Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Wedding Day Transportation Pt. II

(Looking for Wedding Day Transportation Pt. I?)

Yesterday, we talked about choosing your wedding day limo. Today we're going to talk about actually booking your transportation to and from the ceremony and reception. The more you know when you meet with your limousine or car company, the more confident you will be when negotiating and nailing down a price. If you have a huge wedding budget, feel free to pay whatever you're asked to pay.

If, on the other hand, you only have so much money to devote to a limo, don't be shy about asking a manager or the owner what they can do for you. Remember, they want your business! Here are some of the things you should think about when it comes time to book your wedding day transportation.

Price
Ask how the company calculates its charges. Some will provide an itemized list of costs. Are you being charged for a block of time or per hour? Is the price based on distance? What if you go overtime or your destination changes? Does the final bill include extras like champagne or a red carpet?

Tipping
Ask about tipping. Is it already included in the price? If not, 15% of the total bill is customary and 20% can be given for great service.

Discounts
Ask about any available discounts, if any. Many companies will offer discounts to the bride and groom when they reserve additional vehicles for their wedding attendants or book a limo for their pre-wedding parties.

Wedding Specials or Packages
Some companies offer various wedding packages including super-stretch limousines, customized "Just Married" signs with the bride and groom's names, or decorations to match the wedding colors. The worst they can say is that they don't provide these types of services!

Check References
As with all of your wedding vendors, it is always important to check references. The company should be happy to share this information with you. If they aren't, move on. They don't deserve your business!


Don't forget to check out Talk About Weddings, an awesome wedding forum where your fellow brides-to-be and wedding experts can answer all of your wedding planning questions!