Hire a wedding bus?

[Redapple21]

we have planned our wedding for next summer. The ceremony is in one city centre venue and the reception is in another. It’s about a 20 minute walk through the city centre. My mum thinks I should put on a bus to transport guests between the 2 venues, but it would be a very short bus journey and the quotes are around £700 so far! Is it unreasonable to expect guests to walk or jump a taxi between the 2 venues?

How would they be getting to the ceremony venue and then home afterwards?

Your mum is right. Get a bus. I normally walk most places but wouldn't want to walk 20 minutes in wedding gear and shoes not designed for walking far in, when it might be hot.

It’s no different to getting married in a church and having venue elsewhere, people should be able to get themselves from A to B. We had our wedding in a church and the venue was a good 20 min drive away. The majority of our guests sorted themselves out. We organised a bus for others and they were more happy to pay per head.
It drove me mad family members telling me I had to organise transport for people, don’t fall for it!😂

@TheNightingalesStarlingthey would be making their own way. My mum is assuming many of them will get taxis I think, as it’s in our local city. Some might stay in city centre hotels if they choose but for most, that’s not necessary as they live locally.

I laid on buses (x2) in this situation

I’m assuming you could park at the church though? This is city centre presumably without parking.

We got a bus for DS and DDIIL's wedding. It worked out great. Everyone who rode the bus was in a great mood and said the bus felt like part of the celebration.

I think that’s pretty standard. Ceremony in one place, reception in another. Surely some of the non-drinkers would drive, some will take cabs. Unless I knew a lot of people would really struggle, I wouldn’t be spending so much to cover my guests travel.

We did a bus. Old routemaster for vibes. Went down v well.

@PinkSprinkleFairy yes I’ve been a guest in both scenarios where transport is provided and also where it isn’t. We’ve always managed fine but I think the older generation prefer a plan in place? Not as confident with Uber! I just think it’s a lot of money for such a short journey.

@IMissSparklingyes I get that people might not fancy the walk, they could get a taxi, it wouldn’t cost much. But I just don’t know if this will pee people off.

You should get a bus. £700 to make your guests feel like they have been considered and not massively inconvenienced is money well spent.

I don’t think you need to do this. Some will mosey over on foot, others can share a cab or (??) catch a bus?

I have been to 2 weddings in similar situations, one where a vintage bus was provided, which was fun, the other we all walked through the city centre together which was also great fun ( such a good atmosphere and loads of randomners wishing the bride and groom good luck ) There are valid points for both cases, and with the expense of the bus I would be encouraging everyone to walk together.

I've always made my own way between venues at weddings and funerals. £700 is very expensive, not worth it.

@Lemoncanineyes I thought people could share a cab?

@JaffavsCookieoh that’s good to know!

yes I think if it was say £300 ish I would do it, but £700 just seems so expensive, and a higher percentage of our budget than seems reasonable for such a short journey. We’re doing quite a low key twilight wedding, ceremony is 4pm.

We had a similar walk between church and reception venue. We gave people maps if they wanted to walk and also booked several taxis that just went back and forth. Our groomsmen sorted everyone out on the day.

People drove at our wedding. Accommodation for non locals was all near the reception and we coordinated lifts for those without cars

I couldn't walk 20 mins in heels 🙈
would be happy to get a taxi but I do love a bus to transport people.
long as you let people know either way.

Obviously it would be nice to do it but if you’ve got a tight budget you need to consider if the money could be spent better elsewhere. People will cope if there is no bus put on.

You take a pair of shoes to walk in!
I think a walk is nice but people can drive if they want to. They probably won’t have been drinking by then.

@FlossflowerOh id rather not have to carry a pair of shoes round tbh

We put on a vintage bus for a similar journey, some people walked anyway, but it was appreciated by the oldies, ladies and those in high heels. Also there’d have been no taxi option.

We hired a vintage bus from a heritage transport company- it was a real talking point and way cheaper than coach hire

Is there parking at both venues? How tight are your timings?

Personally, I find it really irritating when transport between the two venues isn’t provided, but do make it really clear in the invite that guests will need to make their own way.

We did this but the bus everyone up at the reception venue and took them back again. Saved everyone faffing with parking and such as where we got married had limited parking!

We hired a routemaster and people still talk about it now 12 years later!