Location of reception

[that_girl]

My fiance and I are from towns that are over 3 hours apart. I have a reception hall tentitively booked in my hometown. I am comfortable with this place - my sister had her reception there 10 years ago. the price is right as well.

My problem is that my fiance doesn't think his family will come because it's so far away. We aren't having a ceremony, just a reception.

We have talked about finding a middle-ground place, but neither of us are familiar with any places to get married (on short notice I might add) in that area. The hall we are 'penciled' in at is for April 4th. My fiance could be taking a job out of state, which is why we're kind of in a rush to get married.

So I am wondering what etiquette says about where the wedding should take place. To me, it seems like the bride's hometown seems logical.

[amisteratwisterandme]

Bride's home town is perfectly logical, and I would think that maybe you could discuss this with his family and see what they say. 3 hours isn't an awful drive, but I do recommend making sure that if you decide to go with your hometown, that you do it mid-afternoon so that anyone who wants to drive home the same night can do so early enough.

My other suggestion would be to find a time when both you and your FH could check out the other towns and maybe come up with an alternative that is close to both us.

[that_girl]

Thanks for the suggestions. My sister is helping me find places in the city that would be halfway. However, we are on a tight time frame. I think I got really lucky having something open on April 4th. I am nervous that most other good venues will be booked solid for 2008 already.

We're just having a dinner and reception, so mid-day isn't really an option. His cousin just had a wedding that ended at 9pm and it was a total buzz kill. I live in Wisconsin, and weddings are a huge drunk fest. I am even worried about the reception ending at midnight because people will want to stay until bar close.

[that_girl]

Whup! Meant to say 2009...

[amisteratwisterandme]

Thanks for the suggestions. My sister is helping me find places in the city that would be halfway. However, we are on a tight time frame. I think I got really lucky having something open on April 4th. I am nervous that most other good venues will be booked solid for 2008 already.

We're just having a dinner and reception, so mid-day isn't really an option. His cousin just had a wedding that ended at 9pm and it was a total buzz kill. I live in Wisconsin, and weddings are a huge drunk fest. I am even worried about the reception ending at midnight because people will want to stay until bar close.

With that in mind, I would be very careful to keep it somewhere that people have the option of not driving.

[RosieAngel]

Traditional etiquette dictates that the wedding is always held in the bride's hometown, because her parents are paying. But nowadays, you can have it wherever. I had mine where the highest concentration of friends were. No matter what, someone will complain, so just choose what you want!