Limousine 411

One of the  best things you can do for yourself on your wedding day is to hire an ultimate town car from orlando limo services to transport you and other members of the wedding to the event. This is especially important if the ceremony and reception are at different locations or if you are leaving the reception site immediately after the festivities. Although it may seem like an easy task, there are some points to consider before hiring just anyone to carry you to and fro.

Talk to any limousine professional and they can tell you horror stories including (but not  limited to) drunken passengers, unrealistic expectations and last minute bookings. The key word is professional. I always urge couples to  check references and in this case it is super-important to ‘have a look under the hood’.

1) Book Early. Proms, Homecoming, Quinceanera, Communions, have all become events that garner the service of a limo. Be particularly careful in April, May and June when most proms are held because these events book up to a year in advance. The Exotic cars book faster.

2) Size Matters. If you have an extra large party with extra large gals and an extra large gown, (a group where everything is on a grand scale) book a larger vehicle. A luxury SUV such as the Hummer, Expedition or Range Rover may be your best bet.You might even consider a party bus.

3) Outsourcing is bad. Some companies book their limos from other companies. Yes, it’s true. They advertise various cars and vehicles, then book through another company. Not only are you paying double, you are not getting the best service since you have no contact with the actual company that is contracted. Do some research, ask questions and make sure your company is not involved with this shady practice.

4) You get what you pay for. A reputable limousine company has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in their fleet. The cars are cleaner, newer, better maintained. The drivers are licensed,  trained, reliable and professional. A slooppy, unprofessional driver can ruin your event so can a broken down car.

5) Classic Cars, Trolleys, etc. If you are sold on making your appearance and/or exit in a specific classic car, make sure the car is fully restored and in perect working condition including heat and air. Trolleys are adorable, vintage looking vehicles but can be loaded with dirt and hot as hell in the summer months. A reputable company will make sure this is not the case for you.

The best way to make your limousine decision is to see the vehicles in person and meet with the vendor face-to-face. Pictures on the internet can be deceiving . Make sure they are clean, ask what amenities are included, make sure that there is a back up plan in case there is a problem and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get everything in writing.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Personal Space at Your Intimate Gathering

Summer is an especially hard time of year to get your personal space. Standing in line at the movies, water park, train, etc can all become close quarters when the temperature is 95+ degrees. When your wedding is during the summer months you need to plan a little extra to give your guests some breathing room at your event. 

Seating: Make sure there is enough room between the chairs at the reception venue so people are not seated literally on top of one another. The minimum distance between tables (not including chairs) should be 5 ft. However, if you have a guest who is 6 ft 5 inches tall, that guest will need ample leg room and even more room to push their chair out backward to stand up so you will want to expand that distance. There is actually a room calculator which makes it very easy to decide on how close or how far your guests will be seated. It is always better to err on the side of caution so, if the numbers look a little tight you should either cut down your guest list or find another location. The seating chart is also important because you may have to take into account where taller or larger guests will be seated.

Dance Floor – The rule of thumb is 3 square ft per person. Of course there are guests who don’t dance (for whatever reason). Discuss this with your on-site event personnel since they will have an idea of how big or small of an area you might need base on their experience. In this case, less is not always more.

Green Room – If you have an area where all of the bridesmaids are going to be getting hair and makeup completed prior to the wedding, make sure it is large enough to hold everyone comfortably. Remember they are going to need to get dressed in their gowns as well so there should be a minimum of one bathroom, plenty of space to hang each gown, lots of electrical outlets for curling irons and blow dryers  and a place for everyone to sit, not including sitting the bed. Sitting on the bed was a big no-no at my house.  I can hear my mother saying it, right now, “Beds are for sleeping”.

Transportation– Some limos boast that they can hold “up to 22 people’. Don’t crowd 22 people into a limo on a hot summer day even if it is a stretch limo that can technically hold 22 people. If you want the bridal party to ride together  you do have a couple of choices. One idea is to have all of the male attendants ride in one vehicle and the females in another. Another suggestion is to use a party bus (aka ‘Land Yacht’)  or one of the larger SUV vehicles that is easier to get in and out of. No one should have to crawl over top of another guest in this kind of heat.

Having an intimate affair for less people does not mean you can skimp on the personal space. Intimate refers to the closeness of your relationship,  not the size of the guest list. Think of it like this: your guests should all feel like they are seated in First Class.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Luxurious Limos – How to get the most for your money

With the Chicago Auto show coming to a close, its a great time to start thinking about booking transportation for your wedding activities.

Before you begin, decide how many people you will need to transport and for how many different activities will you want to provide transportation? In addition to the actual wedding and reception, the bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner and airport  transportation are some options you will want to consider.

This is important since some vendors can help you come up with a package if you book more than one activity.

It is also crucial to know a little about your limousine company. Make sure your company owns and operates all of their vehicles. Sometimes, websites claim to own these limos but rent them in actuality. If the limo company you secured is renting from another supplier, there are no guarantees that your limo will be where it needs to be on your wedding day. Also, check that the company and their drivers are properly certified.

 Vehicles can range from  town cars (which seat the couple but, no one else) to stretch limos which could accommodate the entire bridal party. The stretch limos  range in models and sizes from Hummer to Escalade to the exciting Mercedes GL450. How about  a Party Bus which can seat up to 30 comfortably?  Trolley cars are another option for a unique transportation statement.  How about a  Hot Pink  Land Rover to take you to and from the bachelorette festivites? You may be looking for a more exotic ride like a Rolls Royce or Antique classic car!  Whatever the case, make sure the company has the vehicle available so you can take a look at it.

Last but not least – get everything in writing!
Bridal Expo Chicago has dozens transportation options for you and your entire bridal party.  At almost* every show you can sit in one of our vendors’ luxurious limousines and see exactly what you are getting. Call today to get four complimentary tickets to a show near you so you can experience the luxury firsthand.

Cars delivered by Nationwide Auto Transport.

www.bridalshowexpo.com/dates_and_locations.html 

*  call ahead to make sure limos are on site at this property

– Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago