Wedding Transport Page 1 | Page 2

Most firms will require a deposit at the time booking and settlement in full either a week before your wedding or on the day. If you are paying on the day, have a cheque or the money ready beforehand; it would very unglamorous to have to make a stop at the cashpoint machine on the way. Before booking your transport and confirming with a deposit, take a little time to visit the company to view the vehicle and to check on important points such as:

Will the car be decorated with ribbons and flowers - will flowers be fresh or silk, can they match your colour scheme?

What will the driver wear?

In the event of your car be involved in an accident or breakdown on the day of your wedding, what procedures do they have for replacing the car and what alternatives could they offer?

Will the car be required for other weddings on the day, and if so, how long is given between each wedding? You do not want a chauffeur who is racing along to get to his next wedding.

Will there be an appropriate sized and coloured umbrella available in the car?

Is the car that you see, when you visit the company, the one that you will have on the day?

Finally, make sure you get full details of all the charges in writing when making the booking, and remember that wedding insurance is available, which covers any financial loss due to the car company going broke or not turning up on the day.

Borrowing a Car
If you are on a tight budget you may be lucky enough to have a friend that owns a special car who is happy to loan it to you for the day, and even act as chauffeur. This can be a particularly pleasant role to fulfil, as he/she will play an important part in your wedding but is free enough to enjoy both your wedding service and reception.

Horse and Carriage
Horse drawn, open carriages are very romantic and can be as grand or as simple as you like, although they do have some disadvantages. They are only suitable for short journeys and extra time will need to be allowed to get to the wedding venue then onwards to the reception. Also, the effect can easily be spoiled by adverse weather and it is wise to ensure that the carriage has a protective hood in case of this eventuality, although some companies may be able to offer a closed carriage that can even be heated for winter weddings. You will need to book well in advance as summer dates can be booked up as much as two years in advance. Some companies will only travel within a given radius, while others will cover a very wide area. However, bearing in mind that afterwards the horses will have to be returned to the stables, the whole process including the wedding, can take two people up to six hours, plus travelling time. This of course will be reflected in the cost. A minor consideration to consider is that,
unless the horse(s) are stabled near to your home, it will be necessary for the horse and carriage to be transported to a suitable area close to your home where they can be prepared and dressed. This does not need to be an enormous space; a drive or even just the pavement outside your house, is often all that is necessary.

The cost of hiring a horse and carriage varies greatly from company to company. However, you can expect to pay between $350 and $400 for a single horse and carriage and £525 to £600 for a pair. Also, some companies will charge extra if you live outside a certain radius, while other simply have a set price. As with car hire, you can expect to pay more for a Saturday wedding during the peak season, (June to September).

Details of companies providing horse and carriage services can be obtained through our Wedding Directory pages or by enquiring at local stables.

Walking
If you are lucky enough to live near to the venue where your ceremony is to take place it might be a nice idea to walk to your wedding, or from the ceremony to the reception with your new husband and bridal party in procession. Not only will it give you a chance to relax, it will provide a wonderful spectacle for your friends and neighbours. However, you should have a contingency plan in case of bad weather

Helicopters
A helicopter provides a glamorous and convenient, if expensive way of travelling to or from your wedding. You will need to check with your venue that they have a safe landing area and of course, get their permission first, however most places are fairly liberal and the helicopter companies do not usually experience problems in this area.

Helicopter charter companies usually charge for the time their helicopter is in the air. Expect to pay about £500 per hour with a minimum charge of one hour. Helicopters flights are also subject to weather conditions, but as the company will have a good idea several days before your wedding, they will let you know if there is likely to be a problem. It is therefore important that you have a contingency plan just in case. Details of helicopter services can be found under air charter and rental in the Yellow Pages

Boats
If your wedding or reception is to take place near a river or lake it might be a lovely idea to use a boat at some point as transport, whether it be to the ceremony or onwards to your reception. Details can be found locally through the telephone directory or directly from your venue.

Imaginative Ideas
For the less conventional brides, why not consider an open top London bus, a black cab, a Harley Davidson Motorbike, a fire engine, or a shocking pink Cadillac - the list is endless, all that is required is your imagination.

Wedding Transport Page 1 | Page 2

New Zealand wedding transport articles and services