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Almost everyone is effected by the economy these days so you'd think people would understand that a wedding these days might not roll out the red carpet for the guests. We have a set budget for the ceremony and reception so we want to make the most of it. At our wedding we're hosting a buffet meal, appetizer, beer and wine, cake, the usual. However, we weren't able to pay for everyone's parking to the event. We did get reduced priced parking vouchers for our guests and I made sure that in parties of more than 4 we included numerous vouchers. We've gotten some people telling us how tacky and cheap this is. The best man made a poke at it the other day. My reply was "Would you rather have free drinks or free parking?" That shut him up but frankly I'm tired of people complaining to me about it. In the end I'll forget all about it but right now I'm just tired of it. So, tell me bees, would you be offended by paying for parking? Would it matter if I told you my fiance isn't working and I only work part time?
I think you've done more than enough. At some of the venues we looked at, valet parking for our wedding would have come to about $2,000. There's just no way we could pay that!
I don't think it's a big deal. If someone had a wedding in a downtown spot, people would have to pay for parking there too.
I don't know if "offended" is the right word, but one thing I would remember from a wedding is if I had to pay for the parking.
is your wedding downtown? if yes, then I wouldn't be offended. If the venue isn't downtown it would just seem weird to me that there wasn't a free parking lot somewhere.
I guess it depends on how much the parking would be. If it's $25/a car like at some hotels, then yeah, I would be offended. But if it's only a few bucks I'm not going to get my panties in a wad about it.
I WOULD give your guests a head-up if the parking place(?) only takes cash, so that they remember to bring some. I wouldn't want to have to hike to an ATM in my heels and cocktail dress.
Our wedding is at a historic seaside amusement park so there's no getting around the parking situation. Parking is $6 and I've included details about it in the invitation so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
I agree with Aug8Bride--I wouldn't be offended and would appreciate the voucher. I'm old and grouchy though, so I might skip the reception if I had to pay to park :(
I would be SHOCKED if I didn't have to pay for parking!.
I live in the city and there is no such thing as free parking here anywhere.
I have been to many weddings where I had to pay to park at one location for the ceremony than again at another location for the reception.
If people are not used to paying for parking they may be surprised, but ettiquette would dictate that they keep their opinions to themselves.
$6? I would not be offended at all. Now if it was $25+ I might be a little shocked. Then again, where I live there is no such thing as paying for parking ANYWHERE.
Ah, $6? That's no big deal. I have more than that in quarters in my glove compartment for parking meters :)
$6.00 is not big deal.
I might mention it to your guests though if the lot doesn't take credit cards.
If someone is complaining about $6 for parking, then truly just IGNORE them. First because it's really not much out of THEIR pockets and second because it's just easier for YOU so you don't have to guestimate paying for yet another expense! I was thinking something high like $25, but $6? Come on people...get over it. Plus the venue has A LOT to do with that. If I had to pay $6 to park in a dirt lot by a forrest, then yeah, I'd be a little miffed. But it's a historic landmark, of course there are parking fees!
Thanks ladies! I'll definitely check if it's cash only but other than that people can just go suck it! If only more guests could be like our fellow bees!
Me and my mother had a HUGE fight over this. We are getting married in downtown StL at a hotel and you have to pay to park. She insisted that we pay for parking. In the end I agreed with her, we are paying for the vouchers. I don't know, I just feel like we shouldn't make them pay anything to come to a party celebrating us. It's not a big deal for us since our wedding is so small. I could definitely see not paying if you have a large guest count!
Dont feel bad its not much at all but im sure you will get people complaining.
I would not be offended at all. I live in LA so paying for parking is not really a big deal for me.
Here's the thing though, you can't help some people from being offended or slighted for having to pay for parking. BUT, I think it's tasteful/polite to keep that offense or negative thoughts to themselves.
The vouchers are enough, in my opinion. And you should at least give your guests a head's up about the parking fees. Maybe you could put in your wedding website or something :)
Our venue will be charging $7 for parking, and there will be parking on the street for those who do not wish to valet. We were told over and over again when we were looking for a venue that the bride and groom do not have to cover parking. At first, we thought we couldn't inconvenience our guests to pay, but the more we looked around the more the norm it was, so we're ok with it now.
We're having people pay for parking at ours---our venue is also a local park, and we had the option of doing vouchers, but it requires that someone from the wedding party go down during the wedding (the wedding starts an hour before their staff leaves, at which point they also stop charging) to settle the tab based on how many vouchers they collect, which just added too much craziness. It's only $5, and people who really don't want to pay it have the option of parking a block away on the street and walking in, so we just decided not to stress about it. We are notifying people in advance, though, so that they can plan to carpool or can park on the nearby street instead.
