How far can ceremony site be from reception?

raeah219 · March 2014

We are still looking into having our DW (it's really only 2 1/2 hours from our home town, but since most guests are driving about 3 hours I'll just call it a DW) Anyway, we want to get married on the beach, and I found a possible reception site that is about a 45 min drive from the beach. Too far?

Maggie0829 · March 2014

I think anything over 30 minutes is too far.

KatWAG · March 2014

45 minutes is too far. Less than 20 is ideal.

HisGirlFriday13 · March 2014

Yes.

If I'm already driving 2.5 to 3 hours to your wedding, I want the ceremony and reception sites to be very close to each other, if not the same place.

And actually, 45 minutes is too far for a local wedding, too. 45 minutes is just too long, period, to have your guests drive between your ceremony and reception.

Maggie0829 · March 2014

HisGirlFriday13 said:

Yes.

If I'm already driving 2.5 to 3 hours to your wedding, I want the ceremony and reception sites to be very close to each other, if not the same place.

And actually, 45 minutes is too far for a local wedding, too. 45 minutes is just too long, period, to have your guests drive between your ceremony and reception.

This is a great point. I didn't even think about the fact that they will already be travelling a few hours for the wedding. I agree the ceremony and reception should be extremely close together in this instance.

ei34 · March 2014

^ ditto @hisgirlfriday13 if guests are already traveling on your wedding day, the two sites should be super close.
For a local wedding, I feel up to 30 minutes is reasonable.

raeah219 · March 2014

ok...back to the drawing board...Thanks ladies.

phira · March 2014

Thanks for listening, though. Let us know if we can help you find a venue that's closer to the beach (or a way to make your ceremony site beachier).

raeah219 · March 2014

If anybody knows of a reception site in Savannah, GA near the beach please HELP A SISTA OUT! (I've already been to the savannah local board and just lurking there has given me a list of places to look into)

labro · March 2014

@raeah219 Have you looked at visitsavannah.com or savannah.com? I just clicked on visitsavannah.com and there was a link at the top of the page for weddings that took me to savannahido.com. I'm sure spending a little time on any of those sites should help you to narrow down your search. Good luck!

Inkdancer · March 2014

raeah219 said:

If anybody knows of a reception site in Savannah, GA near the beach please HELP A SISTA OUT! (I've already been to the savannah local board and just lurking there has given me a list of places to look into)

You could always go with things that aren't billed as reception sites. Restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, even a big beach house could be a great place to host a party!

raeah219 · March 2014

@inkdancer I'm going to have you send you a personal thank you card when this is all over with. You have been such a big help. The thing about an alternative site is the size of our guestlist (125) and the fact that we really want a dj and dancing.

indianaalum · March 2014

raeah219 said:

We are still looking into having our DW (it's really only 2 1/2 hours from our home town, but since most guests are driving about 3 hours I'll just call it a DW) Anyway, we want to get married on the beach, and I found a possible reception site that is about a 45 min drive from the beach. Too far?

If your guests already have to travel 2 1/2 hours to GET there, I would say they should probably only have to drive another 30 minutes tops (and that is WAY WAY pushing it)...though,

personally, I would try to make them at the same place if at all possible. You don't want your wedding to be such a hassle people just choose to skip it..or be cranky

Inkdancer · March 2014

raeah219 said:

@inkdancer I'm going to have you send you a personal thank you card when this is all over with. You have been such a big help. The thing about an alternative site is the size of our guestlist (125) and the fact that we really want a dj and dancing.

DJ and dancing are no problem... as long as there's room and electricity, a DJ can set up almost anywhere. You can also rent dance floors for pretty reasonable prices, and they can be set up on any type of ground. So find a space you love that will hold everyone and go from there.

Jen4948 · March 2014

Limit travel time in between the ceremony and reception to about 30 minutes.

Mitch617 · March 2014

Also if you are doing a hotel block you'd want both sites to be convenient to the hotel. Since people might check in, go to ceremony, go to reception, back to hotel.

tesgirl123 · March 2014

I was invited to a wedding last summer where the church and reception site were in two different states. To get from one to another you had to drive on three major highways, cross a bridge and pay approximately $20 in tolls. And the reception started at 7PM on a Sunday night when the majority of people had work the next day.

So good news, is that you aren't that bad.

I would look for reception sites closer to the beach if you have your heart set on a beach wedding.

kkitkat79 · March 2014

tesgirl123 said:

I was invited to a wedding last summer where the church and reception site were in two different states. To get from one to another you had to drive on three major highways, cross a bridge and pay approximately $20 in tolls. And the reception started at 7PM on a Sunday night when the majority of people had work the next day.
So good news, is that you aren't that bad.
I would look for reception sites closer to the beach if you have your heart set on a beach wedding.

Ha ha! At least there wasn't a gap!

How far can ceremony site be from reception?

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