Planning a wedding is a huge task and we’re hoping to make it a little easier by having some of our favorite vendors share some information. (We also think they are some of the best in the business.) Be sure to check back every Monday for another installment which will include info about flowers, transportation, venues, entertainment, wedding planning and more!
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This week Heather from Grace Limousine brings us some insight on the importance of choosing reliable transportation for wedding party and guests. Grace Limousine is a full service ground transportation provider operating the newest, most diverse fleet in New England. They offer comfortable, dependable Manchester and Logan airport transportation, and specialize in weddings and corporate transportation.
What moves you to provide reliable transportation for your wedding party & guests?
Often an after-thought, transportation is one of the single most important details of your wedding day, and its surrounding festivities.
There are some common misperceptions when it comes to setting up transportation for the wedding day! Often couples will assume that they do not need transportation if their ceremony and reception are being held at the same location, yet there are many other aspects of transportation that need to be considered. For instance, will they need guest shutting from a local hotel? Will they need bachelor/bachelorette party transportation, or honeymoon transportation to and from the airport? They may also want to consider providing safe transportation for the rehearsal dinner. Wedding festivities and drinking often go hand in hand, and couples should consider the importance of safety. Peace of mind is priceless, yet affordable!
Here is an idea of how the guest shuttling might work. To start, I like to get an idea of the potential number of guests that might use the transportation. Next, I want to find out where most of the guests are staying and where the venue is for the wedding. Depending on the number of passengers, we can offer vans, luxury limo coaches, or motor coaches to accommodate groups of any size. Van service starts at around $300, and coach service will vary depending on times and locations. Once I have the basic details, I do some homework and get back to them with a shuttling plan that will fit their budget. If the couple is offering an open bar for guests, they really need to have shuttling so that their guests can be transported safely following the reception.
Why would the guests call Grace Limousine versus a large motor coach company? At Grace Limousine, we have been setting the standard for wedding transportation for the last 23 years. When we partner with another company, for instance a motor coach company, we are putting our name on the service. Over the years, we have used several companies in the area, and we are very aware of which ones provide service to meet our standards. These companies offer us a discounted rate, which allows us to offer very competitive pricing, with the added value of our service guarantee, and of course, you also get Grace’s Events Coordinator!
As mentioned above, there are many aspects of transportation that need to be considered for wedding-related services! One of the most obvious (and popular) needs would be for the bachelor and bachelorette party transportation. Again, safety should be the primary motivating factor here. Everyone wants to be able to let loose and have a good time, and you don’t want to risk added drama. Also, it’s ok for the maid of honor or best man to ask the others to pitch in for this when planning the event. If the couple is hosting a rehearsal dinner, they may want to provide transportation to those that will be a part of the evening. Details for the rehearsal dinner are often overlooked, but it should be treated as a mini-wedding, with the same attention to detail and safety. Post-reception transfers are becoming more popular for the newlyweds. Starting at $125, we can offer the couple a complimentary champagne or sparkling cider toast with red carpet service, giving them a stylish get-away in a beautiful Town Car sedan. This service is extremely affordable and should also be considered for safety purposes. If the couple is going on a honeymoon, they may want to consider booking sedan service to and from the airport. A final thought is to provide sedan service for any senior wedding guests (grandparents, great aunts/uncles) that may not feel comfortable driving themselves to the festivities and back. Again, safety and affordability are two motivating factors to consider with any of the previously mentioned scenarios.
And finally… Don’t let the transportation details stress you out. Just call and let me handle the logistics. If you try and think about everything you need all at once it can be very overwhelming. I am here for you, so use me! Most of all, have fun planning your wedding and enjoy the process!
Heather Campbell MacKay
Events Coordinator
Grace Limousine, LLC
www.GraceLimo.com
Office: (603) 666-0203 / Fax: (603) 666-0306
Providing World-Wide Chauffeured Transportation!
“Family-Owned Business of the Year 2011” US Small Business Administration
“Limousine Company of the Year 2009-2012” – NH Business Review
“Bride’s Choice Award” 2009-2013 – TheKnot.com
“Best of Bride” 2009-2012 – New Hampshire Magazine