Arriving to Your Las Vegas Wedding in Style
This is Vegas, baby. On your wedding day, any transportation goes. Stretch limos are the most popular option, but couples arrive via horse-drawn carriage, hummers, even helicopters and private planes. Figure out which vehicle floats your wedding boat, and then read on for inside tips.
Las Vegas wedding day transportation should be taken care of 4 months’ prior to your ceremony. Since Las Vegas is the capital of special events, make sure you’re not competing for cars during a peak week. If that’s the case, book your wheels 6 months’ prior. Limos range in price, the average cost being around $500 for the day. Extras like sun roofs and champagne need to be figured in, should you choose them, as well as the size of the car. Figure out how many passengers are riding, so you’ll have an estimate on how many vehicles are needed. You may get a discount if you use the same company for more than one car, and for pre-wedding party transportation.
Wedding etiquette dictates that the bride travels with her father and bridesmaids. The groom has a separate car that he shares with his best man, and moms get their own car. None of these rules are written in stone, however. Choose a Hummer and take the whole gang in one vehicle, then, after the ceremony, ride off with your groom in a limousine. (Should you be marrying in the scorching hot summer, rule out convertibles; heat and wind wreak havoc on hair and makeup.) Once you pick your car, make sure it’s the color you requested (don’t assume you’ll automatically get a white limo), and ask to see the vehicle to make sure it’s in mint condition. Remember, too, that non-white limos are usually cheaper.
To secure your wedding day transportation, get referrals from friends and relatives. Since most Vegas weddings are from out-of-town guests, it’s imperative to ask vendors in the area, as well as the hotels you’re occupying. Ask for at least 3 references, and check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.
Once it’s time to sign the contract, check to see that the car you’ve picked will be the same vehicle on your wedding day. Go over the drivers’ attire to make sure it matches the style of your wedding, and get the name of any substitute drivers should a last-minute emergency occur. Find out if the gas is your responsibility or the company’s.
You’ll need to tip all drivers; generally, 20% if the service is exceptional. The best man is often assigned tip responsibilities, but any member of the wedding party can take over the duty. Your driver needs to have clear maps of all sites, and experience driving in any out-of-the-way areas. Exchange cell phone numbers (including one person who won’t be in a car), and a landline number, in case batteries die or you’re in an area that gets terrible reception.
Follow these tips, and your Las Vegas transportation will be anything but a hangover.
-David Toussaint