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Your
Chariot Awaits!
By Sue
Durio
Whether you want to feel like Cinderella, get nostalgic or
just be pampered, special wedding day transportation sets the
mood you want, while letting you relax. Wedding couples can
leave the driving to someone else, with a variety of
transportation options for getting to and from the wedding site.
LIMOUSINES
Limousines offer worry-free, elegant transportation. Marriton
Limousine, one of Austin’s premier limousine services, can
handle virtually any transportation need during your wedding
celebration.
For the bride and groom, a Lincoln Towne Car L-Series or
Mercedes S500 are luxurious options. You’ll feel like a princess
as the red carpet is rolled out, and your sleek, white limousine
whisks you away. Limos also are ideal for accommodating larger
groups such as the bridal party or family. You can choose from
six-passenger stretch limos, up to 18-passenger stretch Hummers
to meet your needs. For large groups, begin by taking a head
count to determine your best travel option. One SUV limo might
be cheaper than several stretch limos.
Most limousines feature bars, CD players, TVs, mood lighting and
plush interiors. And your chauffeur is much more than just a
driver. Many are trained to serve as escorts or coordinators.
They can make sure your wedding gown hangs properly as you get
in and out of the vehicle. They’ll even pose your group for
photographs, and serve champagne.
To hire a limousine, most services require a minimum hourly
booking, typically three hours. Ask about special wedding day
packages to handle the entire day’s transportation. Marriton
even offers a romantic bed and breakfast weekend package to
start the honeymoon off right, where everything from the limo
transportation, to candle-lit dinner, flowers and even massages
is included.
Before booking a limousine service, make sure it is fully
insured and licensed and operates only new, well-maintained
vehicles. Check their standing with the Better Business Bureau
and Chamber of Commerce. Ask about chauffeur training and
certification, and be sure they will not subcontract the driver
or vehicle you have selected. Before making a deposit, get a
detailed, written agreement including a guarantee in the event
the selected vehicle breaks down or driver is late.
CLASSIC
CARS
Vintage cars are another way to make your first ride as husband
and wife unforgettable. Antique limos lend personality and
nostalgia to your arrival. Antique Limousines of Austin has a
wide selection of antique vehicles, including a 1937 black
Cadillac used by pop singers Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey as
their wedding day get-away car. You might choose a chauffeured
1953 Cadillac convertible to set a Happy Days-retro tone to your
day, or opt for a vintage Rolls Royce or Bentley for a touch of
sentimental class.
Rates for classic limousines may be slightly higher than
traditional models, but the ‘wow’ impact is worth it. Look for
established companies with a record of reliability. Before
finalizing your agreement, check the vehicle’s condition. Tires
should be new, and the paint and interior should be spotless.
Especially in central Texas summers, you’ll want a vehicle
retrofitted with modern air-conditioning.
CARRIAGE RIDES
For the ultimate fairy-tale wedding, nothing beats a horse-drawn
carriage for making a memorable entrance and exit. Imagine an
outdoor setting, string music playing softly as your guests
await your arrival. In the distance, they hear a faint clickety-clack
that intensifies until your horse-drawn carriage emerges from
around the bend. A driver complete with top hat and white gloves
directs your team, appropriately adorned with flower wreaths and
bells.
With facing seating, a carriage typically can accommodate both
the bride and groom, as well as flower girl and ring bearer if
you choose. At your destination, the driver or footman escorts
you down the carriage steps and onto the awaiting red carpet, as
the musicians break into Mendelssohn’s The Wedding March.
If this is your vision of the ultimate wedding entrance, you’ll
want to carefully select your carriage company. Ask about their
familiarity with your travel route, and request a ‘dry run’ in
advance to clock the distance and ensure the route is safe. Ask
if you will have only a driver, or driver and footman, to help
you board and exit. Keep in mind that a mile by carriage may
take 20 minutes. To lessen the time required, you might arrive
and depart by carriage, then switch to limousine once out of
sight of your guests.
For a Texas-twist on the carriage idea, consider a stagecoach or
surrey rental. While the additional horses and staff required
make these more expensive, they are the perfect accompaniment to
a Texas or Western themed wedding. And, yes, cowboy boots and
hats are required.
Whether it’s by stretch limo, classic car or carriage, your
entrance and exit will be breathtaking and memorable. As you
drive away in pampered splendor, it may all seem like a dream.
Then, you realize this is real … and you are newlyweds!
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