Your wedding day is one of the happiest day of your life, but it’s no secret that many weddings require months of planning to achieve that perfect day. When it comes to all the things that could go wrong, getting stranded because your transportation fell through is among the worst. Transportation can be one of the most critical and costly elements of your wedding day, so here are some tips for coordinating your wedding ride.
Plan Ahead
Renting vehicles can be expensive, and that price tends to rise the closer you get to the big day. Once you know you want transportation, look at your options as soon as possible so you can make an informed decision. Taxi and cabs can be grand if you know all of your guests from the ceremony have their own way of getting to the reception without any issue. If you live in an area where reaching the reception center might take a little longer, it might be nicer just to rent a shuttle for everyone involved.
Know Your Budget
Image: University of British Columbia
Don’t order a fleet of limos if your budget says you’d be lucky to afford one of them. Search for all your rental options so you can compare price and quality. Some vehicles will be less expensive than others, and some companies might offer competitively priced packages for weddings. And of course, if you’re planning on taking pictures the day of (right after the ceremony), you also have to account for that cost during any rental vehicle you decide to go with.
Know Your Options
If you do a basic online search, you’ll likely see countless rental options, so make sure you check out the reviews. While limos may seem iconic, consider transporting the wedding party by bus or shuttle, and don’t forget about the guests! Make sure everyone is informed of the locations on your big day, especially if you’re not offering transportation yourself.
Use Professionals
Image: Pegasus Transit
Make sure you’re hiring a professional, and not just your coworker’s second cousin Vinny who happens to own a limo. A professional track record can make you feel more confident that the driver will show up and everything will run smoothly. They should also offer you a contract (which you should read over carefully), and a variety of prices and plans, and advice on which one would be best to take.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
Is the limo company insured? How will you transport your gifts? Do you also need rides for the rehearsal dinner or your bachelorette party? Does the driver have all the addresses and times? Do you have a plan for traveling in your wedding attire or will you decide to change for the reception? A bike or a carriage might seem romantic, but it’ll feel less so when your veil gets caught on the wheel, or when it takes forever to get to the reception venue.
When it comes to hiring transportation, there’s a lot of thought (and sometimes money!) involved, so it’s not a decision to be made lightly. Be open to all the possibilities, look over all contracts, and take care of the details so that your wedding day travels commence smoothly. And once you make that decision, don’t forget what another critical transportation planning effort: the honeymoon.
Featured image: Polka Dot Bride
