transportation to reception.

honeybee429

We are getting married in downtown charleston, South Carolina at The cathedral of St. John the Baptist. We are having our reception about 3 or 4 city blocks away. (and these are "Charleston" blocks... not NYC blocks. So its not even a mile away. but it is kind of far to walk in heels.)
My Idea:: I want to rent out these cute old fashioned trolleys to transport our guests to the reception site. It would give them a chance to see a little bit of the city and maybe take pictures instead of being so distracted trying to drive to the reception (or the parking garage closest to it). This would also give us a little time to do wedding photos without our guests being bored. I would have the priest announce at the end of the ceremony that the trolley is available (even though it would say it in the invites, some ppl forget ) for transportation TO the ceremony but not back, or directions are in the back (in case they forgot theirs) if they would prefer to drive to a closer parking garage and walk the rest of the way. Now At the reception, I would have directions back to the church parking lot for those who chose to ride the trolley in a basket with the thank-you-for-comings gifts. Also, we have a bike-rickshaw company downtown that I would "warn" when our reception would end so they could offer rides back to the parking lot at the church if they don't want to walk 3 blocks. The ride would be at the guests expense, and only about 5 dollars. BUt i don't feel guilty about this because they really could walk.. it is not far! lol. (I also want to say that the nearest parking garage to the reception is two blocks away and on a different street. and no, I cannot afford the trolley long enough to give them rides back)

His Idea:: NO trolley. Give everyone walking directions to the place so they can "tour" the city on foot a little, or directions to the nearest parking garage to the reception. He says transportation is not our problem, and that we can take pictures before the wedding if I think it will be so timely.

what do you think??

betrothed123

Let them find their own way to the reception. I kind of feel like you're stranding your guests at your reception if you give them a ride there, but not back. I know it's not far, but that's the feeling I get.  I just don't see a point in giving them a ride on way but not the other.

sucrets4

I couldn't get through the wall of text, but I don't get the difference between NYC blocks and Charleston blocks.  Are you saying they're closer or further?  Because they're pretty close in NY...

honeybee429

They are shorter distance than NYC blocks. But there are a lot of one way streets here.

NcsuPsych

While its a nice gesture to have transportation to the reception, but I have to agree with pp, I'd just let them find their own way. It's easier on you mentally and finacially. 

bananachiki

haha. if you're going to do it either do it ALL the way or not at all.

I personally would rather walk in the daylight from the ceremony to the reception vs in the dark, after a few drinks and dances with blisters from my heels.

danieliza1127

I think for 3-4 blocks, it's perfectly fine to expect your guests to walk.  I think everything you wrote out above is fine to make available to your guests, but it's all optional as far as I'm concerned since they can so easily walk.  I think you're making it harder on yourself than it needs to be.

If you plan on doing pictures between the ceremony and reception, you should plan a cocktail hour for your guests instead of expecting them to want to tour the city for 30 minutes to an hour.

sucrets4

So there's no place to park in between the church and reception?  Because if I were your guest, I would try to park in between so I wouldn't have to walk far either way.

If the only options are church or parking garage, then it depends if the parking garage is free. 

I agree with other people - you can't just provide transportation one way and leave them stuck there.  It's all or nothing.  If you can't afford it, then there's your answer.

Why doesn't your reception venue have parking?

SarahPLiz

WHile its a nice gesture, I'd rather walk to the reception in my heels than go there on a trolley, dance and drink all night, and then have to walk BACK in my heels. I say skip the expense..

But the rickshaw availability would be a nice perk..

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Can you find a cheaper option, like a school bus, and offer it both ways?

Transportation isn't necessary, especially if most of your guests will have their own cars, but it is a nice gesture.

By the way, your wedding sounds lovely. Charleston is beautiful.

Catwoman708

I think you should provide the trollies both ways or not at all. 
It's a cute idea, but not a very thoughtful one.  As someone else mentioned, you are essentially stranding them at the reception. 

I'd much rather drive my own car and not have to walk the few blocks either way.  At the end of the evening, my feet would be killing me by then. I'd be leery of having to walk that far in any city, no matter how safe.

squirrly

Skip the trolley, and "warn" the rickshaw company about both times.  3 - 4 blocks there isn't far, people can make the walk, and if they don't want to, the rickshaw will give them an option.

I would highlight central parking areas in your directions insert so that they can just park once.