To think our wedding might be massive failure?!

OP, I know where the 3rd venue is (well i think so anyway). I take back my criticisms - it will be bloody gorgeous!

It’s not the sort of event I’d want to attend. It sounds like a chore.

To be totally honest the travel time does sound a bit much but the final venue sounds like it will be worth it.

I’m dying to know where it is, especially as it sounds not too far from me.

I’m thinking the people who are saying about travelling live in well populated areas/close to cities and major towns…….

Where I live travelling between venues for a wedding is perfectly normal, most “wedding reception venues” are at least 30-60 minute drive from where local churches are.

The only difference is that transport is usually provided…….

I think in your shoes @Nervousb2bi would arrange a bus to start out from the last venue (so that guests can leave their cars/belongings there) and take them to the ceremony, pub then back.

I think this sounds great for a crowd who suit it. It’s not a traditional wedding at all which is fine but maybe why people keep talking about music etc. but music and dancing don’t even make sense if the final part of the day is chilling on a country estate with some hot tubs, pizza van, etc. it’s just a different set up.

the only thing I don’t quite get is the point of the pub lunch. Is it literally just to fuel people between ceremony and country estate? Because if so that’s fine but it sounded like a wedding breakfast.
If it’s to play the role of the wedding breakfast it would make more sense to go directly to the country estate from the ceremony and have it there so people could relax and park their cars up.

a few people have mentioned coaches- there is no point because everyone needs their cars for the final destination. But the pub lunch to me seems the oddity of the day. It’s just plonked in there delaying you getting to a beautiful destination to start your activities and unwinding.

The only thing that maybe won’t work so well is the lack of a bit of music at the final venue. The rest sounds lovely though.

Any musical guests who can bring out the guitar for a sing song?

My wedding was very laid back, picture back yard wedding. All our guests traveled a long way to be there and were very close to us 40 adults and 15 children. It was perfect. The difference with yours is we had the one venue and guests stayed close. Personally I’d hate the travelling on the day especially with young children, I very much like to get somewhere and not move again, but I would do it for someone I cared about.

You know your guests and if they have happily accepted invites knowing the plan I’m sure they are happy for your day to be what you want. Have fun!

I’m a wild swimmer. I swim through the winter in skins.

i’d have concerns about a couple of things:
firstly I’d consider doing a little “entertainments pack” for children at the pub. Just a box of maybe colouring and crayons, maybe a couple of little toys etc. children do get very bored at adult type meals and a pub outdoor play area only goes so far.

second, the wild swimming. Water temps at the moment are running around 19degrees (I did a mile yesterday) and anyone who isn’t used to it is going to find it chilly.

children feel the cold a lot quicker than adults do - I used to volunteer on “intro to open water swimming” events for adults and kids. The kids almost uniformly needed wetsuits and could only stay in for short times without shivering badly (and that was in water at 22 and air at 27).

so the kids’ll need wetsuits at a minimum. Are they allowed in hot tubs? Some venues ban under 16s or under 18s. If not then the parents could wind up with a (or multiple) very cold children who they are trying to warm up.

I’d also be concerned about the combination of alcohol and wild swimming.

you did say you were a swimmer (I think)… so hopefully this is something you’ve considered.

Why the need to do so many events? It does sound a bit much but your wedding so do what you want people can either come or not

We had some older relatives so did ceremony and reception only to save them moving around too much

It sounds lovely. Much less dull than other weddings. I wonder if you could have fire works out a drive in cinema at the final venue. Or even just a good acoustic group or fiddle player beside a bonfire.

I'd love it. I much prefer receptions with no music.

Sounds truly wonderful, @Nervousb2b !

Where is my invite !

Best wishes for the day!

It sounds amazing! Have a wonderful day.

I think it sounds great and wish I was invited!
(and I generally dislike weddings)
Have a wonderful day OP

I think you'll lose a few guests after the pub meal to various excuses and I think you need some food ready on arrival at the final place not just waiting on a pizza van. People like to drink eat relax and maybe dance at weddings, a lot of this is scuppered by spread about venues.

Is the second venue some sort of glamping / camping set up?

( shudders and whimpers into a cushion)

You sent out invitations not a summons!
Anyone not going to celebrate with ye should stay at home. Copy and paste weddings are lovely but yours sounds lovely too. Enjoy x

Why do people organise these multi venue weddings where you have to shlep around for the entire day. What a nightmare.

Also, I appreciate that the pub meal means that some people will need to drive - but not everyone! Does no one ever go for a country pub meal where one person is designated driver?! The driver is then promised alcohol at the final ‘sleepover’ venue anyway.

Providing transport would be very complicated because it would have to start from final venue house at least an hour and a half before the wedding so people could leave their cars there.

I think weddings should reflect the couple getting married & although this is not a traditional set up it sounds lovely. If you’ll have to carry the baby down the aisle, can I suggest your older child also walks with you or stand with your partner - make it a proper family ceremony.

I would say that you although you’re not having a disco type evening, you might want to take some kind of speaker set up for your own playlist. The end venue has a house-party type vibe & dancing in the living room (or kitchen!) would make a good end to the day for me.

Have a lovely time!

@Nervousb2b All sounds great apart from 2. the 40 min drive to the pub. There are plenty of pubs, so I'd find one nearer. But really no need to panic!

OP, have you asked a reliable friend to take charge of transport and lifts, and give their phone number to everyone in case of eg breakdown on the day? That may be helpful.

But basically, everyone who loves you wants the day to go well. Your plans sound lovely. Little blips make good stories.

I was chatting to a friend today about mishaps we’d had at our (long ago) weddings. The lost paperwork! The wedding dress that vanished! The venue that cancelled! The squabbling relatives! We were falling about laughing.

Have a wonderful day, and don’t worry xx

I think it sounds wonderful and am not very outdoorsy myself. Hope you have a fantastic day!

Tbh it sounds dreadful!! Too many venues, guests having the provide their own transport between venues, no music and no alcohol due to driving and just all a bit, well, bitty.

I like a proper party though which is all singing and dancing so prob my idea of heaven would be your idea of hell!!!

I’d be miffed if I was a guest with all of that carry on though - it’s too much (and too little )

It’s not too late to arrange a coach. People won’t be able to relax at the pub as there is more driving afterwards, other than that sounds like a lovely day :)