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I have always been fine with paying for my own parking as a wedding guest, but it would be nice to have a "heads up" beforehand, maybe just on your wedding website just like you mentioned (because of the 6 quarter situation). $1.50 is SUPER negligible...no one will be upset that they have to pay, however, people dont always have that many quarters. Just as a precaution, maybe get a roll of $20 quarters to have an attendant to keep on hand, just in case some people didnt get the message that they needed $1.50 in quarters, but all in all, I think its totally fine to let your guests take care of their own parking.
I don't think it's a problem to expect guests to pay for parking.
Are there other options available as well? Transit/cabs/other parking lots?
Penguin has a good idea to have some quarters on hand just in case!
Maybe talk to the parking lot and see if they're willing to negotiate with you for the lot (depending on how many people you have)... Like you can come up with some kind of ticket/coupon that people can use to put in their car and you've prepaid their parking... see how busy the lot is at normal times. If it's usually emptying out by then, the company may be willing to let you prepay for say, 100-150 cars at less than $1/car for the time, knowing at least they're getting something and the lot's being used instead of sitting not collecting any money.
I have the same problem - except its $12 per car for the night.....I feel bad, but we are already paying so much for everything. And we are overbudget. I mean, its in the city. People should expect to pay for parking.....but for instance, my FI's mother, who is not paying a dime for the wedding, said, oh, people are going to have to PAY to PARK??? uuummmmm, yes. or we can make them pay for drinks. which would you prefer? what the hell???? this is our wedding, not some sponsored event for everyone we know to have a fun FREE night out....right?
I think that based on the fact it's $1, it's not too much to have them pay for it. A heads up would be really nice, especially for someone like me who very rarely has cash on them, even in little incraments like that.
You don't need to pay for it, but I'd give them a heads' up. Not everyone will have a lot of change of them, especially if it's a more formal wedding, and that way they'd be prepared.
I agree with misscordi. It'll be fussy for the guests to deal with the meters. So it's not really the money issue, its the fussiness. Try to negotiate with the parking ppl and see if you can cut a deal! OR alternatively, you can staff someone (like a teenage cousin or anyone responsible) who will hand out quarters to people as they drive in if you are not opposed to covering the parking costs.
Having lived in both Oakland and Denver, I think that it shouldn't be a surprise to people to have to pay for parking in the city. Exactly where in downtown Denver or Oakland can you park for free? Nowhere. And 1.50 is super cheap (the norm for the whole evening is generally $10 to $15). When I lived in the city I always had change in my car - most cars have those little change holders - because you are always pay parking.
If for some reason pay parking is not the norm where you live (your lot the only one) then I would say that people who don't have quarters can part a block away and walk. If you actually live in the city, they should anticipate paying for parking - just like they would have to if they went out to dinner, or to the symphony. I wouldn't worry about it.
usually, i always vote for making sure you take care of the guests, but i think in this case, you're ok with just making sure you have quarters handy if you have guests who did not come prepared. :)
I'm feeling awful for the same reasons because ours will be parking in San Francisco BY THE HOUR unless you're a student..Which is then only $7 flat rate. :)
I do understand wanting to take care of your guests, but really - in all the years I lived in the city I went to multiple company parties, benefit dinners, weddings, showers, etc. Never once was parking included. It never occurred to me that the person inviting me for a lovely brunch or dinner and a wonderful party should also shell out for my parking - or that the $150 benefit dinner should include parking. Pay parking is just a fact of life in some locations, and IMO anyone who complains about paying $10 for parking (or $1.50 for parking, for heavens' sake) when you are spending in some cases $100+ a head to have them there is being petty.
If you want to give some appropriate warning, indicate on the direction card that "pay parking is available at..." But again, unless pay parking is really unusual in your area, they should expect it. And if it is unusual, they can probably park down the block for free anyway.
$1.50, no problem. $12? Yikes. I think it would be considerate in both cases to give the guests a heads up. For the $1.50 parking, it would be very nice for you have quarters ready, just in case. Then, in a pinch, there is no ill will.
I disagree, Niki. I've attended many weddings in San Francisco, and parking has been $24 in some cases. It just doesn't really bother me, especially if I know before hand. I understand how hard it is for people to cover all their guests for such a high price...if you truly love the couple, you dont really mind dropping $7,$15, $20, just to pay for parking. People in big cities are just used to it, I guess.
I absolutely agree with Penguin. I am completely used to paying in excess of $10 for parking for the evening - up to $20 if you don't want to walk too far. However, it depends on where you live - I lived a few years ago in a small town that had one really nice pay parking garage in the downtown - totally convenient to everything - and only $1.00 an hour, or $5.00 max!! I called it the "practically free parking". But I had friends who would drive and drive and drive looking for street parking. In Denver if you don't want to pay to park you take the bus. In Oakland and SF, you pay to park at the grocery store.
Maybe (back to solving your problem) you could indicate on your maps/direction cards the location of the pay lot (as metered pay parking to warn your guests) and then indicate the location of the nearest free parking, if there is such. That way the are suitably warned. Also you might check the meters - I am seeing a lot of meters lately that will take a credit card. I don't know about you all, but even when I just take my little evening bag and so don't have change, I always have a credit card. (And change in the car.)
I wouldn't worry about it, but I would let people know on your website.
People will have to pay for parking for our reception- either $22 at the hotel, or $5 across the street. It's downtown, in the city- people will anticipate that they need to pay for parking.
Not sure what part you are disagreeing with me about, Penguin. Do you think the guests should not be warned in some way that they will need to come up with another $12-20 for parking because they should be used to it? As a guest, I would just like to know how much attending your wedding will be costing me. Like most people trying to make it in a big city, they are probably on a budget, and will need to take in consideration that $20 when buying a dress for the wedding or buying the gift. Not saying you should foot the bill on this issue, just let people know.
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There is a metered parking lot at my venue and it is free after 6PM. I am considering starting my ceremony at 5 or 5:30, and assuming that my guest arrive up to half an hour early, that comes out to be $1 to $1.50 per car. (25 cents for 15 minutes) I was wondering if it was okay to just let my guest know ahead of time on our wedding website to bring quarters for parking? Or do I have to provide those quarters?