Transport

How will you arrive at your ceremony? On foot, in a vintage Bentley, a stretched limousine, a classic car, Cadillac, helicopter, boat, balloon, motorcycle and sidecar, pony and trap or a modern "mean machine"? Consider the distance you have to travel when choosing transport to the wedding ceremony. A slower vintage car, a horse and carriage or open-top sports car might not be the best choice for a long, wet or cold journey. Your mode of transport needs to be clean and comfortable and must get you there unruffled!

Other considerations in addition to budget include who else might need a lift. If you and your groom each have distances to travel to get to the ceremony the same car could be used. Similarly, if the bride has only a short journey, a car could return for her when it has dropped-off her mother and the bridesmaids. In addition, the groom's parents also need to get to the ceremony and might appreciate being remembered when transport is being booked. If the reception is at a seperate location, everyone who has been provided with transport so far will require transport to the next venue. If a significant  number of guests need ferrying to and fro and if the budget will stretch, you could consider hiring a coach or bus (perhaps a red or white double decker bus suitably attired with ribbons, or a 1950's coach?). Guests will love this gesture! And members of the wedding party may again require transport at the end of the day.

Before hiring wedding transport see and check the condition of cars, reliability is crucial. Ask if chauffeurs will be uniformed and if they carry umbrellas. Get a detailed written quote with a full schedule of pickup points and times. Ask what the back-up plan is in the event of a breakdown. Add the telephone numbers of local taxi firms to your "Wedding Day Contact List". Also don't be afraid to ask friends with smart cars for assistance.