Post # 1
Member
688 posts
Busy bee
So I am graduating this May and afterwards want to invite my guests to join for lunch. The place I’d really like to have lunch is a little bit of a ways out (about 37 minutes from the location of the graduation/38 miles). It will be my mom and 2 siblings (who won’t care), my other sibling and her family who live out of town and that would head back in their direction, my dad who won’t care and doesn’t live far from there. There are a few groups of people who it may inconvenience, my SO’s parents, my aunt, cousin, and her family, and my other sister and her family (would be 35-45 minutes away from their homes). Do you think it’s too far? Would it annoy you or prevent you from going?
Post # 2
Member
1939 posts
Buzzing bee
I don’t think that’s such a big deal distance if it’s an extra special place to go to and will be a nice experience for all.
Then again if they will all have been “suffering” through the graduation ceremony beforehand I’m sure everyone will be dying for a drink and something to eat after and going to a place that’s just a few minutes away would seem more appropriate to keep a good spirit up.
Post # 3
Hostess
1707 posts
Bumble bee
I think as long as they know what to expect beforehand, so they can plan ahead for the distance or decline in advance if it is too much, you’re ok. For a special occasion, I’d be happy to celebrate in this way but might get hangry if I didn’t know I’d be having to drive 38 miles to a restaurant.
Post # 4
Member
8787 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
DancinDarlin : It takes me 40 minutes drive to get to work every day so to be honest this wouldn’t bother me. I would invite them all but caveat it by saying, I appriciate it may be a little way out for you so understand if you can’t make it, but it would mean a lot to me for you to be there.
Post # 5
Member
4226 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: September 2015 - Hotel Ballroom
I am speaking as someone who doesn’t drive. So long as there was some sort of carpool arranged I’d be fine with it 🙂
Post # 6
Member
1931 posts
Buzzing bee
This is a know your crowd thing. That distance is nothing to some, but a marathon for others. I have an older family so I know 85% of them would feel very inconvenienced, but none of my friends would.
It also depends on the day, too. If it’s during the week I doubt I’d want to make the extra commute only to have to get up the next day or just be getting off work. Is it on a Saturday?
Post # 7
Member
5081 posts
Bee Keeper
37 mins is nothing around here, so I’d be fine with it. We purposely chose a further out restaurant after my graduation because all the close restaurants were packed with other graduation goers and we didn’t want to have to wait or fight crowds.
Post # 8
Member
750 posts
Busy bee
I wouldn’t think anything of it; it’s your day, so you get to pick the place. I’d just let everyone know in advance what the plan is, so they can opt in or out. Try to make a reservation if you can, because after a couple of hours at a graduation ceremony and then a 30-40 minute drive, it’s not going to be fun to wait another 30 minutes at the restaurant.
Post # 9
Member
688 posts
Busy bee
Thanks, everyone, I think I’ll go ahead and go with it then. Out of the three groups, I only really see one potentially seeing it as an issue and we should be able to give them a ride if need be. But I will caveat it so people don’t feel obligated. It is on a Saturday fortunately, and I was planning to make a reservation so hopefully no one should get hangry lol. I don’t know if it makes a difference but the graduation is at 9:00 AM, so I feel like people wouldn’t be starving by the time we’re out. I just called my mom to ask her thoughts and she thinks it’s not too far at all 🙂