Is a 45 minute drive from ceremony to reception site unreasonable?

My ceremony and reception venue were about 30 miles apart. We hired a shuttle to take all the guests from the reception area that morning to the ceremony and back. Though if that isn't an option, I wouldn't think it's unreasonable at all. You might have some people bail out because they don't wanna drive but honestly I don't see it as a big deal.

That's a lot or driving. Especially if you have out of town guest or guest that have a long drive to get to the ceremony.

Seems okay, it's pushing it, but it's not awful. Not everyone has the luxury of having everything in the same place!

It's not ideal, but I don't think it's too bad, especially if the area is rural or spread out. Have you thought about traffic? If that will add on more time, I'd reconsider the location

It's not ideal but seems workable. Is your hotel near the reception site?

I think its too far (though I too have also done this for other weddings).

If you can avoid this long of a travel time, that would be best.

If there is absolutely NO WAY, then I guess it is what it is.

Ehhh I feel like any drive longer than 30 minutes between ceremony and reception is too long.

Majority of guests are more local to the ceremony location, so most of their driving would be to the reception and back. Transportation isn't in the budget (we will be driving ourselves to and from). We're planning a smallish wedding here on Long Island, NY (about 85 people - small for this area), and it's very hard to find a place to hold the reception that doesn't have a 100 person minimum that also appeals to us.

I appreciate all your responses and opinions as we try to figure this out.

I think it also depends on the drive. FH REALLY wants to take people to a restaurant about 45 minutes from our ceremony location, but it's 45 minutes of traffic hell and terrible streets. I will NOT do that to our guests, especially the out of towners, and I'm currently pushing to make that the location of the rehearsal dinner instead.

IF it were instead 45 minutes of nice easy driving in a low-key area, I'd be WAY more open to the idea.

Unless it's 45 minutes in the direction of my house, it's too far.

Yes. I wouldn't go. Can you have the ceremony in the same place as the reception? That's a lot to ask of people i my opinion, unless you are coordinating or providing transportation

I think it is too far. Personally, I would not drive it. (unless it was in the direction of where I lived and would be passing that way)

I personally think it is too far. Especially if the reception site is further out of town. I do not want my guests to have to drive home late at night 45 minutes away. Depends on the crowd too.

I'm on the fence. Are there any venues closer? Do you just have your heart set on this place? It does seem like a lot, but I have seen worse.

I would be annoyed by an almost hour long drive to the reception. That's silly to me

I would be pretty annoyed as a guest. I would probably just head to the reception because I hate driving that much.

It's definitely not ideal but it's doable.

I think it is too far, especially if it is even further away from where most of your guests live. I think a good rule is to keep the reception less than a 30 minute drive from the ceremony site.

Hmm 45 min is a long drive to me but the ppl that really love and support you will come

Honestly, I would be super frustrated by it. As a guest I've hated anything more than a 20 minute drive from ceremony to reception. It's inconvenient and just drags out the day. I'm usually pretty grouchy by the time I get to the reception if I have to drive 30+ minutes.