What to do about parking permits for the wedding?

If you were the guest which would you prefer? Would you find it rude that you'd have to go back out to your car after arrival?

@Valarie the lot has 2 or 3 entries so the most we can do is have someone stand at the front door, so they'd still have to go back to the car. The venue has offered to set up an additional small table for free and has said that the receptionist can advise them that they will need a permit for the lot.

Can you reserve spots for your guests? i would rather go back and put a pass in my car than get a ticket/ forget my pass!

We have the entire lot, it's just that since it's on campus they will ticket if you don't have the pass. On one hand it's great because then we don't have to worry about students taking all of the parking spots (it's a specialty kind of permit/pass) but one the other hand I don't know how miffed some of the guests will be about having to go back. Although I suppose going back to the car is probably preferred over an $80+ ticket.

I just didn't know if this would be considered rude/tacky to make them have to head back outside.

I guess I'm more concerned with it appearing rude. We have some family who will find it tacky regardless, but that's just because the event isn't black tie and super pretentious.

How will people know you have passed for them? I would probably see the parking pass required sign and freak out and look for other parking. Do you get unlimited prints of passes or are spots numbered? Maybe mail them with invites then also have spares?

We have an unlimited amount. If we decide to just keep them at the venue we'll include an information card in the invites stating that parking permits have been taken care of and will be on hand at the ceremony site. We'll also include that on our website.

Could you send them with the invites and then have someone at a table with extras in case people forget?

@Cece we could, we just figured most would get forgotten at home.

If you have an unlimited amount, then I would send them with the invitation. Maybe print up a small card (business card sizes are only $20 on VP) saying that they will need to have the pass or else risk a ticket.

So it seems like most would prefer one with the invite then, and just have some backups at the venue itself. Gotcha. Thanks ladies!

Why don't you ask the venue how they usually handle this?

Since you have an unlimited amount to print, I say include them in the invitations AND put some at the entrance of the ceremony. That way, if people do forget, there is a backup. But for the ones who didn't forget, they don't have to go back to their car

If you go the VistaPrint route for a card explaining it, like Maltese said, there is a Groupon right now for $27 for $70 worth of Vistaprint products. And today only there is a 20% off code (JOY20). So you can do that. I would write a cute poem instead of just writing it out that they need a pass. Makes it more cute.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/vistaprint-346-cleveland

"Enclosed is a parking permit for your car,

So you can park at ease and go enjoy the bar.

Please remember to bring it with you that day,

We'll have extras at the venue in case things go astray."

Or something like that.

I did. They provided us with the same options. They said most either give them to guests directly or mail them, or they have them printed and on hand at the ceremony site. I'm just trying to get a feel as to what most would prefer from the guests point of view. FH and I are more in the grouping of if it keeps me from getting an $80 ticket then I don't care how I get it.

We have to have a permit at the reception as well. I did send it with the invitation and plan on following up with people in July that RSVP'd for the reception to a) remind them and b) resend if necessary (50 cents to resend is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things). If they still forget it at that point? it's actually on them and they can pay the $8.00 to get in.

ETA: our venue (state park) will not accept something that people just print out either - it has to be the same ticket they have on file (cardstock required). As a guest? I'd bring it from the invitation or pay my own way.

I personally would prefer it in my invitation. That way I know, from the beginning, that I'm allowed to park in the designated area and already have what I need. I would include a thing that says extras will be on hand, should you forget.

After hearing responses we'll be including them in with the invites and just have backup on hand at the venue. Thanks everyone

Well, if you want to give the ticket to people as they enter the lot, you could just use traffic cones or something and "close" two of the three entrances so that there is a main entrance everyone goes through. It may require a bit of extra signage to help navigate people through to the right entrance but after everyone is there (or say until the reception starts) you can collect up the cones so people can leave easier and move the permits inside. If they're late and have to run back out to their car to put the permit in their window, they shouldn't have been late.

I would prefer it at the venue I think. Sounds like a job for ushers! LOL.

I would definitely be the one to forget mine and get a ticket.