As you plan your perfect day, you need to consider your transportation. If you have planned an elegant wedding day with several attendants, the car service that will probably come to mind is limousine. Whether your wedding party is large or small, a limousine is a great option.
Extravagant or economical, there is a package, size and color for every want or need. Other transportation choices may be a horse-drawn carriage, a vintage car, a party bus or your Uncle Louie’s tractor and wagon. Whatever your choice, make it special and memorable for the most anticipated day of your life.
As with any big decision, there are concerns to weigh. The weather may be an issue if your choice of transportation is open air; have a back-up plan in place in case of rain. Also, make sure that you choose a reputable company to provide your transportation. Your next-door neighbor or a friend of a friend may have a limousine or vintage car they are willing to rent inexpensively, but if they don’t show up, don’t have the proper licensing or insurance, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration. Before booking your ride, do a little homework. Talk with friends and family as to what they have seen, heard, or used. Many companies are rated with the Better Business Bureau. Go online or call them for more information. Ask to see the limousine, car or buggy. Most owners and companies are very willing to show off their rides.
Limousines have become the most popular type of wedding transportation over the past decade. They are usually beautiful and provide a safe alternative to driving, especially if you have chosen to have any type of alcoholic beverage before or after your ceremony. Once a car is chosen for you and the wedding party, it's time to think about your guests.
Wedding-guest transportation is a newer trend, but has become more and more popular. Many brides and grooms are now considering how to get out-of-town guests to and from the ceremony and reception sites. Sometimes out-of-town guests have difficulty finding the reception hall. Also, if you are serving alcoholic beverages to your guests, making sure they get back to the hotel or motel safely is a wonderful idea and will give you and your parents peace of mind. Several local bus or tour companies can provide you with economical mode of transportation.
Whether you have chosen a limousine, car, buggy or tractor and wagon, you can choose from a full-day package or just a ride from the church to the reception – a nice feature that can be arranged far in advance or as a last-minute detail. Whichever you choose on your special day, remember to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Article written by CMWA member, Tami Spanier of Pearl Limousine
More than ever, brides are looking for ways to bring an element of individuality to their wedding day. We have lots of brides come in with fun, fresh ideas that ask us, “Can I do that?” Almost always, the answer is “yes!” The old rules are no longer the gold standard for modern weddings. Here are a few fashion ideas and trends seen over the last several months.
Wear one look for the ceremony and another for the reception.
We have sold two gowns to countless brides – one more traditional for the ceremony and another more avant-garde gown for the reception. Have you ever tried on a gown that was super sassy and you loved it, but you could not imagine actually wearing it for the wedding? Instead, it could be a great option for a reception gown. Generally, these gowns tend to have elements that reflect the personal style you display in your day-to-day life – ruffles, a low-cut back, deep-V in the front, lots of sparkles, a killer slit up the side – you name it. The reception dress is definitely a party gown and a great way to show your personal sense of style. With lots of designers pushing the envelope right now, there are lots of choices available.
Another second dress option is to look at some of the tea-length gowns available in bridal stores. You can even find some darling options in the bridesmaid section. There are many companies who offer beautiful, well-made bridesmaids gowns in silk or lace. Many of these companies make these gowns in white or ivory (they are usually a bit more expensive than their colored counterparts). We have seen brides change into an ivory tea length gown and pair it with fun shoes, a sash, bow, or over-the-top jewelry that matches the color of the bridesmaids’ gowns. It's always very cute in pictures. Whichever style you choose, long or short, the reception gown is usually easier to move and dance in.
If wearing two dresses is not for you, you can also achieve this effect by changing up some key elements of your look from wedding to reception. Perhaps your ceremony look is classic: subtle makeup, simple jewelry and a veil. For the reception, swap out the classic jewelry and go for something with a little drama, like a set of chandelier earrings and a big gemstone bracelet. You could add smoky makeup to your eyes, wear a deeper shade of lipstick, or switch your veil for a silk flower or feather comb placed behind your ear. In an instant, you're a party bride!
Choose different gown-styles in the same color for bridesmaids.
Every bride hopes to choose a style of bridesmaids dress that her attendants would love to wear again. Why not choose three to five styles of gowns from a designer that you would like to see in your wedding and let your bridesmaids choose which one suits them best. It is often win-win: You've picked the styles that reflect your day, and your bridesmaids have a little say in how they will look that day, too. Varieties of styles offer a visual interest while the color creates continuity in your wedding-party's appearance.
Match flower girls to the bridesmaids' apparel.
Another trend we are seeing is having the flower girls wear dresses that match the bridesmaids’ gowns and not the bridal gown. There are many bridesmaid companies that offer these tiny dresses. They are a darling way to mix up the status quo.
