Acceptable distance...

[Tami&Chris]

Hi. Im new here and very excited to start spending time on this site.

Ok, my question is about the distance our families would have to travel for the ceremony/reception. I am in love with a place that is almost 4 hours away. Is this too far to ask people to travel? :confused: My mom says it is, but my friends say its not. What to you all think? TIA!!!

[mj512]

It is a long time to travel. I think that the people that would really want to be there would travel that far, but I wouldn't be hurt if there were only a handful of people that are willing to go that far. It just depends on how many people you want to show up.

[MOB Karen]

It's a pretty long way to drive. I would really have to think about it, because the drive back would be really hard. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. :D

[ladymelissa]

At that distance it pretty much becomes a destination wedding, so if they want to attend they will probably have to spend at least one night in a hotel. That is fine, many people have DWs but just know that you will probably get more regrets doing that.

It is also a little more work to plan, you would have to travel there to interview and meet with your vendors, unless you want to pay your photog's (for example) travel and such on top of their fees. If that is really what you want it is doable.

[LaceyinPgh]

Melissa is right, that is really a half day's drive so it is a destination wedding. I know when I got married I had people who flew in longer distances than that. But, I had people less than an hour away complain it was too far. You aren't going to please everyone, so just please yourself. But, be prepared for people to send their regrets. About 3 weeks ago, my husband and I travelled 6 hours toa friends wedding in Philadelphia. To us, it was important to be there. That is how people will view. If it is important (and feasable) than they will be there.

[Tami&Chris]

You guys are right. Thanks for setting me straight. I'll just have to find a place I love closer to home. Thanks for everything!! :)

[Kacie_bride]

Hi Tami! I know I am a little late chiming in, so I will just say hi and welcome to the board! Oh, and congratulations!

[Tami&Chris]

Hi Tami! I know I am a little late chiming in, so I will just say hi and welcome to the board! Oh, and congratulations!

Hi. Thanks so much!

[ikkin510]

I know I'm also a little late, but I'd like to add to this thread also. My wedding is little over an hour drive for a lot of my side of the family. There are a few that have complained and choosen not to come because they feel that is too far for them to travel. But most people who really want to be there, are making the drive.
I do think that maybe 4 hours is a bit too far, expecially if both families will be having to make that trip. Maybe somethign a little closer would be a better idea and would allow more people to share the day with you.

[septemberbride06]

I don't know how big your budget is, but here is a thought: Maybe for them driving this distance you could accomidate them for 1 night.

:bbidea:

[LizabethDavis]

Yes, I too am late coming to this thread, so I will just hello, welcome to the boards and congrats!!

[WebLady]

I guess I am late too ... I wouldn't want to travel 4 hours for a wedding.

Welcome and congrats!! Good luck with everything!

[Tami&Chris]

Thanks everyone!

[asm198]

I'm late on this, but I wanted to say that we are having our wedding where we currently live. Which is 3 hours away from our families. They aren't thrilled about it, but we live in a considerably bigger city than they do, there is much more for people to do on their downtime, and more options for vendors.

The way I see it, this is our wedding. This is where we now live and where we want to have it and the people who will really want to be there will come. I won't be upset if not everyone will be able to make it, but I'd rather have options for things than have to settle for something I'm not 100% happy for, since we are paying for it ourselves, just so our families won't have to travel. Having it where they live will mean that we would have to travel and I don't want to do that.

I figure that I have will have more things to take care of in the days before my wedding to worry about travel plans and making sure that I have packed everything we will need for the wedding before I leave town. Especially since our hometown is an hour away from any sort of bridal/clothing store outside of Walmart.

But that's my two cents.