Wedding Transportation - Wedding Carriages and Vintage Cars

Most people would rather not drive to their wedding themselves, so instead they rent limousines to get them around for the day. If you do want to rent a limo, you may want to consider having only a pickup/drop off service rather than having the driver wait through the entire event. This can end up saving you quite a bit of money.

What options do you have when choosing your weddingtransportation? Actually, more than you might imagine:

• If you have a small wedding party or if price is a
  concern, a chauffeured Town Car is
  typically less expensive than a chauffeured limousine.


• If you want to stick to the old standards, a
  stretch limousine is always appropriate.
  But, if you need more room you can get the larger SUV
  models that are designed as extra-long Hummers or
  Expeditions.


• If you want something extra formal or classy you can
  rent a Rolls Royce.


• If you want something less formal but still flashy, you
  may want to rent an expensive sports car or a
  vintage car. A Mustang, Cadillac
  or Lamborghini would create quite an
  entrance.


• For a real fairytale wedding, nothing does it quite
  like a romantic horse drawn carriage for
  two. this option can be very expensive. Before
  handing over your money, thought, we recommend seeing the
  carriage for yourself in advance to make sure it lives up
  to your expectations.

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you ask the following questions:

• Is the deposit refundable if we need to cancel for any
  reason?


• Is gratuity included in the price?


• Will there be any food and a bottle of champagne?
  

Also be sure to work out the exact times the drivers should show up and make sure they have detailed directions to all locations. And, make sure you have your transportation show up well in advance. Plan to leave a little early to avoid any possible delays. While it is expected and traditional for the bride to arrive a little tardy, you don't want to spend hours sitting in a traffic jam on your special day.

Wedding Reception Seating Arrangements

Just a quick note about the seating arrangements for your wedding reception. If you're angsting about who to seat where, you're not alone. This aspect of wedding planning can be a bit stressful, as people often associate their importance to you depending on where they're seated at your reception. The closer to you the more important they feel. The further away, the more they may have some hurt feelings.

Then there's also the issue of who your guests are seated next to. You certainly don't need the stress when planning all the other aspects of your wedding, but it is something that needs to be taken into account.

The traditional method of having a bridal party seated at a table at one end of the room and everybody else in rows facing them does not have to be adhered to and often there are alternatives where more people can feel like they are as important as everybody else at the reception.

Consider having the bridal party seated at a table in the middle of the reception with all your friends and family seated all round. This is one alternative that you might decide to use but the layout is entirely up to you in a manner that you find most suitable.

Rather than trying to mix up both sides of the family it might be better to keep the seating arrangements where people who are familiar with one another can be at the same tables. Once again this is just a suggestion as you might find that based on the personalities of the families and friends they might enjoy sitting with one another and get to know each other better.

Make everyone feel important and be sure to circulate whenever possible to greet and thank everybody who has attended your wedding. Often with bigger weddings it is very easy to miss talking to someone, so that is one area that you will need to pay special attention.

Win a Free Wedding in Mendocino!

Just stumbled across this contest where you can win a free wedding at the MacCallum House Inn in Mendocino in November, 2010.

How to Enter

Go to http://dreamwedding.maccallumhouse.com/sign-up/ and fill out the information, including a photo of you and your fiance'. You will provide answers to 6 bridal questions and then visitors to the MacCallum House website will vote on which couple they want to receive the free wedding. So, alert all your friends to go vote for you!

What do you Win?

Winners will receive a prize package totally $25,000, which includes:

• Wedding Coordinator
• Engagement Photograph
• Invitations
• Oceanside Ceremony
• Limousine Services
• Honeymoon Suite
• Custom menu for up to 50 people
• Exclusive rental of MacCallum House Restaurant for an evening
• Cake
• Flowers
• Photography
• DJ
• Makeup and Hair
• 3 Anniversary Stays at the MacCallum House

Who can Enter?

U.S. residents at least 18-years old. Only one (1) entry per couple.

When does the Contest End?

All voting will end on March 31, 2010, so get on the stick and get yourselves on the site!

