One hour drive?

[AmberWaves]

Hey everyone, I''ve been doing my research, and looking for locations, and found this place:

http://www.hartleybotanica.com/

It''s beautiful, with three separate gardens and all that good stuff. I''ve fallen in love with it, and after addign up the prices (I think it''s about 67.95 per person, 75-100 people) with location, ceremony, valet, tables, linens, catering and all that included. I think it''s a fabulous site, but the problem is it''s about an hour away from our home, and most of our family''s homes. Also, for an extra 1200.00 dollars we get a DJ and emcee, and lighting and all that- a 5 hour wedding (which is good, since I get tired easily). I love it. But, my question: the drive. If you had to go to a wedding, (family mostly, and a few friends) would you feel put out driving an hour to get there? All in all, an hour to get there, one to get back, 5 hours in between. We''re looking at 7 hours. Now, we''re thinking of doing a 5:30 to 10:30 wedding, since the only other option is 10:30-3:30. Actually, maybe that would be a better option. Hm. Anyway, what do you guys think? Hour long drive? Bad?

 

[flopkins]

I dunnos what it''s like for others but I have driven about an hour to several weddings and it''s never been a problem for me! In fact, we flew across the country to PA for a wedding there, so ya know... but I would put it this way, if you love it, and they (the guests) love you, a one hour drive shouldn''t be a problem!!

THe site looks awesome, btw!

 

[AmberWaves]

Thank you, Flopkins. I just think it''s amazing, and a good deal, too. We were thinking of a budget of 10,000k, hopefully less, and this may help. And since the background is so pretty, we would only need flowers for the tables and bouquet and groom (since I don''t think we''ll have attendants), but even if we do, I think costco has a nice flower thing...

 

[selflove]

In LA area a 1-hour drive is going to be expected. The last few weddings I''ve attended here have been about 1 hour away from my house, and about an hour from the bride''s house. I''m sure no one will flinch at that in LA.

 

[AmberWaves]

Selflove, thanks. I was just thinking that we actually have family out there, and we drove over an hour to get to HER wedding, so in L.A. nothing''s too far away. I don''t know if people remember this line from "Clueless": "Anywhere in the Valley takes 20 minutes to get home". Reminded me of that.

 

[selflove]

Date: 1/23/2006 3:42:39 PM
Author: AmberWaves
I don''t know if people remember this line from ''Clueless'': ''Anywhere in the Valley takes 20 minutes to get home''. Reminded me of that.

I wish!! I think there might have been another movie that had a similar line in it about getting anywhere in LA in 20 minutes. As if!

 

[AndyRosse]

An hour is no problem! Especially since this place sounds wonderful!

But in all seriousness, I wouldn''t think twice about having to drive an hour. I have a wedding to go to in September that will be a seven hour drive!

 

[AmberWaves]

Does it say anything about my self-esteem when I question if people will want to drive an hour to see me get married? Cripes. I need to get some esteem, NOW.

 

[selflove]

Don''t worry AmberWaves! I know I''ve questioned the dumbest things with the mindset "What will people think if I do XXXXX?" Is it just part the wedding planning to start second guessing everything?? I''m just not used to being the center of attention so I''m very self-conscious about measuring up to people''s expectations.

So I know how you feel! People are definitely going to want to drive an hour to be at your wedding. And those who don''t, well, forget about ''em.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

AW:

It''s sooo pretty! I say do it. You can''t beat the price. And the people seem so friendly.

An hour''s drive is nothing in L.A. No one should have a problem with that.

We''re still thinking of having ours in Temecula- a good 1 1/2 hours drive from the South Bay, and most of L.A. I have a couple of friends in San Diego, and it will be an hour''s drive for them. It works out well for all.

Let us know what you decide.

CG

 

[curlygirl]

I agree with everyone, an hour drive in LA is NOTHING!!! When I lived there, I had a 45 minute commute to and from work each day and it was a piece of cake. We recently drove 6 hours to go to a wedding in New Hampshire--granted we stayed over night but you get what I'm saying! One hour is a breeze. I say go for it!!!

 

[flopkins]

if you can keep it under 10k and they include all that stuff, that is fantastic, I would jump on it!!! Just check the contract really carefully so they don''t nickel and dime you later...

