With so many decisions to make when it comes to your special day, it can sometimes be easy to overlook details like wedding transportation. However, if you plan on booking a wedding car for your big day, you should try to make your reservations well in advance—especially if your wedding is taking place during a busy time of year. Specifically, it is recommended that you make a deposit on your wedding transportation anywhere from 8-12 months ahead of time. From there, you can check one more major item off your to-do list!
The Importance of a Wedding Car
If you’re still on the fence on whether or not you’ll spend the money on a wedding car, there are a few benefits to consider. For starters, how will you (as well as your wedding party) get to and from all the necessary locations on your big day? The last thing you want to have to worry about on your wedding day is stuffing you (and your dress!) into a tiny car and navigating yourself to your ceremony location, reception location, and the like. By having a wedding car, you can enjoy the added peace of mind of having a professional driver to chauffeur you anywhere you need to go. And of course, if you or your partner plan on doing any drinking as part of your wedding day celebrations, you certainly don’t want to have to worry about how you’re going to get home safely at the end of the night.
Tips for Selecting Your Perfect Wedding Car
Not sure where to start when it comes to selecting the ideal wedding transportation for your needs? We’ve got some special considerations that can help lead you to the right decision.
Consider Space Needs
Start by determining who will have access to your wedding car. Will it be used just for you and your partner? If so, then you can get away with a smaller vehicle, which could save you money. On the other hand, it’s also a nice gesture to provide members of your wedding party and immediate family with transportation on your wedding day, especially if a lot of them are traveling to be there and are likely unfamiliar with the area.
If your bridesmaids and groomsmen will also be using your wedding car, then you may need to go with a larger option, such as a shuttle bus or limousine to accommodate everybody comfortably. Be sure to consider the size of your dress and your bridesmaids’ dresses in making your vehicle decision, too!
Don’t Forget to Budget for Gratuity
As a general rule, you should usually allocate about 5-10% of your wedding budget towards your wedding car. However, in budgeting for this expense, make sure you account for gratuity as well! For most professional drivers, 20% is the standard tip for great service. You may want to ask about the rules for tipping when booking the car, as many car hire firms and drivers don’t find it an acceptable practice.
Consider a Separate "Getaway Car"
Even if you’re planning on booking a larger limousine or shuttle for your wedding party and guests to use for transportation, you may also want to consider reserving a separate "getaway car" for you and your partner. These are ideal for whisking the two of you away privately from your ceremony location to the reception, giving you the opportunity to spend a few quiet moments together after saying "I do." You can also get creative and fun with your getaway car! Consider a classic car, sports car, or even a cute motorcycle (depending on the length of your dress, of course!).
Save Money By Booking Two Reservations
Some transportation companies will allow you to reserve your wedding car only for the hours you need it, which can save you a great deal of money. For example, if you only need the car to take you to and from your wedding venue, there’s no need to pay for a reservation that runs the entire length of the ceremony and reception. Unfortunately, some transport companies will not allow you to make separate reservations on the same day, so it’s important to do your research and find a vendor that won’t try to make you pay for more services that you actually need. This way, you can book vehicles only for the times you need to use them.
Find Out About Emergency/Back-Up Plans
Things happen. Tyres go flat and engines break down. For this reason, it is imperative that you find a transportation company with plenty of back-up vehicles and contingency plans in place. For example, if your wedding car were to break down, how long would it take to get a replacement? What if your driver were to fall ill at the last minute? Be sure to find a company with back-up drivers available at all times.
Make Sure They’re Licensed and Insured
This should go without saying, but you should always ask to see proof of a transportation company’s license and insurance. The last thing you want is to be held liable for something that wasn’t your fault, or to be injured in your wedding car, only to find out that the company was not insured and you’re left to pay your own medical bills. Any reputable company should have no problem providing this information to you.
Is Booze Allowed in the Vehicle?
Often times, wedding parties will want to do a little celebrating in their limousine or other wedding transportation vehicle. However, you should never assume that your wedding transportation company permits this. Be sure to check with them ahead of time to ensure that they have the proper licensing and permits to allow alcohol consumption in the vehicle if this is something that is important to you.
By keeping these tips in mind, as well as taking the time to read customer reviews of any transportation companies you consider for your special day, you’ll ultimately be able to make a well-informed decision regarding your perfect wedding car. As a result, you’ll enjoy the luxury of being driven around on your big day by a professional driver who is familiar with the area and there to serve you!
