If you’re looking to getting to the church in style, let alone on time, there are a few considerations to making that grand Cinderella-like entrance to the ball without spending a fortune doing it.
Although this may not the most exciting task or even a priority on your wedding checklist planner, planning how you and your wedding party are getting to the church can provide yet another opportunity to show off your creativity and personality. But at the same time, what are you willing to sacrifice in your wedding budget for the glamor?
There are some budget-conscious ways for you to express yourself and still arrive in grand entrance style.
Save the Drama – Save the Dollars
Decide what part of your day your style of transportation will have the greatest effect – and hire the fancy ride for that one-way trip only. For example, will you really need a chauffeured limo if your wedding plans are casual?
Perhaps you’re getting the church several minutes or so after your guests are comfortably ensconced so that they wouldn’t see you arrive anyway? Or would you rather make that dramatic getaway at the end of your reception.
Hourly Rates versus All-Day Rates
Sure it would be nice to have a limo sitting outside of your reception hall for the entire evening in case Grandma or Aunt Betsy need a ride home. But is it worth the extra $1,000 or more to have a chauffeur sitting in a car that no one will see until they’re ready to leave?
Instead, check for the hourly rates for either getting to the church or getting from the church to the reception and limit it to just that one-way trip. You’ll still get to enjoy the exciting limo ride during the best part of the day and save a lot of money in the process.
Downsize Your Ride
You really don’t have to have that ultimate stretch limo for an intimate bridal party of say five or six. Traditional limousines seat six passengers and are a perfect budget-friendly alternative to their stretch counterparts.
If you have a large bridal party and downsizing your bridal party is obviously not an option, consider restricting the limo to just the bride and her bridesmaids while the groomsmen and/or ushers arrive with the groom in separate vehicles. The bride and groom can have a private limo ride after the ceremony.
Ditch the Limo and Designate a Driver for a Rented Vehicle
Pay a friend to drive a rental car to get you where you need to go. Renting a car for an entire day or even overnight plus slipping your buddy a few bucks in appreciation could easily save you thousands of dollars. And the rental cars today can often be just as glamorous as what you might pay over $1,500 for with a wedding limo.
Or maybe you have a friend or family member who owns or has access to a big old classic car in good condition. Classic cars are a real favorite of today’s couples for getting to the church in vintage style.
Schedule Your Wedding for an Off-Season Date
Who says you have to get married on a Saturday in June? Having an early fall or even winter wedding is just as glamorous, unless you have your heart set on an outdoor event that is. But if your wedding date is during an off-season or not near a major holiday, the limo, and other vehicle rentals may be in less demand and you might be able to negotiate a considerable discount.
