Need ceremony advice: married at church or reception venue?

Nostalgia.

My wedding was in a church and even though it was a 30 minute drive, I am so glad we did it. Our guests didn't mind the drive and it was worth having the experience of a church wedding.

Convenience no question. But, let me be clear, I am not too religious. I am Jewish and my rabbi who did my bat mitzvah is marrying us. We are getting married in a hotel on a Saturday night. All events are taking place at the hotel including Sunday brunch but excluding the rehearsal dinner. I will be moving in on Friday and not leaving until Sunday. It is going to be so easy. I never have to get in the car. Hair and makeup coming to me. I wouldnt have it any other way! And, drinkers can spend the night at the hotel. I go for convenience over nostalga any day....easier is going to make your day a lot less stressful.

I agree with Soonyee but can see Rachel's point too.

You may regret not having it at your home church and 35 minutes is not a lot.

I feel like moving in to that hotel of Rachel's right now--sounds like a dream

I say church wedding because I am religious and it is important to me. I don't think your guests will complain about the drive. Especially if the other option is feeling like your marriage doesn't feel sacred

The 35 minute drive is worth it. I draw the line at 45 minutes from the ceremony to reception. But I wouldn't mind driving 35-60 mins for someone importamt. Heck I'd drive 2 hours even LOL.
Go with the cheap[er option and the Nostalgic option. I can't imagine getting married somewhere other than our catholic church unless it was a catholic church in Rome
I choose the church 1000%

Think about this...do you want to look back one day and say...I wish I married in our church. My marriage didn't feel sacred? I wouldn't.

If your church is meaningful to you, do it there. 35 minutes is really not a big deal.

If your church is meaningful to you, do it there. 35 minutes is really not a big deal.

What everyone else said. It's YOUR wedding. marry in the church that means something to you. Just make sure to give everyone a heads up on the location of the reception via your website and/or the programs and invites

I prefer church weddings, or at least having the ceremony/reception in separate venues. It's personal preference.

My wedding reception is a 30 min drive from my church. It is worth it to me to be able to get married in my church. I did think about having the ceremony at my reception site for everyone else's convienence but i ultimatly decided that this is my marriage and my wedding and i would have been sacrificing having it in a house of god for other people.

35 min is not too bad. My reception venue was about 45-55 drive with traffic, so I decided to have both ceremony and reception at one spot. If the church mean more t you I say do it!

I understand the meaning behind the church. I did that with my 1st marriage.

This time we are going with convenience and having our all at the venue!

You need to do what feels right to you and FH!

35 min is not a problem. So many people commented on my daughters wedding being in church they were thrilled. They had about 20 min drive after ceremony.

My preference is a church wedding. It's never been a big deal for my family to drive 35 minutes to a reception venue. In fact, they love to socialize in the parking lot before getting into their cars and forming a posse to head to the reception. It's pretty much expected. If you have a sentimental/spiritual attachment to your church, go for it.

Thank you guys so much! We are going with the church The emotional significance of it is very special to both of us.