Question as a guest :)

MLC613

Hi ladies!! I have a question for you that I'd love your answer/opinion/advice on like you were a guest at my wedding. We have our church booked but are still trying to decide on a recepetion venue. One venue we found is 30 minutes away from our church. Do you think that's ok? As long as we have a good map and things? ALSO, we will be taking our pictures after (well we will take as many as possible without seeing each other before the ceremony) but should I have a little break in between or not? I've been to weddings that I have that and I hated it, but it was also in the same town---this wouldn't be. I was thinking wedding at 5 recepetion at 7? Ugh.....I don't know! Any thoughts??

TIA!

bethsmiles

I don't think 30 minutes is too far but I hate breaks, especially if I am from out of town. Why don't you have a cocktail hour for your guests at the reception venue while you do pictures?

redheadfsu

Don't have a break. Have a cocktail hour/cookies & punch/ etc so the guests aren't bored. If I was out of town, I would be sitting in my car for the break.

aerinpegadrak

Is it 30 minutes of driving or 30 minutes of sitting in traffic?  If I'm actually moving for the whole 30 minutes, I'm usually fine.  If it's 30 minutes sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I'd get to the reception ready to shank the first person who looked at me funny.

gottahavashorti

30 minutes is fine as long as it's not likely for it to be longer than that with traffic.  The gap isn't.  If the ceremony is 5-5:30, with a 30 minute drive to the reception your cocktail hour (light refreshments) should start at 6:00 and the full reception should kick off at 7pm.  The purpose of cocktail hours is to host your guests while you're taking pictures, so don't worry about you and your FI missing it.

MLC613

Thank you so much for your advice!! It would be 30 minutes with little to no traffic. I love the idea of the small cocktail hour, I didn't even think of that. Thanks so much!

NillaWafer10

I think as long as there are food and drinks to entertain your guests, you should be fine. I would avoid a long break, but I think an hour for pictures is standard.  Good luck!

mysticl

The drive is fine.  Personally hate when there is a break. 

HisCB

the drive isnt a big deal to me, but i wouldnt want there to be a break, cocktail hour with something for the guests to eat or do is nessesary, thats pushes the reception pretty far past dinner, so snacks at the cocktail hour is pretty important.

marcstacey

We are having our wedding at 2:00 pm and then asking guests to travel 45 minutes to a winery for a reception that begins at 5:00pm.  They can go to the winery and sample wines before the reception but other than that they are on their own for the break.  Our wedding is in 30 days and no one has griped at all about the break.  In fact, some people from out of town are happy because that gives them a chance to go back to their hotel room, change into an outfit for the reception (if they wish) and freshen up a bit.  I think your guests will be fine with whatever you decide...remember -- this is YOUR day!