Filling a gap

mrsbanany

We finally got the church and the venue secured.  The only problem is that we have a 2 hour gap. Ceremony from 2:30-3:30, reception starting at 5:30 and the venue is a 30 min drive from the church, so really a 1.5 hour gap.  Anyway, FI and I are now trying to come up with a way to host the guests for that time.  We are getting married in a historic beach town (Plymouth, MA if anyone is from the area) and would love to incorporate the old town charm of the town and the waterfront. We considered having a brief reception at my beach house but we figured that getting 100+ cars in and out of our driveway for just that 1.5 hours would be too much of a logistic headache.  We can purchase additional time at the venue for $500 for a 1/2 hour so it seems like that plus a bar and food will just be really expensive and it is not in the area so people won't get to enjoy the waterfront like we would like them to.  Does anyone have any ideas of how we can entertain these people for that time? Maybe getting a room at a local bar or restaurant? 

ETA: Also, the priest recommended we do a 2:00-3:00 ceremony since receiving lines seem to just happen after weddings and that would probably take about 30 min to get through our 150-200 guests. Either way, people would be leaving around 3:30. 

JoanE2012

amandaj424 said:

We finally got the church and the venue secured.  The only problem is that we have a 2 hour gap. Ceremony from 2:30-3:30, reception starting at 5:30 and the venue is a 30 min drive from the church, so really a 1.5 hour gap.  Anyway, FI and I are now trying to come up with a way to host the guests for that time.  We are getting married in a historic beach town (Plymouth, MA if anyone is from the area) and would love to incorporate the old town charm of the town and the waterfront. We considered having a brief reception at my beach house but we figured that getting 100+ cars in and out of our driveway for just that 1.5 hours would be too much of a logistic headache.  We can purchase additional time at the venue for $500 for a 1/2 hour so it seems like that plus a bar and food will just be really expensive and it is not in the area so people won't get to enjoy the waterfront like we would like them to.  Does anyone have any ideas of how we can entertain these people for that time? Maybe getting a room at a local bar or restaurant? 

ETA: Also, the priest recommended we do a 2:00-3:00 ceremony since receiving lines seem to just happen after weddings and that would probably take about 30 min to get through our 150-200 guests. Either way, people would be leaving around 3:30. 

Can you start your reception earlier and eliminate the gap and the need to host something?  4pm cocktail hour, 5pm reception.

mlg78

Filling the gap? Simple -- you don't HAVE a gap! If you're done at the church at 3:30pm and it takes a half hour to get to the reception then your reception needs to start at 4pm.

mrsbanany

I can start it earlier for the price of $500 for every 1/2 hour so $1500 plus bar and food.  We were going with a different church that was 1 hour away but we changed our mind and went with this one.  The timing worked out with the old church, not this one.  I would rather spend money on drinks and food and have people enjoy the beautiful town that the church is in than spend $1500 plus drinks and food and have people stuck in the same location for such a long time.  The venue we have is beautiful but not in a very scenic area, guests will be on the property only for the reception so I thought it would be nice to have something in the scenic area before the reception. 

MobKaz

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

QueerFemme

Start your reception earlier, or spring for the extra time at the venue.  People don't need you to dictate that they need to enjoy the waterfront (like you'd like them too).  If they want to enjoy the waterfront, I'm sure they'll figure out a way to do that.  You need to host them.  Either figure out a way to have your ceremony later or start your reception earlier.

mrsbanany

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

Yes we are planning on hosting something.  I am wondering if it would be a good idea to book something at a bar or restaurant for that bit of time or if people would be happier just going to the reception.  Obviously, I am not telling people "just go walk up and down the harbor until you really appreciate what is in front of you".  I want people to be fed and entertained for that time and I am just figuring out how to do it. 

MobKaz

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

Yes we are planning on hosting something.  I am wondering if it would be a good idea to book something at a bar or restaurant for that bit of time or if people would be happier just going to the reception.  Obviously, I am not telling people "just go walk up and down the harbor until you really appreciate what is in front of you".  I want people to be fed and entertained for that time and I am just figuring out how to do it. 

