Stylish transportation for your special day!
It’s possible to bring your own flair to every aspect of your wedding celebration: accenting your florals with organically-grown springtime blossoms… customizing your vows… asking special family members or friends to offer select readings from favorite literary passages during the ceremony… choosing a personally meaningful gemstone for your partner’s ring instead of the traditional diamond… developing the festivities around a particular theme that reflects the relationship you and your beloved share. Chances are you and your fiancée will be devoting time to sample delectable flavors for your wedding cake; why not also indulge yourselves by considering all the available options about transportation? It’s Your Special Day – travel with your new wife in style!
Traditional
Today’s limos are incredible! Customized lighting, ambience and of course music and champagne. As you consider your budget, you’ll need to decide whether or not you’ll want your limousine available for your entire wedding party as they make their way from the ceremony site to the reception venue… or if you’ll simply want to reserve the luxurious ride for you and your bride as you leave the festivities and begin your honeymoon.
As you depart, your driver might play the DVD of the ceremony on the interior television screen as the two of you are whisked off to the mountain chalet for your long weekend, or serve signature martinis as you toast your new spouse on the advent of your new life together.
Costs will vary based on season, day-of-the-week and the timeframe necessary. Be sure to ask your provider if they charge by the hour or per event, and educate yourselves about the additional costs such as mileage. Gathering all the facts will help you select your ideal transportation while still maintaining your budget! -It’s also helpful to note that many couples ask parents (if they are chipping in with ceremony costs) to cover this particular expense.
Keeping With Your Theme
When arriving at the private beach to meet their wedding party, Maui grooms Bob Harris & Ken Travers were paddled ashore in an outrigger canoe. Along with the djembe drumming, circle of tropical flower petals on the sand and inclusion of the tradition of tossing leis into the ocean in honor of their ancestors, the canoe was just one more facet of the couple’s dream-come-true: a beautiful Hawaiian oceanfront wedding.
Other themes lend themselves to particular transportation options: For your vintage wedding, of course you might consider a convertible Mercedes or classic Rolls Royce. An Elvis-themed wedding might require that Mustang or 50’s Thunderbird, or perhaps a jet-black Harley.
For your Pride or rainbow-themed event, a trolley decorated to mimic an original from San Francisco might suit; for a casino-oriented reception, you’ll want to go with a high-rolling stretch limo – make sure the fuzzy dice are bouncing in the window!
Party Bus
The name says it all, and lends itself to much more than swinging through town for your bachelorette party. Party buses are a festive way to gather all of your wedding attendants, family, close friends and enjoy quality time together. Lights and music can be rockin’, elegant or simply joyful. The trip itself might be a 30-minute drive to the reception facility, or it may be a tour through your hometown as an unexpected gift for your guests. –Your driver, DJ or emcee will happily customize the tour, regaling passengers with highlights from your engagement story or moments you & your partner have spent in the city or local neighborhoods. Couples with more intimate ceremonies may even prefer the party on the bus to a more traditional reception: the space and services onboard may astound you! It’s worth checking into if you are looking for something unique and memorable, while retaining that lively atmosphere.
Horse-drawn Carriages
Fairy-tales do come true! Of course a horse-drawn carriage may suit you and your partner perfectly, providing you the most enchanting way to travel from your ceremony site to your reception venue, or to depart from the reception after the festivities come to a close. Carriages offer one of the most delightful photo opp/s – appealing for two brides (or two grooms!) alike.
If possible, take time prior to your wedding day to take a quick jaunt in your carriage, and consider wearing similar attire to that you plan to wear on Your Special Day. Remember, climbing up onto a high footplate can be challenging in a long gown, heels or in a finely tailored tux, even with the help of your partner, driver or attendant. It’s good to practice beforehand!
Also, be sure to communicate to your photographer that a horse-drawn carriage will be part of the festivities, and allow for his/her input about when might be appropriate times for extra photographs. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment; make the most of it!
As a precaution, however, be sure to also discuss with your carriage service the available options in case of inclement weather. This may be as simple as reserving a venue with a portico (many carriages are not strictly open-air and can provide shelter if necessary) but you’ll want to go over such details in advance.
