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Planning a wedding can be a bit overwhelming, so we hope the
following will make at least this part a little easier.
Once you have set the date and determined how many people will
be in your party the search for a limousine can begin. The
amount of people in your party will help determine what kind of
limousine you need and therefore pricing as well.
Vehicles:
Be aware that the driver and front passenger seats are included
in the seating capacity of a limousine. Therefore a 10-passenger
limo seats 8 in the back.
Pricing is typically contingent upon:
- Type of Vehicle selected
- Total time needed
- Pick up location - If the pick-up/drop-off location
is in our local area, the chargeable time typically begins from
the time the driver picks you up to the time (s)he drops you
off safely at your destination. If you are requesting
a pick-up/drop-off in a non-local area, ask the limousine company
to split the cost of the drive time with you. For example,
if it's a one-hour drive to the pick-up location and another
hour upon return, you might ask the company to charge you for
just one of those two hours.
- Time of year – Some companies offer discount prices
between November and March.
- Day of week – It's often less expensive to rent a
limousine Sunday through Thursday, as demand is higher on the
weekends.
- Gratuity – is almost never included in the price
of the rental. You should plan accordingly and budget
a gratuity of 20% for the chauffeur.
Payment:
A non-refundable deposit is typically required to hold the date.
Many limousine companies accept major credit cards. The
balance is typically due on the day of service, but if you're
going to give payment directly to the chauffeur, you should plan
to pay in cash (as most can't process a credit card for you on
the spot). Better yet, pay by check or credit card a few
days before the wedding – one less detail to worry about on your
big day. The gratuity, however, should be paid directly
to the chauffeur.
Timing:
Minimums – The overwhelming majority of limousine companies
have a minimum rental period of at least two hours, but sometimes
more. If your ceremony is long and/or there is a lot of
time between your ceremony and reception you may want to consider
a pick-up at the church to save money.
What To Expect:
You should make it clear ahead of time that you expect a clean,
fully-detailed limousine to arrive on time with courteous, professional
and formally-dressed chauffeurs. Don't be afraid to ask
the limousine company ahead of time questions such as:
- What happens if I forget something back at the house?
Can I ask the driver to pick it up for me?
- Who takes care of the “Just Married” decorations for the limo?
Is that included in the rental cost? Can they match my
bridal colors?
- Will beverages be included? How about champagne?
- Do you provide any kind of “grand entrance” into the limousine
after the ceremony? Such as a red carpet, decorations,
pillars, etc?
Additional Notes/Tips:
Friday night weddings are becoming a little more frequent, however
be careful of prom season. It may be difficult if you don't
book your date far enough in advance.
Ask about discounts available when you book more than one occasion
at the same time: your wedding along with bachelor/ette parties
for example.
Wine tours and spa/limo packages are becoming popular alternatives
to the customary bachelorette party.
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