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!

Wedding Day Transportation Pt. I

Most couples spend a great deal of time pouring over the details of their upcoming weddings but don't get around to choosing their wedding day transportation until the last minute. It's not surprising! Your guests will eat the wedding cake and gaze at your wedding gown, but few will even see the limo (or other car) you use to get to and from your wedding ceremony and reception. Still, a lot of brides and grooms opt for photographs with their limousines, so it makes sense to look into your options instead of just looking through the yellow pages.

Note: In some cases, the least expensive option may not be the most reliable -- what would happen if your wedding limo (or party bus) is late, or worse, if it didn't show up at all?

Here are some important considerations and questions to ask when selecting your wedding day transportation company. If you're careful and choosy, you will have a dependable and enjoyable ride on your wedding day.

Type of Vehicles
Ask about the types of cars or limousines that the company offers. There are six, eight and ten+ passenger (super stretch) limos. There are also classic cars and party buses. Ask how many passengers each car can hold comfortably. Make sure the vehicle you inspect is actually the vehicle that will arrive at your ceremony location.

Color and Style
Don't just assume that your limousine will be white! Limousines come in white, gray, navy and black, so it's important that you specify exactly what you want. Ask about other types of cars that are available. Some companies offer custom vehicles or vintage cars like Rolls Royces.

Condition of Vehicles
Ask the year and model of the cars you are interested in. If it is an older car, is it in good condition? Will it look dated or tacky? Try to visit the limo company before you book them and ask to see the type of limo that will be picking you up. Be sure to inspect both the inside and outside of the car.

Chauffeurs
Ask the company about its chauffeurs. Choose a company that places a high value and emphasis on the quality and professionalism of their chauffeurs. References will help here, especially if they mention drivers by name. Finally, ask how the chauffeur will be dressed. Will he or she be wearing a tuxedo? Some companies will even send their drivers with top hats and white gloves, so if you like the sound of that, ask for it.


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