WEDDING TRANSPORTATION
A lot of couples don’t think about transportation until a few weeks before their wedding but booking transportation and mapping out your itinerary early will help you stay on budget and get your guests from point A to point B. Consider these important items before you book transportation on your big day.
Where Are You Getting Ready?
Start by thinking about the location for hair and makeup on your wedding day. How many people are getting ready with you and where do you guys need to go next? If you are still undecided on the flow of your wedding day and you don’t have a wedding planner your photographer is a great individual to speak with to help you understand the ‘flow’ of your wedding day. Discuss your first look (if any), portrait schedule and off site locations before or after the ceremony. Determining where your pictures will take place can help you figure out how long you need to book your transportation.
Budget
Your finances have dictated everything from florals to wedding day apparel, and wedding-day transportation is no exception. Consider the cost per hour, price of mileage and the distance involved from one point to another when booking your contract. Most companies will charge a minimum of three to four hours ($50 to $300 per hour depending on where you live and which vehicle you've rented).
It might be worth asking to see the limo (or other vehicle) in person to verify that it has enough room for your bridal party to fit comfortably inside! If you're getting married in the summertime, you'll also want to ensure that the air conditioning works.
Think About Your Guests
Transportation doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to just your wedding party. If you're providing transportation for out-of-town guests, factor in that some of your loved ones may wish to leave the party at 11 p.m. and not celebrate until 2 a.m. If your budget is tight and you can't afford two separate return transportation opportunities, ask a family friend if they wouldn't mind carpooling.
Your mode of transportation doesn’t need to necessarily have to be a limo. A few years ago, when my couple had a number of guests attending their wedding from Ireland, they decided to have a double decker bus transport their guests to the ceremony.
The Details
Once you confirm your transportation needs and have a better idea of what they'll cost, get a written agreement that includes the following terms: total cost, deposits required, refund and gratuity policies, arrival and departure locations, pick-up/drop-off times, the exact models of the vehicles you've requested and the overtime rate per hour. This will give you extra peace of mind!
When you're ready to sign, it's important to ask about "all-inclusive pricing," which should always include the total fare, but may not always include taxes.
Be Prepared
Your work isn’t over just because you have booked your transportation. Delegate an individual responsible for transportation on your wedding day. Make sure that they and the transportation company has a copy of the itinerary and note alternate routes, key contact numbers and major street festivals that might affect your travel times.