TRANSPORTATION -Getting There On Time

Transportation of the wedding party and guests can be a difficult logistical problem on the wedding day. You have to find a way to move a large number of people from point A to point B in a limited amount of time. Most guests have their own transportation and the trips will likely be short; getting to the ceremony location, reception location and home again. Its more complicated for the bride, groom and wedding party where there is more to consider than just getting there on time.

Limousine services

Getting the bride and groom to the church on time is just one benefit of using a professional limousine service. It’s also about comfort and presentation. The cars are spacious, clean, and they complete your formal picture. You can sit back and be transported by a competent uniformed driver. There are also the practical aspects. Climbing in and out of the back seat of a small car wearing your wedding dress can be both difficult and embarrassing. You don’t want to get packed in to a tight space and arrive with your beautiful dress wrinkled and disheveled.

The Bride and Groom

Before booking, you will need to consider how the bride and groom will arrive at the ceremony. If the first time the groom is to see the bride in her dress is at the altar, separate cars may be required. In this case, the bride and her parents may choose to ride together and the groom and his parents or the best man may ride together. One car can cover off both trips if the distance between the home base and reception is short and sufficient time is allowed. You should also determine how else the limo may be used – taking the bride and her party to the hairdressers or picking up pizza at a local shop.

The Bridal Party

Stretch limousines come in varying sizes and can accommodate between 6 and 10 people. Most have a jump seat, which is not comfortable but allows you to maximize the capacity. The cars commonly have video systems, sunroof and high quality stereo systems and may have a built-in bar and cooler. The driver is usually separated from the guests by an adjustable partition but you have verbal contact at all times by means of an intercom. This assures privacy and in case you decide to open a bottle of champagne, prevents the driver from being charged if for some reason the police should pull you over.

The 8 and 10 seater limousine let’s you keep the wedding party together and simplifies getting people to the picture location and back to the reception. Ushers should use their own cars for transporting themselves and other members of the wedding party if space is limited – mandatory if you plan to have the wedding parade of cars driving through town, horns blaring.

An experienced driver is an important clock-watcher. Based on the scheduled stops and distance, they’ll be shepherding you and your wedding party to make sure you are where you need to be on time. They’re always well dressed in a suit or uniform and in addition to having a good driving record are courteous and accommodating.

Planning for Other Guests

The rehearsal is a good time to decide who is riding with whom. It is important to make sure that there are cars and drivers for the major members of your wedding party, non-drivers and special friends.

Whether you provide transportation for all or a part of your wedding party will be influenced by your budget. A limousine is usually reserved for the bride and groom and wedding party. You may want to consider renting a large van or arrange for several cars from a local cab service.

Be sure that everyone is provided with proper directions in the form of clear written instructions or drawn map as out-of-town guests will not know your town or city as well as you do. If they know the directions to another family members home, have them meet others at that location and travel from there as a group. Indicate the average travel time so they can organize themselves accordingly.

Here’s how the business side works

Limousine services charge by the hour or day. A typical price is $350 for the first four hours and $75 per hour thereafter. Prices are affected by location, higher prices in major cities, type of car, distance and amenities.

Charges normally start at the moment the first pickup is made and continue until the last trip. Typically this will include taking the bride and her party to the church, the wedding party to the photo location after the ceremony and back to the reception hall. It’s very expensive if the limo service is sitting idle so, plan to make your exit from the reception in a less grandiose style.

Cars should be booked 6-months to a year in advance. Once you have a wedding date, start calling. Expect to pay a deposit of up to one-half the standard rate, which is not refundable if you cancel unless a generous operator should find someone to fill the date. Many will allow postponements and make date adjustments if they have a car and driver free.

Services will usually require detailed directions for the driver before the day of the wedding. This means directions to your home, ceremony, photo and reception location. They need to plan their time and this will save you the stress of having to provide directions to a driver who is lost or doesn’t appear on time.

Guidelines for Picking a Limo Service

• Check the cars both inside and out so you know what you are renting. Confirm that what you are looking at is the same as the vehicle you are renting.
• Ask for a list of references, which most services should be able to readily provide.
  Obtain a contract when you have picked your limousine service, and make sure that it clearly outlines the duty for service on the day. Call when you get closer to the day to double-check the reservation with the service.
• Find out how many cars they have available. If it is a one-man operation, what happens if the car breaks down on the wedding day or the driver is sick.
• Are they insured properly for this type of service. Operators should have suitable commercial vehicle insurance with a large amount of public liability coverage.
  Determine how many guests each car holds and if they have jump seats for anyone unexpected.
• If you are watching your costs choose a less-luxurious vehicle. You may be paying for extras, such as an on-board TV and bar that you do not plan to use.

Transportation Alternatives

Classic cars can add a unique touch to your wedding, but may be best reserved for the exit from the ceremony and as a prop for photographs. Although stylish, they usually accommodate fewer people and depending upon the vintage and maintenance, can be less reliable. These cars can be source through local car clubs where some proud owners like to offer their vehicles for limited rental. Some limousine services may also have such a vehicle but expect to pay a premium. If you are making arrangements with a private-owner don’t be any less business-like. Remember, you are booking months in advance and a lot can happen in that time.

Horse-drawn carriages are also popular in some locations but as with classic cars, are probably best considered for the trip between the ceremony and photo location. They make great props but travel slowly and accommodate few people. Most drivers will know if there are city ordinances controlling where they can travel. Rolling along in an open carriage is a romantic vision but remember that weather can play havoc with this type of transport.

If you are going to let someone in the party use his or her car, make sure that you pick someone whose car is dependable. There will be little room for error, when it comes to transporting the party from the ceremony to the reception and festivities, so a mechanical breakdown can create a major problem. You should also remember that it is a celebration and that guests will be drinking. This may require you to create a list of "designated drivers" that will not be drinking.

Tips & Suggestions

No one should be left stranded at the reception hall. If a person is chauffeured to the reception, see that he or she is taken home afterward.

If you use unconventional transport, like a horse and buggy, plan carefully. An unheated horse and buggy will be miserable in the winter, and broiling in the summer.

Use drivers who are responsible. Don’t allow even your closest friend to drive if there is evidence that he or she has been drinking, or if there is a record for speeding or careless driving.

The limousine commonly appears in wedding day pictures so it should look suitable and is consistent with the other elements of the wedding.

Check out the parking situation at both the ceremony and reception locations beforehand. If there is apt to be a shortage, provide directions to suitable parking in your invitation. If there is a small private lot nearby, you may want to book it for the day and offer free parking to your guests.

Compare the cost of "staying over" the night before if you have chosen a hotel location to the cost of a limo ride from your home. It makes a lot of sense if the location is a considerable distance away and the day is going to be rushed.