Cake & Punch Reception at Different Location than Ceremony

Yes. I think it's shitty to ask people to drive to another location for cake and punch.

What time of day is your wedding?

How long are you planning your reception to be? Is there going to be music and dancing? And hopefully some alcohol?

Personally, for a cake & punch I wouldn't drive an additional 20 minutes

Here is the first thought that came to my head reading the title alone

No, I am not driving anywhere for just cake and punch. I do understand your dilemma but I would encourage you to look at locations that can host both.

The wedding will being at the proper time for a cake/punch reception: early afternoon. Does the time of day make a difference in the "shittiness"?

I don't think it's shitty. I just think you can find a place that will host both.

Also, this is right near the downtown detroit area so 15 min is getting past the Belle Isle bridge and in the heart of downtown somewhere. Just for reference

Nah, just curious. We get lots of people who say they're going to do cake and punch but it's right over a meal period. Just making sure that wasn't the case.

I honestly still wouldn't want to drive. If there is a decent location that can do both, that would be highly preferable.

To have a cake & punch reception it HAS to be at the appropriate time regardless. I still would not travel to a cake and punch reception after likely having traveled to the ceremony. I would probably leave and have an early dinner with DH.

Also, nothing wrong with a c&p reception. Just have it all at one location, so it makes sense for people to stay.

Agree with all above, have everything at the same location. With cake and punch, you're looking at a shorter reception (maybe 2 hours instead of the average 4-6 hour event). Personally, I wouldn't want to travel to a second location just for cake and punch.

Another option is to cut the guest list to 25 or so and have a really nice dinner at a restaurant with a private event room.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Clearly, I've got a while before the wedding. Just wanted to get some input on these seemingly small details.

Ebony, I'm so happy you made this post! I too am from the Detroit area and wanted to get married downtown. I've been looking at churches and I can not believe how expensive they are, I'm going to look at the conservatory! Thank you for that idea! For that price does it include the wedding officiant? Or would you bring someone from your own church?

I don't think its a lot to ask of your guest to travel 15-20min away, especially when you think about getting off the island. How many guests were you thinking?

Cake and punch receptios normally take place right after the ceremony. It's usually held in a church. Although, I bartended at one at the atrium where I was working. Personally, for cake and punch (probably no alcohol) I'm not travelling to a separate reception space and would probably decline the entire event.

ETA: I'm having a wedding on a similar budget. Cut your guest list. I'm having 15-20 people at my wedding for slightly more of a budget than yours. My food and alcohol budget is $****.

I would come to the ceremony but I would skip the cake and punch. Asking people to drive for cake and punch rubs me the wrong way. It comes off as wanting your guests to treat it like a full reception, but you don't want to spend the money for a full reception. Just find somewhere you can do both the ceremony and the reception and you are good to go. I love cake and punch receptions, just not driving twice for one.

Ebony- have you looked into the Flynn or Casino? I just did a little Google search and people have their receptions on the Island as well.

I would consider a location that would allow me to have both events in one location. If I were a guest, I'm going home after the ceremony.

I agree with PPs, I would not drive to another location for cake and punch. Have everything at one location.

Choose a place where you can do both.

Wow, I disagree with everyone above. First of all, perhaps the wedding location is somewhere special to the COUPLE, and this is where they would like to exchange THEIR wedding vows to one another. Or perhaps they are required to marry in the church, but they cannot hold a reception there. And if a couple would like to throw a small cake & punch reception after to celebrate their marriage with their family and friends, it sounds incredibly selfish for GUESTS to comment how they wouldn't drive 20 minutes for cake and punch. Well, if you're not willing to drive 20 minutes to attend a celebration of such a joyous occasion, then you're not worth inviting. When did guests become so SELFISH and make it all about them?! Why are couples now forced to provide huge meals and entertainment for their guests. Isn't this day supposed to be about the couple, their decision to spend their lives together??

I say you and your fiance choose a place that means something to the two of YOU and exchange your vows there. And YOU choose what type of reception and where to have it, even if it's a small cake and punch reception after to celebrate, at another location. If people don't want to drive there, then you're better off saving your money and not wasting it on people who obviously don't care about anything more than free food, booze, and music.