The Groom Gets The Ride. Securing Wedding Transportation

Your lovely bride-to-be already has a lot to do. So why not give her a hand and nail down the ride for your wedding day. You have to think of where the ride is taking you -- from your house to the ceremony and from the reception to the hotel or airport.

These days, grooms are expected to take charge of transportation arrangements. Traditionally, the bride's family pays the wedding party's transportation needs (to ceremony, reception, and wherever the couple's going afterward), plus any parking expenses. The groom's family covers just the groom's and best man's ride to the ceremony. Depending on who's footing the bill for other wedding items, transportation and parking fees should be easy to split between both families.

With this in mind, your wedding day transportation needs to be planned to the "T." Because the last thing you don't want is to end up stranded on a deserted side street or in some parking lot somewhere while the rest of your wedding takes place without the bride and groom. It won't make for a pretty wedding night.

Limo or Luxury Sedan
Here's the safest bet for your wedding day transportation. A limo, or better yet, a luxury sedan, can be a classic, classy, and more comfortable than your buddy's El Camino. And you'll be renting -- rather than buying, borrowing, or God forbid, stealing, so keep these things in mind:

  • Ask newlywed friends for references.
  • If all your friends eloped, call the National Limousine Association at (800) 652-7007 for a referral.
  • Ask your caterer or reception-hall manager for a list of local limo or luxury sedan companies.
  • Try the yellow pages -- look under "Limousine" -- or call the Better Business Bureau in your area.
  • Shop around. Call multiple services and compare prices. The national average is about $50 per hour, plus a mandatory 15% tip.
  • Reserve at least six months in advance. A last-minute search will garner less than desirable vehicles.
  • Once you choose your luxury sedan company, get a firm headcount of all the people you'll be transporting and how many vehicles you'll need.
  • Check out the company in person. Remember that one person's idea of luxury is another's shag upholstery and cooler full of off brand wine spritzers. Also confirm that the driver will wear an appropriate uniform, which means, for this event, black jacket and tie.
  • Sign a contract. Get the full terms in writing, including the deposit and cancellation policies, price, and confirmation of all dates, times, and locations.
  • Bargain for extras. A TV is nice, but champagne is better. Turn on your charm and see what they'll throw for free.
  • To save money, arrange for transportation to and from the ceremony and reception. Don't have a luxury sedan or limo on call.
  • Make sure the driver knows where he's going. Get him maps, directions or whatever will help him get you and your newlywed bride to your reception or hotel on time.


You don't have to spend a lot to ride in style on your wedding day. But whatever your choice, always arrive in style -- and in one piece.