How to Find Transportation for Your Raleigh NC Wedding
How do I know if I need to hire a professional transportation service?
There are a few no-brainers when it comes to the wedding vendors you’ll need to hire, like a caterer, photographer and florist. But if your special day involves multiple locations, you need to consider how your wedding party and guests will get from one venue to the next. Hiring a professional transportation service who can help plan out the logistics will ensure your loved ones arrive safely and on time to their destination, relieving you of additional stress.
Plan for Transportation to Your Wedding or Reception Venue
Lewis Jones, Senior Business Development and Group Sales Manager of Triangle Corporate Coach, says that one of the biggest challenges with booking a car service is determining which and how many of your guests to provide transportation for. For out-of-town guests, you may want to offer rides from a designated hotel to the ceremony venue. If your reception is just a short walk or drive from the ceremony venue, then one shuttle for yourself and your new spouse, plus parents and the wedding party may suffice.
However, if the reception is more than 20 to 30 minutes from the ceremony location, you should consider offering transportation for all of your guests. A professional service like Triangle Corporate Coach can arrange transportation and be flexible, which is crucial, as the total number of guests will remain uncertain until RSVPs arrive just a few weeks before the wedding.
Lewis also suggests including transportation information on your invitations and wedding website. Asking guests to sign up for transportation early can help provide clarity on how many people will take advantage of the options you offer.
“Pick a professional transportation company with a wedding specialist that can guide you through this process, and options available to you, through the inevitable changes in expected amount of ridership,” Lewis says.
The big day will run on a tight schedule, so avoiding delays associated with transportation is crucial. A trusted driver will have experience in the area and familiarity with your venue’s location and parking situation, as well as elements like traffic that may add time to the commute. Hiring a professional transportation service is also the best way to ensure an optimal guest experience at your wedding. Your loved ones won’t have to worry about waiting for an Uber – which may not offer service at the location or time of your event – or navigating unfamiliar roads. Lewis also points out that there are options to keep transporting dozens of guests eco-friendly. Instead of having everyone leave at once in multiple vehicles, use just one shuttle. Early risers can get back to the hotel while other guests enjoy the last few songs on the dance floor.
“Although you may not know exactly what your transportation needs are until late in the wedding planning process, it’s without a doubt one of the most critical wedding vendors you will need to plan and budget for,” Lewis says. “Professional transportation is most likely the very first wedding vendor your guests get to experience. Getting family and friends to your ceremony on time is by far the ultimate necessity to ensure the rest of your wedding timeline stays on course!”
