Sending Directions with Invitations

bride4567

Hi! I hope you ladies can help me.

On our invitations, I have both the ceremony and reception places indicated with addresses of both of them and our website listed. I wanted to send my guests separate cards for directions for the ceremony location only. I already printed these directions on nice paper. I wanted to give my guests directions to the reception on the programs when they come to the ceremony. It would be less confusing.

However, my parents think I should send directions to the reception too. I would be sending too many things such as invitations, response card with meal choice, directions to the ceremony and adding directions to the reception may be too confusing. 

Personally, I find it rude when people only want to go to the party and not the ceremony. (Unless, there are extenuating situations such as getting baby sitters for small children or taking care of an elderly parent.) The large majority of our guests are not in these situations. I know that there will be people that will make this choice. I understand that it will happen. I have come to terms.

If I do send directions to the reception along with everything else, it will be from the ceremony location. Again, I don't want to confuse our guests.

Currently, the plan of having ceremony only directions in the invitations and providing directions to the reception in the programs is the best idea. My fiance is very adamant on this.

I need advice, opinions, recommendations, etc. They can either agree or disagree. I appreciate listening to both sides.

ceh789

Are the venues very remote or difficult to get to?

I'm not sure that it's necessary to provide directions, as most people will use their phone GPS.  I wouldn't have included directions or a map except I had an unusual parking situation and wanted to let people know where to park to avoid towing.

bride4567

Thanks for replying. The venue is 20 mins away from the ceremony. The ceremony parking is on street or in paid lots. I did indicate this in the directions.

WalkersFurMama

I am only including directions to the ceremony in my invites and will have directions to the reception on the back of my programs. For the few people who might decide not to attend the ceremony, I do have the address on the reception card so they can look it up. I'll also have google maps to both places on our wedding website. 

sleepyb

I think providing directions is a nice gesture.  I know some of my family members don't use GPS and getting around in a big city can be difficult (especially if toll roads become an issue).  I think having the directions to the reception available at the ceremony (either in the program or separate) is fine.  No need to include with the invitation.

bride4567

My parents think that providing the directions for the ceremony only would make people think they are only invited to the ceremony. However, this is not the case. All invitations have response cards with meal choices. Both the ceremony and reception address and times are on the invitation. Do you think people would think they are not invited to the reception?

sleepyb

I wouldn't think so if I received the invite with only ceremony instructions.

bride4567

Thank you so much for your help ladies. I'm going to send out the ceremony only directions and not have to worry about getting things reprinted.