Transportation Alternatives

chinofiesta93

So limo packages around here start at 2 hours. We really don't need a limo for two hours, unless we can split it -- one hour to bring us to reception, and one hour after the reception to bring us back to the hotel.

Well, so far I can't find anyplace that will split the two hours.

Would it be crazy tacky to dress up my truck for FI and I to drive together (without WP) to the reception? And then for us to drive ourselves to the hotel at the end?

What are you guys doing?

vk2204

So the rest of the WP would have to drive themselves to the reception?

Are you taking pictures or anything between the ceremony and reception? If I was in the WP and was expected to drive to a picture location, I would be kind of annoyed. Because that would mean my date would have to either find a ride, or drive me, or 2 cars would be driven.

If you plan on going right from the ceremony to the reception then I don't see a problem with having everyone drive themselves, nor do I think gussin' up your truck would be tacky as long as it wasn't an overload of stuff.

ETA: we plan on getting a limo. especially because we have a gap so we plan on taking pictures during it.

dandelionsgirl

Does your Hotel Block come with transportation?  We are using the limo to take me and the girls to the church from the hotel and then the bridal party from the church to the reception.  The hotel block comes with shuttles though so we are taking one of those to the hotel at the end of the night.  Most hotels out here offer transportation with a minimum of 12 rooms booked so it is something to ask your hotel.

orangehills

I think a limo is a waste of money if you are on a budget. We are just using our cars, and every wedding I've been to/in, they've all done that too. I think it's fine!

[Deleted User]

Eh, I agree it should depend on your picture situation and whether you'll be having the reception in a separate place from the ceremony. I was pretty anti-limo but when I really thought about logistics, it made more sense for me to do. We're doing a church wedding with pictures both at the church and at the reception hall after. So we would run into the issue of people needing 2 cars or someone needing to catch a ride. Plus, I don't actually have a big truck so my dress would be scrunched into the back of a Jetta, which didn't sound like it would have a nice effect for pictures after. So...we bit the bullet and are getting a limo for all of us to get from the church to the reception hall. And I'm actually kind of excited about it now that the money's already out of my hands, lol. But we're not having it take us back to the hotel. We'll be on the shuttle like all our other guests

If your reception and the wedding are in the same place, another option is to just get a towncar for the ride to or from the venue. My sister did that on her way back from the reception hall to the hotel. I think that while they hiked prices up slightly, the place treated it like a ride to the airport basically. Just a pick up and drop off, no pictures, no waiting around.

allychase

We struggled with this for a while. We decided to get a limo for 4 freakin hours to pick up the groomsmen and bring them to the church, then me and the bridesmaids and bring us to the church. Then the wedding party will stay after for a few photos but then they're all going to leave with their SO or families and head to cocktail hour. We figured they'll enjoy not having to miss that and take more photos, cause well be taking photos of each bridal party separately all day and as long as we have a few of all of us together I'm ok, I really don't care about those photos. Then FI and I will take the limo to photo spots and do our photos, then be at the venue for introductions to the reception.

Christine9866

we are renting one or two 12 person vans from enterprise. Our ceremony and reception is at the venue which is 7 min from hotel. My future sil offered up her brother in law and friend to drive them for us...they will also be our shuttles for hotel guests. Saving us a lot of money !!!

Blondy214

Out wedding is in a downtown area, so there is an awesome street car that runs between the hotels and the venue. I am taking that with my girls to the wedding and FI and I will take it back to the hotel at the end of the night. 

ChiGirl2013

Just remember that if you're going to be driving yourselves to the hotel after the reception, at least one of you is going to have to remain sober the entire night. 

Do you have a major airport near you?  Around here, there are several companies that do limo service to/from the airport.  I would call them and see if you can just "order" a limo at such and such a time to take you to the reception and then reserve another limo for a certain time to take you to the hotel. 

If you're doing pictures, though, that would be a huge pain.  Honestly, though, I've only been in 1 wedding where the bride & groom provided transportation for photos for the wedding party.  Usually, everyone takes their own cars or carpools.

chinofiesta93

As of right now I don't think we're stopping for pictures so that's a bit easier logistically. I think as long as pictures with the WP are done before the ceremony, then they should be free to go to the cocktail hour without us, whether that is all together in a shuttle or in separate vehicles... that'll be decided later.

I'll check in with the airport, MSP is like 20 minutes away luckily!

Thanks for all the replies!