Common Wedding Transportation Mistakes
There is no reason to give yourself added stress on your wedding day. Leave what you can to the professionals!
That way you, and your guests, can just enjoy the day!
Common Wedding Transportation Mistakes
Transportation Mistakes that Couples Make When Planning A Wedding
So many couples do not realize the benefits of hiring professional transportation to assist them on their wedding day. This eliminates the headache of worrying about coordinating all of the different rides, for all of the different people, at all these different times, to different locations, and in different vehicles. That sentence alone was a headache wasn't it? Now imagine ACTUALLY coordinating all that, and it's the day of your wedding! Did you get anxiety just thinking about attempting it?! That is exactly why hiring a professional transportation company to handle everything is a cost you should really factor into your wedding budget. The piece of mind you get from not having to deal with all of that will be worth it alone! Don't forget the bonuses of the entire bridal party in one vehicle and the vehicle choices that are available. They can make for some seriously stylish wedding photo options too!
Whenever you are renting a vehicle for your wedding, from any company, it is always important to do your research about them first. Just because someone is offering a limousine, a party bus, a luxury car, or any unique mode of wedding transportation for rent, that does not mean they are a professional business. Always ask about a transportation or limousine service's USDOT number. If they cannot provide you with one, DO NOT rent that vehicle! This means that the company, as well as the vehicles, are NOT properly register or regulated by the United States Department of Transportation. This is why you should ALWAYS ask a company about its credentials, insurance, and who regulates them? Make sure if you are renting a wedding limousine, or any vehicle over 10 passengers, that is has an Ohio State Trooper Inspection Sticker. If it holds more than 14, the driver will need a CDL license as well. Don't hesitate to ask these questions when you reserve a wedding limo, or any transportation, for you and your loved ones.
The details of the contract involving your wedding limousine or guest shuttles is not something you should just skim through quickly. Most companies will charge clean-up costs or fees for damages which may occur to their vehicles. You will want to make sure that you clearly understand the terms and fees of the conditions, and factor them into your wedding transportation budget. Omissions, errors, and the 'fine print' on a company's transportation contract can also leave you open to the risks of late vehicle arrivals, or possibly even a no-show. Carefully read and verify all the terms, conditions, and schedule of the rental arrangement on the contract before signing on that line. You will want to triple check all the dates, the times of the scheduled pickups, and the addresses for the pickup locations. Make sure that the company's refund policies and cancellation fees are all clearly defined in the terms of the contract as well. As always, confirm that the company you choose is insured and licensed to operate where you wedding is taking place.
A traditional long, white limousine can be a real thing of beauty. With a classic and elegant look, it tends to be a 'go-to' for those couples wanting a 'story-book' wedding image. But the reality is, have you ever really thought about what is inside that elegant vehicle, and how 'comfortable' is it really going to be for an entire wedding party? What if it rains, what if there is snow, what then? Did the images of your wedding party crawling across wet, smelly carpet in formal wear just flash before your eyes? What about that gorgeous wedding gown? Did you choke up just thinking about that risk?! This is exactly why you may want to think about other options besides a traditional wedding limousine for your big day, and how a luxury limo van or party bus can eliminate these risks. Boasting six foot tall ceilings and laminate wood floors, you will never have to worry about those potential risks in our large vehicles. You might think it's all just lasers and light shows in limo vans and party buses, but ours are all about luxury, just like a traditional limo.
Everyone always plans that first big entrance and exit as Man and Wife, but what they don't usually think about are all the other entrances and exits you will be making with your wedding party at the associated events. Do you know what is usually involved at all of them? It is Drinking. That is why having a transportation plan for all of your pre-wedding and post-wedding parties is a responsible and safe thing to do. Party Buses and Limo Vans are great options for events like the engagement party, bachelor & bachelorette parties, a rehearsal dinner, and the most important of after parties the RECEPTION! Whether you decide on a limo bus, or a limo, for the large groups, make sure you don't forget about the smaller options for yourself. As the bride and groom, after the reception, you will probably be on your way to a hotel, then the airport, and on your way for your honeymoon. Remember you can save some money by booking round trip airport transportation, book a vehicle to depart and have one waiting for you when you return.
