How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Limousine

A Safe and Stylish Limo Makes the Wedding Day Sweeter

Jun 6, 2009

Classic or Modern Style Limousines Enrich Weddings, Tricia Spencer

An elegant wedding day limousine provides more than comfort and convenience. It enriches the bridal experience, but only if the limo and the company are selected wisely.

Not all limos or limousine companies are created equal. Diligent research will help prevent wedding day delays and disappointments.

The Limousine Service Company First – The Limo Second

No matter how beautiful the limousine, it is the company that matters most. The limo is just a machine. It cannot help or harm any wedding day experience on its own. But limousine owners, managers and chauffeurs can, and do, affect the wedding day experience.

Choosing the company first and the limousine second is one way to assure a pleasant wedding transportation experience.

7 Important Questions to Ask Limousine Service Operators

“Are you state licensed?” Reputable companies are properly licensed. Asking for the company’s state license number provides the ability to verify vital information with licensing authorities. Required licensing dictates that the company is properly insured and that the insurance company has vetted the company’s chauffeurs. Choosing to do business with a limousine company that is not properly licensed could mean little or no recourse for the wedding couple in the event of an adverse occurrence.
“How long have you been in business?” A longer company history allows more opportunity for investigation. Reliability can be ascertained through public records such as licensing agencies, the Better Business Bureau and personal referrals. Every legitimate company should be willing and able to provide references.
“May I come to see the vehicles?” Every company should permit prospective clients to see the limousines, and the business operation, before renting. Every limo should be well maintained with all components in working order. Asking to see all of the vehicles prevents an operator from showing only the newest, cleanest addition to the fleet.
“Are there any additional fees above the quoted rental rate?” Sometimes there are additional costs for limousine amenities. All possible costs should be disclosed up front.
“How is the chauffeur attired and is he or she experienced?” The day belongs to the bride and groom. Verifying that the chauffeur will be appropriately attired is a must, and determining that he or she has been properly trained in the art of chauffeuring is beneficial. No wedding couple wants a first-time chauffeur on their wedding day.
“What is your policy on farming?” Farming is what limousine services do when they are overbooked or perhaps have a car break down at the last moment. They “farm” the job to another service to assure that the client gets transportation. While this is sometimes unavoidable, it is never wise to utilize a company that repeatedly overbooks with the intention of farming out the job. Farming can completely obliterate all the research that led the wedding couple to choose a certain limousine company in the first place. Discussing farming policies up front puts the limousine company on notice that substitutions are unacceptable unless forced by an unforeseen circumstance.
“Do you provide wedding decorations?” Some limousine companies provide wedding decorations for their vehicles. Asking to see the decorations allows the bride and groom to determine their condition. Decorations can become worn and faded if used often. Some limousine operators will permit certain customer-supplied decorations to be attached to the vehicle as long as the items do not harm the car or interfere with the driver’s ability to see. Verifying the rules regarding decorations saves wedding day hassles.

Limousines Have Personalities

Every limousine is different. Unless all identical vehicles in a fleet have just been driven off the showroom floor, there will be something uniquely good or bad about each one that sets it apart. Hand picking a limousine is the one and only way for a bride and groom to know they will be getting a car that will sweeten their wedding day and not hinder it.

From vintage cars to giant stretched Hummers, there’s a world of beautiful limousines to choose from. Delving into the limo company’s reputation, or instructing the wedding planner to do so, is a small but wise time investment that can result in wedding day transportation perfection.