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Ours was supposed to be a 30 minute drive from Bel Air to downtown LA, but as things go in Los Angeles on a Saturday night traffic it turned into an hour drive! The drive time wasn't ideal, but once everyone got to the venue they relaxed and loved it! I think that if it's a venue you love, then you should definitely go for it! PV to MB isn't too far of a drive, especially by LA standards.
And wow, Wayfarers will be absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
No way - that's not too far. It's YOUR big day, and most people understand that. For the most part, my friends and family will have to drive 45mins to our venue, depending on if they take a ferry or drive the whole way. That's really not too much to ask. It's only for a few hours on ONE day. You do what YOU want to. Those who show up truly care!
I don't think it's that far--giving a heads-up to your guests via website or map enclosure would be great. also, you may want to account for traffic/delays when timing the start of the reception. sounds like you found some ideal places, that's wonderful!
I dont think 35 minutes is too far at all. I would be ok with driving up to 45 minutes away from the ceremony to the reception.
It's not too far, but if I were you I'd provide some kind of transportation for people From the hotel to the church back to the hotel. People will be staying there, right?
It's LA. It takes 35 minutes to drive down the street. People expect this. If you're having a morning ceremony and an evening reception (or something like that) I don't think it's a problem at all--just as long as there is totally adequate time to get there and let people unwind after driving in traffic. If the festivities are scheduled to begin 35 minutes after the ceremony, *then* you might run into problems.
Thank you! Now I feel a bit less guilty...
Is it common for people to have their ceremonies and receptions at two different locations? Most of my friends have their ceremonies and receptions at the same place..........
I think it happens most frequently when people get married in a church... I've only been to one wedding in two locations, though, and the ceremony was at a botanical garden while the reception was at the groom's family's restaurant (in a different city). Honestly, it didn't phase me.
I don't think 35 minutes is bad at all. I live in a small city that doesn't have a single reception venue that I'm interested in - the two sites we're looking at are 30 & 45 minutes from town.
In LA? Unless you do the ceremony and reception on the same site, I feel like it's hard to find anything much closer than that at all. Your local guests at least should understand - but it is important to look at your timing: how heavy will traffic be during that time? Maybe make the drive around the time your guests would be as a 'test run' and see how bad it is.
Also, just wondering, do you have many OOTGs? Because I remember when I first moved to LA I was seriously freaked out trying to navigate freeways and such, and you have to remember it'll be a LOT harder for those who aren't familiar with driving in LA; maybe encourage them to rent a car with GPS or find them a ride with someone local. :)
35mins is normal to average. 60mins though is too far for alot of people. Those who want to be there will do whatever it takes.
My reception venue is 60 minutes away from the ceremony. We will be getting married in the church my family attends and having the ceremony in the town that we met which is on the coast. If we can find an affordable bus we will shuttle everyone to the church and hten to the reception as we assume people will have hotels near the reception because it is more of a touristy area. It is not ideal but we were not willing to change either venue based on distance. I don't think it'S a big deal as long as you plan accordingly.
I think it's a bit far to drive, but only you know your guests and what they mind or not.
You're not the only bride who does this so don't fret. :) If you think your guests won't mind too much go right ahead!
Nah it's fine! And yes it's common to have things going on in separate places. Most weddings i've been to were at the bride's church, then the reception all the way downtown. i use it as an excuse to go shopping in between...=]
I dont think thats too far at all! My church and venue are 45mins away. I think living in a big city people expect that things can be really far! Just leave ample time so people can get there/in case they get lost etc!
Not a problem! I'm hoping I can be lucky enough to find a proper reception hall within 30 min of our church! All of my favorites and the ones I see the setting being are located 45+ min. away and through a tunnel where 1 hr delays are common! So, If I can stay on this side of the tunnel I'll be happy!
35 minutes is not too far to expect guests to drive unless there is danger of rush hour traffic or bad weather that could interfer. Just plan your cocktail hour accordingly in case there is a traffic delay, everyone will still have time to get from point A to point B without missing anything mandatory.
But another thing to consider is your bridal party, coordinators, photographers, and/or videographers having to drive back and forth between where you are getting ready, where you are having the ceremony, where you're doing post-ceremony photos (if applicable) and where you are having your reception. Having to drive 30-60 minutes or more between each location is a NIGHTMARE for your photographers and videographers, especially in Los Angeles county.
I've only been to two weddings where we did *not* have to drive 30-60 minutes from the church to the reception, and those were weddings where the ceremony/reception was in the same place. Our reception is also 30 minutes away from our chapel, but it's a scenic drive and we're planning to give people maps to look out for interesting bits on the way. I think it's actually nice to have a little break between the ceremony and reception b/c you have a chance to reflect and get ready to party.
I wouldn't think this is too far. Just include directions and a map, which guests will appreciate and you'll be fine.
This board just relieved me of my worries too!
My ceremony and reception locations are a 30min drive apart as well! I was really worried at first but our families and my girls reassured me that it was fine - especially because the cocktail hour will start as soon as they get there! So I booked it!
So I say GO FOR IT!
I was married at the Wayfarers Chapel this past June! Our reception was at the Cheesecake Factory in Redondo Beach and I was also worried about the drive but honestly the drive from the chapel down to the manhattan beach area (if taking streets) is absolutely gorgeous! All of our guests raved about the nice drive. Plus, it's a once in a life time event and if they really love you 25 to 30 minutes is nothing! :)
I think the reality is some people will care and some people won't. I personally don't like a big distance between church and reception site, but I don't mind the drive either. I'd say keeping it to a 15 mile radius would be ideal. On the other hand, FI hates it (not so much the drive, but figuring out parking, etc) and was the driving factor between us having the reception and ceremony in the same place.
That said - I think you'll be fine between PV and Manhattan Beach. I babysat for a friend who lived in Pasadena - went to a wedding at Wayfarer's - and the reception was in NEWPORT!! It was a Saturday night and she hit tons of traffic. She was livid by the time she got back!!
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So, I am having my ceremony at Wayfarers Chapel in Palos Verdes. There are a few nice venues within a short drive from PV. However, I can't afford them...... Today, fiancee and I drove around in Manhattan Beach and checked out Ayres Hotel. We were absolutely stunned by how nice its courtyard is! When we got there, the staffs were setting up for a wedding reception, and it looked really intimate and classy, something my fiancee and I are looking for for our reception. The size of the courtyard is also a perfect fit for our party (no more than 75 people).
What concerns me is the distance of that Ayres Hotel from Wayfarers Chapel. Google Maps tells me its 29min drive, but, considering traffic lights and stuffs, I think it'll be about 35min drive.
Is that a really far drive for my guests?
BTW, we checked out a few places in Long Beach, but they are also about 30~35min drive from the chapel.......................