As a guest, I would prefer to just get to where I need to go so that I can unwind and relax.  I won't really enjoy myself at a secondary location, because I would be constantly checking the time trying to determine how much lead time  I need in order to get to Point C.  

You mention in your OP that 1/2 hour of additional venue time will cost $500.  You have a 1 1/2 hour gap.  Rather than spend an additional $1,500 to fill the gap, wouldn't it be more cost effective and prudent to just push your reception time up to 4:00 or 4:30?

mrsbanany

QueerFemme said:

Start your reception earlier, or spring for the extra time at the venue.  People don't need you to dictate that they need to enjoy the waterfront (like you'd like them too).  If they want to enjoy the waterfront, I'm sure they'll figure out a way to do that.  You need to host them.  Either figure out a way to have your ceremony later or start your reception earlier.

Just want to be 100% clear.  We WILL be hosting them for that gap. There will be something to do regardless of where that something takes place.  I am just trying to see if anyone has ideas of something I could do in the local area before the reception officially starts.  If there is literally no other option we would add the extra time at the reception venue.  Would people enjoy going to a local place before the reception? My FI's sister had an hour gap where they hosted people in this adorable old pub at the reception venue before her space was open.  Our venue doesn't have that sort of option so I am trying to think of something creative to do in the area of the church.  

JoanE2012

mobkaz said:

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

Yes we are planning on hosting something.  I am wondering if it would be a good idea to book something at a bar or restaurant for that bit of time or if people would be happier just going to the reception.  Obviously, I am not telling people "just go walk up and down the harbor until you really appreciate what is in front of you".  I want people to be fed and entertained for that time and I am just figuring out how to do it. 

As a guest, I would prefer to just get to where I need to go so that I can unwind and relax.  I won't really enjoy myself at a secondary location, because I would be constantly checking the time trying to determine how much lead time  I need in order to get to Point C.  

You mention in your OP that 1/2 hour of additional venue time will cost $500.  You have a 1 1/2 hour gap.  Rather than spend an additional $1,500 to fill the gap, wouldn't it be more cost effective and prudent to just push your reception time up to 4:00 or 4:30?

Ditto.  I'd much rather get to my final destination than have to stop somewhere else on the way.   

Also, as a guest, I would much rather you start the reception early.    If you can't contractually move the entire wedding reception time, then pay for the earlier start time, but start everything earlier.  So 4pm cocktail hour, 5pm reception.   While I love cocktail hours, anything more than an hour (90 minutes tops) becomes too much.

mrsbanany

mobkaz said:

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

Yes we are planning on hosting something.  I am wondering if it would be a good idea to book something at a bar or restaurant for that bit of time or if people would be happier just going to the reception.  Obviously, I am not telling people "just go walk up and down the harbor until you really appreciate what is in front of you".  I want people to be fed and entertained for that time and I am just figuring out how to do it. 

As a guest, I would prefer to just get to where I need to go so that I can unwind and relax.  I won't really enjoy myself at a secondary location, because I would be constantly checking the time trying to determine how much lead time  I need in order to get to Point C.  

You mention in your OP that 1/2 hour of additional venue time will cost $500.  You have a 1 1/2 hour gap.  Rather than spend an additional $1,500 to fill the gap, wouldn't it be more cost effective and prudent to just push your reception time up to 4:00 or 4:30?

We could do this. My only concern would be that it would end too early and then people would want to go out afterwards.  Since the venue is pretty close to a "bad" town I find that concerning just because people will be unfamiliar with area. I don't want people getting lost when they could take 1 wrong turn and end up someplace they don't want to be. I want people to have a good time and getting out at 9:00 on a Saturday, the night is still young and people still want to party.  I would rather have them party at our venue than go out and find someplace. I feel like hosting them somewhere where we know everything is good is the best option.

PrettyGirlLost

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

All of this, 100%.

Why can't you start your reception at 4:00pm?

