Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
Butterflyfaye
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
I'm curious - how far do people think is too far between rehearsal and rehearsal dinner?
We're having our wedding at Douglaston Manor (Queens, near Nassau border). The rehearsal will be late Thursday afternoon.
Now, we expect a lot of people will be flying in that morning. So we want to keep rehearsal dinner casual, low key. Non-stressful. So our theme was 'Welcome back to New York' and we were hoping to go with a variety of pizza, two entree-quality salads, pinwheels and a simple pasta or two.
Originally we were thinkig of doing it at my childhood home..
Ronkonkoma - a half hour to 40 minute drive from the rehearsal, but a relatively straight shot on the LIE.
FH thinks this might be too far to drag people.
Is it too far? Should we find a venue/restaurant that's closer?
vppjzv
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Butterflyfaye
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Re: Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
I'm not going to lie - I know some will have transportation (groom's mother already said she plans to rent a car) but I'm not sure about all.
It's a potential problem...
As the venue is in Queens, my childhood home and getting ready place is in Suffolk (Ronkonkoma).
hm.
MarryTheNight24
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Re: Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
It's your choice, but personally I think it's too far. Maybe there's a local pizzeria with a restaurant or party room you could have it nearby?
scottsbride
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
I think thats pretty far especially if they have been traveling. They are probably going to be tired.
Butterflyfaye
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
I should also put in there- I'm not sure where most people are staying.
I know family (bride's family) will probably be staying at hotels close to Islip MacArthur Airport. The groom's side will be staying close to West Babylon and Massapequa areas.
Kristin31613
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
Where is the church? Or if you are getting married at the venue, do they still have a rehearsal? My friend's venue does not hold a rehearsal. If yours doesn't, maybe that could help you to do it closer to home?
Butterflyfaye
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
Kristin - There' no church in the picture, ceremony is at the venue.
Yes, they still offer rehearsal at the venue. The afternoon before - so Thursday afternoon.
I'm beginning to wonder if its not worth it just to physically measure the length of the aisle and rough dimensions of the space and hold a brief rehearsal at my childhood home in Ronkonkoma.
RussianBride
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Re: Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
I think you should take advantage of the rehearsal at your RH but maybe find a local place for dinner especially that the wedding is the next day, people will be tired, and you don't want to make them travel a lot - plus think of possible traffic - so the 40 minutes can turn into an hour - not worth when you want to spend as much time with your famiy at rehearsal and not feel rushed.
Christina11913
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
I would look for a restaurant closer to the hotel where your guests are staying. After flying, I wouldnt want to drive 40 minutes.
Sabellabride12
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
If they are traveling back east anyway to go home, or to their hotel then I don't think it is a big idea to go back to Ronk, but if they are staying local to the venue then I think it is a little bit of a long trip for them to drive there and back after traveling. Also have to figure out how people will get there I luckily only have 1 person flying in, this seems awful confusing I feel for you!!
LisaReyes
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
FH is in the bridal party for his brother's wedding in Georgia. As an OOT participant I think you should do it as close to the rehearsal as possible. It just makes life easier on everyone.
The other option is to survey your guests, see who is staying where and seeing who has transportation and arranging it all for them. If you can do this, then I'm sure no one will mind!
Butterflyfaye
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
Thanks guys for the thoughts..
I'm still entirely confused. The main problem being that family is often staying with family (out in Suffolk, not hotels), some friends are choosing to stay with local family ( everywhere from Shirley to West Babylon and Melville), and those with no local ties - plan to stay near the venue/airports and go into the city.
Everyone is in a different direction. So I guess closer to the venue as possible is probably best. I just was hoping to avoid full price of a high-end restaurant. We were hoping for low-key, casual, mingle and affordable.
sandr325
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
What time is your wedding? Take into consideration that when the dinner is over, people might not want to travel 40 mins after. Also, some family might not be needed at the rehearsal and they can just go to the dinner.
6weekstobliss
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Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
i think you can do something more 'casual' even if it's closer to the venue-but i would def. do something closer to the venue
what about a small italian restaurant? or could you rent a small room at a vfw/koc?
Butterflyfaye
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Re: Rehearsal to Rehearsal dinner - how far is too far?
Posted by sandr325
What time is your wedding? Take into consideration that when the dinner is over, people might not want to travel 40 mins after. Also, some family might not be needed at the rehearsal and they can just go to the dinner.
My wedding ceremony isn't until 6 p.m. the following day. So they will have more than 24 hours afterwards the rehearsal.
Plan on a small rehearsal with only immediately family and bridal party with SOs. Mostly because of (a) my parents still haven't met FH's father and his side of the family, (b) They've only met Fh's mother and siblings once, and (c) space/cost.
