Post # 1
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
Most of our wedding guests will be staying at nearby hotels..3 to be exact.
There is only 1 hotel that will be offering us the most amount of rooms.
Even though we would love to provide coach buses from all 3 hotels, we decided to offer transportation at the hotel that is offering us the most amount of rooms. So there will just be transportation offered at one hotel. Buses in our area are around $1,000 each..and we will definitely be filling up 2…and might need a 3rd. 
(The hotels are not offering shuttles. We need to rent our own buses.)
Our guests will be coming from out state and out of the country. We want to make everyone feel comfortable. We are really trying to stretch our budget as much as possible to offer transportation.
However, I feel a bit guilty that we are not offering transportation from the other 2 hotels. I am worried the rooms will book really fast at the hotel that we are offering transportation at and some people that need transportation might have no choice but to book at the two other hotels where we are not offering buses to our wedding venue.
I know offering transportation is not something that is expected…but I just feel stressed out.
Post # 2
Member
9519 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Just putting it out there- what about the end of the night? One bus show up with a “Hilton Guests” sign? That would be very awkward. Is there Uber or other options to provide?
Post # 3
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
The guests know which hotel bus service will be provided at. It’s not a secret.
Post # 4
Member
3440 posts
Sugar bee
- Wedding: September 2017 - Poppy Ridge Golf Course
Honestly if you can’t afford to offer transportation to all your guests then it might be better to not offer it at all. This just doesn’t seem like a fair plan. :/ Transportation isn’t expected but if I were a guest of yours and excluded simply bc of the hotel I chose to stay in I wouldn’t complain but I’d certainly notice.
Post # 5
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
Also, we are giving guests plenty of time to figure out their accomodations with much details. The main hotel is where most of the rooms will be..and where the buses will be.
We have two other hotels just in case more rooms are needed.
There might be a chance that there will be enough rooms at that one hotel..but I won’t know for sure until some more time passes.
Plus, I know some guests prefer to stay in a quieter hotel away from other wedding guests. Some people also might drive and decide they don’t need to stay at the hotel where the bus will be offered.
I am just about the idea that someone that will need the bus will be at another hotel. But, that’s probably my own nerves, because at the worst, they could use our uber account.
But, since everyone will have more than 6 months notice… I don’t feel bad if someone waits until last minute to book and than realizes the main hotel is full. I at least did my part to let everyone know way ahead of time.
Post # 6
Member
13 posts
Newbee
I don’t think there is anything wrong with having *one* host hotel, and offering transportation from that singular hotel. guests are welcome to arrange other accommodations, which would not include transportation.
however, if you have arranged for special rates at the other 2 hotels, I think you have to word it a bit more carefully. The one hotel with transportation should be highlighted. The others, simply mention as “if so inclined, we have also arranged discounted rates at xyz and abc,” and put those in a different paragraph on website etc. main hotel should say “transportation will be provided from 123.” and clearly delineate between that and the others.
however – have you looked into the bus making several stops? most companies i dealt with were only concerned with hourly – so they could stop at 3 hotels located close by for the same or close to, amount of time.
providing transportation for guests is quite the classy thing to do – and I don’t think you’re in the wrong for limiting it to the “official wedding hotel,” provided it’s articulated as such.
Post # 7
Member
7566 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Is it very difficult to get to those other hotels? If it’s a short walk or taxi ride, there’s no harm in giving the guests the central meeting point (main hotel) and letting them make their way there to meet the bus. It might be a good idea to appoint one person per bus to keep track of who’s already on, so nobody gets left behind, and to pad the departure time by a few minutes to allow a cushion for stragglers coming from remote hotels.
Post # 8
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
aesbhelr : Yes, it is definitely worded in a way that noone would get confused.
Thanks so much for your suggestion. I didn’t even think about the fact of having the bus make an additional stop. I am going to check if this could be done. Thank you for the idea!!!!
Post # 9
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
Horseradish : I appreciate the information! Thanks for all the good points!
Post # 10
Member
87 posts
Worker bee
I had the same issue at my wedding and stressed about it too. It totally worked out fine– less people than we anticipated actually booked a room and everyone who booked a room booked it at the hotel that we stated would have a shuttle to and from the ceremony/reception site.
Also, I attended a wedding recently that had a shuttle for a 5pm wedding (15 min ride) that offered departure times of 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00. All the guests ended up waiting for the last shuttle which only had room for 20 or so people. So last minute, many of us guests drove ourselves. Not the best situation but it truly wasnt a big deal.
try not to worry. You are offering transportation and hopefully the guests that need the shuttle will book early at the hotel.