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Budget Weddings Forum
Knottie02987a1590603156
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Do you expect a party bus?
Our wedding party is getting ready at the church, and the reception is about a 10 minute drive. Bride & groom each have 4 attendants. Everyone lives within a few miles.
Timeline:
photos before wedding
2-3:15 wedding ceremony
3:15-3:45 receiving line
3:45-4:00 finish up any family photos that were missed beforehand
4:00-5:00 social/cocktail hour, also a photobooth beginning at 4pm
5:00 begin buffet line, followed by dance
It is very common in our area to have a party bus to go to bars between the ceremony and reception, but my fiance and I don't see the point. We'd rather just go straight to the reception and visit with all our guests. My bridal party seems to expect a limo or party bus but we think everyone can just drive themselves (we'd tell them this so they know in advance). Multiple hotels are withing walking distance of reception, but we're willing to arrange for an uber/taxi to pick up attendants who have had too much to drink. Thoughts on this approach?
Timeline:
photos before wedding
2-3:15 wedding ceremony
3:15-3:45 receiving line
3:45-4:00 finish up any family photos that were missed beforehand
4:00-5:00 social/cocktail hour, also a photobooth beginning at 4pm
5:00 begin buffet line, followed by dance
It is very common in our area to have a party bus to go to bars between the ceremony and reception, but my fiance and I don't see the point. We'd rather just go straight to the reception and visit with all our guests. My bridal party seems to expect a limo or party bus but we think everyone can just drive themselves (we'd tell them this so they know in advance). Multiple hotels are withing walking distance of reception, but we're willing to arrange for an uber/taxi to pick up attendants who have had too much to drink. Thoughts on this approach?
Re: Do you expect a party bus?
I don't think anyone should have any expectation.
Honestly, in my area, the only time I have seen a party bus used was when the couple have a huge gap between their ceremony and reception. Lots of fun for the couple and their bridal party, but incredibly rude to the guests having to kill time.
You've planned your day with the consideration of your guests in mind. You and your FI have a great plan!
You do not need a party bus.
I do think you need to start your cocktail hour immediately following your ceremony (starting just after the amount of time needed to travel to your reception site) as the guests at the beginning of your receiving line have quite a bite of time on their hands. An hour and 45 minutes is a long cocktail hour. See if you can shorten.
I do have to ask: is there any way that the cocktail hour could start immediately as guests arrive at the reception venue? As things stand now, they'd be standing around awkwardly for at least 15 minutes once they arrive (and it may be longer, as I doubt everyone will linger during the whole time you have for the receiving line).
The only time I was in a wedding and expected transportation be provided was a wedding where we had to drive ALL OVER a rural part of the state, no one was from there (except the bride & her family) and there were gaps all over. But there was a lot wrong with that wedding lol.
I've never actually seen/known someone who had a party bus, except on TV!
I would start your cocktail "hour" at 3:30pm, otherwise I think your timeline is fine.
One wedding I went to the couple had pictures scheduled after the ceremony, but the reception was at their home. So we all had to wait over an hour for them to arrive. Not very well thought through. Or someone forgot their house key. lol