Church to venue logistics!

I'd say 2hrs is wayyy to far away. The wedding is about the marriage vows, so if I were you I'd be looking for a new venue

WSS. I don't think it would be fair on your guests and would make the day a logistical nightmare!

I agree with whats already been said, 2 hours travelling will take a HUGE chunk out of your day and i don't think it's really fair on the guests.

Is there a venue anywhere in the middle, say 1hr for each family?

Other than getting a helicopter for you & hubby, you too will be sitting in a car for 2hrs going from church to the venue. Would you want to be in a car, in a wedding dress, possibly stuck in traffic for 2hrs?

If you do go with that option, why would you need to provide a coach the morning after? Surely those that are staying overnight in a hotel would drive their car?

Sorry, but I also think you have picked venues too far apart.

Our venues were an hour apart but we put on buses for everyone (they parked at the reception venue, and had a couple of Routemasters to take them to the ceremony and back). I think 2 hours is just TOO far. Especially if you have anyone from the older generation, or any kids.

I think you need to decide which one you want more.

Alternatively, have you thought about having your wedding on different days? Perhaps you could have the wedding itself in the church, witnessed only by very close family and friends, and then have the big celebration the day after in the venue you love and invite everyone. You could potentially have it on a Bank Holiday weekend and make a whole wedding weekend out of it. There'd still be the travelling involved, but spread over two different days.

As others have put - i think you need to decide if the ceremony and vows are most important or the reception venue?

Personally, if i were religious and had a church that myself and family had attended all our lives, i'd been going down the church lines, then a venue within an hour max of it. I know it means more travelling to the church & venue for one set of guests, but as long as they have somewhere to stay at or near the venue for the night of the wedding, then they'll make the journey if they want to come. You can't please everyone at weddings, unfortunately, but i do think realistically, it'd be too much to expect your guests to do so much running around on the day itself.

Thanks everyone for the advice - I know it's sooo not ideal and frustrating as both church and venue are perfect. I have considered having an intimate ceremony at the church (just parents and siblings) in the morning and asking everyone else to meet later at the venue (giving ourselves enough time to get to the venue and freshen up). That seems to be the only way to get both and keep guests happy. Most guests aren't religious so probably wouldn't mind missing the church bit.

Decisions, decisions...!!

I agree with what others have said- just to be nosey which venue in kent have you picked??