Parking situation

BostonGIrl4732

Backstory:  I'm from the Boston area, as is my entire family and a chunk of FI's family.  FI and the rest of his family is from Southern Connecticut.  It's about a three hour drive.

Our reception venue does not have parking.  Weird I know.  Anyway, we're looking into different parking options.  If people spend the night at the hotel, then we don't have to worry about it because the hotel is a block away.  If they don't spend the night at the hotel, we are looking into different garages.  The closest one costs $35 for the day, which is very expensive.  There are other lots around the area which are cheaper that we're looking into.

FMIL is worried about the parking situation and mentioned that she and FFIL will be paying for their guests parking.  I mentioned to FI later that I think if someone's parking is paid for, then everyone's parking should be paid for.  The plan had been to offer parking at a lot somewhere we could afford it and maybe get a shuttle to take them to the reception.  It's a work in progress.  FI's parents would probably pay for a more expensive lot closer to the reception without the shuttle.  FI thinks this would be fine as long as everyone is taken care of.  I think we should treat all guests the same (as in paying for everyone's parking equally).

What's the etiquette for this?  We have time to figure it out but FMIL is freaking out now so I want an answer the next time she corners me.

girl4182

I agree. You can't pay for some and not all. With that said though if his parents only want to pay for theirs guests that's all they are responsible for. Is there wiggle room in your buget so that you can cover the cost of parking for your guests?

BostonGIrl4732

We have some wiggle room.  Not enough to pay for 60 cars at $35 a day, but if we could find something a bit more affordable we could make it work (like a less expensive lot and a shuttle if that's the case).  FI suggested however that his parents will not be OK with a shuttle.

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_parking-situation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:407c4076-9598-426d-b2f1-4c5792abffaePost:037b2f7e-824a-4e1b-bced-e519da95543d">Parking situation</a>:
[QUOTE]Backstory:  I'm from the Boston area, as is my entire family and a chunk of FI's family.  FI and the rest of his family is from Southern Connecticut.  It's about a three hour drive. Our reception venue does not have parking.  Weird I know.  Anyway, we're looking into different parking options.  If people spend the night at the hotel, then we don't have to worry about it because the hotel is a block away.  If they don't spend the night at the hotel, we are looking into different garages.  The closest one costs $35 for the day, which is very expensive.  There are other lots around the area which are cheaper that we're looking into. FMIL is worried about the parking situation and mentioned that she and FFIL will be paying for their guests parking.  I mentioned to FI later that I think if someone's parking is paid for, then everyone's parking should be paid for.  The plan had been to offer parking at a lot somewhere we could afford it and maybe get a shuttle to take them to the reception.  It's a work in progress.  FI's parents would probably pay for a more expensive lot closer to the reception without the shuttle.  FI thinks this would be fine as long as everyone is taken care of.  I think we should treat all guests the same (as in paying for everyone's parking equally). What's the etiquette for this?  We have time to figure it out but FMIL is freaking out now so I want an answer the next time she corners me.
Posted by BostonGIrl4732[/QUOTE]

I agree that all guests should be treated the same.  Consider the following scenario.  Two guests meet at the wedding. One, a friend of FI's parents. The other, one of your parent's friends.  They hit it off and decide to go out for a late night snack.  As they are leaving, FI's parent's friend says "oh, we are parked next door in the lot that Sally & John paid for."    Your friends  "oh wow...  we didn't get first class treatment. We are in a lot 4 miles away and had to take a bus to get here".

I'm just saying.. no good can come from that plan.

STARMOON44

I don't see why anyone would want to park far away and take a shuttle instead of parking nearby. People know city parking is expensive, they can factor it into their budgets. I'm surprised though that the venue has no plan. Can they validate parking tickets? Valet park? Can you arrange to pay for everyone? If you can't afford to pay for everyone in the most convenient lot then I wouldn't bother.

Sierra524

I think if your guest have to park further away, the shuttle is a great idea. & I agree with PPs that if some of your guests get paid parking, all of your guests should.

BostonGIrl4732

Yeah, the venue is odd in that they don't have parking.  They won't validate parking, or do a valet.  It was the one downside of the venue, but it worked out best for everything else so we figured we'd find a way to deal with it.

Separate parking is a no-no.  Thanks cmgilpin for putting it that way.  I'll use that explaination the next time someone trys to tell me that separate parking is OK.

We either pay for parking next to the venue (which we may not have the money for), we do a shuttle from somewhere else, which people may not like, or we don't pay for anything.  I just sort of figured that we had to pay something towards parking.

Sound about right?

So happy to have these boards to turn too!  I've learned SO much here and I knew you'd have an answer for me.

musicalcanadianbride

I would not be offended or upset if I had to pay for city parking. It's kind of part of going out. I would probably find somewhere cheaper than $35, but I would not mind paying for the parking to attend a friend's wedding. 

GoodLuckBear14

Have all of your guests been to Boston before?  Talked to people from Boston?  Seen anything about Boston on TV?  Watched "The Departed"?  I would be stunned if anyone is not aware that parking in Boston is tight and expensive.  I can tell you now that if DH and I were not staying at the nearby hotel, we would be catching a cab to your wedding.

OliveOilsMom

OP - make sure you consider that paying for a cheaper parking option, plus a shuttle, may actually be more than just paying for guests to use the $35 parking garage. 

