For those that rented transportation for your guests...

MissAngel

How far did they take your guests?  I was thinking about doing this since I'm leaning toward getting room blocks near Grapevine Mills and my reception will be in Arlington, but how far is too far?  Should I just reconsider and get hotel rooms near the reception place?  I think Grapevine Mills to my reception is a good 25 miles.

Mariah09202008

If your reception and ceremony are close together, I'd reconsider your Grapevine Mills hotels and block hotel rooms closer to your venues.

mseale

I agree with Mariah.  Typically guests want to stay close to the ceremony and reception. 

However, we are doing transportation (the reception is in south Dallas, so that way people don't have to worry about driving down there), and they charge by the hour.  I think it was $65/hr for a 25 passenger bus.

serlace

I agree with Mariah - I would block hotel rooms closer to your venue/ceremony.  Is there a reason why you want them to stay in the Grapevine area as opposed to the Arlington area?  That just seems kind of far.

Donnaaries

Our transportation vendor charged by the hour, so if your hotel and venues are far apart, you just wouldn't be able to make multiple runs (the time difference between first shift guests getting on the bus and second shift would be an hour in your case).  Something to consider.

I would definitely block closer hotels if possible.  Our hotel was only 4 miles away from the venue.

MissAngel

Our Ceremony is in Coppell and our Reception is in Arlington.  If I do it by the reception, it would be about 25 minutes away from the ceremony location.  Should I still go with Arlington?  Is this a better option?  Like around Six Flags (is it still kinda scary over there?)  I'm having a hard time making a decision on this one.

Donnaaries

Are you considering transportation for your guests because of a large amount of OOT guests who are not familiar with the DFW area?

If you don't have a ton of OOT guests, in your case, I would probably skip providing transportation for the guests.  Your ceremony and reception are far enough that coordinating a shuttle and whatever other transportation (for those who need to arrive early, leave early, etc) seems like it would be really complicated. 

MissAngel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_those-rented-transportation-guests?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:97cb57e7-bb01-4fcc-9b9b-a066a42473c9Post:fce2ca2d-1aa7-4289-ad90-71ff98b561ac">Re: For those that rented transportation for your guests...</a>:
[QUOTE]Are you considering transportation for your guests because of a large amount of OOT guests who are not familiar with the DFW area? [/QUOTE]

Yes.  Most of FI's family (if they are coming) will be OOT.  I should probably wait until I get RSVPs, but I needed to do the hotel room blocks early because it's Memorial Day Weekend... dilemmas dilemmas... :(

Donnaaries

What about The Hilton in Arlington?  It has good reviews on Trip Advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g30183-Arlington_Texas-Hotels.html

Jay+Marissa

If you are having your wedding at St. Anns (or am I confusing you with someone else?) we had the same issue. Ceremony in Coppell, reception 35-40 minutes away in Dallas. We did a hotel in Grapveine (the Hyatt Place, which was incredible) because we had a little bit of a gap between the ceremony and reception so we figured guests would just go back to their hotel and take a break--and many did.

The reason we chose Grapevine was the proxmity to the Airport and local activities like Grapevine Mills, downtown Grapevine, etc.(Hyatt Place had free shuttles to the airport and within 5 miles of the hotel) and the proximity to my house north of DFW, where there was a brunch the next day. I think it worked out very well--the best part is the Hyatt Place gave us a free meeting room for the entire weekend. We were able to decorate it and put cookies and drinks in there. All of the guests spent a lot of time in there Thursday (some came in early) and Friday evening.

If you are still worried about being far, there are some nice hotels just south of DFW, but I think you are thinking right about the Grapevine Mills area--having a shopping mall, movie theater, etc. and all of that to do was great for the guests. Plus, the rooms at the Hyatt Place were only $80/night and nicer than some Hilton and Westins I've stayed in. The place is a steal!

MissAngel

Thanks!  I'll check it out.  I did call Hyatt Place at Grapevine but haven't gotten a call back.  I also called the Hyatt Place in Arlington and they have a meeting room, but I wouldn't be allowed to bring drinks or food since they have a restaurant on site and it would need to be catered.  Some of the hotels were saying there is some shopping around Six Flags?  I don't remember any, but maybe they put some in for the Cowboys Stadium project?  I haven't been over there in a while, so I guess I have to drive over there the next time I am in town.  Some of the hotels by Six Flags have started having the shuttles go to DFW and within 5 miles as well.  There is also some type of trolley?  I'm still looking into it...

Marissa - yes that was me... St. Ann's in Coppell.