Transportation and valet

Life, as I see it, is not a location, but a journey.
- Henry Ford

What’s the perfect way to begin the celebration that is your wedding day? Arriving at your ceremony relaxed, unruffled, and elegantly chauffeured.

james, the car please

Before designing your own entrance and departure, it’s important to carefully consider transportation for your out-of-town guests. This is an important piece of planning that results in first, helping guests to feel welcome, second, it supports them arriving on time, plus it reduces any stress they may feel in having to navigate a new city or neighbourhood.

Enclosures in your invitations or directions/maps on a wedding website or social media event page can easily show routes, schedules and phone numbers for shuttle, taxi or limousine service. Or, arrange for trolley or minibus transportation; this varies in cost depending on the number of hours needed. Luxury minibuses or passenger coaches (seating 24 to 55) or retro-style trolleys (seating around 40) can add a bit of comfort or character to the ride, as well as encourage out-of-town guests to relax, enjoy the trip, and get to know one another on the way to the wedding.

be creative, whether a horse drawn carriage, limousine or a classic car; make it fun!

If your out-of-town guests will be arranging to rent their own vehicles for while they’re here, do everything you can to direct them to the wedding so they can concentrate on having a good time instead of worrying about where they’re to drive. Maps and drive times are helpful to send along or post to your event page if your wedding is a longer drive from the hotel or if the airport and hotel aren’t close to one another. Google Maps and MapQuest sites and your local visitors’ bureaus are great sources for up-to-date local maps. A thoughtful touch would be to include the name and phone number of a knowledgeable, reliable person in the wedding party or family who guests can call in the event that they do take a wrong turn. After all, you wouldn’t want them to miss out on all the fun of your wedding day, would you?

Once all of your guests arrive—and most seem to arrive at exactly the same time—they most likely will need valet service. Often, valet service can be arranged through your catering company or an outside source. In addition to providing professional attendants who will perform added perks like walking guests from their cars to the building, holding umbrellas on a rainy wedding day (yes, it does happen, wedding day weather isn’t always perfect), valet services can handle the behind-the-scenes details such as reserving parking permits for weddings at public sites. Most weddings require one valet for every 20 cars, but with complicated parking, one valet for every seven may be needed.

arrive in style

What’s your wedding theme? The lifestyle that you and your groom enjoy? You can choose a vehicle for your arrival and/or departure that matches your style, from white or black limousine, to SUV limo, to a Rolls Royce Bentley, Mustang convertible, horse-drawn carriage or his and hers motorcycles. Whatever you choose, make your arrangements for car or limousine services, plus any other transportation and valet services you need, at least six to eight months before the wedding. It’s good to know that most companies have a one to two hour minimum. Depending on the length of your wedding, it may be in your best interest to arrange for a limousine to be on call throughout the night, or hire two separate vehicles, one for your entrance at the ceremony and reception and another for your exit at the end of the evening. A standard stretch limousine seats eight people; deciding ahead of time who is going to ride in which car will ensure smooth travel on the day of the ceremony.

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