Arriving to Your Wedding in Style, In the City by the Bay

Before San Francisco opens its Golden Gate for your big day, you’ll need to figure out your wedding transportation.  The City by the Bay is known for its panoramic vistas, its hills and its urban-chic flavor. It’s not known for an uncomplicated grid-like pattern. Whether you’re getting married on Knob Hill, in the Haight, or Golden Gate Park, follow these tips to making transportation a cool city breeze.

Golden ideas for Bay Area wedding transportation.
Remember, San Francisco has a creative, bohemian side, so before you book the limo, know that some of your options for transportation include retro cars, motorcycles (for the very brave among you), helicopters that take you to and from the ceremony, even bicycles for the bride and groom. There’s also the stretch limo, SUV limos, hummers, and town cars. What you book depends a lot on your budget and personal style. You want to book all your transportation three months’ prior to the wedding—add two months if you’re getting married during prom season, March through June. A traditional limo is going to start at around $500 for the day; a hot-air balloon (yes, you can do that in parts of the Bay Area), quite a bit more. Cost-cutting tip: Colored limos are cheaper than white ones. Also, if your wedding party consists of only you and two girls, consider renting a sedan, for a much cheaper rate.

Traditionally in the Bay Area, the bride arrives with her wedding party, as well as Dad. The groom and his Best Man arrive in a separate car. Traditions, like rules, are sometimes meant to be broken, and you can adjust your driving choices according to your needs. If you have a bevy of bridesmaids, you can put all of them in a Hummer, along with your parents. You will need a different vehicle for your exit with the groom.

When you’re ready to begin your wedding transportation search, visit the OurWeddingDay.com S.F. Bay Area Local Vendor section for a great list of top California providers of carriages, limos and more.

When choosing a San Francisco wedding vendor, ask for recommendations from family and friends and other local vendors.  You should also get referrals from at least three prior customers. Once you’re found someone you like, make sure the signed and counter-signed contract contains all the important information.  You need to know what the overtime fees are, who the designated driver is should there be a last-minute emergency, the exact make and model number of the car, and who pays for gas and tolls. You also need to find out what the expected tip is (usually 20%), and assign the task to a member of the wedding (it’s common for the Best Man to take tip responsibilities).

The other factors to consider are amenities: Limos often offer unlimited champagne and full-bar service, for a fee. Carefully go over extras, and make sure you’re not paying for something you didn’t ask for (that sunroof might be fantastic, but do you really want the TV?).  Finally, make sure your drivers have your cell-phone numbers, and the number of at least one member of the wedding party. Then put the pedal to the medal and let your hearts take off.