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Original poster

Church/parking/transport/panic HELP

12 replies

BramRang · 25/01/2019 13:41

My wedding isn't until 2020 (hi other 2020 brides!) but I've had a sudden panic today.

What is everyone else saying to guests about transport between venues?

We are having our reception just outside of a large town - lots of family and friends live there, we used to live there, etc, but are getting married in the local church of the village we grew up (unfortunately our gps have passed away now but until last year we both had grandparents still living there - they got married at the church, so did both sets of parents, etc). Meaning that about 1/3 of our guests will have to travel 30 mins from large town to the village, and then back again. Even though it would be easier to do the ceremony at our reception venue, it's very important to us to get married at the church.

The problem: parking. There isn't ANY parking at the church. You are allowed to park the wedding car outside and that is all. There used to be a car park down the side, but it's now 6 beautiful new builds... so not very helpful. The village isn't small but parking is limited, lots of small winding roads where you can't really park and only one car park (32 spaces - I counted this morning!) at the edge of the village (church is in the centre).

The church seats 230. We were planning to use all of them, but now we can't work out how everyone would get here and are considering putting on minibus transport from neighbouring towns with better parking/from the town with the reception and then either back to the same towns after or straight to the reception.

Other option is to not invite large town guests to ceremony (we aren't having evening guests so they would still be invited to whole day and would only miss actual ceremony), or give them the option to not attend and explain parking issues.

I think I'm really overthinking it and making it all too complicated, but this feels like an impasse at the moment.

Any advice? Sorry this is such a ramble.

OP posts:

akkakk · 25/01/2019 13:42

if a dry time of year, speak to the local farmer - borrow a field

AdoreTheBeach · 25/01/2019 13:45

Transportation from the reception venue to church then from church to reception venue.

Advise guests that there is very limited parking in the village and to please confirm they’ll be attending the ceremony so you have correct numbers to provide transport to the church.

Waterlemon · 25/01/2019 13:55

what Does the church do on Sundays? The parishioners can’t all walk to mass?

I would speak to the Church - they probably already have something in place for big ceremonies like weddings and funerals.

Is there a school, pub or field nearby that can be used for parking?

Original poster

BramRang · 25/01/2019 14:09

Watermelon - they do mostly walk to church on Sundays. There is also a local taxi mini bus service for the elderly that is run free of charge to help with these things

Akkakk - It is in May... Could be beautiful, could be tipping it down...

I just can't seem to think what other people will do. I will ask when I speak to them, of course. There is a smaller (but Catholic, and I'm not catholic) church also in the village with its own car park, but I doubt we'd be able to use it. Our church's car park is now 6 new built houses (as of this year)...

OP posts:

LePetitPont · 25/01/2019 14:11

Could you hire a coach to take people from church to reception venue and back again?

Redglitter · 25/01/2019 14:13

Id ask the minister first. They must have regular weddings and funerals etc where there are loads of cars. They must be used to this and may have a solution or suggestion

CaurnieBred · 25/01/2019 14:16

We hired a coach from venue to church and back again. Our RSVP asked if people wanted to use it. Been to another wedding that used same system, since.

akkakk · 25/01/2019 14:17

May - I would be going farmers field - late enough in the year that it is unlikely to be soggy ground - 1000s of events will be organised for cars in fields around the country in May...

LooksBetterWithAFilter · 25/01/2019 14:31

I’d either see if a farmer will hire you a girls or put on a coach from and to reception venue.
I live in the Highlands and coaches for a wedding are a common thing up here because people often get married in Inverness which is about the same journey from our village as your venue from church and public transport is poor. In the summer there is a coach or two most Saturdays sitting outside the local pub collecting wedding guests to take the to weddings.

Original poster

BramRang · 25/01/2019 15:14

It would have to be minibuses rather than coaches as reception venue is down a private track that doesn't accommodate coaches. But I think you're all onto the right idea. Thank you. I will look into farmers fields as well after I've spoken to the church.

OP posts:

Mummyme87 · 25/01/2019 16:29

I would suggest having a bus or two collect people from the venue for reception to the church then back again. That means those who want to drive can leave their cars at the venue

Original poster

BramRang · 25/01/2019 22:08

Thanks for all the help - I rang the church secretary and they actually have a deal with our local taxi company (do minibuses too) so it's all sorted. I'm a bit embarrassed by how easy it all was after how much I panicked! Thanks again!

OP posts:

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