Wedding site dilemma - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

ClayMask · #1 04-28-2006, 03:49 AM

It is currently about ten weeks before my wedding. Invitations have already been sent out, and many RSVPs have been returned. The wedding is scheduled for the beginning of July in the backyard of the mother-of-the-groom's house. It is going to probably be quite hot outside. We were originally thinking we would have canopies to provide some shade, but this might still be uncomfortably hot. We were also recently informed that there was no good place for dancing in this backyard. Which of these choices would most of the guests be happiest with:

a. Go with the original plan

b. Have the reception 45 minutes away, but it would be indoors, nicer, and less expensive. There is also an option for dancing here.

c. Change the location of the ceremony and reception to the indoor place in option b. If I did this, what type of notices should I send out to inform people of the change?

Your advice is appreciated.

ljeagle · #2 04-28-2006, 04:10 AM

So you are saying there is no room to put a dance floor in the back yard. Was you not informed on this b-4 you planed to have it there. To have your wedding one place and then ask your guest to drive 45 min is a lot to ask. I wouldn't do it! Most of my guest travel 30 min to a hour to get there and then to ask them to drive 45 min more for the reception would be a little much. If your going to change it then I would change it all and send out a card to the ones who RSVP to let them know where the new location is.

Welcome to PASH!

whiddle · #3 04-28-2006, 04:23 AM

I'd go with option C.

swtdl11552 · #4 04-28-2006, 04:29 AM

Option C as well.

ClayMask · #5 04-28-2006, 04:38 AM

No, we weren't told about the not being able to have dancing until a couple of days ago. It is a nice looking and large backyard, and she had said that her backyard would be a good place for our ceremony and reception. We thought this meant that dancing would be okay, but hadn't asked. It turns out this was a bad assumption.

Heather · #6 04-28-2006, 04:46 AM

Can you rent a wood/plastic platform for dancing? If you can do this - do it. I would hate to change plans after guests have already been informed. It would be so difficult to ensure everyone had the 'new' information. However personally, I would prefer air conditioning, lol.

If you can't - then I agree with the above (C). I would do as LJ suggested and send another note ASAP letting your guests know. Explain that there has been an unexpected change with the original location, etc.

Good luck & let us know how it turns out - and congrats on your upcoming wedding!.

Complicated Woman · #7 04-28-2006, 01:52 PM

If you absolutely can not make dancing work at the original site, I like option C. I am a little confused as to why you can't rent a dance floor and put it out.

However, I will say that it's not at all unusual around here to drive a bit from ceremony site to reception site. I've driven 45 minutes more than once from ceremony to reception, and while I didn't love it, you do what you have to do for people you care about.

feb-bride · #8 04-28-2006, 03:05 PM

If you can rent a dance floor, leave your location as-is. If you can't, I'd go with option C.

cru5h · #9 04-28-2006, 03:32 PM

I think the idea of renting a dancefloor is great. Also, how about a couple of those large metal tubs chocked full of ice and bottled water? Or even some handheld fans, either paper or the battery operated ones.

Steph · #10 04-28-2006, 03:36 PM

Where are you located? That might help with an answer as to the temp. in July.

If you can't have a dance floor though I would go with option C.

syringa · #11 04-28-2006, 05:13 PM

Do check into renting a dance floor. You can also rent misters. They come either as the type that goes around the edge of the canopy frame or there are now some that are self-standing. They are pyramid shaped and about 30 inches tall. Setting one or two of those in strategic places will lower the temperature.

If you can't rent a dance floor, then I would vote for option C, particularly if it is the less expensive alternative.

Robyn Lynn · #12 04-28-2006, 05:23 PM

My first thought was to rent a dance floor, too. The only concern I would have is the grass underneath being flattened and possibly killed. If you do rent a dance floor make sure it is installed as close as possible to the date and then removed as soon as possible afterwards.

Or is the problem more with room to dance? Is dancing very important to you, aside from the first dance? If it is going to be very warm out you may not want dancing at all.

BTW, welcome to Pash!

555Ann555 · #13 04-28-2006, 07:00 PM

Welcome to Pash Claymask

I've been to weddings where the reception is that far from the ceremony, but over here the bride & groom always have transport for the guests so it isn't too bit a deal, even though it isn't fun to sit on a bus for that long...

I'd vote for option C though, everything in one place sounds ideal. And 10 weeks is plenty of time, the invites don't normally go out until 6-8weeks so that should be enough notice for everyone...