Also, you may want to try to organize with the garage ahead of time, then your guests could provide a coupon that you enclose in the invitation to redeem their parking at the designated garage.  Then the parking garage can charge a credit card a lump sum at the end of the evening.  And any guest who chooses to stay at the hotel, won't use the coupon, since their hotel has parking.  This way, you only pay for those who choose use the garage and not overestimating and paying for more cars than you need to.

LisaA2014

I would have no issue paying to park at a wedding in the city. Even if you paid for parking at the lot furthur from the venue and provided a shuttle I would still cough of the $35 and park next to the venue. I like the security of not depending on a shuttle to get me to my car at the end of the night. Or like a PP said if I was staying in the city I would just grab a cab.

Calypso1977

what time is your wedding?
most of the garages charge $10 after 5pm or 6pm on weekends unless there is an event at the garden.

BostonGIrl4732

The wedding recpetion starts at 2pm and is over at 6:30pm.  We're doing a harbor cruise.  So discounted nighttime parking isn't really an option.  There's a bunch of places around the venue, but FMIL doesn't want anyone to have to walk more than a block (so only one lot in her eyes).

Maggie0829

I would just let your guests pay for their own parking.  If your venue had a parking lot then of course you should pay for the parking, but since it doesn't I would just provide a list of garages, their addresses, and prices in your invites and/or website so your guests will have some idea of where to park and how much it will cost them.  Most people who live in the area already know the expense of parking in a city garage while those that are staying in a nearby hotel would be better suited catching a cab.

Also, when paying for parking at a garage.  Do you have to sign a contract with them stating how many cars you expect for your event?  What if you under-estimate or what if you over-estimate?  Will you get some money back at the end or will you just lose out?

Kate61487

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_parking-situation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:407c4076-9598-426d-b2f1-4c5792abffaePost:336f4a58-c2dd-43f1-8337-01e647cf2349">Re: Parking situation</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah, the venue is odd in that they don't have parking.  They won't validate parking, or do a valet.  It was the one downside of the venue, but it worked out best for everything else so we figured we'd find a way to deal with it.
<strong>1)</strong> Separate parking is a no-no.  Thanks cmgilpin for putting it that way.  I'll use that explaination the next time someone trys to tell me that separate parking is OK.
<strong>2)</strong> We either pay for parking next to the venue (which we may not have the money for),
<strong>3)</strong> we do a shuttle from somewhere else, which people may not like, or
<strong>4)</strong> we don't pay for anything.  
I just sort of figured that we had to pay something towards parking. Sound about right? So happy to have these boards to turn too!  I've learned SO much here and I knew you'd have an answer for me.
Posted by BostonGIrl4732[/QUOTE]

I'm gonna differ a bit from PPs and say that I don't think #4 is an option.  It feels the same as a cash bar to me; your guests shouldn't have to pay for anything once they get to your wedding and that, to me, should include parking.  Especially since it's inconvenient and not straight forward since your venue doesn't have a lot.

I'm assuming the $35 lot is your hotel, since you said guests staying at the hotel could walk.  Have you talked to the hotel at all?  If you got a room block with them I'd see if you can negotiate a lower rate since it's just a few hours, not overnight, and since they're getting a good chunk of business from your guests.  If that fails and you really can't afford #2 then go with #3.  Who knows; given #1 MIL might spring for everyone, haha.

BostonGIrl4732

Unfortunatly, the hotel is $40 if you aren't staying there.  Because we aren't having the reception at the hotel, they won't cut us a break for parking (I love dealing with hotels lol).  The $35 is the lot on the other side of the block (for the aquarium).  I'm hoping to find something within a few blocks that's cheaper that we could pay for (I have time to research).  FMIL hates the thought of a guest walking more than a few feet to the boat for the harbor cruise, but I've gone to weddings in citys and walked a few blocks, so I'm not super worried if it's across the street or something.  Maybe FMIL will change her mind about things if I can give her a good option.  Who knows?

I'm glad this is the only major drawback of this place...

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies!  You've given me a lot to think about and consider!

jennyd412

I would figure out a way to pay for parking. If not, i picture guests driving around Boston looking for parking and being late for your wedding. Depending  on traffic, other events, etc. parking is too unpredictable in Boston. 

jennyd412

Did you do a hotel block? if so, will there be shuttle from there? Your Ct.guests will likely appreciate that.

BostonGIrl4732

To answer some questions: We blocked hotels a few blocks away.  However, the majority of our CT guests are probably not going to stay because the reception is over at 6:30 so they can go home if they want.  We're having an after-party across the street from the hotel for those who are going to spend the night but I've been told a majority of the people we got the room block for will probably not be staying.  The hotel will not shuttle people and they charge a crazy amount for parking.  And they won't give us a break because it's a smaller block and we aren't having the wedding there.

FI found a lot that's $11 a car.  We're figuring about sixty cars (probably less but we're trying to be conservative) so that's about $700.  We'd need a shuttle so we're looking into that right now.  We might put a bunch of directions to different lots with prices and offer the $11 one for free to our guest and get a small shuttle.  We'll put all this info on the website and spread the word (my grandmother's are great about getting information out to family members) so people can decide if they want the shuttle for free or if they want to pay for parking elsewhere.

Our guests are adults and can make the choice if they want free parking with a shuttle or if they want to pay for parking closer.  FI also agreed to talk to his parents and let them know that if their guests want free parking, they should park at the free lot and take the shuttle.  If they offer to help us out, great, if not, we'll take care of it because it shouldn't be that bad if it's just $11 a car (depending on how much the shuttle is).

I think we'll use the suggestion of talking to the lot and seeing if we can do vouchers so we only pay for the cars that use the lot.  We'll see how that goes.