No clue if people will think that's tacky, but it just wasn't worth the added stress for people involved in the wedding. And we do also live in a city where paying for parking is pretty normal, so hopefully that will help...
I do not think $6 is something to complain about, especially when your venue sounds as cool as it is! Don't sweat the haters, seriously...
if it wasn't the parking then whoever is complaining would have found something else to complain about...unfortunately that's how some people are. $6 is definately nothing to worry about especially when most people don't think twice about paying $6 for a frappemochachinospressograndelatte skinny-thing-a-ma-jingy (with an extra shot). me being who i am (pretty much a smart a$$) if i heard people were complaining about parking would have forgone favors and left a card at the tables saying. "in lieu of favors a donation was made by the couple for your parking" lol but that's just me. luckily my venue was pretty reasonable for valet (100+guests $150, they had a sliding scale based on # of guests). again i agree with the other bees - fuggedaboutit!
I think I would be a bit suprised to get parking coupons with my invitation. I really don't like to pay for parking (which is why I'll take the train to Boston over a car all the time). In the end, $6 is not a big deal, I would be offended if it was more than $10 but I think people are just going to talk about it anyway. I'm also guessing the guests are not considering your working situation but rather the rest of the wedding, the fact that everything else is paid for kind of makes me feel like why draw the line at parking if it's only $6 per car. Maybe, instead of favors, you could sponsor parking @ $3 per person. I guess it'S too late for you now but something to think about for others.
I don't think it's a big deal. Then again, I live in the city and have to pay for parking all the time.
I would not be offended at all. You got them a discount, and I see that as about the same as getting hotel blocks- they get a discount, but they still pay, not you. I think whoever these people are that are complaining need to get over it. Parking costs money in cities, that's life. You have done more than enough for your guests.
our wedding is in downtown chicago and there is NO WAY i can afford the $5000 to pay for everyone's parking. most of the guests are staying in the hotel where the wedding is located and they will have to pay for overnight parking... it sucks, but i have no other option :(
I don't think it's a big deal AT ALL. And would totally appreciate the parking voucher!!!
Seriously, people need to get over it already.
I wouldn't be very happy about paying, but I wouldn't complain. On the other hand, my mother thinks its outrageous. When I looked at a venue that charged $5 per car (not much!) she said we would have to pay for it if we went with that venue.
i don't think its a big deal at all and i'm so glad the other commenters do too! My venue doesn't have a parking lot and guests will have to use a garage across the street... i think its $4. i was so worried that people would get pissed too, but this post has relieved my worries!!
phew! i know if i was a guest it wouldn't offend me. it is what it is :D
I'd be okay with paying especially if it was only six dollars, but I'd want to know in advance especially if you couldn't use a credit card. $ 25.00 would be a bit steep and I'd wonder if you had tried to find a cheaper option or negitoate a group rate, but I wouldn't say anything to you.
Our wedding is in downtown Dallas and we are paying for parking, but I understand you being tired of people complaining...just ignore them...if it's not one thing, then it's another!
I like your retort to the best man. I had sort of thought it was like $25 and while I wouldn't be offended, it would have been an inconvenience. $6, though! Some people will complain over anything. Your wedding sounds like it's going to be a blast just from what you've said here; I wouldn't worry about it! Obviously the best case scenario is that you pay for parking, but I think given the situation (only one of you working PT), it is pretty reasonable, and you even got reduced price vouchers!
As long as parking was under $10, I wouldn't be offended, and as long as you notify people in advance, which you did, it's fine!
I wouldn't care. But then again, I live in the city where I pay for a monthly parking spot by my home as well as parking for work every day. It's just how it is in the city.
Even though my venue is RIGHT near the Staten Island ferry (where the bulk of my family friends are coming from) and RIGHT near the subway (convenient to all our local friends), my mother insists that a lot of people will be driving to the venue (why??? would you do that when you know how we party?). Since street parking is nonexistent, and the garages crazy expensive, my parents are springing for valet parking. I think it's a nice touch IF it doesn't mean sacrificing something else.
If my budget allowed, I'd pay for parking. They are already bringing a gift.
I live in a place where I don't have to pay for parking, and I wouldn't be offended by this. Especially since you're having an open bar. Don't worry about it. I would appreciate getting some kind of heads up though so I would know to bring some cash.
I would expect to pay for parking! Don't worry about it girl. Some people just LOVE to complain...if it wasn't parking, it would be something else!
I definitely wouldn't worry about it. Weddings downtown where I live require parking in a lot/garage where you would need to pay. If I was paying money to go see a show downtown and had to pay for parking, my night wouldn't be ruined, nor would I even remember paying for parking... I'd remember the show! It's just expected. Same can be said for your reception, since it's at a historic amusement park! So no worries, as long as the guests have a heads up in advance, there shouldn't be any issues.
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