But how do I get there from here?

Time to send out the invitations! The hall has provided you with directions cards for all you guests. Yes!!! You tuck them into the envelopes and off they go! Your guests open the invitation and are relieved to find directions enclosed. Not everyone has a GPS or access to Mapquest.

The service is over, the bubbles have been blown and the guests get into the car and pull out the directions. Lets see--from 80 and points north, 287 and points south, the Garden State Parkway, Route 46, Route 3 Arrrrrrgh! If I don't know how to get to any of these roads from the church, how do I get there from here??? Uh-oh.......

Provide your guests with directions from the ceremony location to the reception location. Receptions are much more fun when the people show up! Have additional copies at the ceremony location to pass out to the guests who forgot the directions at home. You might even include the estimated driving time and the cocktail hour start time as well. One bride even provided local businesses in the area of the reception for those who might be in need of a drugstore, Starbucks or a White Castle fix!

On occasion, I have seen directions cards provided at the reception guiding guests back to all the major highways to help them find their way home. What a great idea!

Reception Immediately Following...

When you book a hall for your reception, you sign a contract for a specific time.

Cocktail Hour 6-7pm. Reception 7-11pm.

Yet many invitations simply state "Reception Immediately Following".

So----let's just say your service was at 3pm. After allowing time for the service and the receiving line, your guests could be on the way to the reception by 4:30. By 5pm they have arrived and are ready to hit the food and the bar. They are greeted by a staff member who tells them the room will not be ready for an hour. Your guests cannot understand why. The invitation said "Reception Immediately Following" and they expected to eat NOW!!! They are not happy.

On the other hand, your service might have been scheduled for 4:30. It is now 6:00 and the guests are still milling around outside the church chatting. It is 6:30 before they head off to the reception. They find their place cards and head to get something from the cocktail hour. And the staff is busy clearing away the food. Cocktail hour is over!?! But the invitation said "Reception Immediately Following!"!!! And they expect to eat NOW!!! They are not happy.

If your cocktail hour is from 6-7, say so on the invitation. If your reception is from 7-11, say so on the invitation. Many guests need to hire babysitters while they attend your wedding. It is really helpful if they know how long they expect to be out.