Church and Garden distance - 17miles?!?!

Hey
I haven't used the chat much as I hadn't run into many planning problems.. Until now!!!

Basically, my fiancee and I are both members at a Church in Dorset, where we both plan to wed. We also both want to have a garden party reception, but almost ALL of the local gardens are fully booked in August.

So we have found a very lovely place, not as big as some as it is only 4 acres, but it is also 17 miles away from the Church. Do you think it is ok to ask guests to drive that distance between the two events or should we find a compromise and hire a lawn, or use the Church hall??

Thanks

Ive travelled about that distance before for my friends and I didnt have a problem with that. However, I didnt do any research on directions and couldnt see anyone to follow so i got lost and almost completely missed the welcome drinks!!!

I dont think the distance is a problem but what i would do if it were me i would print off directions and include them in the invites. Just in case, it would help an unprepared person like me! x

My ceremony is in a garden! It's 13 miles to the reception venue. We're getting a vintage Routemaster bus to take us & our family to the ceremony, and then it will take us and most of the guests on to the reception. Some of the guests won't fit on the bus so if more people ask for a seat than there is space, we'll either hire a second bus (for which we'll get a discount) or pay for shared taxis. The people that I have told about this have said that it is generous and they wouldn't expect it. I think for a long distance you need to have a bit of a think about whether any of your guests will be without cars (e.g. I have a number of friends coming from London who don't have cars, plus one friend who can't drive) and maybe see if you can arrange for them to travel with other guests who have space? I don't think 17 miles is that bad if everyone has transport. You could also offer that people needn't attend the ceremony if it's too far to travel between the two, but that might be a bit miserable, I doubt many guests would want to miss the ceremony!

Wow thanks! Makes me feel heaps better about it, and printing a route or organising a bus for people is genius!

xXx!