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XP: Shuttle Etiquette

jenijoykjenijoyk member
Tenth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments First Answer
edited October 2014 in Wedding Etiquette Forum

XP: Sorry, I posted this originally under Ceremonies for reasons that cannot be explained. My question is really more etiquette related... so I'm posting here instead!

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Hi guys! I'm struggling with my shuttle situation, which is not ideal. Any opinions or thoughts appreciated.

Approximately 30 guests are staying at a hotel 10 minutes from our venue. The hotel is giving us two complimentary shuttle trips. We've asked if we can add another one and even pay for it, and they said no because the primary purpose of the shuttle is to take hotel guests to and from the airport all day and they need it for that. OK fine. Two trips seemed better to me than zero trips. (But now I'm not so sure.)

Each shuttle trip will take 10 guests. So 20 guests will be able to take the shuttle, split over two trips. And the remaining 10 guests will need to drive themselves to the venue, take cabs (which are plentiful) or take Uber. A few of the families at the hotel have babies, so I'm assuming (hoping) they will drive themselves because they will need a carseat and a stroller and all other baby-related nonesense. But there will still have to be a couple others that get themselves to the venue without the shuttle.

Sooo... I'm struggling with how to explain this, tactfully, to guests. Everything I come up with seems tacky and tier-y.

I was thinking I would include a card in the welcome bag that says something like....

How to Get Around

Cab name/#

Another Cab name/#

Uber also serves Downtown XXX, if you don't have an account, you can download the app on your smartphone, visit uber.com for info

Complimentary Valet Parking at the Venue

A hotel shuttle will also be available at 4:25 and 4:45 to take approximately 20 guests (10 guests per trip) to the venue. The shuttle will return to the venue at 9:45 and 10:45pm to take guests back to the hotel.

Is this the tackiest thing you have ever seen??? Should I just leave the shuttle info off all together and just verbally tell the older guests about the shuttle so the younger people (who already use Uber) take Uber or cabs instead? What if the younger people then see the shuttle and are like, "WTF"? Should I just can the shuttle alltogether since it can't take everyone? Am I overthinking all of this like a crazy person?

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Re: XP: Shuttle Etiquette

  • theartistformerlyknownastheartistformerlyknownas member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers First Anniversary
    First, and hopefully this is a dumb question - are you sure that it's actually two round-trip trips and not two trips total? I would just make super positive of that.

    Second, I would only mention that the shuttle is available at such and such times. I didn't even give my guests that much information... as they checked in, the hotel clerk had them sign in for shuttle rides during one of the 2 time slots.

    I don't think it's necessary to list every available transportation option - these are adults, they can be trusted to get themselves around town. It's not your responsibility to line everything up for them, and they shouldn't assume that they'll have endless shuttle transportation available for them.

    Lastly... if it's 10 minutes each way, the shuttle won't actually make it there and back in 20 minutes. It'll need time to let people off and on plus a buffer for getting stuck in traffic. Assuming your ceremony is at 5, I would have the shuttles at 4 and 4:30.
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  • jenijoykjenijoyk member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments First Answer

    Ugh. Good point on the timing. But picking up at 4 means they will be stuck sitting at my venue for 45 minutes before my ceremony starts.... that seems.... interminable.

    Yes. Two round trips, total. Both before the ceremony and in the evening at the end of the reception.

    The signing up for spots on the shuttle might be the way to go! That way, when its filled its filled. And everyone already knows which shuttle they are on. And if you don't sign in, you will know you need a cab. Hopefully the front desk will be cool with this.

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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    edited October 2014
    Honestly I would look into my own shuttle.  






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • jenijoykjenijoyk member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments First Answer

    I did look into it for a short moment, but then decided they were way too pricey, especially given they would only benefit a small percentage of our guest list.

    At this point, I'm leaning towards just getting rid of the shuttles alltogether. It's a $5 cab ride (2.5 miles) and I'm already covering everyone's valet at the venue if they want to drive themselves.

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  • southernbelle0915southernbelle0915 mod
    Moderator 10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary
    I posted this on the other thread, but if the shuttle can only take a fraction of the people and may potentially leave people stranded without a way back, I would absolutely not use it. 

    People can drive themselves. Plus you're doing valet. That's plenty.
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  • jenijoykjenijoyk member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Love Its 500 Comments First Answer

    Especially given that about a third of the hotel guests are actually locals, who wanted to enjoy a night out away from the kids. Or get hammered at our wedding and not worry about driving home. Which I fully support. But, really, those people can afford another $5 for the cab. They already decided to go big this weekend anyway. 

    Ok. Shuttles = DEAD.

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  • lyndausvilyndausvi mod
    Moderator Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its
    cancel then.   People who missed out on the way there will be smart enough to be the first ones on the way back.    I foresee potnential drama.






    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
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  • cafarriecafarrie member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments 5 Answers Name Dropper
    I answered on your XP as well - but like I said there, I'd be a little upset if I was able to get a shuttle TO the venue, and then not be able to get on one FROM the venue....

    Glad you're thinking no shuttle!
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  • Bubblegum5586Bubblegum5586 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    I just want to add a caution of promoting uber. These drivers are not insured as drivers (as in livery) and if anything were to happen (an accident or something lost or stolen) there is no insurance to cover that! I heard about someone that got in a car accident in an uber car and broke their leg and the driver's insurance DID NOT cover it. Since there was a transaction of money it turned it into a business deal and they didn't have the proper insurance for that!

    As far as the shuttle. If you can swing it a shuttle is nice, but it is an extra. If it is 10 minutes away then it shouldn't be that bad for guests!
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    Anniversary
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  • cowgirl8238cowgirl8238 member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary First Answer
    I think your best off axing the shuttle altogether.  I would hope adults would be respectful enough to not take someone eles slot on the way home, but that just lends itself to drama.  The venue isn't that far, just let them drive and/or work out the Designated Drivers/cab companies themselves.
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