My FMIL and FFIL are kindly paying for and hosting our rehearsal dinner (it's actually a lunch because our rehearsal is in the morning). She wants to have it in Uptown Charlotte, NC, which is 30+ minutes from our venue, where we are rehearsing.
I love Uptown and she says she wants to do that so that the out of town guests can "get a feel for the city." However, I just see a lot of problems with this. Our wedding party is fairly large. Then you have to add in their significant others and both of our families. Now she wants to include out of town guests too. I have no problem with that if she wants to spring for the expense, but I feel like driving 30 minutes and then dealing with trying to park uptown with over 30 people will be somewhat of a nightmare. I'm truly just trying to think of my guests and wedding party.
I want to suggest we have it much closer to the venue and that if she wants to go uptown with her side of the family to show them the city afterward, then they can. Besides, after a rehearsal lunch, she will have plenty of time to entertain if she would like to. My fiance feels the same way and is up to discussing it with her, but I just don't know if it is out of line to be picky about location when we have no financial stake in it.