Dillema regarding guest accomodation

You are not over-worrying at all, the logistics of your guests is a big deal. Everyone wants a drink, and nobody will want to drive, so the coach will be a must have but they do not come cheap (i have found out, much to my disdain). Plus they are a bit of a hassle, especially if you have older or infirm guests.

Is there a nice countryside hotel you can book instead of a barn? Perhaps a coach house or something like that, where you still get the relaxed atmosphere but none of the logistical issues? I appreciate it's a bit of a sacrifice but if your guests are worrying about driving to their beds, it might hinder the relaxed atmosphere you are looking for.

The most relaxed they would be is if they know they can chill out all day and fall into their beds at the end of it.

I hope that doesn't dampen your enthusiasm too much.

There are a few Premier Inns not too far away. Would your guest be happy staying there?

Personally if I was invited to a wedding and I needed somewhere to stay then I would be quite happy to sort it out myself. People don't mind having to drive a way for a special occasion.

It's not mean. They are adults and will sort themselves out if you give some accommodation options. We listed one place walking distance from our venue but with very few rooms, then the Travelodge and Holiday Inn in Warwick, about 6 miles away. We did also give a taxi number for people to pre book if they wanted. Most people came and left by car though.

I have never been to a wedding with transport laid on, and would never expect it. It's nice to have hotel options included with the invitation, but as an adult I am perfectly capable of googling accommodation for myself. Taxi details are also welcome if it's nowhere near home.

Thank you for your replies, I must admit I would be quite sad if I had to give up on my idea of a relaxed countryside wedding (hotels have so far not impressed me). I will have a look at coaches but may also just include details of the closest hotels/B&Bs and the number of a couple of taxis firms. May even ring round a couple to sort out a good rate for drop off and collection of wedding guests. There is the Premier Inn and Holiday Inn just off the motorway that I know from experience to be quite nice to stay at.

If it requires a drive it doesn't really matter whether it's 10 minutes away or half an hour away to be honest.

If I were you, I would arrange a coach to Banbury at the end of the evening and leave people to get themselves to the venue. People can leave their cars overnight and pick them up the next day. The majority of people will sort themselves out with car sharing so they have someone to give them a lift back to pick their car up the next day. And if they don't they can always pay for a taxi there.

I would add though that guest transport is a nice thing to offer but not a necessity by any means. We organised coaches to go to two towns nearby at the end of the evening but I have always had to sort myself out as a guest.

I think another thing against the coach idea is that I would hate to be told which hotel or even which town to stay in for your wedding. I may well prefer somewhere secluded out in the country, such as a cottage, or stay a bit further away and make it a mini break with sightseeing in other areas. For example, for a wedding near Banbury, I may want to stay in Oxford and have a little city break while I was there. Let people choose, they are all adults. A taxi contact and accommodation suggestions is quite enough.

I'd just book your favourite place, give guests plenty of notice and let them book their own accommodation and sort out their own transport. 11 miles really isn't that far for wedding accommodation, and you've said there are a couple of places closer as well. They're grown-ups, they'll manage.

As a guest, I'd never expect transport laid on. Some people might find it a little restricting, as it means you have to stick to a certain schedule rather than leaving at your preferred time (whether that's an early night or staying til the last dance!).

If you let your guests know there's transport they will either stay until then or will make their own arrangements.

Alternatively have you looked at this place - its in the countryside and has some on-site accommodation:

http://www.woottonpark.co.uk/weddingvenue.html

Our venue is a bit of a middle of nowhere job too (also not far from Banbury...I wonder if it's the same place?!). We're not providing transport, but I did enclose a fairly comprehensive list of accommodation in with the invite, which I ordered by proximity to the venue for ease. People have fed back on how much they've enjoyed looking at all the quirky villages and places to stay, which has made me smile x

I totally agree with BBB

I'd much rather have a choice where to sleep afterwards than be dropped off somewhere. People will sort themselves out and a lot of people will probably arrange lifts so that more can drink.

Arranging transport, as well as being another big expense, is a logistical nightmare, when i'm sure you have plenty on your plate as it is!

My venue has limited accommodation, the other hotels are between 8 and 15 mins drive away. I have sent a list if hotels and taxi numbers with my invites and my guests are all big enough and ugly enough to sort themselves out. I am suggesting car/ taxi pools were couples are at the same hotel and putting them in touch with each other but that's it.