Rolling out the Romance: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Day Transportation

It’s the little things that end up making the biggest difference on your special day. When it comes to the dress, venue and flowers, you’ve likely got a beautiful vision in mind. An important detail you might not have considered yet is wedding day transportation.

From the bridal party to the guests to the bride and groom themselves, making sure everyone arrives on time is key to a smooth wedding. One way to ensure a stress-free and seamless event is to organize wedding transportation ahead of time.

Explore the when, who, how, what and why of wedding transportation, and you’ll be well on your way to a day filled with magical moments!

When to Choose Wedding Transportation

Unless all of your wedding festivities are taking place in one location, you’ll likely want to consider the logistics of transporting a crowd from place to place. When deciding if you’ll benefit from arranging wedding transportation, consider factors like:

• Location: Is your wedding venue difficult to drive to, far away or hard to find? Or, is it an urban venue in a busy city where adequate parking might be a challenge?
• Guest list: Do you have several out-of-town guests traveling for your wedding? If so, it’s likely that many won’t have their own cars. Arranging transportation can help ease travel logistics and ensure no one’s left without a ride.
• Distance: If your ceremony and reception are taking place a significant distance apart, offering a wedding shuttle can make it easier for everyone to quickly transition between the two without long rideshare lines.

Additionally, consider where your bridal and groom parties will be getting ready for the day. Will you be on-site at the ceremony venue, or will your wedding day preparation be taking place elsewhere? If so, fun transport can add extra joy to the prep process and help you stick to your schedule without delays!

Who Needs Wedding Transportation?

Wedding transportation is becoming a more popular consideration during the planning process, with 35% of a surveyed 12,000 couples opting to book it for their day. While guests are at the forefront of your mind as you plan your big day, it’s likely the wedding party and any special VIPs who will need wedding transportation. Keeping the wedding party together will help the whole day roll smoothly, from the preparations to the walk down the aisle, the entrance to the reception and, of course, the photoshoots.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen aren’t the only ones to factor into this headcount. Consider any special guests you want to transport together during the day, such as parents, grandparents and siblings.

How Much to Budget for Wedding Transportation

As you’re putting your wedding budget together, consider adding a tab for transportation as your day approaches. The cost of renting transport will vary depending on the mode you go for. The popular choice of a stretch limousine, for example, may cost more than $350 for a three-hour rental, while a luxury vehicle might range from $150-$250 per hour. Be sure to factor tips into your budget, as companies often base their drivers’ salaries with tipping expectations in mind.

While the average cost of wedding transportation is $980, your custom price will depend on what and when you book. Starting the search early by contacting rental companies in your area will help you determine a specific budget for your needs.

What Types of Wedding Transportation Are There?

A stretch limousine is the traditional choice of wedding transportation for a reason — it’s hard to beat the classic look! However, it’s not the only option. There are plenty of ways to make wedding transportation exciting as well as practical, ensuring the ride is another unforgettable detail of the day. Other popular transportation options include:

• Party buses: Themed party buses are a sure-fire way to crank up the energy, whether you’re en route to the ceremony or transitioning to an after party to end the night. On average, a party shuttle bus may cost between $750-$1,200 depending on the size, distance, number of guests and length of rental time.
• Golf carts: Often popular among outdoor weddings, golf carts or low-speed vehicles (LSVs) are an excellent way to shuttle up to 6 people at a time. This safe and fun mode of transport makes it easy for a wedding party and special guests to move to locations. The cost of rental is sometimes factored into wedding transportation at certain venues, so be sure to inquire about this option as you plan.
• Trolleys: More unusual and certainly memorable, trolleys are another way to add charm to the day. Transporting guests by old-school trolley car ensures moving locations is just another part of the adventure.

Why Organize Transport for Your Big Day?

Beyond logistical ease, there are plenty of reasons to consider organizing transportation for your wedding. Even if your wedding events occur in one location, transportation offers memories to be made.

1. Security: When you hire an official rental, whether you opt for a limo or golf cart, you get the peace of mind that the vehicle has been checked out and signed off beforehand.
2. Luxury: No matter how much you love your own tried-and-true set of wheels, there’s something luxurious about slipping into a vehicle that’s just yours for the occasion.
3. Photo opportunities: A unique wedding vehicle adds a touch of magic to the moment and makes a great backdrop for fun wedding photographs.

Drive Your Big Day Forward With Wedding Transportation

No matter where you’re at in your wedding planning process, consider looking into transportation options in your area and selecting the right ride for you.

Whether you’re transporting a crowd, tackling the logistics of multiple venue locations or simply hoping to add to the experience through an out-of-the-box mode of transportation, there’s a wide range of options available for your day. Happy planning!

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

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