Travel for Reception

oooamaliusooo

Hey Ladies,

So i am wondering, would you make your guests travel from the ceremony to reception, if so how far? All answers are appreciated!!

TheJennius

On the early stages of my planning I did, because I wanted to get married in a church. But I'm having so many (or a considerable amount) of out of towners that I qould have been required to rent a shuttle. The other option was to ask the local guests to car pool, but I didn't like that idea at all. Things turned out differently and I'm having the ceremony and reception in one place.

I do know a lot of girls rent shuttles or cars to transport their guests without a car. The norm is that if it's more than 20 minutes away you should provide transportation. I've heard of wedding with ceremony and reception locations being 45 minutes away, so I'm not sure.

Anyway! How far away are your ceremony and reception locations from each other?

oooamaliusooo

I'm thinking Bonnet house with reception elsewhere. Everything near it is too much money, I looked at the Signature Grand in Davie (its like 8 miles away), and they had great prices but for the ceremony it would be blah. I know traffic might be backed maybe it will be under 20 min? What do you think?

MIABRIDENTAMPA

My guests are traveling 1.2 miles for the reception. Literally around the corner. I wouldnt mind driving less than 30 minutes between locations for a wedding.

TheJennius

That should be fine, I think. I'm like Kaila, I wouldn't mind the driving if it's under 30 minutes. If it's more I'd be like "Ugh. Okay fine. *drives*" you know? lol.

Do you have a lot of out of towners or people who won't have cars?

oooamaliusooo

Aww u guys are great for writing! hehe

I am originally from Ft Lauderdale and so is my fiance so like 90% of friends and family are from that area so they shouldn't be an issue. My moms side is from Ohio, but my mom and dad can shuttle them around, lol. 

Thanks for the advice on the 30 min, that sounds fair and has allowed me to relax a bit!

ohyouhavemyheart

my ceremony is in coral gables and my reception is in downtown miami.. the drive is about 20-30 minutes

frequentflyer911

My ceremony and reception are about 20/30 apart with traffic. i personally don't mind driving up to 1hr in between but less is alway much appreciated. but i really think when people want to go and want to be apart of your special day, they will overlook that. I had a friends wedding in coral gables(ceremony) and reception ( at signiture grand in davie, and i live in sunrise, so it was a back and forth thing for me, but i love them so much that i didn't mind, just me.

Shuutnstar

I am in the same boat! My venue is on the beach... and its about 15 mins to the hotel, and my venue is 5 minutes further N than that. But if the guests stay atthe hotel... they are providing a shuttle. It's an extra incentive for my OOT guests to stay at the hotel. They can drink and not worry about driving around a unfamiliar area.

So I would say 20 minutes, I wouldn't bat an eye.
30 minutes, I'd be like ok fine.
More than that... I would be annoyed until I got to the reception. Then they will get over it.

Make sure to provide GREAT Directions and a Map. www.weddingmapper.com was great for me!

I had one wedding that the ceremony was 45 mins N of all of us, and then we had to drive 50 mins south to the reception site. I was a cranky butthead that night... I was also sick and had to sing at both events... so take my grumblings with a grain of salt...

But I think you are good.

Jeni10csc

I am getting married in a church and reception about 10 minutes (max) away.  For me, it was a priority to have them nearby. HOWEVER, I have been to many weddings where I've had to drive 20-45minutes and no one has ever complained about it! I think it's fine.  Just one suggestion: make sure your guests have something to eat AS SOON as they arrive at the cocktail/reception.  The drive makes people extra hungry for some reason... hahaha.  At least, that's what I've heard from brides who've had far apart venues

oooamaliusooo

wow i feel so much better! thanks ladies for your input!

Frequentflyer, how did you like the signature grand, what is your honest opinion? I have been there and i just feel the ceremony will be so blah which is why i want it else where.