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What time would the winery ceremony be? If it's midday, I don't really see a problem with it being an hour away and I don't think most people would complain about the food.
I don't think an hour is a ridiculous drive- especially on a Sunday when there is typically very little traffic. I would go with the winery since you've wanted it for so long.
I vote for the winery since it seems like it will go better with the "vibe" that you've imagined in your head. As a guest, I would not mind a one hour drive on Sunday as long as the wedding was in the afternoon and not late in to the evening. Some guests might leave a tad earlier since they will have to drive home on a "schoolnight", but that really isn't a huge issue.
I vote selfishness! An hour drive isn't that bad and maybe you could check into "party buses" to bring people to the winery if they start to complain. But if you've envisioned a winery wedding, will you be happy with an event at the community center?
I would have killed for a winery wedding (well, not really, but close!). Unfortunately, the vineyards in my area don't do weddings or receptions - total bummer. If they did, I would have no qualms about having people drive 45 minutes because the atmosphere just can't be beat!
I'm assuming the winery is in Napa or Sonoma... if that's the case - go for it. I don't think it's unreasonable for guests to drive and hour to the site and it's not like you are having the ceremony in the city and then having them drive an hour to the reception.
Keep in mind that guests will likely need to leave on the earlier side, to make it back home for Monday morning. If you are ok with that, go for the winery!!
Also - just a thought, but keep in mind there probably won't be grapes on the vines in March. You probably already knew that - but, I remember visiting wine country in the winter and was so sad not to see grapes! (it just didn't dawn on me!)
For both locations, it will be an afternoon ceremony followed by an evening reception. Thanks for all the feedback!
@oracle - the coordinator advised me that as well..that in march the vines aren't as "green" so the vibe is more rustic, so I'm fully prepared.
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I have had many sleepless nights over this, and now I turn to you, hive, for advice..
There are 2 contenders remaining in our venue search. My basic criteria that we can have an afternoon outdoor ceremony followed by an indoor reception.
Venue #1 - winery
Pros:
- I have dreamed of having my wedding here ever since I attended a friend's wedding here 5 years ago. Think vineyards, wine barrels and palm trees.
- Don't need alot of decorations, as chiavari chairs and uplights are included.
- If it rains, the indoor room for the ceremony is beautiful (chandeliers, wine barrels, candles)
Cons:
- Far: a majority of my guests will have to drive about an hour to get here
- Sunday: only Sunday availability
- Food: my guests can either choose between the vegetarian or chicken option (due to costs, we are going with this menu..)
Venue #2 - community center (yes, very different vibe, I know..)
Pros:
- close: a majority of my guests only have to drive 15-20 minutes at most
- clean and quaint
- BYO caterer,which means my guests will definitely enjoy yummier food
- Cost-wise: this is a more wallet-friendly option, since FI and I are paying for the wedding ourselves.
- Can have it on a Saturday
Cons:
- the ceremony area overlooks the rooftop of industrial buildings
- need to bring in lots of rentals to dress up the space (chairs, linens, lighting)
- the layout of the room is more rectangular than square (so the table sitting in the far back can't really see the head table)
Both spaces are very nice, but yet offer a very different vibe. So the question is.. should I be selfish and make my guests drive an hour to attend a wedding, on a Sunday afternoon/evening, just so I can have my dream winery wedding?
Or.. should I just bite the bullet and have it at the nice community center so my guests can eat yummy food and not drive so far, but I'd have to bring in lots of decor and lighting to dress up the space a bit more?