How far is too far? (ceremony to reception)

Knottie91800232

We have our reception venue set and are deciding between two ceremony sites. One is much closer to the reception site and has great reviews but so far communication has been hit or miss. The other ceremony site is actually in my hometown and we know the owners so we trust them, but its 45 minutes away. If distance wasn't an issue, I'd rather get married at the farther hometown one. I thought about a shuttle if we did that, but our blocked-out hotel is in the same parking lot as the reception venue, so I'm not even sure which direction we should even offer the shuttle? 

I don't mind sort of having an inadvertent smaller ceremony if people don't want to drive that far, but I don't want to offend anyone or deter anyone from coming to the reception. But I also want to pick a ceremony site I know we'll like. Please help! Should I bite the bullet and use the closer one for simplicity? Thanks.

lurkergirl

I think the closer ceremony is the best choice for your guests' comfort. 45 minutes is really a bit far to have to drive, especially if a lot of guests are already from out of town and not familiar with the area. Plus, how long is the ceremony? As a guest I would rather not spend more time in the car than at the ceremony. I say pick the closer venue!

RebeccaFlower

I think 45 minutes is pushing it. For local people, is that closer or further from their homes? 

Knottie91800232

RebeccaFlower said:

I think 45 minutes is pushing it. For local people, is that closer or further from their homes? 

It's a mix - it would benefit some people, I think it would inconvenience most though.  

Knottie91800232

lurkergirl said:

I think the closer ceremony is the best choice for your guests' comfort. 45 minutes is really a bit far to have to drive, especially if a lot of guests are already from out of town and not familiar with the area. Plus, how long is the ceremony? As a guest I would rather not spend more time in the car than at the ceremony. I say pick the closer venue!

You make a really good point here - our ceremony will be short, so yeah, that would probably be bad form. 

lurkergirl

Knottie91800232 said:

lurkergirl said:

I think the closer ceremony is the best choice for your guests' comfort. 45 minutes is really a bit far to have to drive, especially if a lot of guests are already from out of town and not familiar with the area. Plus, how long is the ceremony? As a guest I would rather not spend more time in the car than at the ceremony. I say pick the closer venue!

You make a really good point here - our ceremony will be short, so yeah, that would probably be bad form. 

It sounds like you have your answer then

I have found wedding planning to be a huge lesson in compromise.  I knew I would need to compromise with FI, but I didn't realize I would need to compromise with myself.  Sometimes it's worth giving up what I thought was my "dream" for something that makes practical sense. 

Good luck in your planning.  Come here for questions; there are tons of ladies who are way smarter than me around here to help.  (Consider changing your username if you plan to stick around so you're easier to identify

RebeccaFlower

I won't lie, I would roll my eyes to drive an hour and a half extra for a twenty minute ceremony.

SachaBee

I wouldn't really care if there was ample parking, but it seems like I am the odd duck out here. Sounds like you are very considerate and the wedding will therefore be lovely and awesome no matter what!!

STARMOON44

I'd do it, but only if this ceremony is your childhood church. If not, I'd wonder why you couldn't find anything closer.