Ceremony 2pm-3pm.
Receiving line 3pm-3:30pm
Drive time- 3:30-4:00pm
Reception begins 4:00pm

PrettyGirlLost

amandaj424 said:

QueerFemme said:

Start your reception earlier, or spring for the extra time at the venue.  People don't need you to dictate that they need to enjoy the waterfront (like you'd like them too).  If they want to enjoy the waterfront, I'm sure they'll figure out a way to do that.  You need to host them.  Either figure out a way to have your ceremony later or start your reception earlier.

Just want to be 100% clear.  We WILL be hosting them for that gap. There will be something to do regardless of where that something takes place.  I am just trying to see if anyone has ideas of something I could do in the local area before the reception officially starts.  If there is literally no other option we would add the extra time at the reception venue.  Would people enjoy going to a local place before the reception? My FI's sister had an hour gap where they hosted people in this adorable old pub at the reception venue before her space was open.  Our venue doesn't have that sort of option so I am trying to think of something creative to do in the area of the church.  

In my opinion, no.  As a guest, especially an OOT guest, I want to go to your ceremony, then go straight to your reception where I can begin to hang out with people, talk, and eat and drink.

I'm not traveling to this area to go sight-seeing- that's what a vacation is for.  Doing anything other than going straight to the reception from the ceremony is annoying and stressful because you are constantly clock-watching.

I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just being honest.

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

As a guest, I would prefer to just get to where I need to go so that I can unwind and relax.  I won't really enjoy myself at a secondary location, because I would be constantly checking the time trying to determine how much lead time  I need in order to get to Point C.  

You mention in your OP that 1/2 hour of additional venue time will cost $500.  You have a 1 1/2 hour gap.  Rather than spend an additional $1,500 to fill the gap, wouldn't it be more cost effective and prudent to just push your reception time up to 4:00 or 4:30?

We could do this. My only concern would be that it would end too early and then people would want to go out afterwards.  Since the venue is pretty close to a "bad" town I find that concerning just because people will be unfamiliar with area. I don't want people getting lost when they could take 1 wrong turn and end up someplace they don't want to be. I want people to have a good time and getting out at 9:00 on a Saturday, the night is still young and people still want to party.  I would rather have them party at our venue than go out and find someplace. I feel like hosting them somewhere where we know everything is good is the best option.

Then can you extend your reception so that it goes until 10pm or later?

How do you know people will want to party afterwards?  Maybe people just want to go back to their hotels or homes and go to bed?  And if they want to continue to party, you can warn them that such and such local town is not really a safe area.  That way they can choose to continue the party at a guests' hotel bar instead.

AddieCake

I would not be interested in going somewhere as filler between the ceremony and reception.. It's annoying to have 3 locations to go to for an event.

LondonLisa

Yeah, I agree with PP- you need to start the cocktail hour earlier. Also, I don't like to drive if I have recently had a drink with no food (even just a glass of wine). If you have things at your church or a 3rd venue, I would just be standing around as I knew I would have to drive to your reception venue. If I was at your reception venue, I know I could have a glass of wine, then dinner and be fine to drive afterwards. 

Pepperally

I just honestly think that this is a lot of people to get from point A to point B to point C.  If you had a smaller, intimate wedding, then something like that might be more feasible, but the size of your wedding alone would be a headache to try and find another venue to host everyone during the gap.  Seems like you'd probably end up paying the same amount to have them go to the reception location earlier and host them there. 

Maggie0829

Look, your guests will have been out for your wedding for about 7 hours by the time reception ends at 9 (if you push your reception forward to starting at 4pm).  Seven hours is a long time to be out and about.  Most guests will just want to go home or go back to their hotel room and go to bed.  For those that want to go out afterwards then they are free to do that.  Give your guests some credit and realize that they won't just start meandering around an unknown town like zombies just asking to be mugged.

Fran1985

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

Yes we are planning on hosting something.  I am wondering if it would be a good idea to book something at a bar or restaurant for that bit of time or if people would be happier just going to the reception.  Obviously, I am not telling people "just go walk up and down the harbor until you really appreciate what is in front of you".  I want people to be fed and entertained for that time and I am just figuring out how to do it. 

