Venue 45 mins away - transport for guests?

[Tillypea]

Getting married at a venue out of town (approx a 30-45 minute drive away) and said venue isn't a hotel so accommodation isn't available.

We weren't intending on providing transport but was going to provide attendees with a list of local taxi numbers/nearby hotels or b&b numbers should they not be planning on driving or want to have a drink, but I've already had a few people ask if we're putting on a minibus/coach! Is this the norm now? We'd have to factor in multiple buses as people live in various parts of our city so if it just dropped them off in the town centre they'd still need to catch a taxi home anyway? It's really a cost we could do without but I'm now feeling like we're inconveniencing people by not arranging anything. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Not the norm at any wedding I've been to here in Ireland. That said, guests would appreciate a mini bus way more than any centrepieces or favours, so if I felt that I could do it by minimising the extra tat, I would. But definitely wouldn't be expected, it would just be a nice bonus.

I don't think I could afford a taxi for the wedding so we would drive and not drink or not come at all. Some people will be unhappy but you have to think about your budget.

Our venue was 30 mins away and we put on a double decker bus for our guests. Just meant that people didn't have to worry about who is driving, expensive taxis and how to retrieve cars the next day. In the grand scheme of wedding costs it is a minimal expense and is very much appreciated by all guests.

Oh and you don't have to do multiple drops. We had 3 stops; railway station/taxi rank, high street of town most locals lived in and hotel where all non local friends and family were staying.

@disfordarkchocolate that is my worry, that people may think it's inconvenient and just not come at all

If I were to put on transport that would mean for both getting there and getting back wouldn't it? Plus there's then the evening guests to factor in..

@princessscarlett was the transport arranged for just the day guests or for all?

Our transport was arranged for just day guests. It picked up from hotel and took to church and then venue, then did the 3 stops on the way home.

We didn't have that many extras in the evening and they were local but they were welcome to use the bus if they wanted to and a handful did.

We put on a bus that picked up all the guests and took them home but it was a very, very small wedding. Guests loved it and all got merry. If you give the option of 2 or 3 pick up/drop off points you've been flexible and generous. Ours was quite reasonable and we paid for a meal for the driver. If your budget is tight perhaps organise and tell guests how much per seat, bound to be cheaper than a taxi both ways.

Weddings can be all over, and in this day and age when people move away from home, it’s fairly common for family and friends to need to travel. I’m from up north, live in London, getting married 1hr south of where we live. Everyone bar maybe 2 will need overnight accommodation unless driving home. Definitely nontransport being put on

If o was invited to a wedding 30 mins away from home I wouldn't mind paying for a taxi on the way back.

But if it's difficult for some people to travel couldn't they book into a hotel/premiere inn for the night?

I think if the venue is 45 odd minutes from any accommodation, I would be sorting out a coach or something.

There is a few hotels within 10 minutes away (probably not cheap and cheerful ones though), there's also a well known holiday place nearby if I suppose people wanted to combine it with a weekend stay.