Arriving at Your Indiana Wedding in Style
Indianapolis may be home to the 500, but on your wedding day the big car event is your ride to the ceremony site. Befitting of a sophisticated, Midwestern city, tradition reigns here, with stretch limos being the most popular wedding rentals. You can go a different route—Hummers, retro cars, even a horse-drawn carriage. Whatever your inkling, read on for speedy tips.
Indianapolis wedding day transportation should be taken care of 4 months’ prior to your ceremony. (Allow 6 months if you’re getting married during prom season, March through June.) Transportation costs vary, depending on the type of vehicle you rent and how many cars you’ll need. A good sum to start with is $500 for the day.
Before you start your search, have a solid estimate of how many people will need transportation, and whether or not you want to pay for wedding extras like unlimited champagne and sun roofs. Read the fine print so you don’t spend money on an amenity you don’t need. Should you rent more than one vehicle (for the day of your wedding or for pre-wedding parties), you might get a discount. To find transportation providers, ask friends and relatives, as well as other vendors. Be sure to get references, and contact the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.
When you’re ready to find your Indianapolis transportation provider, make sure to visit the OurWeddingDay.com Indiana Local Vendor section for a regularly updated, extensive list of top Indianapolis wedding contacts.
Traditional wedding etiquette dictates that the bride travels with her father and bridesmaids, and the groom travels in a separate car with the best man. Moms should have their own vehicle. These “rules” are mere guidelines, however, and you can alter the transportation arrangements to suit your personal style.
Once you pick your car, make sure it’s the color requested (never assume the limo will be white unless specifically stated in the contract), and ask to see the vehicle to make sure it’s in excellent condition. For those of you looking to cut down on your budget, investigate non-white cars, as they tend to go for a cheaper rate.
The contract should cover the driver’s attire, so that it matches the formality of your wedding. You’ll also need the name of any substitute drivers, should a last-minute emergency occur. Find out, too, if gas is covered by the company, or if you are responsible for filling up.
Your driver has to have clear maps of all sites, and experience driving in any out of the way areas. Exchange cell phone numbers (always include a number from someone who’s not in the wedding party), as well as landlines, should you find yourself in an area with poor service, or should batteries die. Drivers are generally tipped 20%, provided the service is exceptional. The best man or another wedding-party member should be responsible for the task.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll be off to a racing start!
-David Toussaint
Check Out Our Indianapolis Wedding Guide
Check Out Local Indiana Wedding Vendors
Check Out Our Indianapolis Florists Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Makeup Artists Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Photographers Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Wedding Cake Bakers Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Wedding Reception Caterers Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Wedding Reception DJs Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Officiants Guide
Check Out Our Indianapolis Videographers Guide