Asking guests to walk between ceremony and reception

[Anonymous]

What is the gap between ceremony and reception? If there is any kind of gap people will scatter and do their own thing for awhile anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We attended a wedding where the ceremony was at a DC monument and reception was in Old Town— so, I recognize that is not the same as OP’s situation. What I liked about what they did, though, was they booked hotel blocks in Old Town and had a bus pick up there. Then, the bus took everyone back to Old Town. If people were not staying in the hotels, but didn’t want to find parking downtown, they could park in a garage in Old Town and take the shuttle.

That might be an option for OP if guests would need to walk back to the ceremony location for their car at the end of the night.

Whoa, you can have ceremonies at a DC monument?? I thought you couldn't have a formal photographer set up at the monuments?? Has that changed??

This sounds like my wedding - monument and all. We provided transportation. Anyone local - parked at the hotel and took the shuttles we provided. We heard it was fun (party bus) and people enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

[Anonymous]

Is there parking at the reception venue? As a guest, I would prefer my car to be where I will be at the end of the evening. Also, will everyone’s car be allowed to stay at the first venue for the length of the reception? In some places that could be a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

I agree with this - ONLY if there is adequate parking for all at wedding ceremony AND reception place. But then, I would never hold a wedding or reception at a place without parking, then tell the guests they are on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

OP doesn’t necessarily know who might need transportation assistance. That aside, a ten minute walk in heels and potentially in rain or gross heat/humidity is going to be incredibly unpleasant. I mean, are you even from this area if you can’t imagine why people might not be willing to do that in summer in nice clothing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We attended a wedding where the ceremony was at a DC monument and reception was in Old Town— so, I recognize that is not the same as OP’s situation. What I liked about what they did, though, was they booked hotel blocks in Old Town and had a bus pick up there. Then, the bus took everyone back to Old Town. If people were not staying in the hotels, but didn’t want to find parking downtown, they could park in a garage in Old Town and take the shuttle.

That might be an option for OP if guests would need to walk back to the ceremony location for their car at the end of the night.

Whoa, you can have ceremonies at a DC monument?? I thought you couldn't have a formal photographer set up at the monuments?? Has that changed??

This sounds like my wedding - monument and all. We provided transportation. Anyone local - parked at the hotel and took the shuttles we provided. We heard it was fun (party bus) and people enjoyed it.

Oh ok, so they do allow photos at monuments now. Thanks for the info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

OP doesn’t necessarily know who might need transportation assistance. That aside, a ten minute walk in heels and potentially in rain or gross heat/humidity is going to be incredibly unpleasant. I mean, are you even from this area if you can’t imagine why people might not be willing to do that in summer in nice clothing?

Presumably if they are not from this area, and not from podunk, they would be having their wedding/reception at their home venue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

I can walk 10 minutes in DC summer heat in cocktail attire, but you’re darn sure I will judge the everliving crap out of the couple that makes me do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

I agree with this - ONLY if there is adequate parking for all at wedding ceremony AND reception place. But then, I would never hold a wedding or reception at a place without parking, then tell the guests they are on their own.

DP. I agree, with the caveat that the parking needs to be readily available and free. If I have to pay $20 at the ceremony site and $20 at the reception site because I don’t want to walk 10 min in pouring rain in a nice dress, I might unfortunately “miss” the ceremony because I just couldn’t find available parking before it started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

OP doesn’t necessarily know who might need transportation assistance. That aside, a ten minute walk in heels and potentially in rain or gross heat/humidity is going to be incredibly unpleasant. I mean, are you even from this area if you can’t imagine why people might not be willing to do that in summer in nice clothing?

Presumably if they are not from this area, and not from podunk, they would be having their wedding/reception at their home venue.

I was responding to pp, who is not op.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

I can walk 10 minutes in DC summer heat in cocktail attire, but you’re darn sure I will judge the everliving crap out of the couple that makes me do it.

+1

Not cool, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be the voice of dissent here, but I think asking people to make their own way is no problem. A true 10 minute walk (10 minutes by google maps, which if anything overestimates) is no big deal for most people. You can seek out the elderly or anyone for whom it will be an issue and provide them with transport.

I agree with this - ONLY if there is adequate parking for all at wedding ceremony AND reception place. But then, I would never hold a wedding or reception at a place without parking, then tell the guests they are on their own.

DP. I agree, with the caveat that the parking needs to be readily available and free. If I have to pay $20 at the ceremony site and $20 at the reception site because I don’t want to walk 10 min in pouring rain in a nice dress, I might unfortunately “miss” the ceremony because I just couldn’t find available parking before it started.

+1

[Anonymous]

I hate weddings like this.

OP please do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there parking at the reception venue? As a guest, I would prefer my car to be where I will be at the end of the evening. Also, will everyone’s car be allowed to stay at the first venue for the length of the reception? In some places that could be a problem.

I think this is the most important question. If people are likely to Uber to the ceremony, then you provide them transportation to the reception site. If everyone is driving to the ceremony, then it's not helpful to transport them to the reception site away from their car. I would drive myself regardless of whether you provided a shuttle. Also, keep in mind, don't you have to get those people back from the reception to their cars at the end of hte night?