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Don’t let your special day go flat because of wedding transportation woes. After all, to enjoy your wedding ceremony or reception,you have to get there. How you choose to get from one place to the next helps set the tone of your celebration. Some planning and a little bit of effort will assure your day starts and ends without a hitch.
Transportation is something that brides often overlook(assuming that limousines are limitless and the only option). While the most popular wedding vehicle is definitely the limousine, other options include antique and vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, trolleys, and even large buses. We recommend that you book your wedding transportation eight months to a year before your big day. Since most weddings take place on Saturdays, many limousine services are booked well in advance.
Some companies offer discounts for multiple car bookings, while others offer discounts for off-day weddings, like Fridays, Sundays or week days.
Determine how many wedding transportation vehicles you’ll need for your wedding party, family members and guests. The typical wedding has cars for the bride and bridesmaids, and a second set for the groom and groomsmen. Usually, family members and guests make their own arrangements, but a lot depends on whether private vehicles are available. If all your wedding guests are from out of town, you may want to provide a way for them to get to the ceremony and reception site.
When hiring your transportation, don’t depend on a phone call. Take time to do a personal inspection of the vehicles. Make a deposit and get a written agreement outlining the rental conditions and services you’ve selected.
When booking your wedding transportation, consider the following:
1. When calculating the number of vehicles you’ll need, factor in the additional space required for your gown,headpieces and bridesmaid dresses. Some bridal limousines have extra-wide doors to accommodate bulky wedding dresses.
2. Ask if there are packages available at preferred rates. When is your payment required, and what kinds of payment are accepted?
3. Decide what time frames you need — daytime only, day and evening, or just a few hours. Ask when your allotted time begins and when overtime charges start. See if there’s an additional charge for added mileage.
4. Book your wedding transportation vehicles for an hour or two more than necessary because a rental extension may be impossible at the last minute.
5. Ask for details about the vehicles available. Inquire about insurance and licenses the service must have.If something happens to a car, the company should have backups.
6. Read the fine print of your contract carefully. Does it clearly indicate all pick-up and delivery times?
7. Verify if there are cancellation policies or penalties.
8. Ask if the cost includes a gratuity for the driver, and how the driver will be attired.
9. Call and confirm all the details at least two weeks before your wedding.
10. When you find the right package, sign the contract, pay the required deposit and get a receipt.
Transportation is a small detail, but an essential one for wedding planning. By addressing your needs early in your planning, you make sure your road to romance stays smooth and clear.
