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Original poster

Anyone want to play wedding planning with me? What would you prefer as a guest?

35 replies

pinkdaisiesinavase · 22/01/2021 19:47

Anyone fancy playing wedding planning with me? We will be waiting until we can have a proper day, which we know may be a while.

option a) my childhood church + local hotel. Hotel is fine, but doesn't really inspire me. Hotel is 10 minute walk from church- I am concerned that is quite far if it rained (not much of a chance of a taxi in the village).

option b) childhood church + coach to further out hotel, which is lovely. Less suitable for DP's family.

option c) church we currently attend + city centre venue. Puts both families to equal hassle....

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 22/01/2021 19:49

B- you sound uninspired by option a and tbh I like to drive and park a city centre would be a hassle

Peanutbutterblood · 22/01/2021 19:50

B or C. I'll not lie I was hoping for a thread with food choices 😂

Original poster
pinkdaisiesinavase · 22/01/2021 19:51

Grin Sorry, haven't even made it to food!

With option B, we'd probably book a coach there and back, but DP's family has a lot of elderly relatives and people with young kids. I don't know if that'd really be suitable for them.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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Weddings
RandomMess · 22/01/2021 19:53

Anywhere to put a marquee in walking distance of home church? Or nice hall??

IncludeWomenInTheSequel · 22/01/2021 19:53

B - even if the weather is lovely I would not want a ten minute traipse in my heels/dress/nice hair etc.

Original poster
pinkdaisiesinavase · 22/01/2021 19:54

Anywhere to put a marquee in walking distance of home church? Or nice hall??

Nowhere in walking distance. We'd have to book a coach.

OP posts:
Rockettrain · 22/01/2021 19:54

I don’t like coaches to and from venues. It means you can’t leave early if you need to and if you’ve had a few drinks there’s nothing worse than getting on a coach Confused

10 mins is not too far to walk even if it is raining. And if it is then surely people will have cars and could drive over? Hotel would have some parking nearby.

ThePricklySheep · 22/01/2021 19:55

People could drive from church to hotel though for A? Isn’t that what usually happens?

RandomMess · 22/01/2021 19:55

Yeah coach sounds better

RandomMess · 22/01/2021 19:56

Somewhere completely different and have either current "vicar" or someone else come there to do the service??

daisydalrymple · 22/01/2021 19:57

Which is your preferred church option?
Which is your preferred venue choice between further out hotel or city centre venue?
It’s really what you want?
B sounds ideal, and if you put a coach on for people that’s really helpful. It’s up to them if they use that option. Older guests / family can make their own way there if they choose.

I must admit I too was hoping for food / drink choices Grin Wine

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 22/01/2021 19:57

We married in DHs childhood church and had reception about 20mins away. The drive was considered quite normal. Otherwise you need to get to tbe reception venue to then get to the Church.

FreezerBird · 22/01/2021 20:01

If I was attending with DH and DCs I'd be really put off by a coach as it reduces flexibility to leave early/one of us take kids early and the other stay on/deal with unforeseen child issues (both have disabilities/SEN). But I'd assume we'd have the option of getting there under our own steam as well.

I'd go for A though. One of the loveliest weddings I ever went to was in the register office in the centre of Bath, then the wedding party and guests walked to a hotel on the outskirts for the reception. Bride and groom.led the way in their finery, there were waves and cheers from the open top tourist busses etc etc. It was brilliant.

Original poster
pinkdaisiesinavase · 22/01/2021 20:01

I really don't know.

My childhood church is very simple and small, whereas our current church is enormous and ornate.

I think there will be some car sharing but I'm not sure of the logistics.

OP posts:
Fleurchamp · 22/01/2021 20:02

We had our wedding in the middle of nowhere and so laid on a coach to get guests from the nearest town and hotel to the venue (it was a country house so all in one ceremony and reception) and then back again.
We also booked a couple of taxis for the evening from 9pm to take anyone back who wanted to leave early (and also mop up the ushers who stayed behind to help us pack our stuff up). It was about 15 mins each way.

Tbh weddings are funny - you can make it as easy as you like for some people but they will still treat it like a summons but others (quite literally) would travel to the ends of the earth to attend.

TenShortStories · 22/01/2021 20:04

B. Get people to meet at the hotel first and then the coach takes them to the church and brings them back after. No confusion about where cars are parked, leaving the reception early etc.

Cotswoldmama · 22/01/2021 20:05

A - the more local for most guests means it's easier to get there and home and they don't have to book an expensive hotel room or taxis

PatchworkElmer · 22/01/2021 20:06

We’ve been to a few weddings with coaches but have always driven ourselves so that we can leave when we want to- especially with DC.

bakingdemon · 22/01/2021 20:06

We got married in the lovely church in the middle of a massive city that I'd attended for years because it was the most meaningful church, and that was important to us. My family are 20 miles away and DH's 400. I would go with option C. Family made a real trip of it.

Original poster
pinkdaisiesinavase · 22/01/2021 20:07

We also booked a couple of taxis for the evening from 9pm to take anyone back who wanted to leave early

I hadn't thought of that, that's a great idea.

OP posts:
Nutrigrainygoodness · 22/01/2021 20:13

Could people drive to option B? Could family stay there? Then bus them, but all other guests could drive?

My friend is getting married this year (covid permitting) and they are putting on a coach and have asked people not to drive as there is very little parking.

CMOTDibbler · 22/01/2021 20:18

Option C. People have plenty of options for places to stay, and its more your wedding to be married where you worship now, and less shuttling round for people.

Original poster
pinkdaisiesinavase · 22/01/2021 20:33

Yes, it's accessible, but still a bit of a jaunt, more so for DP's family.

I can't rule out C for being fairer.

OP posts:
ScepticalBandicoot · 22/01/2021 20:52

None of them sound particularly inconsiderate, so go for your preferred options for church and venue and just work out the transport logistics afterwards. You sound like a very thoughtful bride and so I'm sure will take good care of anyone elderly, or who needs a lift etc - people are often very happy to help out with giving lifts to other guests and so on at a wedding, and also very normal to ask ushers and bridesmaids to make sure Great Uncle Keith gets on the right coach or whatever.

Mirrorxx · 22/01/2021 20:57

I went to a wedding a couple of years ago where the reception was about half an hour away from the church on coaches they arranged. It really ruined the day as it was too long and nobody could leave when they wanted. The last couple of hours were so boring and there were a lot of very drunk people on the coach back.