How to Find Wedding Transportation Near You for a Seamless Ride

When you're in the throes of wedding planning, it's easy to get caught up in the small things like place settings, centerpieces and song playlists. However, it's still essential to think big picture to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch (pun-intended, of course). One often-overlooked aspect of the budgeting and planning process? Finding and hiring wedding transportation services, which you can easily do on The Knot Marketplace.

To guide you through the process of finding and reserving wedding transportation, we spoke to experts to compile a handy guide on everything you need to know about wedding transportation services, how much they cost and what your options are.

In this article:

• Types of Wedding Transportation
• When to Hire Wedding Transportation Services
• What to Look for in Wedding Transportation Services
• How to Find a Wedding Shuttle Service
• How to Find a Wedding Limo Service
• How to Find a Wedding Party Bus
• How to Coordinate With Your Wedding Transportation Service After Booking

Types of Wedding Transportation

When it comes to selecting and booking wedding transportation, options abound. These include sedans and limos (both of which are great for the couple and their families), shuttles (perhaps for the wedding guests) and party buses (an excellent option for the wedding party). There are also specialty options such as vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, trolleys and more. To make the wedding planning process as seamless as possible, couples can browse The Knot Marketplace to search—and ultimately book—all different types of wedding transportation.

When to Hire Wedding Transportation Services

According to wedding expert Scott Archer, Vice President at D&D Executive Transportation in Canton, Michigan, it's best to hire wedding transportation services as early as possible so that you can lock in a vehicle with the company you want. He continues, "We have booked weddings 24 months in advance, so it doesn't hurt to get that commitment in place, especially for a company like us that does not double book their vehicles in a given time slot."

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

What to Look for in Wedding Transportation Services

There are a few things to remember when researching wedding transportation services. Below, we've rounded up some key factors to consider based on insight from Vermont-based wedding planner Jaclyn Watson.

Cost

When budgeting for your big day, it's imperative to factor in the cost of wedding transportation. "Consider your budget and compare prices between different transportation companies to find the best value for your money," says Watson. From there, you can narrow down your options more efficiently.

Capacity

According to Watson, couples should "consider the number of people you need to transport." Once you have a clearer picture of how many guests will need transportation, you can choose a vehicle—or vehicles—that can comfortably and safely accommodate everyone.

Style

Choose a vehicle that matches the style and theme of your wedding. "Whether you're going for a vintage, classic, or modern look, there are plenty of options available to suit your taste," explains Watson.

Availability

This one is self-explanatory, but it's super important. "Make sure the transportation company has availability on your wedding day and can provide the service you require," says Watson.

Reputation

As you shop around for wedding transportation, do some digging into each company's reputation. "Look for a reputable transportation company with good reviews and ratings from previous clients," says Watson, before adding, "Check their website and social media pages to see what others have to say about their services."

Experience

Per Watson, companies that have experience with—or better yet specialize in—wedding transportation "will have a better understanding of the logistics involved." The result? A smooth, stress-free ride.

Safety

Last but certainly not least, safety is of the utmost importance. Watson advises that couples exercise due diligence by checking that the transportation company has a valid license and insurance and that their vehicles are well-maintained and regularly serviced.

How to Find a Wedding Shuttle Service

Finding a wedding shuttle service is easier than ever with The Knot Marketplace, which allows you to search for and contact specific vendors based on location. There are a few other things to consider when searching for a wedding shuttle service, including how many people need transportation. According to Daniela Grafman, a partner at Vision Event Co in Brooklyn, New York, the average shuttle size can hold anywhere from 23 to 55 passengers. Plus, she says, you always want to be conservative when choosing a shuttle size. "It's better to have more space on board than not enough." Additionally, she explains, "Expect some seats to be taken by bags or personal items, so don't get the exact seat number needed."

Other things to consider include the distance between venues (assuming your wedding ceremony and reception are being held in two separate places) and timing (allow enough time for transportation between venues and be sure to factor in traffic).

How much is a shuttle service for a wedding?

According to The Knot Real Wedding Study, the average couple spends about $980 on wedding transportation. Watson adds that a shuttle service can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 for a few hours of rental time per vehicle. To ensure you're getting the best deal, she recommends requesting quotes from multiple vendors so that you can quickly compare costs. She also notes that "some transportation companies may require a deposit or a minimum rental time, so be sure to clarify all costs and terms before booking,"

How to Find a Wedding Limo Service

We may be biased, but the best way to find a wedding limo service is via The Knot Marketplace, where you can quickly and efficiently search for different vendors. Randy Allen, owner of James Limousine Service, Inc. in Richmond, Virginia, recommends taking some time to comb through user reviews on any company you're considering. Archer echoes these sentiments: "The most important thing is not the price, it is the confidence you have in the company." With this in mind, he says, "Ask questions, read reviews and see how you feel about the company."

Archer also advises couples to factor in the number of people in the vehicle (put simply, limos vary in size, so it makes a difference if you have 10 vs. 22 people, for example). Meanwhile, Allen recommends visiting the facility in-person to inspect the vehicles you're considering. "Book specific vehicles by license plate number to ensure the vehicle dispatched on the wedding day is what you expect."

How much is limo service for a wedding?

According to Janice Carnevale of Bellwether Events in Washington, DC, limos will cost about the same as buses (around $100 to $300 per hour). However, Christina Lovelace of Lovelace Design in Massachusetts notes that the exact cost will vary depending on the time of year and the number of hours needed. "But," she explains, "keep in mind there is usually a minimum amount of hours you must book for."

How to Find a Wedding Party Bus

If you're looking to book a wedding party bus, you've come to the right place: The Knot Marketplace has you covered to help you make informed decisions.

"When [considering] renting a party bus," says Lovelace, "remember that party bus costs will vary depending on how luxurious you want your bus to be." Moreover, she tells The Knot, "A party bus is great for large parties and can have anything from bars to dance floors inside. "

How much does a party bus cost for a wedding?

According to Allen, wedding party buses range in size up to about 35 passengers and you can expect to be charged an hourly rate somewhere between $200 to $300. Additionally, Allen recommends getting that quote in writing and making sure that the price is "inclusive of all charges, taxes and fees."

How to Coordinate With Your Wedding Transportation Service After Booking

When dealing with wedding vendors—including transportation companies—communication is critical. Fortunately, Archer explains, "Most transportation companies are pretty low maintenance when it comes to communication." This means you can always email or call to make changes or ask questions. However, he says, "I would suggest that if you are making major changes, you do this verbally and in writing."

If you have a wedding planner, Allen recommends putting them in contact with the transportation company. That way, they can coordinate timelines and schedules while also exchanging day-of contact information. No planner? No problem. Instead, pick a trusted friend or family member to be the primary point of contact on the day of the wedding—someone who, per Allen, "will have their cell turned on and will answer it if any questions arise."