As a guest, I would prefer to just get to where I need to go so that I can unwind and relax.  I won't really enjoy myself at a secondary location, because I would be constantly checking the time trying to determine how much lead time  I need in order to get to Point C.  

You mention in your OP that 1/2 hour of additional venue time will cost $500.  You have a 1 1/2 hour gap.  Rather than spend an additional $1,500 to fill the gap, wouldn't it be more cost effective and prudent to just push your reception time up to 4:00 or 4:30?

We could do this. My only concern would be that it would end too early and then people would want to go out afterwards.  Since the venue is pretty close to a "bad" town I find that concerning just because people will be unfamiliar with area. I don't want people getting lost when they could take 1 wrong turn and end up someplace they don't want to be. I want people to have a good time and getting out at 9:00 on a Saturday, the night is still young and people still want to party.  I would rather have them party at our venue than go out and find someplace. I feel like hosting them somewhere where we know everything is good is the best option.

What town are you talking about? Your guests will be fine, its plymouth. Just have the reception start at 4, no one wants to go to a third location. 

mrsbanany

Fran1985 said:

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

amandaj424 said:

mobkaz said:

I don't think you can necessarily impose your enjoyment of the waterfront onto your guests. 

As a guest, I want to go from point A to point B.  I do not want to meander all over creation to fill gap time.  Unless you are planning on hosting something at this "room" or local bar, the simplest solution is to either start your reception earlier, or host something immediately following the ceremony at your reception venue.

Yes we are planning on hosting something.  I am wondering if it would be a good idea to book something at a bar or restaurant for that bit of time or if people would be happier just going to the reception.  Obviously, I am not telling people "just go walk up and down the harbor until you really appreciate what is in front of you".  I want people to be fed and entertained for that time and I am just figuring out how to do it. 

As a guest, I would prefer to just get to where I need to go so that I can unwind and relax.  I won't really enjoy myself at a secondary location, because I would be constantly checking the time trying to determine how much lead time  I need in order to get to Point C.  

You mention in your OP that 1/2 hour of additional venue time will cost $500.  You have a 1 1/2 hour gap.  Rather than spend an additional $1,500 to fill the gap, wouldn't it be more cost effective and prudent to just push your reception time up to 4:00 or 4:30?

We could do this. My only concern would be that it would end too early and then people would want to go out afterwards.  Since the venue is pretty close to a "bad" town I find that concerning just because people will be unfamiliar with area. I don't want people getting lost when they could take 1 wrong turn and end up someplace they don't want to be. I want people to have a good time and getting out at 9:00 on a Saturday, the night is still young and people still want to party.  I would rather have them party at our venue than go out and find someplace. I feel like hosting them somewhere where we know everything is good is the best option.

What town are you talking about? Your guests will be fine, its plymouth. Just have the reception start at 4, no one wants to go to a third location. 

The ceremony is in Plymouth.  The reception is in East Bridgewater which is right next to Brockton. I don't want people getting lost and ending up in Brockton center on a Saturday night. 

Maggie0829

Again, you are giving no credit to your guests.  Your guests are dumb asses.  Most people, when they are in an area that they don't know, will do some research before they travel there.  If guests want to go out after your wedding then they have mostly likely done a quick yelp or trip advisor search.  But again, most guests will just head back to the direction of their hotel, not venture off into an unknown area for shits and giggles.

tammym1001

If you are worried about your reception ending too early can you move the reception start time to 4:00. Reception will end at 9:00 and then you can host an after party for your guests who still want to party? This way you can host the extra event that you want, but your guests who want to go home can and you won't have a gap.

MandyMost

I think you have 2 options.

1. Host a cocktail hour at a bar near the church for an hour and a half, and then have the reception begin as you currently have it planned. It's a little inconvenient for guests to have to go to an additional location, and you'll have to make an effort to make sure everyone is very clear about where to be and when. And you have to accept that some guests may get caught up at the cocktail hour and be late for the reception (and maybe miss your first dance or something like that). 

