Transportation Options

Most likely, your wedding transportation needs will include much more than just getting you both to the church on time. Though your choice of vehicle for your wedding day is certainly a big decision, you’ll probably also need to focus on some of the transportation needs of some or all of your guests as well as the members of your wedding party.

Rather than settle for the trusty family car driven by your father or a friend, how about a more elegant beginning to your most important day? Hire a limousine to transport you, your family or wedding party to the scene of the festivities. This leaves your own car free for last minute errands and avoids traffic hassles which allow you and your gown to arrive unruffled.

Limos
Limousines are always an expression of class and style, and less expensive than you might think. Limousines typically range in size from a standard six-passenger stretch sedan to super-size models that can hold as many as 16 of your guests. Styles vary also. Beyond the usual Lincolns and Cadillacs, vintage Rolls Royces, Buicks and Packards offer a romantic alternative. If you choose to rent one of these classic cars, you may have to plan alternate transportation for the rest of your wedding party. Many of these exotic cars offer very little room for more than two passengers.

Large Parties
Have a large wedding party? The newest trend in wedding party transportation is the SUV limo, which seats 16-26 passengers. Many different car makers feature SUV limos such as Navigator, Excursion, Expedition, and even Hummer. Ammenities like mirrored ceilings, strobe lights, smoke machines, and televisions with VCR make the ride to the reception a party on wheels!

If some or many of your guests are from out-of-town or elderly, there will be a great need for all types of transportation. From airport shuttle service for arrivals and departures to transporting guests safely to and from the ceremony, reception, and any other wedding weekend events. You’ll have to look at all the options on wheels, or maybe even on water, that are available to you.

If you have a large party staying at the hotel where you are having your reception or any other of your wedding weekend events, they may have some transportation vehicles available such as limousines and shuttle buses that can be provided to you at no charge or at a nominal fee. If your hotel doesn’t have a fleet available, you may want to contact an airport shuttle service company to make arrangements and afterwards you can pass the information on to your guests. You may want to rent a van or SUV and appoint a trusted driver for the weekend that can make airport pick-ups and drop-offs, and also shuttle guests to all or any of the wedding festivities.

Motorcoach
If you have a longer drive to the festivities a motorcoach may be a good option. That’s right, an RV! But think movie star luxury, not your Grandpa Fred’s home away from home. A motorcoach will seat up to 20 people and have a refigerator, microwave, TV/VCR, and bathroom.

Horse Drawn
For those who wish a touch of elegance from the past, consider a horse-drawn carriage along with your limousine needs. This gives you and your new spouse a little quiet time to reflect on the ceremony before the whirlwind of the reception. Be sure you discuss whether or not the carriage can be covered in the event of bad weather.

Trolley
Another fun option these days for either guests or your bridal party is to hire a trolley for the day’s transportation. Not only do these trolleys provide a festive change to normal modes of transportation, they can actually seat quite a large amount of passengers.

You can also provide safe, convenient travel for your guests by renting modern, furnished busses or double-decker busses to transport them between locations. Many limousine companies can put you in touch with such service providers.

Talk with a limousine specialist early in your planning. The company that you will hire for your own limousine transportation may also have larger vehicles in their fleet that you can hire as well to transport guests to and from the ceremony. They may have special fleet rates available. Make reservations at least four months in advance to ensure you get the pick of their fleet. Vintage cars may need to be booked even earlier.

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