Lap of Luxury
George Cranford
A chauffeured limousine brings luxury, character and style to your wedding. The classic styling and sleek lines of the luxury cars draw looks and exclamations from family and guests. And you feel like a celebrity as the uniformed chauffeur opens your door and ushers you onto the red carpet that leads to your appointment with matrimony.
Today’s limousines are more than mere transportation, and chauffeurs are more than drivers. Limousine services offer brides expertise in wedding protocol along with a pampered ride to wedding events.
Bob Beutel, president of All Star Limousine & Transportation in Royal Oak, Mich., said that chauffeurs participate in special training programs that provide personalized, on-the-job wedding instruction.
“Driving for a wedding is almost like providing a personal valet service,” Beutel said. “Drivers carry mints, small sewing kits and provide a caring service.”
Adept chauffeurs learn routes, pick-up and drop-off points, and they ensure timetables are met. You should expect courtesy, punctuality and professional deportment.
Drivers begin by training with an experienced chauffeur. They learn the different types of weddings. Catholic, Baptist and Jewish weddings, for example, are different – drivers have to know the fine points of each. After a few months of working as a wedding helper, chauffeurs are allowed to drive the lead car.
Some drivers serve as choreographers and stage directors, placing brides and wedding attendants in quasi-posed, eye-appealing formations for fast-shooting wedding photojournalists. They can even suggest colorful places for couples to go for wedding pictures.
But the most enjoyable part of limousine service is riding in luxury and splendor.
Wedding parties can hire Lincolns or Cadillacs – some even want four-by-four trucks, which are nice for large weddings.
Large limousines can hold over 20 people. Brides review their time requirements and determine the number of family members and guests requiring transportation. They visit limousine services and inspect cars before contracting for services. Itineraries and distances are discussed and time allotments are established.
Limousines and mini-buses are well outfitted. In addition to dual bars there are CD players, televisions, fiber-optic mood lighting, mirrors and plush seating. Twenty-passenger mini-buses have horseshoe sofas, and the luxury coaches can come with bartenders and cocktail servers. Cellular phone service is available in some cars.
Not all limousines are created equal. Some companies offer special “bridal limos” that are much more elaborate than regular airport or corporate limousines.
They’re more extravagant and built differently. Bridal limos have things like dual air-conditioning systems and dual alternators; extra-heavy-duty suspension systems; mirrored ceilings; additional vents; two color TVs; and French crystal instead of regular glasses.
David Thayer, owner of V.I.P. Limousine Service in the Kansas City, Kan., area, said trendy brides like sport utility vehicles and specialty cars, like his 1937 Packard. He said he recently outfitted a new Chrysler PT Cruiser as a wedding limousine: “We stretched it in the center section, and it’s just like a limousine with special lighting and neon at the bar. It holds eight passengers.”
Each limousine service offers slightly different features and benefits. Most luxury cars have wet bars and are capable of stocking champagne, liquor, liqueurs, beer, wine, soft drinks or sparkling ciders. These extras are added to the cost of the car rental.
The typical wedding has cars for the bride and bridesmaids and a second set of cars for the groom and groomsmen. Sometimes the bride will arrive in a car with her father. And brides can have limousines with extra wide doors to accommodate bulky wedding dresses.
Many brides hire cars for the entire wedding day. Chauffeurs pick up bridal parties at homes and drive to ceremonies. They go to parks or other scenic spots for photos, and from there they drive to reception sites. Trips are made to train stations, airports and hotels. Many limousine services return after the reception party to ferry people home. Some conscientious brides see to it that no one has to drive after drinking.
You should receive the specific cars you request. And you should make sure the limousine service isn’t going to subcontract to a discount company. You should hire a company with proper insurance and a large fleet. If something happens to a car, the company should have backups.
In most cities it’s recommended that you contract with a limousine service eight months to a year before your wedding. Most weddings are on Saturdays, and many limousine services are booked well in advance. Some limousine services offer discounts for multiple car bookings, and others offer discounts for Friday, Sunday or weekday weddings.
When hiring a limo service, don’t depend on a vague commitment over the phone. Spend the time to do a personal inspection of the car or cars you’ll be renting. Make a deposit and get a written agreement outlining the rental conditions and services you’ve selected.
Then park your family car and take the plunge into extravagance and elegance. Step onto that red carpet with grace and bearing – and know you were delivered to your finest hour in a chariot suitable for royalty.