Also, don’t be shy to inquire about the short-term and long-term care your carriage company provides to their horses. Many couples today wish to remain savvy not only about doing business with gay-friendly companies, but also with businesses that are environmentally-aware and conscientious about their treatment of animals, as applicable.
More Adventurous
Of course ascending into the wide blue sky or rosy sunset in your own hot-air balloon is a triumphant way to make an exit. If it’s your style, and in your budget, GO FOR IT! The moment will leave your guests gaping with joy and you and your new spouse will enjoy panoramic views of the reception venue and the horizon into which you’re beginning your new life together. It’s about the most auspicious means of transport there is!
Other adventurous couples may choose similarly amazing means of motion: motorcycle, horseback, hang glider, helicopter, snowmobile, boat. Such escapes definitely make a statement about who you are; more than that, they provide an added element of fun and intimacy for the two of you after a wonderful (yet stressful) period of weeks and months of planning this momentous occasion. Finally, the two of you can relax and enjoy the freedom of riding off together on horseback, or sitting back as the pilot of your personal helicopter swoops you away to the airport for your honeymoon. This is the time to hold hands, cuddle, whisper those special words to one another and take a deep breath. You did it! You’re married!
If traveling by horseback (or dogsled, for that matter!) remember to check with your venue staff about any restrictions regarding animals on the premises. And, as noted before, it’s wise to practice climbing onto your horse or alternative vehicle beforehand – this will make you feel more at ease during that very special moment.
Hyping Up Your Own Roadster
For many couples, the ride to the train station, airport or back home may just as easily take place in your own car. Whether for budget reasons or personal preference, this transport option too presents unique opportunities.
Enlisting the help of a driver definitely is something to consider! Your Best Man or Woman, Maid of Honor, best friend, or a hired driver may be just the right fit to provide you and your new wife a much-deserved respite from all the activity. Your Wedding Day will be a fantastic celebration! …but chances are you’ll both be quite tired mentally, emotionally and physically. And especially if the reception goes late, a dedicated driver will ensure that your travels are safe and relaxing.
The traditional tin cans and ‘Just Married’ sign really do have their appeal! On today’s highways, the cans may not be the best choice, but it’s fun to let your guests or special friends know that you and your partner would like your car decorated. The artist in your circle may be able to come up with something incredible… or you can leave a basket of window markers, streamers and such with your most outgoing bridesmaid or quirkiest nephew – they’ll see that the deed gets done. Remember, your family and guests want to do things for you and make this celebration as joyful as possible; don’t think twice about asking for help with some of the happy details.
A Note About Today’s Economy
Not every wedding professional will accommodate, but it’s certainly more true than ever that many business owners today will be flexible with their rates. Haggling over prices can get tiresome, but a courteous inquiry is worth the effort. Keep in mind also that many wedding vendors will package their services with others – for instance, the hotel in which you’ve booked your reception may work closely with a particular limousine company and be able to help discount the publicized rate… And if you are considering an event consultant to assist with your planning process, be sure to ask him or her about their own network of preferred vendors and cost-effective ways they are able to package services for you.
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In many instances, the send-off at the end of your celebration will be that lasting memorable moment to top off a wonderful party. Your guests will savor the opportunity to playfully blow bubbles, watch as you make your way through the floral archway and cheer you & your spouse on to new horizons. Take time, as you plan this exciting once-in-a-lifetime occasion, to consider just how many diverse methods there are to whisk yourselves from one place to another… and just how you might best incorporate fun, flair and polish into the particular option you choose. That vintage convertible, party bus or horse-drawn carriage may very well become one of the highlights of Your Special Day!
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RainbowWeddingNetwork.com has been the trusted wedding resource for the LGBT community since 1999. Along with the diverse services through their website, the company produces an ongoing national tour of LGBT Wedding Expos. Additional wedding & parenting related articles are available through the site. www.RainbowWedddingNetwork.com
Author Marianne Puechl is the co-founder of RainbowWeddingNetwork. Her recently published novel, The Locket, is available through her website: www.MariannePuechl.com
Article Photo taken at Gretchen and Lisa’s Garden Ceremony in California, courtesy Sarah Maren Photography