Asking guests to walk between ceremony and reception

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Where is a 5 minute drive only a 10 minute walk? Is there easy parking at both venues?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if it rains? How will you feel is someone sprains an ankle or breaks a foot stepping in a pothole or tripping on uneven sidewalk in heels? Nobody cares that 10 minutes away the reception place was fancier and more special to you. You need to think about the guests who spent a small fortune to travel to you and be courteous. If you must have 2 locations, at least offer transport. Make clear your intentions on invite so people can at least bring sneakers and if needed, proper rain attire.

Oh Come on. How exactly should she feel? The same as if the person did that prior to the wedding, or the day after. That's just stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1 have done this at tons of weddings.... not a big deal at all, just get help for elderly/guests with health matters

[Anonymous]

Ugh - walking in DC in the summer, dressed up?

Hard no for me. And I wouldn't ask it if others wihtout being VERY upfront about options (driving, parking, ubers, cabs, etc...)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1 have done this at tons of weddings.... not a big deal at all, just get help for elderly/guests with health matters

+2 except keep in mind that the time between a ceremony and a reception in DC during the summer is likely to have a thunderstorm in it.

[Anonymous]

This is pretty normal. Your only issue is that DC has hellish parking (whereas suburbs don't). Is the first location a church where there is parking available? Nearly everyone I know takes an uber to the wedding from their hotel unless you have a lot of local guests who would drive.

Last wedding I was at had this. It was actually fun walking over together. The elderly (80+ years old) all got in an uber. A few women had sandals they wore for the walk and then put their heels back on when they got there.

[Anonymous]

We got married and had our reception about 5 blocks apart. My dad drove my very elderly grandma but the rest of us walked. my genius photographer (Matt Mendelsohn, can't recommend him highly enough) suggested that I book a dixieland jazz band called Hot Mustard. I booked them as a trio (I think?) and they led us through the streets of Georgetown like a parade. People were dancing and cheering. It was a BLAST. Super memorable!!!

[Anonymous]

What you might see happen is a few generous friends or family members stepping up and getting Ubers for elderly people, then others will start to step up and get Ubers and letting even total strangers ride with them. If that doesn’t embarrass you that your guests will provide the transportation that you should have, carry 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.

OP are you going to answer this? (NP)

[Anonymous]

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

+1

Plus, people are going to be DRESSED UP FOR A WEDDING. This is not a day to be dressed for a hike, a stroll, no - it is first and foremost a wedding. Be considerate of your guests, OP.

Not sure what the solution might be but please do NOT try to play off "oh, it's just a ten minute walk" for your guests - that is pretty shabby of you. Maybe offer a hired bus or something - anything, really.

Almost as bad a s the SF wedding that had us drive over TWO hours to the reception - WTAF?? Do not leave your guests in the lurch - it is RUDE.

People, be an adult, and THINK of your guests!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you might see happen is a few generous friends or family members stepping up and getting Ubers for elderly people, then others will start to step up and get Ubers and letting even total strangers ride with them. If that doesn’t embarrass you that your guests will provide the transportation that you should have, carry on.

+1

Bad form, OP. Really bad form. You invited these people, right?? Geesus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is pretty normal. Your only issue is that DC has hellish parking (whereas suburbs don't). Is the first location a church where there is parking available? Nearly everyone I know takes an uber to the wedding from their hotel unless you have a lot of local guests who would drive.

Last wedding I was at had this. It was actually fun walking over together. The elderly (80+ years old) all got in an uber. A few women had sandals they wore for the walk and then put their heels back on when they got there.

+1

If parking is even remotely an issue, it is up to the bride and groom and family to physically hire and provide sufficient transportation to and from.

If you ask your friends and family - they will not tell you to your face, so we are telling you this now.

[Anonymous]

As long as you are making the walk in your wedding dress and you are okay with people showing up to your wedding in comfortable summer swamp weather, like shorts, athletic gear and shoes, that's fine.

If you are getting transportation between and you expect your guests to be in formal wear, the no, it is not reasonable to have two separate venues and provide no transportation between sites for a city wedding. A suburban wedding where people are going to have to drive to get there, is different. But in the city, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will also have to provide directions to the reception. Out of towners aren’t going to know how to get there.

Everyone has a phone now and can look up the address. This isn't 1980 where people have to pull out a paper map. They will see it's a short walk away and can take an Uber if they don't feel like walking.

Thew Uber thing will NOT work - think about it - 150+/- dressed up guests, half in heels, all summoning ubers at the same time - it simply will not work.

OP has to hire a decent bus. It is part of the wedding planning. OP, do you have a wedding planner? So many brides have wedding planners these days, I am shocked that you have not been told to hire a decent bus yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

You described a similar DC walk route as Foggy Bottom Metro to the kennedy Center. All guests could be faced with parking or ubers at 2-3 locations: hotel, ceremony, reception. Even locals might stay at the hotel for socializing.

OP really has 3 venues if the hotel is not the same location as the reception. Provide transportation and if it;s not in the budget then reallocate your money.

+1