How much would you mind?

teany Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:27 PM

How much would you mind?

So, we've already scheduled our wedding for 1 p.m. on a Sunday in the Hamptons (it's on Sunday mainly for religious reasons and the fact that we wanted a day wedding). FMIL mentioned that people -- actually she said 'her guests' -- would probably start leaving early to beat the infamous Sunday traffic, and maybe we should have the ceremony earlier, or tell people to come earlier. (The caterer actually told me to give people the real time of the ceremony because she said people will come early anyway. And we don't really have to start exactly at 1 since we have the place from then for the whole day.)

I don't think the traffic would be too bad because it's not a holiday weekend and we made it at 1 so the people who want to drive from around the tri-state area don't have to wake up super-early. Would you think I'm being bad to guests to make them deal with Hamptons traffic on the way home? I figured people will start leaving at 6, which will not get them home too late for a work night, even with maybe a half-hour extra of traffic. And I figure the people who really want to stay will, regardless of the traffic.

DayBeforeThanksgiving Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:29 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

That's very sweet of you to think of your guests, but there's nothing you can do to change the time now, unless you call every single one of them. Don't worry about the traffic. That's out of your control. YOu worry about being the best bride ever!!!

AnniesSS Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:32 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

I've sat in the West bound traffic and it's murder on Sundays!!! You have plenty of time to move the time up, but from 5pm-9pm, traffic will be bad. It's the beginning of Summer and people will be going to the beach in droves - especially if this coming Winter is anything like this years.

I've heard Wolffer estate is beautiful! Enjoy it!!

teany Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:33 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

We haven't send out the invites, or even STDs yet, so it's not a matter of that (and there's no way I'm going to start changing around contracts!) but I guess I just wanted to see if people would really mind the traffic.

Kerrycec Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:34 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

she is right, traffic will be crazy, and its June. I've sat out there in traffic for hours. And lets not forget, the Boardy Barn is only open on Sundays and we've all been out there!! I say if you can, change the time. If not, then expect guests a little late. I would tell them an earlier time

Kiddo115 Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:37 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

I think that people really won't mind that much.. if you are traveling all the way out to the Hamptons on a weekend, traffic is to be expected. Anyone in the tri-state area knows that

Are you having rooms blocked off at all anywhere? Some guests might choose to stay over night... I say keep your original time. You'll be surprised at how willing guests can be!

DayBeforeThanksgiving Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:38 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

I misread your date... I thought it was June 4th, this year!!! SOrry... oh yea, I would change the time to reflect the traffic if you can.

mbm750 Posted: Jun 01, 2005 04:51 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

Posted by Kiddo115

Are you having rooms blocked off at all anywhere? Some guests might choose to stay over night... I say keep your original time. You'll be surprised at how willing guests can be!

I think this is a great idea, and I think people will deal. You can't please everyone, and it's amazing how many of your guests will be troopers. And, if you bump it up, your guests might hit traffic on the way in, instead of on the way out - and I think that's much worse. I missed most of a friend's ceremony because of ridiculous traffic (in LA) on the way there, and I was so angry that I sat in a virtual parking lot missing the wedding - I would've preferred that on the way home. Especially after a day time wedding - I might feel differently if I had to sit in traffic on a long drive home at midnight.

Bunnymonkey Posted: Jun 01, 2005 05:16 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

We were worried about traffic too, out to the North Fork. Our wedding is a Saturday, but most people wil be coming out for the full weekend. We warned them adequately in the Save the Date Newsletter about Long Island Traffic (alot of out of towners) and really just gave everyone the heads up. I think local people know how to manuever it.

Besides, there is NO rhyme or reason to the Sunday night traffic. I have hit it at 3 in the afternoon, or at 10 at night. chances are, you are going to get it regardless - people will deal.

ginny26 Posted: Jun 02, 2005 01:47 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

I was married at Wolffer Estate on a non-holiday Saturday in July, and our ceremony time was 3 p.m. SO many of our guests were stuck in traffic, so we delayed our ceremony about 15-20 minutes, which was OK because there was some wine and some lemonade for the guests. A number of my friends missed our ceremony (only a 20-25 minute ceremony) but made it for the start of cocktail hour. Hint: if you can give some of your guests directions for the 'short cut' (go via North Haven through Sag Harbor), you avoid 27 for a decent amount of time. Traffic will be pretty ugly going home but I wouldn't worry about it...it's summer on long island! Our guests--98% from L.I.--knew what they were getting into! Hope your planning is going well, Teany!!!

csorisi Posted: Jun 02, 2005 01:49 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

Honestly most Hamptons holiday traffic is during the day. I dont see why your guests would leave early to beat traffic if the reception is going to be over around in the evening. I would think they would want to stay longer to beat the traffic.

teany Posted: Jun 02, 2005 03:10 PM

Re: How much would you mind?

Posted by ginny26

I was married at Wolffer Estate on a non-holiday Saturday in July, and our ceremony time was 3 p.m. SO many of our guests were stuck in traffic, so we delayed our ceremony about 15-20 minutes, which was OK because there was some wine and some lemonade for the guests. A number of my friends missed our ceremony (only a 20-25 minute ceremony) but made it for the start of cocktail hour. Hint: if you can give some of your guests directions for the 'short cut' (go via North Haven through Sag Harbor), you avoid 27 for a decent amount of time. Traffic will be pretty ugly going home but I wouldn't worry about it...it's summer on long island! Our guests--98% from L.I.--knew what they were getting into! Hope your planning is going well, Teany!!!

Yeah, I figured I should only have to worry about traffic going there, and that evening traffic, even if people leave early, should be expected. I wonder -- do you recommend telling people the ceremony starts at 12:30? I was just going to say 1 and tell people to tack on an extra half-hour for traffic, but maybe I should play it safe... ? (we're actually having drinks and a little snack before the ceremony, actually, so maybe people won't mind)

ginny26 Posted: Jun 03, 2005 09:08 AM

Re: How much would you mind?

I would say 1 because if you tell them 12:30, people might get there by 12 and then they're hanging out waiting for a full hour. I think you'll be OK at 1.
By the way, who is doing your catering?

teany Posted: Jun 03, 2005 10:20 AM

Re: How much would you mind?

Posted by ginny26

I would say 1 because if you tell them 12:30, people might get there by 12 and then they're hanging out waiting for a full hour. I think you'll be OK at 1.
By the way, who is doing your catering?

We've decided on Food & Co., actually. They seem like they are going to be great to work with. We'd looked into Art of Eating too, but they were a little too $$$.