For those of you not familiar with the MacCallum House Inn, it's a fabulous bed and breakfast in the village of Mendocino. Awards have included:

• Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2007
• 4 Kisses Award - Best Places to Kiss, 6th Edition
• Top Ten Romantic Inns for 2009 - iloveinns.com
  
  

Marina del Rey Wedding Packages and Locations

Here are a few wedding packages and locations in Marina del Rey you may want to consider for your wedding.

FantaSea Yachts and Yacht Club
4215 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA
310-827-2220

There's nothing more romantic than getting married on a yacht! And FantaSea Yachts specializes in romantic yacht weddings for up to 400 guests. They have 3 yachts to choose from:

• Dandeana, minimum of 75 guests at $80 per person ($110 per person on Saturday evenings and holidays
• Regent Sea, minimum of 100 guests at $90 per person ($120 per person on Saturday evenings and holidays
• FantaSea One, minimum of 150 guests, $100 per person ($130 per person on Saturday evenings and holidays

All packages include (but not limited to):

• 4-hour yacht cruise around Marina del Rey
• Three butler-style passed hors d'oeuvres
• Catered buffet with 2 entree selections and two salads

Shanghai Red’s
13813 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey, CA
(310) 823-4522
doc02@srcmail.com

Shanghai Red’s is a restaurant at the far west end of Marina del Rey’s South Bay boardwalk, featuring California cuisine specializing in steaks and fresh seafood. They also have banquet facilities which can accommodate groups of 35 to 300 guests. Ceremony sites include Southbay Patio, boasting a fabulous view of the marina del Rey harbor, or the more intimate Marina Patio or cozy, garden patio.

Burton W. Chace Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina del Rey, CA

The grounds of Burton W. Chace Park is a great (an inexpensive) way to have a fabulous wedding overlooking beautiful Marina del Rey. There are several locations in the park to choose from: North Pergola, South Pergola or the Bridge. These locations are available for rent Monday through Saturday, 8:45am to 4:45pm.

What's better than the great location and beautiful view? The price. The rental fee is only $40.00 for park grounds for the duration of the event. Insurance, however, is required, so do figure that into your budget. You can get insurance by contacting Municipality Insurance at 1-800-420-0555. The policy must have a $2 million aggregate. To rent the location, you can call Park Staff at 310-305-9595.

Along with renting the outdoor areas, chairs and tables can be rented. Chairs rent for $.25 each (50 maximum), and tables for $5.00 (2 maximum). You will, of course, have to provide your own officiant.

There are some permits that may be required. You can get more info by going to http://beaches.co.la.ca.us/BandH/Marina/ChacePkoutdoors.htm

Arroyo Grande Wine Country Wedding

I visited Arroyo Grande recently and found an absolutely charming venue for your wedding and/or reception.

For those of you not familiar with Arroyo Grande, it's located in Central California wine country, inland from Pismo Beach, and just 185 miles north of Los Angeles and 247 miles south of San Francisco. It's filled with beautiful, rolling hills dotted with oaks and vineyards, and plenty of wineries to keep all your wine-loving guests quite satisfied.

The location I stumbled upon is the Victorian Pitkin Conrow Estate, a lovely Victorian mansion which can accommodate 300 for a ceremony, and 250 for a ceremony with reception.

The ceremony packages range from $1500 to $2500 and include:

• 3 hours of site use
• 1 hour rehearsal time on the Friday before the event
• Seating is provided for 200 (additional chairs can be rented)
• Two changing rooms in the historic bunkhouses
• Parking for 300

The fee for receptions are $15 per person with a $1500 minimum on Sundays and a $2500 minimum on Saturdays. Chairs for up to 200 are provided (additional chairs can be rented), as well as gift, sign-in, cake and buffet tables. You provide the officiant, as well as the DJ and bartender if desired.

Contact Info:

Victorian Pitkin Conrow Estate
789 Valley Road
Arroyo Grande, CA
805-481-4570
email: info@victorianwedding.net