Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

aug04bride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 02:44 PM

Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I really struggled with picking a FRI night wedding in the summer. FH was adamant that the cost difference was worth it and whoever wanted to share the day with us will be there.

We chose Floral Terrace b/c it's not too far but we do have guests from all over coming. Now I'm worred our guests will be late and frustrated and we'll be stuck in weekend rush hour traffic when we go to take our pictures - how should I time things?

I'm so mad for not sticking to my gut on this one!!! - I even tried to change the date about 6 months ago but all Sat nights were booked-but they did offer to start things later 8-1 vs 7-12(now I have too many vendors booked to change the date anyway)

ETA- the church is less that 10 minutes away in Queens

any advice

WinterBride2005 Posted: Feb 29, 2004 02:49 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

People may take the day off or leave work early. I have gone to a couple of Friday weddings and for one of them, I took the day off (I was in the party) and for other I worked half a day. You can't change the date so just try not to worry about it. I am getting married in Feb. For all I know, there could be a horrible blizzard that day. I'm not stressing it because it is something I cannot control.. just like you cannot control the trraffic situation. Also, remember that there is no school in the summer which cuts the normal traffic by a lot.

Kriss2c Posted: Feb 29, 2004 02:51 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

You don't mention where your ceremony will be held so I don't know all of the details. I don't think getting to the hall will be all that bad unless you are coming from the west. Most of the traffic will be headed east towards the Hamptons. Why not work with a limo company that offers luxury buses and offer a bus to carry passengers from one point (like a park and ride exit on the LIE) to your hall and back again at the end of the night?

sa070204 Posted: Feb 29, 2004 02:57 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I am getting married Fourth of July weekend on a Friday so I can relate to your stress.

We are starting our cocktail hour at 7:30pm. Our church is at 3pm (its a ceremony) AND I am traveling out East!!!!!

I tell myself I cannot worry about it. People will get there and even if they have to sit in a little traffic once they are there they will party and have such a good time they will forget about it!

aug04bride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 02:59 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

You guys on this site is so helpful...Thank you

Betty Posted: Feb 29, 2004 02:59 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

We had our wedding on a friday night in August AND it was Labor Day weekend. I worried like crazy too and can I tell you, not ONE OUNCE of traffic, I mean NONE!!!! The church was at 5 and we had people come form CT, PA, NYC, NJ and as I far as I know, no one had any problems. Our reception was in Babylon so I was afraid of all the Hampton traffic and again NONE!!!! Try not to stress about things you can't control. I did this and it was all for nothing

Nav023 Posted: Feb 29, 2004 03:44 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

Don't worry about it!!
We booked our hall on a Friday night in July and didn't even think about the traffic thing until someone pointed it out to us a while ago.

I was stressing it for a bit, but have forgotten all about it now - there are so many other things to stress now!!

It will all work out, people will leave early to make it there.

september2004 Posted: Feb 29, 2004 03:47 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

i would perhaps inform and stress the traffic situation on the direction cards to the OOT guests. locals know what the deal is and will plan accordingly, the OOTers are the ones i would be 'worried' about...

samsbride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 05:03 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

Ok. first you just need to accept that some people will be late because they couldn't get off work early or didn't leave enough time for traffic.
for those who can get off work early enough - make sure you give them perfect directins that you have tested yourself (exat mileage and great landmarks) We all know that one wrong turn can mean another 20 minutes or more in traffic.
Also - tell everyone and put on your direction cards how long it might take with traffic.
Provide alternate routes.

My mom is typing up cards with several routes to our ceremony/reception site. We expect lots of people to call last minute and don't want to be the only ones who can help. At least the BM (not local) and others can help if they have printed cards as well.

Plan to start 20 minutes late and make sure you coordinate this so you don't have to worry about losing valuable time from you cocktail hour or reception.

Say a quick prayer and then leave it alone and hope for the best. I know it sounds silly but after you have done everything you can - worrying is not going to help at all.

Good luck

no stress bride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 06:09 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

Posted by Kriss2c

You don't mention where your ceremony will be held so I don't know all of the details. I don't think getting to the hall will be all that bad unless you are coming from the west. Most of the traffic will be headed east towards the Hamptons. Why not work with a limo company that offers luxury buses and offer a bus to carry passengers from one point (like a park and ride exit on the LIE) to your hall and back again at the end of the night?

That is a good idea!!

nferrandi Posted: Feb 29, 2004 06:53 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

Just FYI, limo busses are NOT cheap. I thought about getting one to drive people from the hotel to the reception, but they wanted $900. Considering that we opted to skip limos all together, I couldn't justify spending that kind of money on a shuttle service. JMO

gertyrae Posted: Feb 29, 2004 06:59 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I wouldn't worry about the traffic. As someone else said, most of the traffic is out east. I am not sure what time your actual ceremony is, but as long as you have a little extra time you will be fine. Most people head straight to the reception anyway, if it starts later they find somewhere local to hang out.

pschica Posted: Feb 29, 2004 07:32 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

don;t worry about it - in ny, there is always traffic - its already set and not worth trying to fix ....it'lkl be fine!!

August2004 Posted: Feb 29, 2004 07:34 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

You have a Friday night wedding like I do. people will certainly make it to the reception, just be prepared for them not to make it to the church. I go by this, those who want to be there, will be no matter what.

belle31125 Posted: Feb 29, 2004 07:51 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I think you'll be OK... it's not too far out east... I understand your concern though I am getting married on a Friday night in July and decided on having my reception a little more local for people

04Bride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 08:09 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

we were worried about the same thing. Our ceremony and hall is in the same place though. We are having a 7:00 ceremony for that reason to allow people to get there but i think people who want to be there will be there!!

SomedayBride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 08:51 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I'm getting married on a Friday night in the summer, and I can't say that not stressed about the traffic, but I have to agree with your FH. There is no way I would pay $22++ per person to have the party one night later. Maybe it's a bad attitude to have, but I figure a) there could be traffic on a saturday too
b) everyone knows the traffic situation on LI and will hopefully plan accordingly and c) those who love me will be there, and be happy no matter what.
Try not to stress too much over it.

MegLehner Posted: Feb 29, 2004 09:04 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I agree with the bus idea too. I think its a great idea. We are having our OOT guests transported to and from by bus.

july16bride Posted: Feb 29, 2004 09:24 PM

Re: Very worried and stressed about Fri night traffic in the summer on LI

I am getting married at Floral Terrace too, on Friday 7/16/04, (at 7:00) I am not stressing at all about that. People have to worry about leaving earlier to get there on time. Don't you worry about it. The important people will make sure they are there on time. We are also extending our cocktail hour until 8:30, and the reception from 8:30-12:30. Are you having a 6 hour wedding???? I saw that you wrote 7-1.