Wedding venue

I would classify the venue as a ‘destination’ if its far for the majority - this venue is of a distance where I would assume that your guests will likely drive to the wedding and either stay the night locally somewhere, or leave early and drive home (in which case they will not drink / depending on what time the wedding finishes).

It’s not too far for people to drive to necessarily, however assuming that a number of guests will stay the night locally, it may not be that affordable for everyone to attend (you know your crowd better than I do). If I was a guest, I would be staying the night – I’d be too tired to drive back.

That is considered a destination wedding and they are very common. As long there are plenty of hotel options in the area, you're good to go.

That’s not too far at all! For my original wedding (thanks covid) we chose to have it located about 30 minutes away from us making it over a nine hour drive for a large portion of our guests! They had planned accordingly so I don’t think under two hours is that bad at all! They will come because they want to celebrate with you!

Our venue is in Pennsylvania, we live in NYC. Our immediate family members live in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which for them is about an hour to two hour drive for most depending on the area they’re driving from. Then we have guests from Texas. I say if they’re determined to make it they will, but don’t forget in the long run (and especially when you’re waiting on rsvps) people will find ways to question the distance of the venue, hotel, etc. Again if they want to be there, they will find a way!

I think a venue less than 3-hours away is perfectly acceptable for anyone. I'd easily and without complaint drive upto 2-2 1/2 hours to go to a venue before I chose to get a hotel. I think you're fine with the location if it's what you really want.

I do think that it’s a bit far, but I wouldn’t mind traveling that far for someone I loved. Have you asked any of your guests would they drive that far?

I don’t think it’s too far, per say. I would expect a higher decline rate than if you had it locally though. On a positive note, it will probably help to keep your guest count down and insure only those closest to you will attend.

I agree with Chrysta - likely a higher decline rate than normal if the venue isn't local to most guests, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I don't think it's too far, I've driven 2-3 hours to attend weddings before. As long as there are plenty of hotel options nearby, it should be totally fine!

45 minutes? That’s a daily commute, that isn’t a destination wedding lol

I’ve been to weddings before where the venues were 30+ minutes apart from each other and that’s a little rough but 🤷‍♀️

I guess it depends on where you’re from and what everyone’s perspective is on distance and what’s “too far”

I would do as other PP said to make sure there is lodging & accommodations available.

I would definitely not consider an hour and 45 minutes away a destination wedding...I am from the Midwest, admittedly, and we are used to driving all the time. I consider my wedding "local" for anyone driving 3 hours or less, honestly.

I read from your question that both your ceremony and reception will be in this same area - however, if you mean that the reception is 1.75 hours from the ceremony that would be a problem.

I just reread and saw an hour and 45 minutes lol

That’s still doable and again, make sure there are accommodation

As long as there are hotel options for people nearby it’s totally fine. To me that isn’t a destination wedding because people could drive to and from if they choose. I know I’ve done it several times for weddings in our area.

I don’t think 45 minutes is too far at all! Our venue was about 1 hour and 15 minutes to our closest guest. We got a room block at a hotel and let our guests decide if they wanted to make the drive or stay overnight.

I don't think it is far necessarily, but definitely let guests know of nearby hotels, even if you don't necessarily have hotel blocks there. I would drive/travel any amount to go to a wedding for a close friend/family member, but I'd like to crash in a hotel room after because I do not intend driving home if I even have 1-2 drinks.

You got to pick what makes the two of you happy! If you like that venue pick it. That’s not really a far drive. Make sure you have checked out the hotels nearby.


I actually have cut out the hotel and the drinking because of the fact the hotel gave me so much trouble. That I’m like it’s cut out with drinks ending off. So I’m thinking I’ll have a wee more trouble than your travel. (Celebrations for my marriage not see how much you can get wasted is my logic) Honestly it will cut back maybe who will come but think about it this way you will be keeping the limit.

I don’t think the distance is an issue, but like pp said expect slightly higher declines. The other thing to consider is that some people will not want to get a hotel and will drive up and back in the same day, so they are likely to leave the wedding early. Half of our friend group chose that option for a wedding 1.5hrs away and it definitely dampened the dancing and after party (which the couple paid for at a nearby bar).

Our wedding is 2+ hours away for all of our guests, including us. The only declines we had were those we expected not to make it due to travel restrictions and work. You know your guests better than we do and probably have a decent idea of who will and won’t be willing to come.