Post # 1
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
How far away would one have to travel to their venue in order for it to be considered a destination wedding? For example, my venue is off of Key West, so it’s about a 7 hour drive or so. That seems kind of long to me, but would it still be reasonable to expect guests to travel that distance? I’m not counting the guests that would be coming from out of state… I honestly don’t know who would be coming at this point, I only have a very rough list.
Post # 3
Member
54 posts
Worker bee
It depends. Do you have any family that lives in Key West?
I think it’s a destination if 1) the location is someplace that people would want to vacation to, wedding aside, and 2) nobody (or like 95%+ of the guests) you’re inviting lives less than a plane ride away from the venue.
So, yeah, I would consider Key West a destination. But I would also definitely imagine many guests would travel to it. Though I would suspect lots would fly rather than drive seven hours…
Post # 4
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
@galaxygray12: No, but my family and a lot of their friends go to it pretty regularly. Parrot Head Club stuff. Would that short of a plane ride be a reasonable thing to ask of guests? There’s only 65 people I can have total… So that’s 63 guests I can invite.
I should probably consider bargaining other venues with my parents… they said they would only pay for this one, but it’s so far away… Not that it isn’t completely awesome, but I don’t want to miss out on a bunch of guests just because of location…
Post # 5
Member
3668 posts
Sugar bee
@Orion: My wedding was 2.5 hours away and some guests considered it a semi destination wedding. Almost my whole guest list came (ten people were unable to come but three of those ten got a flat tire on the way). I suspect that you would have a bigger turn down rate than I did but I also believe that loved ones will come regardless of the travel.
I think destination terms vary from guest to guest. Some might consider it a destination and others may not, wouldn’t be the farthest I have gone for a friends wedding.
Post # 6
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
@Payless: I honestly have no idea what travel means to different people when it comes to a wedding. The last wedding I went to was in California, but I was a flowergirl, only 4 or 5 years old, I’d say, and we had family there to stay with. 7 hours (or a plane ride) seems like a lot to me, but I also know that I’m a big deal, as far as getting married goes… So a lot of people probably want to come.
Post # 7
Member
54 posts
Worker bee
@Orion: I think it’s totally reasonable to ask! But I also don’t think you can expect a 63/63 acceptance rate 🙂 Unfortunately, if your parents’ friends are the ones who go to Key West often, they’ll probably all accept… and your (and your DF’s) friends will be the ones less likely to not make it because of cost, travel time, etc.
I’m sorry that your parents said they’ll only pay for this specific venue. That bites. I’m sure it is gorgeous though!
Post # 8
Member
3668 posts
Sugar bee
@Orion: Can I ask if you really LOVE this venue or if you are settling for it? If you LOVE the venue then I think it is totally fine to ask guests to travel but I would do your best to make the wedding as accomadating as possible! Maybe get rooms for those who you REALLY want to come so that the cost is lowered for them (I did this for a few guests). If you are settling for the venue then I would find something closer to your guests, something that you LOVE.
I am personally willing to travel for events like weddings (depending on my relationship with the host) but other people are not so okay with it. I think if you have your heart set on this place then you should be confident in asking others to share in how special your choice is but if you aren’t fixated on this venue then I might consider looking elsewhere/asking less of your guests.
Best of luck!
EDIT:Sorry about your parents restrictions, what a bummer! Can you pay for the wedding alone?
Post # 9
Member
15279 posts
Honey Beekeeper
If its far enough away that I want to make a mini vacation out of it instead of just drop in for 2 days for a wedding, it’s destination.
Post # 10
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
@galaxygray12: I assume I’ll have to narrow down the list, but that’s why I want a celebration beforehand, where I can chat up everyone in a nice casual setting, that sort of jazz. But it’s beautiful. It’s a sailboat, specifically the flagship of key west. I don’t know why it’s so important to my parents, but I can’t say I don’t like it a lot.
@Payless: I’m settling for it, but I also love it, does that make sense? If it were up to me and cost weren’t an issue, I’d be looking at some place like a museum, or an aquarium, and I was actually pricing out botannical gardens and places… everything is so expensive, so I jumped on the offer… and there’s been so much stress about my choices, the least I can give them is the venue. I think if I could see more pictures of the boat, it would help me feel better, but seriously, check it out! Isn’t it lovely?
Post # 11
Member
3668 posts
Sugar bee
@Orion: I think that makes perfect sense! If this was the best way for you to enjoy a wedding then as a guest I would be happy to attend. It really is lovely!
Post # 12
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
@Payless: Thanks! I just hope the most important people that I want to invite are able to attend… I think they will be, but you never know.
Post # 13
Member
3668 posts
Sugar bee
@Orion: If you can help them in any way then I am sure that would help 🙂
We offered a place to sleep the night after the wedding (maybe you can offer a place for the night before).
Post # 14
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
@Payless: I’ll have to find out if that’s possible. I don’t know much about the area… I’m just semi-arbitrarily picking a date, but December 13th is a Sunday. It would be perfect for me, because I could have my pre-party for everyone in the area on Saturday, and then the select guests go to the Sunday wedding, and… then I don’t know. *chuckles uncomfortably*
I wonder if any cruises leave from Key West, cause that’s what I want for my honeymoon, and I’ll find the money if it isn’t gifted to me. Never been on a cruise, always wanted to!
Post # 15
Member
9207 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
To me destination wedding means that everyone has to travel either to another country or across country or another state.
I don;t consider a short 2-3 hr drive as a destination wedding.
Post # 16
Member
595 posts
Busy bee
@j_jaye: Anything under 4 hours is definitely not destination… but this is 7 hours. I suppose I’ll just have to hope for the best!