Arriving In Style
In Los Angeles, getting there is half the fun. Picking the right SoCal wedding day transportation is like finding the perfect dress and the perfect site: you want it to be so fabulous everyone will be talking about it. In a city made for glamour, stretch limos are all the rage -- sophisticated, chic, and as cool as a pair of designer shades.
Book your transportation about 4 months’ prior to your ceremony. Since Los Angeles is home to so many star-studded events, call ahead of time to make sure you’re not competing with, say, Oscar night. March through June is prom season too; if you’re getting married during an especially busy time, find your car 6 months’ prior.
A stretch limo is going to average about $500 for the day. This being Los Angeles, expect lots of extras—for a fee. Champagne, flowers, sun roofs—check out all the options and pick the ones you really need, and make sure you’re not charged for services not requested. Before you start interviewing car companies, know how many members in your wedding party will need travel, to determine the amount of cars you’ll need. You may get discounts on multiple vehicles for the wedding day, as well as for pre-wedding parties.
Los Angeles 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. If you’re working with a planner, ask her advice, as well as ideas on different driving options. You can rent a Hummer if your party is large, a bus if you want to transport all the guests together. You can also arrive in one car, and leave for the reception in another, classy, two-passenger car. (Do be careful about convertibles; Los Angeles can get very hot and humid, and the weather will wreak havoc on hair and makeup.)
Once you’ve selected your vehicle, make sure it’s the color you requested (don’t assume you’ll automatically get white), and ask to see the vehicle to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. As for cost-cutting, look into non-white vehicles, which are generally cheaper. When looking for car companies, get recommendations from friends and relatives, and other vendors. You should also get references from at least 3 previous clients, and check the Better Business Bureau for complaints.
When you’re ready to find your Los Angeles transportation provider, make sure to visit the OurWeddingDay.com Los Angeles Local Vendor section for a regularly updated, extensive list of top Los Angeles wedding contacts and transportation providers.
On your contract, make sure the car you’ve picked is the same vehicle that will arrive on your wedding day. Discuss drivers’ attire to make sure it fits the style and formality of your wedding. You’ll need to get the names of substitute drivers should a last-minute emergency occur. Find out, too, if gas is paid by you or the company.
Like other vendors, drivers need to be tipped; 20% is common if the service is excellent. Assign the Best Man or another wedding party member to take care of this task. 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. (Cell service in the Los Angeles hills is notoriously unreliable.)
The step inside and set your sights on love.