2. Start your reception at 4pm, and host an after-party at a bar of your choosing. This is a much better option, because the after-party is optional, whereas the cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception is required. Some guests will be totally done with celebrating and want to go to bed, and others will want to stay out late. By having an actual, planned, hosted after-party starting around 8 or 9, you can ensure that your guests aren't going to end up at a seedy bar in a bad part of town. 

PrettyGirlLost

MandyMost said:

I think you have 2 options.

1. Host a cocktail hour at a bar near the church for an hour and a half, and then have the reception begin as you currently have it planned. It's a little inconvenient for guests to have to go to an additional location, and you'll have to make an effort to make sure everyone is very clear about where to be and when. And you have to accept that some guests may get caught up at the cocktail hour and be late for the reception (and maybe miss your first dance or something like that). 

2. Start your reception at 4pm, and host an after-party at a bar of your choosing. This is a much better option, because the after-party is optional, whereas the cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception is required. Some guests will be totally done with celebrating and want to go to bed, and others will want to stay out late. By having an actual, planned, hosted after-party starting around 8 or 9, you can ensure that your guests aren't going to end up at a seedy bar in a bad part of town. 

I like it!

grumbledore

amandaj424 said:

I can start it earlier for the price of $500 for every 1/2 hour so $1500 plus bar and food.  We were going with a different church that was 1 hour away but we changed our mind and went with this one.  The timing worked out with the old church, not this one.  I would rather spend money on drinks and food and have people enjoy the beautiful town that the church is in than spend $1500 plus drinks and food and have people stuck in the same location for such a long time.  The venue we have is beautiful but not in a very scenic area, guests will be on the property only for the reception so I thought it would be nice to have something in the scenic area before the reception. 

You should have thought about this before making any changes. You need to host your guests the entire time. So that either means you eat it on the cost, or see if you can move the previously planned reception up by 1.5 hours. Some would say sending the guests to yet another location for a hosted gap is ok, personally it would piss me off as a guest.

Fran1985

Not Brockton!!

!!

 

Just kidding. But your guests will be fine, even if they end up driving through/near brockton. They are not going to get out and start walking around aimlessly.

grumbledore

Hey you're in my neck of the woods! Definitely do not send your guests to Brockton at night to hang out lol. But in all seriousness, just spread the word to the out of towners and it will be fine. There are plenty of nice places to go for drinks in the general area.

mrsbanany

MandyMost said:

I think you have 2 options.

1. Host a cocktail hour at a bar near the church for an hour and a half, and then have the reception begin as you currently have it planned. It's a little inconvenient for guests to have to go to an additional location, and you'll have to make an effort to make sure everyone is very clear about where to be and when. And you have to accept that some guests may get caught up at the cocktail hour and be late for the reception (and maybe miss your first dance or something like that). 

2. Start your reception at 4pm, and host an after-party at a bar of your choosing. This is a much better option, because the after-party is optional, whereas the cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception is required. Some guests will be totally done with celebrating and want to go to bed, and others will want to stay out late. By having an actual, planned, hosted after-party starting around 8 or 9, you can ensure that your guests aren't going to end up at a seedy bar in a bad part of town. 

This.  I did some research on a resort that we are getting a room block at and they have the cutest tavern inside.  It is seriously adorable and exactly what I was thinking of for the old town charm feel.  Anyway, since the ceremony would be in Plymouth, reception in Bridgewater, and after party in Plymouth would it be necessary to provide transportation? I just don't know who would take advantage of it. We are having approx. 170 people with about 20% OOT. While the majority of the guests are in-state, the ceremony and reception site is about an hour or more drive for most of them. 

PrettyGirlLost

amandaj424 said:

MandyMost said:

I think you have 2 options.

1. Host a cocktail hour at a bar near the church for an hour and a half, and then have the reception begin as you currently have it planned. It's a little inconvenient for guests to have to go to an additional location, and you'll have to make an effort to make sure everyone is very clear about where to be and when. And you have to accept that some guests may get caught up at the cocktail hour and be late for the reception (and maybe miss your first dance or something like that). 

