Getting Married, Tips for Wedding Transportation
Whether you’re just starting to plan your wedding, or well into the planning stages, you’ll want to think about transportation. After you’ve chosen the date, ceremony and reception sites, and your wedding party, start planning your transportation.
Who Will Need Transportation?
If it’s in your budget, you might have the VIPs (bride and groom, parents, and wedding attendants) ride in a stretch limo. But, consider your out- of -town guests, the family who are not part of the wedding party, friends, and wedding photographer. While providing transportation for your wedding guests isn’t a necessity, it’s a thoughtful addition that will make their evening a little bit easier. Out-of-town guests will need to get from the airport to the hotel, to the rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and the reception, then back to the airport eventually. Everyone else will need to get from the ceremony to the reception. All of these people will be trying to get to the same places and at the same time, Will there be enough parking for everyone?
Shuttle Bus
If you do decide to provide wedding day transportation, don’t just schedule a round of shuttles for the beginning and end of the evening. You’ll want to have at least one vehicle available starting an hour or two before your reception is due to end so older guests, those with children, and anyone who is just ready for bed can head home. You’ll also want to make sure the schedule is very clear. Give guests a timeline that includes both when you’ll need them to gather to get on the shuttle and what time the shuttle leaves (ideally a 15-20 minute window so stragglers won’t miss the bus). Be specific about pickup locations, and if you have guests who will be driving to the pick-up location from another hotel, let them know what the parking situation will be.
If the hotels your guests are staying in provide free shuttles, you’re in luck! If not, even if you don’t have it in your budget to provide transportation, including information about transportation services in the invitation. You might be able to work out a discounted rate with a local shuttle service for a minimum number of guests.
Timing
Make an itinerary with the times wedding participants will need to be at each location. If a wedding planner doesn’t offer this service, talk directly to a shuttle service provider. Often, if you give them enough information, they will take the transportation planning off your hands. Make sure you have enough details to give them: how many people, what time they need to be at the location, and where they will need to be picked up.
Post Reception ( Designated Driver Service)
Finally, for those guests who did drive themselves, consider designated driving services for after the reception. Driverseat can provide you with teams of drivers who will drive your guests, as well as their vehicles, home or to their hotel.
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming. Let Driverseat Calgary handle your transportation planning. Call us to see how we can help: 587.355.5905
