I know it's much more comfortable if the venues were nearer, but let's say the venues were not near each other.... how far is too far? is 45 minutes away too far ? what is the maximum number of minutes it should take from venue to venue as not to strain the guests?
2006-06-13 07:05:46 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
We were able to use the reception hall of the church where we had the wedding. It was totally convenient! Once people were there, they didn't have to leave until it was time to go home. Worked out great! Try to find someplace very close, if not attached to where your ceremony will be held. People will be grateful and it will save you a lot of time. If you must have it elsewhere, make it close - like no more then a 10 minute drive.
2006-06-13 07:08:32 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forty five minutes is quite a drive. I would say that's probably a smidgen too long. No more than twenty minutes. Thirty if you live out in the country and most of your guests are fairly accustomed to longer drives.
Here's a suggestion though. If you are absolutely set on having the ceremony at one place and the reception at the other, consider having more a private ceremony. Invite very close friends and family, those who wouldn't mind the drive. And then invite the remainder of the guests to the reception. It will save you a little money as far as programs and such go. I don't know if this is an option for you given your plans, but it is a suggestion so you can have your wedding cake and eat it too.
2006-06-13 07:59:21 · answer #2 · answered by bubb1e_gir1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It only takes 15 minutes for your guests to tired of the festivities... your best bet is to chose a venue no more then 10 minutes away, but it'd be best to have the venue close enough to walk to. If at all possible, chose a venue that will house both the ceremony and the reception. If the ceremony is outside, then all they'll have to do is walk inside or a short walk across the lawn to get to the reception. Word to the wise... guests won't stay long if there isn't anything exciting going on. Don't wait until everyone is finished eating to play music. Don't open your presents at the reception, wait until you get to your hotel room... it takes away from your guests time with you. Always make rounds to every table. People want to congragulate you, but they don't want to join the crowd that will circle around you after the ceremony.
2006-06-13 07:13:41 · answer #3 · answered by visionssofaraway 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
45 minutes might be a bit excessive. Remember, you too will have to travel to this destination and after the ceremony, there will be lots of pictures which consumes a lot of time. It means your arrival at the reception could be up to an hour after the guests have arrived. Unless you have entertainment, beverages and appetizers planned to keep your guests busy, I highly suggest keeping the venues 15-20 minutes apart at the most. It will probably ease your stress just a bit, too and make your special day more enjoyable for all.
2006-06-13 07:19:39 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep in mind that your guests will be happier if the drive isn't too far from the ceremony to the reception. I think 20 minutes top and you should factor in traffic especially if your wedding is in a city or on a friday instead of saturday. Think if you were a guest in a wedding--how far would you want to drive?
2006-06-13 07:10:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on other factors in the day. We got married on a Saturday afternoon, late enough to give our out of town guests (ie, my entire family) time to drive in on Saturday and not have to stay overnight on Friday. We took about two and a half hours between the end of the ceremony and beginning of the reception for pictures.
Drive time isn't as much of a factor as complexity of directions. It also depends on whether you're taking pictures after the wedding or don't mind seeing each other beforehand. I will tell you that my wife was so radiantly beautiful that I was very grateful to have waited to see her.
If you're worried about a long drive, you could break a tradition and give out favors at the CEREMONY, instead of at the RECEPTION. You can burn CDs with 45 minutes of favorite music, with a photo of you two on the front, and directions inside the front cover. My wife and I did these (sans directions; we gave them out at the reception) for about 15 cents apiece and it took us about 5 minutes a CD, so it was easily done over the course of about a week, an hour or two a night.
2006-06-13 07:10:17 · answer #6 · answered by Veritatum17 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just remember that the guests are there for you, you don't want to expect to much out of them. 45 minutes is really too long to ask. I would say no longer then 30 mintures to the reception site. You have to make that decision but some people might not attend in this case. Congrats!
2006-06-13 08:07:24 · answer #7 · answered by glitter3317 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally wouldnt want to drive 45 minutes. I had my wedding and reception in the same hall to avoid this nuisance. I wouldnt have a problem with a 15-20 minute travel, but not beyond that.
2006-06-13 07:09:18 · answer #8 · answered by Mean Carleen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
45 minutes is pushing it... I would say that would be the absolute limit, but you are the one who knows your wedding guests. Are there a lot of older people who can't get themselves around? Is it a large reception or would everyone fit in a party bus? If they would then that might be worth it.
2006-06-19 00:11:02 · answer #9 · answered by Sara K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forty-five minutes is pretty far unless they're really going to be rewarded somehow or if maybe there's some kind of carpool thing set up (where groomsmen, bridesmaids, close family, attendants drive others to and from. I wouldn't expect a huge turnout though. I would say 15minutes is the max to request people to drive.
2006-06-13 07:09:20 · answer #10 · answered by sgrjackson1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