2. Start your reception at 4pm, and host an after-party at a bar of your choosing. This is a much better option, because the after-party is optional, whereas the cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception is required. Some guests will be totally done with celebrating and want to go to bed, and others will want to stay out late. By having an actual, planned, hosted after-party starting around 8 or 9, you can ensure that your guests aren't going to end up at a seedy bar in a bad part of town. 

This.  I did some research on a resort that we are getting a room block at and they have the cutest tavern inside.  It is seriously adorable and exactly what I was thinking of for the old town charm feel.  Anyway, since the ceremony would be in Plymouth, reception in Bridgewater, and after party in Plymouth would it be necessary to provide transportation? I just don't know who would take advantage of it. We are having approx. 170 people with about 20% OOT. While the majority of the guests are in-state, the ceremony and reception site is about an hour or more drive for most of them. 

Amanda, you are making things waaaaay too complicated for your guests and expecting them to drive waaaaay too much, hun.

So your plan now is to have them drive an hour+ to the ceremony, then drive to the reception, then drive back to the ceremony area?

If you want to host an after party, you should host it in Bridgewater, which is hopefully the same area where the majority of your OOT guests will be staying in.  Are you getting any room blocks in Bridgewater?  As an OOT guest my hotel accommodations have always been in the same hotel as the reception or in one local to it if the reception was not held in a hotel to begin with.

Even if you had a shuttle, I would not be inclined to go back to Plymouth from Bridgewater for an after party.  But if you held your after party in Bridgewater I would go out with you.

I think you are focusing too much on the look and feel of venues, and not on what makes the most sense logistically.

mrsbanany

PrettyGirlLost said:

amandaj424 said:

MandyMost said:

I think you have 2 options.

1. Host a cocktail hour at a bar near the church for an hour and a half, and then have the reception begin as you currently have it planned. It's a little inconvenient for guests to have to go to an additional location, and you'll have to make an effort to make sure everyone is very clear about where to be and when. And you have to accept that some guests may get caught up at the cocktail hour and be late for the reception (and maybe miss your first dance or something like that). 

2. Start your reception at 4pm, and host an after-party at a bar of your choosing. This is a much better option, because the after-party is optional, whereas the cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception is required. Some guests will be totally done with celebrating and want to go to bed, and others will want to stay out late. By having an actual, planned, hosted after-party starting around 8 or 9, you can ensure that your guests aren't going to end up at a seedy bar in a bad part of town. 

This.  I did some research on a resort that we are getting a room block at and they have the cutest tavern inside.  It is seriously adorable and exactly what I was thinking of for the old town charm feel.  Anyway, since the ceremony would be in Plymouth, reception in Bridgewater, and after party in Plymouth would it be necessary to provide transportation? I just don't know who would take advantage of it. We are having approx. 170 people with about 20% OOT. While the majority of the guests are in-state, the ceremony and reception site is about an hour or more drive for most of them. 

Amanda, you are making things waaaaay too complicated for your guests and expecting them to drive waaaaay too much, hun.

So your plan now is to have them drive an hour+ to the ceremony, then drive to the reception, then drive back to the ceremony area?

If you want to host an after party, you should host it in Bridgewater, which is hopefully the same area where the majority of your OOT guests will be staying in.  Are you getting any room blocks in Bridgewater?  As an OOT guest my hotel accommodations have always been in the same hotel as the reception or in one local to it if the reception was not held in a hotel to begin with.

Even if you had a shuttle, I would not be inclined to go back to Plymouth from Bridgewater for an after party.  But if you held your after party in Bridgewater I would go out with you.

I think you are focusing too much on the look and feel of venues, and not on what makes the most sense logistically.

No.  The hotel situation was probably the biggest downfall for our reception venue.  Of the list of accommodations they gave us, they were all 20-30 min away but they were headed more towards Boston.  We figured it would be no different if we just picked a hotel 20-30 min in the opposite direction, the direction that is closer to the ceremony anyway. The hotel we have a block in is about 2 blocks away from the church. If the hotel where the guests where staying were at one of the recommended ones, the driving time would still be the same.  I don't think a lot of the in town guests would go to an after party anyway because like Maggie said, it has already been a 7 hour day. I think the after party would be mostly OOT guests and the party would be at the tavern that is in the hotel. 

