Asking guests to walk between ceremony and reception

[Anonymous]

I am in the midst of planning a summer wedding. Our ceremony and reception are at different venues but the two are a ten minute walk from each other (five minute drive) and both in downtown DC. My usual instinct is that when a wedding has two venues, it's incumbent upon the hosts to provide transportation but I'm not sure if that's true here.
Would it be unreasonable to ask guests to walk from one venue to the next? Or otherwise make their own way?
I have not made my mind up either way so would love advice on balance cost (of transportation) and etiquette.

[Anonymous]

I have health issues and would not be happy with you demanding we walk. I would drive to both places.

[Anonymous]

I think for 10 min you will want transportation. Some people may be older and slower. Others may wear uncomfortable shoes. It can be muggy in DC in the summer. Maybe 5 min would be ok but 10 is kind of far to expect

[Anonymous]

You’ve got to be kidding me. 10 minutes is like 5 blocks. Sure, arrange transport for the elderly and disabled but most should be fine.

[Anonymous]

I've been to two weddings where this was the case, neither provided transportation, and I have to be honest that both times it rubbed me the wrong way.

Keep in mind that many of the women will be in heels, so that 10 minute walk will take longer and be uncomfortable. If it's downtown, at least there should be good rideshare availability, but in our case one of them was in a quiet part of the city so it was hard to get a ride and the other happened on the same day as a big event so there was crazy surge pricing. The second of those two required a walk through a part of the city's downtown that was a bit on the rougher side, especially if you were not familiar with the town.

If you are going to ask people to make their own way, be super clear about this in the invitation so people can plan ahead, and try to help elderly guests and those who wouldn't have Uber/Lyft.

[Anonymous]

This is why I like the ceremony and reception to be held in the same place. It avoids all this whining!

[Anonymous]

This is obnoxious. Do everything in one place (preferred) and, if you must do multiple venues, provide transportation.

[Anonymous]

Will guests have left their cars at the location of the ceremony? It's probably unreasonable to have people walk back to cars at night, especially because some will be drunk.

Ride share is fine for younger guests who don't want to walk.

[Anonymous]

are you and the bridal party going to walk in DC summer heat for 10 minutes? I would start there to help decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:are you and the bridal party going to walk in DC summer heat for 10 minutes? I would start there to help decide.

but I think you should provide transportation, and as someone else asked, where will their cars be? are either of these events at the hotel they are staying at?

[Anonymous]

Terrible idea. Spring for transport. Women will be in poor shoes and no one wants to sweat in fancy clothes

[Anonymous]

I had a wedding like this in May 2022. I was familiar with the area so I could have walked except it ended up being quite chilly and rainy. The bride and groom had busses provided and I happily jumped on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:are you and the bridal party going to walk in DC summer heat for 10 minutes? I would start there to help decide.

This: How is the bride getting from the ceremony to the reception? There’s your answer.

[Anonymous]

Can I wear sneakers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:are you and the bridal party going to walk in DC summer heat for 10 minutes? I would start there to help decide.

This. If wedding party is walking it's OK to ask guests to walk.