Venue location

How badly do you want those specific people there?

The thing is if people care about you and want to be there, they will be, even if it is an hour away. If you still want it to be "local" many people consider that 90 min drive or less.

Just remember that guests shouldn't really get a say on your wedding planning. Plan the wedding you and FH want and then the people who think it is important to come will come regardless.

I don't think an hour is a bad drive at all, and I'd still consider the wedding to be "local." You could look into getting a hotel block near where the wedding will be if your guests are concerned about having to drive late at night or after having a few drinks, but I don't think sprinters are necessary for that kind of distance.

An hour isn’t bad at all and I would certainly drive that distance for someone I cared about! I think the people who matter will drive the distance. If someone doesn’t want to come, then as long as they RSVP in time that just means one less plate of food you’re buying and potentially one more gift you’re getting. 🤣

View Quoted Comment If I had to say it would be a 7/10 . They are doing a lot of helping but if they feel like a hour is too far then I don’t honestly no what to tell them because we would all have to make the drive.

View Quoted Comment Yes !! That is so true thank you !

View Quoted Comment That’s what I was thinking it’s literally down the street.

An hour is not too long of a drive but if you are having an evening event then keep in mind what time it gets dark. Some people don't want to drive after dark and might either decide not to come or will leave early (especially older folks or those with bad eyesight).

View Quoted Comment Yeah I wasn’t even thinking about that thank you .

If people are willing to go in rented Sprinters, arranged car pools, or even a bus. It seems an option if it makes sense to you and the guests. Maybe if you can recommend some options, even some paid by guests, that seems like a nice option. I sort of think of a friends' daughter who had a wedding in Vegas -- maybe a 3 or 4 hour trip. I don't have details how they all traveled there but if they were all taking individual cars, that seems like a lot of cars for such a trip. Anyhow, I was just thinking based on what you said.

I have traveled an hour+ many times for weddings. It is not too much to ask.

View Quoted Comment It’s only the older people with the problem and I understand . I’ve asked if they wanted to stay with other people who would spend the night and leave in the morning possibly and they weren’t sure so .

View Quoted Comment It’s only the older people with the problem and I understand . I’ve asked if they wanted to stay with other people who would spend the night and leave in the morning possibly and they weren’t sure so

Have the wedding where you want. Those who want to attend will do whatever it takes to get there without having issues. I can’t imagine anyone complaining about a 1 hour drive because many people do that without batting an eye everyday to get from one location to another. It sounds like they are making excuses not to attend at all no matter where it is.


Typically older guests who have difficulty driving at night will carpool.

I live in Maryland and my venue is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania… it’s an hour from me and 1-1 1/2 hours away from most family … I would just look up hotels near by and let them know what they are called etc.. People that really want to be there won’t care about that drive! My venue is a bed and breakfast place so some people are staying the night etc..