Jen4948

amandaj424 said:

QueerFemme said:

Start your reception earlier, or spring for the extra time at the venue.  People don't need you to dictate that they need to enjoy the waterfront (like you'd like them too).  If they want to enjoy the waterfront, I'm sure they'll figure out a way to do that.  You need to host them.  Either figure out a way to have your ceremony later or start your reception earlier.

Just want to be 100% clear.  We WILL be hosting them for that gap. There will be something to do regardless of where that something takes place.  I am just trying to see if anyone has ideas of something I could do in the local area before the reception officially starts.  If there is literally no other option we would add the extra time at the reception venue.  Would people enjoy going to a local place before the reception? My FI's sister had an hour gap where they hosted people in this adorable old pub at the reception venue before her space was open.  Our venue doesn't have that sort of option so I am trying to think of something creative to do in the area of the church.  

No one is going to want to go to another location in their wedding outfits before the reception officially starts.  I'd add the extra time at the reception venue and move up the start time of the reception.

PrettyGirlLost

amandaj424 said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

amandaj424 said:

MandyMost said:

I think you have 2 options.

1. Host a cocktail hour at a bar near the church for an hour and a half, and then have the reception begin as you currently have it planned. It's a little inconvenient for guests to have to go to an additional location, and you'll have to make an effort to make sure everyone is very clear about where to be and when. And you have to accept that some guests may get caught up at the cocktail hour and be late for the reception (and maybe miss your first dance or something like that). 

2. Start your reception at 4pm, and host an after-party at a bar of your choosing. This is a much better option, because the after-party is optional, whereas the cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception is required. Some guests will be totally done with celebrating and want to go to bed, and others will want to stay out late. By having an actual, planned, hosted after-party starting around 8 or 9, you can ensure that your guests aren't going to end up at a seedy bar in a bad part of town. 

This.  I did some research on a resort that we are getting a room block at and they have the cutest tavern inside.  It is seriously adorable and exactly what I was thinking of for the old town charm feel.  Anyway, since the ceremony would be in Plymouth, reception in Bridgewater, and after party in Plymouth would it be necessary to provide transportation? I just don't know who would take advantage of it. We are having approx. 170 people with about 20% OOT. While the majority of the guests are in-state, the ceremony and reception site is about an hour or more drive for most of them. 

Amanda, you are making things waaaaay too complicated for your guests and expecting them to drive waaaaay too much, hun.

So your plan now is to have them drive an hour+ to the ceremony, then drive to the reception, then drive back to the ceremony area?

If you want to host an after party, you should host it in Bridgewater, which is hopefully the same area where the majority of your OOT guests will be staying in.  Are you getting any room blocks in Bridgewater?  As an OOT guest my hotel accommodations have always been in the same hotel as the reception or in one local to it if the reception was not held in a hotel to begin with.

Even if you had a shuttle, I would not be inclined to go back to Plymouth from Bridgewater for an after party.  But if you held your after party in Bridgewater I would go out with you.

I think you are focusing too much on the look and feel of venues, and not on what makes the most sense logistically.

No.  The hotel situation was probably the biggest downfall for our reception venue.  Of the list of accommodations they gave us, they were all 20-30 min away but they were headed more towards Boston.  We figured it would be no different if we just picked a hotel 20-30 min in the opposite direction, the direction that is closer to the ceremony anyway. The hotel we have a block in is about 2 blocks away from the church. If the hotel where the guests where staying were at one of the recommended ones, the driving time would still be the same.  I don't think a lot of the in town guests would go to an after party anyway because like Maggie said, it has already been a 7 hour day. I think the after party would be mostly OOT guests and the party would be at the tavern that is in the hotel. 

Crap, lol.  That's a lot of back and forth, but I guess nothing you can do at this point.

There wasn't a church in Bridgewater you could use?