  • Maybe I need to re think the escort idea...it is a straight shot from chuch to venue, but Houston traffic can be a PITA.


    Escorts can be hired...they are off duty officers who work the details for extra money. We pay them through the department, so that taxes can be taken out. Off duty officers are even hired to maintain order in bars and the like. We have to have one duty officer for our reception. 

    FI is a cop, he used to do this as a rookie for extra money since rookie pay sucks.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_question-22?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:6c590d4d-9c93-40e1-87f2-814f72561b8dPost:a3bd780c-e83c-4e27-b043-6d99c5660b84">Re: Question?</a>:
    [QUOTE]As someone who, like OP, lives in the not so densely populated upper midwest, I can tell you that, as OP described it, it truly does sound like a 20 minutes = 20 miles situation.  Around here, we measure distance by time.  If someone asks how far away X is from Y, the answer is normally "15 minutes", ten minutes", etc.  Traffic is not typically a problem in this part of the country.
    Posted by LucyHC[/QUOTE]

    Lucy - until three years ago, I lived in Ohio  (Cincinnati and Cleveland) and travelled to all corners, nooks and crannies of the state for work.  Columbus' traffic is pretty bad.  Granted, it doesn't come close to Philadelphia or New Jersey traffic but it is still bad - especially with construction which is never ending there.
    Proud to be an old married hag!! image
  • 20 miles is fine.  I commute more than 20 miles to work every day.  When I lived on the East Coast 20 miles would be a stretch because of traffic and congestion but now that i live in the midwest 20 miles is nothing. 
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • I drive 20 miles to work sometimes.  It's do-able.  Although I visited Houston once and vowed to never drive in that traffic, so...plan accordingly.  The police escort does seem OTT.
    imageWedding Countdown Ticker
  • I think it depends on how many minutes 20 miles equals during the time of day and day of the week of your wedding. 20 miles on an interstate freeway on a Saturday afternoon/evening would be approximately 20 minutes (or less!) where I'm from. But if 20 miles means 30 minutes or more of driving, I think that's pushing it.
    Due 10/21/13 with our first baby BabyFruit Ticker
  • I spent a year and a half driving 24miles to work and back every day, and the same drive to go grocery shopping (40min-ish), for me and where we live that is not a big deal beacuse it is all open country roads or highway...I think it depends on what type of roads you're talking about, and what kind of driving your guests might be accustomed to.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • rlavachrlavach member
    5 Love Its First Anniversary First Comment
    How is 20 miles that big of a deal? I live in a city, so I understand traffic. To me, anything more than 45min is too far to travel between ceremony/reception. Is it really going to take that long to get there? Then again, I travel 45miles each way to my job, so drving is NBD to me. 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_question-22?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:6c590d4d-9c93-40e1-87f2-814f72561b8dPost:e985c04f-d6a7-4269-8ac0-f81b886d6546">Re: Question?</a>:
    [QUOTE]How is 20 miles that big of a deal? I live in a city, so I understand traffic. To me, anything more than 45min is too far to travel between ceremony/reception. Is it really going to take that long to get there? Then again, I travel 45miles each way to my job, so drving is NBD to me. 
    Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]

    I think it depends on how the traffic is. Long Island, forget it, traffic is rampant, it could take 2 hours to go 20 miles... but in a rural area, 20 miles really isn't so bad.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • If the travel time is within 45 minutes I say its acceptable.
    Follow Me on Pinterest
  • well i thought the same thing what when i really stoped i was thinking to myself (you know its my day) and if they cant drive the 20 miles to see you have your BIG day than maybe they dont need to be there

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_question-22?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:6c590d4d-9c93-40e1-87f2-814f72561b8dPost:355ed7c9-5fdc-40c5-90ad-06588015dc2d">Re: Question?</a>:
    [QUOTE]well i thought the same thing what when i really stoped i was thinking to myself (<strong>you know <u>its my day</u>) and if they cant drive the 20 miles to see you have <u>your BIG day</u> than maybe they dont need to be there</strong>
    Posted by sweet<strong>brat</strong>89[/QUOTE]
    Congratulations, you picked a perfect username for yourself!!
    Due 10/21/13 with our first baby BabyFruit Ticker
  • Ultimately it is your day... :)

    That being said, I recently went to a wedding and we had to drive about 20 minutes to the reception venue which was in downtown. Personally, as a guest, it was a pain. Just being honest.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • I think that is perfectly fine.

    One cousin of mine had her ceremony in New York, and the reception in New Jersey...an hour away.
    jackie&ed
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards