McCardell Photography | Annie + Dean’s Wedding at Willow Oaks Plantation, Eden, North Carolina

Figuring out your wedding transportation can sometimes be one of the most complicated wedding decisions. There is a lot of planning and scheduling involved, and if something is over looked, some of your most important guests could be late. Here are my top tips to make your wedding transportation run smoothly:

Options: Your options are really unlimited when it comes to modes of transportation for your wedding day. There are limos, speciality cars (like a vintage car), trolleys, vans, mini buses, and full on buses/coaches. I am a big fan of the large 55 passenger charter buses. They work well if you have big groups, are comfortable, and the drivers are real pros (i.e. if they can handle a group of rambunctious 3rd graders traveling to D.C., they can handle your rowdy wedding guests).

Schedule: Before booking anyone, think through your entire schedule for the day. Make a list of who needs a ride and where they will be picked up and dropped off. Also, don’t schedule too many pick up options for your guests to choose from. They always wait for the later time and your ceremony will run late for sure. Sometimes its better to book double the transportation for your guests so everyone arrives on time and at the same time. Save some money and only schedule one for a short amount of time. The other can deliver guests in a rotation for the rest of the evening.

Communicate: Know your cancellation policy with the transportation company. You may need to cancel one of your vehicles if you have a lot of declined RSVPs. Also, make sure to actually inform your guests of the service(s) you are providing them The best way to do this is via an information/accomodation card in your invitation suite, on wedding website, and in your welcome bag. Do not rely on word of mouth only unless you have a very, very small guest list.

Coordination: So you planned everyone to a T but what about day of? You really need a wedding planner/coordinator to help. They will handle transportation timing, the schedule, coordinating with drivers, and trouble shooting. I promise you that something will go wrong and you will have to change part of your transportation plans. If you don’t have a coordinator handling this, the drivers will be calling you and your mama. Not too much fun when you are trying to walk down the aisle.