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Dedicated August 2019

Transportation/drinking??

Misstomorris, on February 18, 2019 at 8:28 AM Posted in Parties and Events 0 15

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Freaking out a little about transportation. FI and I decided to provide an open bar at our wedding. Now, we need to decide what to do about getting the people who use it home/to the hotels at the end of the night. Our ceremony and reception are in the same place, so there’s no need for transportation there, only at closing time.

Less than 20 people are from out of town/expecting to stay in a hotel. The 3 closest hotels are 25 minutes away, and we will be getting blocks there. We decided to stay at the nicer hotel (pricey) but will obv give others a few options re budgets. All 3 hotels are within 5 miles of each other, so multiple stops would not be a problem for the driver. Total estimated drive time would be 2 hours (bus to venue, venue to hotel(s), bus back to vendors shop). This would be approx. $400.

Do you think it’s worth it? Will people use the bus? What about people who didn’t anticipate staying at a hotel, and live nearby but drank a little too much? Am I supposed to figure out how to get them home? How do I tell people they can use the bus? Is a 21 passenger party bus too much?

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15 Comments

Latest activity by Suzette, on June 25, 2019 at 2:47 AM

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Mim · on February 18, 2019 at 8:29 AM
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Let people be adults. If they need to they can arrange for an Uber.
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Master September 2019
Colleen · on February 18, 2019 at 8:34 AM
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We looked into transportation we decided no. More money the we could spend.
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Dedicated May 2019
Tynesha · on February 18, 2019 at 8:36 AM
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We are letting everyone know that we are having an open bar and if they want to drink maybe they should have a designated driver or catch an Uber/Lyft to and from our wedding because the wedding and reception are being held at the same location.
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Dedicated November 2020
Cassie · on February 18, 2019 at 8:49 AM
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We are also having an open bar, and a lot of people from out of town. We will letting them all know that there will be a shuttle available if they choose to use it or we are mentioning Uber as an additional option. I am going to look into it more, but I believe that Uber may have a discount for a group of rides if you set it up before hand that you can give your guests....
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Expert May 2019
Cynthia · on February 18, 2019 at 8:51 AM
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Our room blocks are about 7 miles away from our venue. We only have a wine and beer bar, but are recommending using ridrshare apps and highlighting on our website that people can leave their vehicles at the venue overnight, as long as they’re picked up by 12pm the following day. I thought about booking transportation, but ultimately decided against it. 25 minutes away is a little long, but ultimately people know that it’s their responsibility to get to/from your wedding. I would just make a special note on your website that the venue is that distance away from the room blocks and they should plan transportation accordingly.
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Expert May 2019
Kat · on February 18, 2019 at 9:26 AM
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I think it’s worth it. When I go to a wedding with an open bar and a hotel block nearby, I expect there to be a shuttle/transportation back to the hotel. If you’re not going to provide that, I would rethink the open bar - guests may not drink as much knowing they need to drive, and the open bar costs may not make as much sense (paying by consumption may be cheaper).
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Dedicated August 2019
Cadence · on February 18, 2019 at 9:37 AM
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I've heard other people on this forum talk about setting up an uber event code. This will let you pay for any of your guests who decide to take an uber. Not sure about how it works... but it may be an option worth considering.
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Super November 2019
Kristin · on February 18, 2019 at 10:07 AM
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I think a bus for those staying at a hotel is a definite plus. As a guest, I am fortunate cause FH is sober so I get an automatic DD every time, any time I've gone to a wedding without him I always stay at the hotel and take the bus/shuttle provided. As far as those going home, I would let them know that Uber/Lyft are available for their use but you would not be responsible for picking up that tab.
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VIP October 2018
Melissa · on February 18, 2019 at 10:46 AM
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While I think it's a nice gesture to think of your guests and their needs, I don't think it is something you are required to stress out over. If they are adults, they should be able to consider their own limits and understand how to get from point A to point B safely. If it is within your budget, providing some kind of a shuttle or Uber event code (if they still offer them) or similar thing would be a great thing to do. But again, if these are adults of drinking age, they should be able to care for their own transportation needs if you realize that doing this will be a budget buster. You have enough responsibility for your wedding. Don't let this stress you out too much!
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Master June 2019
Danielle · on February 18, 2019 at 10:48 AM
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Honestly, providing transportation for guests of a wedding is a new concept. At least for my experience. I've never been to a wedding where transportation was provided. It's a super nice gesture if you can really afford it, but I don't think it is necessary. People can figure out their own DDs, rides, etc.
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Dedicated August 2019
Misstomorris · on February 18, 2019 at 11:25 AM
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Thank you, everyone! I will take all thoughts into consideration and speak with the FI! Have a great week!!!
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on February 18, 2019 at 11:32 AM
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We have a part on our RSVP for guests to mark if they want to use our provided transportation. We have three 55 person buses reserved ($1,150 each) and we can cancel them with no charge 30+ days prior. So our RSVP date is 40 days prior to our wedding. We are doing that because our hotels are 30-35 minutes from the venue and the town has minimal service and barely any ubers.
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VIP January 2019
Megan · on February 18, 2019 at 11:53 AM
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If uber is easily accessible where you are then I wouldn’t fret too much. A bus for you and your wedding party/immediately family would be nice. We hired a team of shuttles but we were in the mountains in a remote area. If you’re in the city or something I don’t think it’s necessary, people are adults.
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Master October 2019
Jolie · on February 18, 2019 at 1:49 PM
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We only have a shuttle service for hotel guests through the hotel. We aren't accommodating for anyone else driving. They can get an uber/lyft/dd. If they seem really intoxicated not opposed to a friend driving them home or having someone call them an uber. Everyone is an adult. They can accommodate for a wedding the same way they would going out to a bar for a night of party drinking.
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Just Said Yes October 2019
Suzette · on June 25, 2019 at 2:47 AM
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We paid for transportation and also had an open bar option. Granted adults should know better and “be responsible for themselves” as people have said on this forum, but if you have out of town guests that are flying in, taking the train and/or spending the time, and money to travel, having the additional option for transportation so that they don’t potentially need to rent a car or worry about something else, is considerate to have. We also wanted everyone to truly have a great time while being safe and felt that it was a given to make sure they had the option to do so. The open bar wouldn’t have been enjoyed as much because of drinking and driving. I just provided what I or my fiancé would appreciate when attending someone else’s even on a budget. Our main focus was liquor, transportation, and great food.
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