So originally we were going to get married at a Catholic Church and then have the reception at a country club about 25 minutes away.
Unfortunately my dad who offered to pay for the reception is no longer extending that offer, so we have to pay ourselves. Which is fine, but now the country club, plus everything else (church, dj, photographer...) is a little too expensive. We're both 25 and I work part time while in school, and my fiancé literally just started a full time job last week.
I have a big family, so about 60-70 people would be attending. Since the country club is out of reach, and 6 months till the big day, I'm stressed on where to have the reception.
My fiancé wants to do it at a restaurant at one of the Disney World resorts that's buffet style and $35 a person because we're going to have our mini honeymoon at Disney World anyway and it's a place where his family takes him for his birthday dinner as a tradition.
Unfortunately, our wedding is on a Friday, and it's a straight shot there, but about an hour away from where we will be having our ceremony. I don't even want to think about the dreaded traffic. If you live in Orlando, you know the hell that is I-4 on a Friday evening.
I wanted a stereotypical wedding reception with dancing and drinks and toasts, and at a restaurant you can't really do that. We're running out of time to decide and book a place, and we need to crunch and save up now that there's a bigger income.
Out of tradition I want to have the wedding in the church. He has his heart set on the restaurant, but I'm on the fence because it IS kinda far on a busy night, it's not a private place (they have a private room but our party will be too big for it) and we won't have a first dance, and such.
I can't think of any other options anymore, and it would be about $2500 for the dinner, his parents will pay for the cake (which has to be through Disney) and then we will pay for a champagne toast and photographer.
Like I said, it wasn't what I dreamed of in terms of my dream reception, and I know I've brought up the idea to some of my family members and they feel it's inconvenient.
Is driving an hour during rush hour a lot to ask? Is this a good idea? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Re: How far is too far?
I'm not clear on the logistics of the dinner anyway - you say you're paying for the dinner plus champagne toast and photographer. What about other beverages, alcoholic and/or nonalcoholic? Are they included in the $35? 70 people at $35/each is going to be more than $2500; that comes out to $2450, not including tax and tip. Calculating about 25% to cover the tax and tip it would be more like $3100.
Have you looked at the local board for suggestions on places closer to the church? Or churches closer to the restaurant? Does the church have a hall you can host a dinner?
On a side note, you may want to contact the restaurant directly. I know you have to have the exact number when you book your reservation, which you will need to do 6 months to the day with that large of a party, since the buffet meals book up quickly. Were you trying to do Chef Mickey's? At the very least find out what their cancellation policy would be/ adjusting the numbers, and if they will actually seat a party that large. It's quite possible that they won't be able to accommodate you based on the size of the party, time etc.