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Ways To Get To Your Wedding In Style

If you're like many couples, you'll be temporarily replacing your regular ride with something a little more luxurious. On your wedding day, transportation can be the perfect excuse to indulge in a more adventurous mode of getting from point A to point B. So no matter what your wedding budget and style are, you have numerous options for going from the ceremony to the reception site. We've gathered a list of options for you from the common to the adventurous.

Transport Tips

Book your transportation well in advance, so you're not stuck scrambling at the last minute. For limousines, this means one to two months before your wedding. If you're getting married during the popular summer months or at a sought-after locale, try booking up to three months prior.
Yes, it's a chore, but bridal experts recommend you actually go and take a look at the cars you're booking rather than relying on a phone call and a brochure.
If you're concerned about how the limousine will look in photos, keep in mind that a warm shade such as a cream colored car goes better with warm colored dress, such as ivory. A white limousine with a blue undertone goes better with a white dress with the same cold undertone.
It's a good idea to confirm the length of time it takes to drive your wedding day route in advance. Drive the route yourself or go online to gauge what the Chicago traffic is really going to be like.

1. Limousine

What it's good for: The limousine is the classic favorite most brides and grooms choose for their wedding day. And why not? You can fit your entire wedding party and your photographer in your ride if you need to. It's stylish, comfortable, and appropriate for just about every type of wedding.

How much you'll pay: Most limousine rental companies have a three-hour minimum. Unless you go with a pick-up and drop-off service, there's not much you can do to get around it. We checked a few wedding package rates in the Chicago area and they hovered around $95 per hour for a three-hour rental of a 10-passenger stretch limousine. Prices per hour tend to drop for longer rental times.

2. Specialty Limousine

What it's good for: For the bride and groom who want the convenience and luxury of a stretch limousine, but want something that makes more of a statement and provides some extra space to boot, Hummer limousines, Ford Excursion limousines, and similar types of vehicles are available.

How much you'll pay: Chicago area limousine companies charge in the range of $300 per hour for a three-hour rental if you're going to go with a 22-passenger Hummer.

3. Luxury Car

What it's good for: The couple who wants a car tailored specifically to their personal tastes and doesn't have a need for spare seats may want a luxury car. You have a wide range of choices from sports cars and exotics to SUVs and upscale luxury cars.

How much you'll pay: We priced a six-hour Rolls Royce rental, complete with driver, at one local car rental company. They charged a rate of $250 per hour ($1,500). For a fiery but more down-to-earth current-model Corvette, you'll pay about $300 for the whole day.

4. Trolley

What it's good for: If you picture your wedding as one big moving party, then the trolley might be your ticket to getting around on the wedding day. Choose from a single-level trolley or a double-decker. You can reasonably seat about 30 people on a trolley and about 70 on a double-decker.

How much you'll pay: Like most wedding-related vendors, you'll pay more during peak season (summer months) than the rest of the year. One company charges $1,100 for a four-hour trolley rental on a Saturday during peak season and $1,400 for the double-decker.

5. Horse-Drawn Carriage

What it's good for: Got a fairy-tale wedding with a romantic theme? The horse-drawn carriage is right up your alley. Select a closed carriage to brace yourself from the chill during colder months or an open-air carriage for warmer summer days.

How much you'll pay: In Chicago, there's quite a range of wedding packages for horse-drawn carriages. We found one vendor charges a rate of $70 per hour for a four-passenger carriage and another one that charges $750 for a three-hour event.

6. Motorcycle

What it's good for: Free-spirited couples who just want to get to around on their wedding day in laid-back style might want to consider a motorcycle. We're guessing any of you who want to try this route are already schooled in the art of riding a motor vehicle with two wheels.

How much you'll pay: If you're going to rent a rebel ride like the Harley Davidson, you could pay just $130 for the day and the rates go up from there.

7. Helicopter

What it's good for: The helicopter is ideal for the couple that really wants to make a splash, coming or going from their wedding. Of course, you'll have certain limitations; restrictions dictate that helicopters taking off and landing must do so at one of the Chicago area airports like Lansing Municipal Airport. But the view and grand entrance or exit alone could be worth using this mode of transportation.

Bill Rancic, winner of the first season of The Apprentice, proposed to E! News correspondent Guiliana DePandi during a helicopter tour over Chicago. There's no reason why you can't borrow this idea and fly the skies during your wedding.

How much you'll pay: Depending on your needs, chartering a helicopter can be exorbitant or more affordable. A city tour for four people that's less than an hour could cost you about $400. We priced one custom helicopter flight rental at $800 per hour for a party of four.

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