How far can ceremony site be from reception?

raeah219

We are still looking into having our DW (it's really only 2 1/2 hours from our home town, but since most guests are driving about 3 hours I'll just call it a DW) Anyway, we want to get married on the beach, and I found a possible reception site that is about a 45 min drive from the beach. Too far? 

Maggie0829

I think anything over 30 minutes is too far.

KatWAG

45 minutes is too far. Less than 20 is ideal. 

HisGirlFriday13

Yes.

If I'm already driving 2.5 to 3 hours to your wedding, I want the ceremony and reception sites to be very close to each other, if not the same place.

And actually, 45 minutes is too far for a local wedding, too. 45 minutes is just too long, period, to have your guests drive between your ceremony and reception.

Maggie0829

HisGirlFriday13 said:

Yes.

If I'm already driving 2.5 to 3 hours to your wedding, I want the ceremony and reception sites to be very close to each other, if not the same place.

And actually, 45 minutes is too far for a local wedding, too. 45 minutes is just too long, period, to have your guests drive between your ceremony and reception.

This is a great point.  I didn't even think about the fact that they will already be travelling a few hours for the wedding.  I agree the ceremony and reception should be extremely close together in this instance.

ei34

^ ditto @hisgirlfriday13 if guests are already traveling on your wedding day, the two sites should be super close.
For a local wedding, I feel up to 30 minutes is reasonable.

raeah219

ok...back to the drawing board...Thanks ladies. 

phira

Thanks for listening, though. Let us know if we can help you find a venue that's closer to the beach (or a way to make your ceremony site beachier).

raeah219

If anybody knows of a reception site in Savannah, GA near the beach please HELP A SISTA OUT! (I've already been to the savannah local board and just lurking there has given me a list of places to look into)

labro

@raeah219 Have you looked at visitsavannah.com or savannah.com? I just clicked on visitsavannah.com and there was a link at the top of the page for weddings that took me to savannahido.com. I'm sure spending a little time on any of those sites should help you to narrow down your search. Good luck!

Inkdancer

raeah219 said:

If anybody knows of a reception site in Savannah, GA near the beach please HELP A SISTA OUT! (I've already been to the savannah local board and just lurking there has given me a list of places to look into)

You could always go with things that aren't billed as reception sites. Restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, even a big beach house could be a great place to host a party!

raeah219

@inkdancer I'm going to have you send you a personal thank you card when this is all over with. You have been such a big help. The thing about an alternative site is the size of our guestlist (125) and the fact that we really want a dj and dancing.

indianaalum

raeah219 said:

We are still looking into having our DW (it's really only 2 1/2 hours from our home town, but since most guests are driving about 3 hours I'll just call it a DW) Anyway, we want to get married on the beach, and I found a possible reception site that is about a 45 min drive from the beach. Too far? 

If your guests already have to travel 2 1/2 hours to GET there, I would say they should probably only have to drive another 30 minutes tops (and that is WAY WAY pushing it)...though, 

personally, I would try to make them at the same place if at all possible. You don't want your wedding to be such a hassle people just choose to skip it..or be cranky

Inkdancer

raeah219 said:

@inkdancer I'm going to have you send you a personal thank you card when this is all over with. You have been such a big help. The thing about an alternative site is the size of our guestlist (125) and the fact that we really want a dj and dancing.

DJ and dancing are no problem... as long as there's room and electricity, a DJ can set up almost anywhere. You can also rent dance floors for pretty reasonable prices, and they can be set up on any type of ground. So find a space you love that will hold everyone and go from there.

Jen4948

Limit travel time in between the ceremony and reception to about 30 minutes.

Mitch617

Also if you are doing a hotel block you'd want both sites to be convenient to the hotel. Since people might check in, go to ceremony, go to reception, back to hotel.

tesgirl123

I was invited to a wedding last summer where the church and reception site were in two different states.   To get from one to another you had to drive on three major highways, cross a bridge and pay approximately $20 in tolls.    And the reception started at 7PM on a Sunday night when the majority of people had work the next day.

So good news, is that you aren't that bad.  

I would look for reception sites closer to the beach if you have your heart set on a beach wedding.

kkitkat79

tesgirl123 said:

I was invited to a wedding last summer where the church and reception site were in two different states.   To get from one to another you had to drive on three major highways, cross a bridge and pay approximately $20 in tolls.    And the reception started at 7PM on a Sunday night when the majority of people had work the next day.

So good news, is that you aren't that bad.  

I would look for reception sites closer to the beach if you have your heart set on a beach wedding.

Ha ha! At least there wasn't a gap!