Distance between ceremony and reception

My reception is about 40 minutes from the ceremony because there was just not much in the area of the church where we wanted to get married. I just booked the hotel block close to the reception and people seemed to think that was fine. I think it's more important for you to get married where you want, at a church that is special to one of you.

That's too far away. Even 30 minutes would be pushing it. Find either a closer church or a reception venue closer to one of your churches.

Personally I would try to find a closer place. I feel like that's too far for guest to be driving.

I don't think that is too bad, but we live in the country and it takes us 25 minutes to get anywhere. So maybe I am not the best judge....

That is a tough call!

i don’t think 40 minutes is far, but I now live in the country where everything is 45 minutes away.

however, when I lived in a suburban neighborhood, that is a drive. Especially if people are cummuting already to your wedding. You might lose people from the ceremony to the reception, or people skip the ceremony and go to the reception.

But, it is your wedding, so what is in your heart!$

I personally don't see how it would be rude to the guests as long as you give them the directions to the reception venue. If I had to plan it that route we would be doing it at his church since it is a bit closer

If it is possible to find a closer one I would at least try - 40 minutes sounds like a long drive.

But either way the guests will get there so I wouldn't stress tooooo much over it if you can't change it.

So it depends where you live. 45 minutes is a pretty typical commute to get to anything in the town that I am from! Our ceremony is about 35 minutes from the reception venue, but we will be doing pictures and stuff between the ceremony and receptions, so there is time in between anyway. I don't think its too much especially if your guests aren't missing anything that you scheduled (like cocktail hour or something) due to the commute ...

Honestly I don’t think it’s that far. The people who are bothered by the distance will either show up for ceremony or just reception. Those who really want to be there will be there for both.

I think that's a bit far honestly. If you tack that onto the time they'll be waiting while you take pictures during cocktail hour, then it's quite a long wait. If you're just going straight into the reception, it's probably not too terrible. I'd keep looking for a place that's no more than 30 minutes from a church that you want to be married in.

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HI EJHollis! Agreeing with Emily here, it's normal to have separate locations for your ceremony and reception and I don't think that's too far. Notifying your guests ahead of time and perhaps booking some sort of accommodation for them or place to go in-between/after, like Emily did, is a great idea.

It is a bit on the far side. Not so far that is unreasonable, HOWEVER, in doing so at this distance you will likely have some people skip the ceremony and just go straight to the reception. Most people find the ceremony to be boring and wouldn't drive an extra hour and half round trip potentially just for that and some will use that as justification to not go. I am not saying they are not rude in doing so, but as a guest, it would certainly cross my mind to do so (I would feel too guilty in the end most likely, but I would want to skip the ceremony). If you are okay with that (you won't notice anyway unless someone tells you) then go for it!

Its a little far especially if they are already driving a ways to get to the church then 40 min or so to the venue. That will add up quick

I dont think that is far at all. On the programs I would put the address of the reception so people can navigate there.

It is a bit far. But it is your wedding I would include directions and the name and address if the place. Not everyone has GPS. Or Siri can really get you lost.

I live in Toronto, so if I was attending a wedding and found out the reception was 40 minutes away from the reception venue, my fiance and I would be slightly annoyed. But then again, if you really love the place, you should take it and your guests will have to understand or just not go to your event. I don't know if you live in the city, or in a rural area, so that all plays into your decision as well.

If I were a guest I'd definitely skip the ceremony if the reception was that far away. Especially if it would take awhile to get to the ceremony in the first place. If you're in love with the reception venue maybe just let people know how far it is so they can decide if they are going to go to the ceremony or just head straight to the reception.

My brother and SIL ended up having to have their reception about 45 minutes from their ceremony location after the original reception location closed unexpectedly. They provided all guests with a print out of the directions as well as a CD they made that was full of songs about weddings or love. Only about 4 people skipped out on the reception that we’re at the ceremony

Thay is a long drive. Consider that your guests will have to drive from various locations to get to the ceremony, and some might be driving an hour already??? Then the ceremony is about 15-20 min and they'll have to drive again. After the wedding is pictures which is about 20-30 min so they'll have to wait for you at the reception hall on top of a 40 min drive.
Can you find a closer church and have one or even both( co-offiate) of your pastors officiate the ceremony there?

This is very common in my family with catholic gap included. The ceremony is typically in their church with a reception in the city, so I don't think it's too bad. I'll be honest though, I have skipped ceremonies of some for this reason