One of the biggest complaints we hear at weddings from guests is, "Now, WE have to pay for a cab back home?!" You don't want to leave your guests fending for themselves when it comes to getting home after your reception. Not only do most couples have out of town guests at their wedding, but again drinking is usually involved. If you already are having guests stay in a hotel near the venue, probably a 'block' as was suggested, why not offer convenient shuttles between the two for them? Limo Buses, Limos, and even Standard Vans make for great guest shuttles. Reserve one large vehicle, two small vehicles, or any combination you choose, to accommodate your needs. Remember, a guest shuttle eliminates any worry about giving directions to guests who get lost or any late arrivals interrupting the ceremony. Don't forget to tell out of town guests about local airport transfer services. We offer great rates for transportation to local airports and when your guests book with us, you save too!
A couple wants all the once in a lifetime shots they expecting at their wedding and reception. Most take the time to assign the role of 'Photo Wrangler' to a family member or friend, who assists the photographer for those 'Family of the Bride / Groom' pictures. But the most candid moments can happen inside the vehicle on the way to a ceremony or reception, and are often undocumented. Couples forget this end up with only poor quality cell phone images from the ride in their wedding limousines. This is why you NEED to save a seat for your photographer inside of your vehicle! Most limos have a partition to separate the driver from its passengers. Did you know this is a great place for your photographer as well, allowing them to inconspicuously photograph the main wedding party and document the moments that are often missed? Don't forget to ask your photographer about their handheld photo booth options! These are great to incorporate into your guest shuttles to capture the fun they have on the ride home.
With all the vehicle options out there, it can be hard to decide what is right for you. There are horse & carriages, a motorcycle or Vespa, even antique or sporty cars. But have you thought about the logistics of riding in, or on, any of these vehicles in formal attire, let alone a wedding gown? These vehicles may look great for pictures and are super stylish, they can a lead to disaster for a bride when trying to exit, or dismount. A gracefully dismount from these in a set of heels and a long train can be nearly impossible. Antique and sports cars also photograph amazing, but have you ever tried to get in and out of them in a wedding gown or tuxedo? You may want to practice while looking at one before you sign a contract to and make your final decision. Remember, a limo van or party bus has steps and hand rails for an easy in or out. The restrictive ceilings of a traditional limousine can leave a wedding party on its knees.
A lot of the wedding gifts will be sent to your home, but lots of couples forget to have a plan for gifts their guests do bring to the reception. It can be overwhelming for a couple, especially after an extremely long day of services and timed events. Designate someone to be there for you, to gather all those gifts, and then make sure they get to a designated location. But what do they do with the gifts to get them where they need to go? You are already asking a lot of them, do you really want to ask them to drive a van to your reception just so you can get your gifts too? You probably don't, and that is where a limo van or party bus can have an added benefit. With their extensive storage closets, just pack all the gifts in the back after the end of the guest shuttles and they can deliver the goods safely where they need to go (don't forget all those flowers, centerpieces, and keepsakes you are going to want to save too).
Call sheets are the biggest things a couple forgets when planning their wedding limousine or guest transportation. The fact is, it can help you with the entire wedding! "Why would a couple need those for a wedding" you ask. "They aren't a film studio putting on a huge production with a large cast of people and vendors are they," you say. Think about it for a second.... Do you think you know why a Call sheet made our list now? Well, it is because that is EXACTLY what a couple's wedding day is! It's the biggest production they are ever going to plan in their life, and probably one of the most well documented too. Type up a list containing the information for all those in your wedding party. You will also want this list to include all the vendors involved and the person onsite for them, directions for the locations and venues people need to get to, and a general schedule of the day's events. This is your Call Sheet. Make this sheet available to the vendors involved, the bridal party, and your Day-of-Point person. It will help!
Couples often forget that transportation timing can have a dramatic impact on their wedding day. Most don't realize the difference, but it's huge! NEVER GIVE YOURSELF A TIGHT SCHEDULE! Expect that a wedding party WILL run late. This is because people forget certain tasks will take added time. Going to the bathroom in a formal gown can need assistance and take an extra ten minutes! What if there is bad weather or unexpected traffic? Plan for these things to happen and make it a part of your wedding transportation schedule. We suggest that you give yourself between twenty and thirty extra minutes between any locations. By making the right decisions for transportation, giving yourself extra time for unexpected weather or traffic delays, and having all of the routes pre-arranged with your wedding limousine provider, will reward you and your guests, with a smoothly flowing day of events. Avoid awkward delays or confused guests, prepare for them ahead of time.
