Written by Dobrina Zhekova | July 6, 2023
Jump to: Start Search Early | Consider Budget | Your Wedding Theme | Number of Cars | Inspect Vehicles | Meet Drivers
Finding the best wedding day transportation option is essential to wedding planning. And when it comes to classic and sophisticated ways to arrive in style on your big day, nothing beats a limousine.
Whether you are saying I do in a sleek modern ceremony in Seattle or Bellevue or have picked a romantic winery in Woodinville, you can take the stress out of wedding transportation by hiring a fleet of vehicles and drivers that will help you and your guests arrive safely, comfortably and in a luxurious way.
But just like selecting your other wedding vendors, hiring a limousine service for your big day doesn’t come without its challenges — from knowing how long in advance to start your search to calculating how many and what kind of vehicles to hire, we are here to answer your most important wedding transportation questions and give you expert advice on how to choose the best car service for your wedding. Here are six practical tips:
1. Start Your Search Early
The earlier you start looking for a limousine service, the better — ideally, six months before your wedding or as soon as you select your venue and date. This is especially true if your big day occurs during the busy holiday or prom season or in the summer and early fall when most couples celebrate their nuptials.
Another reason to give yourself plenty of time for research is if your wedding party (aka your bridesmaids and groomsmen) is large and you plan on hiring cars for guests, too. Limousine services book up fast. This will give you plenty of time to pick the right company, work out the details, and sign the contract. You can also include the transportation details on your printed-out wedding programs, which you’ll need to order in advance.
2. Consider Your Budget
Hiring a limousine service is like hiring any other wedding vendor — budget matters. Most transportation companies charge by the hour (unless you negotiate otherwise), so make sure you have a clear idea of how much you can spend on your wedding day limo service and how long you’ll need the limo.
It’s always a good idea to talk to your wedding planner and day-of photographer/videographer about any additional stops you should budget for on the way to your wedding and reception venue (maybe your photographer wants to take you and your partner to a scenic spot and snap a few photos of you there). Ask the limousine company if they offer wedding packages or discounts if you plan on hiring multiple vehicles.
3. Consider Your Wedding Theme
Another important factor when choosing the right limousine service is the theme of your wedding. Fortunately, a black or white limo is a timeless choice, so it would fit most, if not all, wedding themes. But if you need to personalize the vehicle in any way, make sure you communicate this with the company well in advance and ask for their permission to do so.
4. Calculate the Number of Cars You Need
While some couples travel together to their ceremony venue, others stick to tradition and opt for separate cars. If that’s what you want to do, then make sure you hire enough vehicles for you, your partner, and your respective parties.
That being said, who travels in the bridal party car? The bride’s father (or the person giving her away) usually travels with the bride, while her mother and bridesmaids travel in a separate vehicle. The best man usually accompanies the groom, while the rest of his party arrives separately.
After the ceremony, the bride and groom will travel in the same car, while a van, a shuttle, or a party bus can take the wedding party to the reception venue. If the bride and groom want, and their budget allows it, they can also hire a car for elderly relatives or guests who have traveled far to attend the wedding.
And speaking of the venue, ensure that both your ceremony and reception venues have ample parking and, if necessary, an electric vehicle charging station.
5. Inspect the Vehicles in Person
You would only buy a wedding dress or a suit after trying it on, so why would you rent a limo without seeing it prior to your big day? Make an appointment to check out the company’s fleet and ensure the vehicles are in good condition. That’s important for safety reasons and to ensure they match the theme of your wedding.
Make sure the company has a variety of vehicles that are well maintained and offer five-star amenities such as spacious and clean interiors (you wouldn’t want to stain your white wedding dress), comfortable seats, snacks, and beverages.
If the bride is wearing a ball gown that requires more space, can the limousine accommodate it? You don’t want to risk ruining your wedding day look because the limousine was dirty or didn’t offer adequate space to fit your dress.
6. Meet the Drivers
The best limousine service will offer stellar service that will contribute to your wedding day going off without a hitch. That will also largely depend on your driver. Their professional behavior and knowledge can be the deciding factor between a major disappointment and a pleasant and memorable experience.
Ask about your wedding day drivers, their training, and even their uniforms. A professional driver will be punctual, courteous to you and your guests, and go above and beyond to make you comfortable and get you where you need to be safely and on time.
After all, you want to avoid sitting in traffic on your way to your ceremony or reception or making unnecessary stops for gas, and that is entirely up to your driver’s skillset and experience.
Let Startline Make Your Wedding Day Special
Starline Town Car & Limousine prides itself on being Seattle’s best wedding day transportation company. With years of providing top-notch limousine service to couples and their families, we offer a large fleet of vehicles that can accommodate parties of all sizes and for all kinds of wedding-related occasions.
Our luxurious and elegant vehicles are professionally maintained to match our high cleanliness and impeccable service standards. In addition, our team of professional drivers works tirelessly to ensure you arrive on time and in style on your big day.
Our Wedding Limo Service Rates
| Luxury Sedan (Chrysler 300 or similar) up to 3 passengers, 3 hours minimum | $70 |
| Luxury SUV up to 7 passengers, 3 hours minimum | $95 |
| 6-Passengers Stretch Limo, 4 hours minimum | $100 |
| 8-Passengers Stretch Limo, 4 hours minimum | $100 |
| 10-Passengers Stretch Limo, 4 hours minimum | $100 |
| Van up to 14 passengers, 3 hours minimum | $135 |
| Luxury Van up to 12 passengers, 3 hours minimum | $135 |
| Party Bus up to 12 passengers, 4 hours minimum | $130 |
The above rates are limited to the greater Seattle area and do not include gratuity, airport fees, parking, tolls, and early/late pickup fees. City tours and special occasion trips are billed hourly with 3 hours minimum and 20% gratuity. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.
“Reliable, efficient, dependable service. Hired a limo for a wedding, and driver got us to the church on time, even navigating through the downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade!”
–Phyllis H. (Google Review)