I'm getting married outdoors in early May.
Where I live, the weather in early May can vary wildly, so I'd like to have an "indoors" backup location to be on the safe side.
Since I'm paying $700 for the primary venue (a bed and breakfast), I definitely do NOT want to pay for the backup venue as well! There's a community center that rents out its chapel, private rooms, and kitchens for free near where I live, and I'd like to reserve some of those rooms in case of rain. The only problem is, the community center is a good 30-45 minute drive from the bed and breakfast!
Is this okay, or should I choose a closer backup? Also, if I should choose a closer backup, do you have any suggestions for where I might move the wedding if it rains without putting down more deposits?
2007-01-21 04:12:28 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
The community center sounds fine, if you cannot find anything closer and that fits your budget. Have you asked restaurants or libraries or other venues?
Your "in case of bad weather" card that you insert into the invitations should also include someone's cell number (preferably the best man) in case people want to call that morning and find out what decision has been made for the venue (like if it is slightly bad weather, like morning drizzle, they will not know for sure where to go).
2007-01-21 04:19:43 · answer #1 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is entirely up to you where you backup location is, but I would think that you would lose some guests in between. If they all show up at the primary location, and someone makes an announcement that the wedding is being moved, how many people will make the trip to the backup location. And if you decide to switch to the backup hours before the wedding, who will be in charge of notifying all the guests, and who will be posted at the original site for any guest that couldn't be contacted? Sometimes the most memorable weddings are ones that a performed under adverse circumstances. The most beautiful wedding I have ever attended was an outdoor wedding that got moved into a bar when it started to rain. We all just packed in their like sardines and had a great time. It is your wedding, if you chose to move it to a backup that is 30 minutes away and some people don't make it, it is their loss, you will still have YOUR perfect wedding.
2007-01-21 12:20:31 · answer #2 · answered by alaskastone 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would strongly suggest a closer back up. A 30-45 minute commute between locations causes a big break in the flow of the wedding. It can really make for a choppy day, and some guests will "jump ship" between the ceremony and the reception -- particularly if bad traffic arises.
If you were my client, I would have a rented tent (large, white canopy) as a back up. Call some rental places in your area, find out the cost and have that as your back up. As the wedding day approaches, watch the weather. If it looks bad a week out -- book the tent as a way to save your outdoor wedding and the flow of the day. I feel the cost of the tent far out weighs the strain a commute will put on the day.
2007-01-21 14:21:36 · answer #3 · answered by Sweet Susie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's NOT too far if your guests can go there directly.
It IS TOO FAR if you expect your guests to go to the Inn first, then go on to the other location depending on the weather.
Can the Inn provide any kinds of tents?? I'd check.
If you do go with a Plan B location, Include a card in your invitation with your Plan B location - directions and who they should contact to find out where to go.
You are going to have to make a judgement call that very early morning, or even the night before, and stick to it - even if weather conditions change - to make sure your guests have plenty of notice to go directly to the right place. It would be very bad form for your guests to show up at the first location to empty chairs.
I would also enlist your bridesmaids and create a "phone tree". It would be a courtesy to your guests if you gave them a call in plenty of time before they left for the wedding, to let them know that the wedding will be moved. Again, to prevent people from being late because they went to the original place first.
Hope it stays dry!
2007-01-21 14:56:27 · answer #4 · answered by apbanpos 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would think so. Just make sure to have one person listed, probably in an attatched note, for everyone to contact in case the weather is iffy at the last minute. Make sure that ONE person you stay in contact with in case of a change in plans so that all guests can be notified adn you don'd end up with some at each location, some havgin assumed teh weather wasn't bad enough while others were thinking that it was! Congratulations to you.
2007-01-21 12:24:34 · answer #5 · answered by Betsy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think thats a fine idea....and I don't think you'll lose guests. Gee if you live a large city it can take you 30-45 mins to go from the church to the reception so I think it's perfectly OK. I do like the idea of having a cell phone number of the host couples or someone so people can call them if they aren't sure where it will be. Best of luck to you and yours and I hope the weather cooperates for you!!! Happy wedding!!
2007-01-21 12:36:45 · answer #6 · answered by boss 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh..the down falls regarding outside weddings. I think your backup plan should include coverage and protection at your current wedding spot. Their are ALL kinds of equipment available that you can and should have on stand-by to enable you to not need a backup location.
2007-01-21 13:14:46 · answer #7 · answered by Mean Carleen 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should pick a primary location where you have access to an indoor location on site in case you need to move indoors. That way you won't loose any guests and they will be no confusion whatso ever.
2007-01-21 13:31:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most ministers charge for mileage outside a specific area so before you make any arrangements, check with all your vendors and/or the contracts. If they have to travel, you may end up paying quite a lot for the "free" venue.
2007-01-21 13:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by weddrev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make the back-up as close to the orginal location as possible. There will be enough stress without dealing with this as well. If you know there is a good likelihood of rain in May, change the date to a drier month.
2007-01-21 13:08:53 · answer #10 · answered by Isabella 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