Two Different Problems: Local Directions vs. Travel Logistics
When guests need to get to your venue, they actually have two different problems to solve. Local guests need turn-by-turn directions, parking info, and venue entry notes. Out-of-town guests need all of that plus airport options, transportation between airports and the venue, and broader travel context.
The most polished digital invitations solve both at once, with two separate blocks: a Directions block for venue-level navigation and a Travel block for airport and broader logistics. Together they answer essentially every "how do I get there?" question your guests will ask.
How InviteDrop's Directions Block Works
InviteDrop's Directions block is designed for venue-level navigation. The core fields:
- Venue address: The full street address. Automatically renders as a map preview with a one-tap "Open in Google Maps" or "Open in Apple Maps" button.
- Notes: Free-text section for parking, entry, valet, accessibility, and anything else guests need to know about arriving.
Guests open the block and see the map embedded at the top, the address below it, and your notes underneath. One tap launches their preferred maps app with the venue preloaded as the destination.
What to Put in the Directions Notes
This is the part guests actually read carefully. A few categories worth covering:
- Parking: Where to park, whether valet is available, whether there is a fee, and what to do if the lot is full. Example: "Complimentary valet at the main entrance. Self-parking available in the garage one block south."
- Entry: Which door to use, whether you need to check in with security, and where guests gather. Example: "Enter through the courtyard on the east side. Ceremony seating is on the lawn behind the main building."
- Accessibility: Wheelchair access, elevators, ramps, accessible parking. Especially important for older guests or guests with mobility needs.
- Time padding: If parking is tight or the venue is hard to find, suggest arriving 15-30 minutes early.
- Rideshare drop-off: If rideshare drop-off is in a different spot than self-parking, note it explicitly.
How InviteDrop's Travel Block Works
The Travel block is built for airport and broader travel context — most useful when you have meaningful out-of-town travel. Each airport entry has:
- Airport code: Three-letter IATA code — e.g., "LAX," "JFK," "ATL."
- Name: Full airport name — e.g., "Los Angeles International Airport."
- Distance from venue: Mileage or drive time — e.g., "12 miles / 25 minutes."
- Transportation notes: How to get from this airport to the venue. Rental car? Shuttle? Rideshare? Public transit?
Guests browsing flights can see which airport is closest, what the transportation situation looks like, and make an informed decision about where to fly into.
Example Travel Section: Multi-Airport City
Many cities have two or three airports, and travel time varies significantly. A clean example:
- SFO — San Francisco International: 18 miles / 30 minutes. Rideshare ~$45. BART available with a transfer.
- OAK — Oakland International: 12 miles / 20 minutes. Often cheaper flights. Rideshare ~$30.
- SJC — San Jose International: 35 miles / 50 minutes. Smaller, less crowded. Best for guests connecting from the South Bay.
Guests can compare flight prices against transit time and pick the option that makes the most sense. The Travel block makes this comparison visible at a glance.
Example Travel Section: Destination Wedding
Destination weddings live or die on travel logistics. The clearer the guidance, the higher the RSVP rate.
- JTR — Santorini National Airport: 4 miles / 15 minutes. Hotel shuttles available. Rideshare limited.
- ATH — Athens International (connecting option): 30-minute flight to Santorini. Most international guests will connect here.
Pair the Travel block with the Accommodations block and Directions block, and out-of-town guests have everything they need on a single page.
Transportation Options Worth Mentioning
Depending on the venue, you may want to call out specific transportation modes in the Travel block descriptions or the Details block:
- Rental car: Note if guests will need one (rural venue, multi-day weekend, scattered events). Mention rental car desks at the airport.
- Shuttle service: If you are providing a shuttle from a hotel block to the venue, list the schedule clearly. "Shuttle departs the Hampton Inn at 3:15 PM. Last return shuttle at 11:00 PM."
- Rideshare: Confirm Uber and Lyft operate in the area (some smaller towns have limited coverage).
- Public transit: For city weddings, mention the closest subway stop or bus line.
- Walking distance: If hotels are walkable to the venue, say so explicitly — guests appreciate not needing a car.
Wording Examples for Travel Notes
Short, specific, and friendly wording works best. A few examples:
- Standard: "Rideshare and rental cars both work well from LAX. Plan for 30 minutes of travel time, more during rush hour."
- Shuttle-provided: "We are providing a shuttle from the host hotel to the venue. The shuttle departs at 3:15 PM and returns at 11:00 PM."
- Budget-friendly: "OAK often has cheaper flights and a shorter drive — worth checking before booking SFO."
- Destination: "Most guests connect through Athens before flying into Santorini. Plan to arrive at least a day before the wedding to recover from travel."
City Weddings: Public Transit Notes
City weddings (NYC, Chicago, SF, Boston, DC, etc.) often see significant guest use of public transit. Worth including specific notes:
- Subway stop name and distance: "The venue is a 5-minute walk from the 23rd Street station (F/M trains)."
- Last train times: If your reception runs late, note when transit stops running.
- Walkable hotels: Pair with the Accommodations block to make the urban experience easier.
Putting It All Together
The strongest travel and directions sections use both blocks together. The Directions block solves the "I am here, how do I find the front door?" problem. The Travel block solves the "I am four states away, how do I plan this trip?" problem. Together they cover every guest, from the next-door neighbor to the cousin flying in from Tokyo.
If you are ready to set yours up, browse our templates and add both blocks to your event details page. The Directions block needs five minutes; the Travel block needs another five if you have out-of-town guests. The result is a navigation experience that meets every guest where they are and makes the trip frictionless.