I didn''t realize it was near LA - if that''s the case I agree w/everyone else that 1hr is nothin''... it takes me 1hr to go from Berkeley to SF when there''s traffic, and it''s only 20 mi!!! Gr... but that''s another story...

 

[AmberWaves]

Thanks, everyone. I''m looking for all-inclusive places, and since neither one of us are religious (despite the fact that he teaches at a Catholic school)... I''d really like it to be a one stop kinda deal. It''s almost worth the hours drive when you realize you don''t have to go anywhere after the ceremony! After all, I AM worth it. (Keep chanting it)

 

[pebbles]

If your ceremony and reception are going to be at the same place, then by all means an hour is nothing. Now if you wanted your guests to drive an hour away from the ceremony to the hall, well, that''s different.

I think it sounds great...and yes, you ARE worth it!

 

[monarch64]

I agree with Pebbles, first of all an hour is nothing, second it makes a big difference that you will be having the ceremony and reception at the same site. I say go for it!

 

[glaucomflecken]

Agree with everyone. And girlie your people LOVE you and would probably travel 2 hours to see you get married. We had people fly in from all over, drive 6 hrs, etc!

 

[WTNLVR]

1 hour is nothing for a wedding. Heck, most people drive that each way to work-I know I do.

 

[Caribou]

All of my FI family is 2.5 hours away...so wherever we have it (where we live or where his family lives) people will have to drive a couple hours.

I think you should have it there since you love it. An hour isn't really that far to drive and I'm sure if anyone is concerned there are hotels around. You'll get people who will complain but regardless of what you do or where you have people are going to find something to complain about.

It looks beautiful, BTW.

 

[AmberWaves]

Thanks everyone!

Sorry, not feeling so good, and can''t really muster enough energy to do anything right now! I have to make a doctor''s appointment for sometime this week.

 

[Rube]

Well, I''m one of those people who had my guests drive 1 hour to my wedding, then 1 hour back to my reception. Honestly, no one minded. It was a nice Sunday morning, and HEY, they all chose to be there because of my husband and me. It will be the same for you. And, seriously, LA is forever causing drives to be long. Feel better.

 

[gingerBcookie]

wow! what a gorgeous location. honey, 1 hour drives are NOTHING in Houston. i say don''t worry about it and go for it!!!

 

[AmberWaves]

I just love PS! You girls are all so helpful, and make me feel better. Well, after looking at the prices, and the money we''re going to be saving, as well as an oddly nightmarish sleep last night (ODD dreams), I realized that I love it, but I will keep looking. Another PSer Caligal showed me a place in Laguna Beach, CA. And it''s almost all inclusive, (settings, food, flowers for ceremony as well as a piano playing during the ceremony, linens, cake and all that) and a brunch meal (Which is what I wanted- a Sunday Brunch!) at 45.00 per person! Including free flowing champagne. An afternoon lunch would be 75.00 per person, but if I wanted, I could have it between November and March 15 (I was thinking March anyway) and get 10.00 off per person. Tell me what you think??

www.tivoligardens.com

 

[selflove]

How weird...when I click on the link and when I type in www.tivoligardens.com it directs me to a website for an amusement park in Denmark called Tivoli!

Another couple of options in SoCal are Calamigos Ranch in Malibu and South Bay Botanical Gardens in Torrance. Both will let you have the ceremony and reception right on site and neither are religious.

 

[E B]

Me too! I think the right website is www.tivoliterrace.com.

 

[AmberWaves]

Sorry guys, I''m insane. Almost clinical (I''ll let you know tomorrow

. Thanks, EBree, for the help. Selflove, I ADORE the southbay botanical gardens, I go there with my Dad all the time. I''ll look into it again. Thanks.

 

[selflove]

Date: 1/24/2006 6:17:12 PM
Author: AmberWaves
Sorry guys, I''m insane. Almost clinical (I''ll let you know tomorrow

. Thanks, EBree, for the help. Selflove, I ADORE the southbay botanical gardens, I go there with my Dad all the time. I''ll look into it again. Thanks.

I''m pretty sure my friend used an outside caterer at southbay botanical gardens so you could always shop around for someone reasonable. I think she had to rent tents/tables/etc.