Post # 1
Member
11 posts
Newbee
Okay, so I found a venue me and my fiance like very much for our wedding and reception. The problem is that it is 19 miles from from the middle of the city (I live in Jackson MS and the venue is in florence MS—-there is never traffic there). Is it too far to ask guests to drive 19 miles to the venue. We would have the wedding and reception back to back…so there would be no traveling in between. My dad tells me that a lot of people will not show up because it is a far drive. Should I change my venue to a location that is closer in town but me and my fiance do not like so that more people will show up?
Thanks
Post # 3
Member
9048 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I think it totally depends on what people in your area are used to doing. I drive 40 minutes to work every day, so I wouldn’t even blink at driving 19 miles to go to a wedding.
Post # 4
Member
4344 posts
Honey bee
@PreetiS78: Everyone lives in the city? I would drive 19 miles. I’m making all of my guests drive 16 between the ceremony site and the reception site. I don’t know how you could make it much closer. Most of your guests have cars right?
Post # 5
Member
2063 posts
Buzzing bee
19 miles would be totally acceptable for me!
Post # 6
Member
869 posts
Busy bee
That’s not far at all! Most of our guests will have to travel for several HOURS to attend our wedding. It’s your day, go with what the two of you want. The important people will be there.
Post # 7
Member
11 posts
Newbee
Yes, most guests live in town. And for out of town guests, I am considering getting a shuttle bus. I do not think its far either but my dad made me start second guessing myself.
Post # 8
Member
6889 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Definitely fine! Sounds pretty ideal actually. I’ve travelled up to 3 hours for a wedding before, so 20 minutes sounds AMAZING. Lol. Honestly I’ve never been to one closer than like 45 minutes.
Post # 9
Member
4344 posts
Honey bee
I really can’t imagine it preventing anyone from coming. It sounds like a 20 minute drive, so I feel like I wouldn’t even bother carpooling at that point. If it was a couple hours then it might deter some people, but I think most guests expect to travel for a wedding.
Post # 10
Member
1314 posts
Bumble bee
Most of the midwest weddings I’ve shot have had 30-60 minutes of travel time between ceremony and reception when you factor in traffic.
Post # 11
Member
9048 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I actually think that might be just inconvenient enough! I had a lot of random coworkers/acquaintances drop the “so, I’m totally coming to your wedding”, and when I could be like… oh, I’m getting married in town45minaway” it shut them up pretty quick. Close enough that you’re not totally inconveniencing your loved ones, but will keep away the randoms!
Post # 12
Hostess
7547 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I don’t think that’s bad at all. I agree with the above poster. Maybe it will work in your favor…if people aren’t good enough friends to drive 19 miles then they don’t have to be there!
Post # 13
Member
34 posts
Newbee
thats not bad at all! i’m sure maybe some people will not want to travel a whole 20 minutes to go to a wedding.. but that will be few i would hope. My brother just got married last August and we drove 219 miles from Livermore, CA to Reno, Nv. 😀