Whether you want to ride in style with your new spouse or enjoy a cruise with your wedding party, your transportation can be both fun and practical. Make sure your wedding transportation isn’t an afterthought, especially if you have out-of-town guests or are opting for a destination wedding.
Consider offering a lift to and from the ceremony and reception or special photo spots for your wedding party. You may also opt for a bus that can shuttle guests between the venue and their hotel, so no one needs to drive. No matter your vision, here are 15 wedding transportation ideas, from stretch limos and ground transportation to helicopters and gondola rides.
Couple Transportation Ideas
You and your soon-to-be spouse might want to drive away from the reception in a picturesque moment. Maybe you want to visit special photo locations to snap memories and share alone time together. Perhaps you simply don’t want to worry about driving on your big day, so you leave the job to someone else. Here are the best wedding transportation ideas for you and your honey.
1. Vintage Car
An antique car, whether a Corvette or Bronco, offers a timeless photo opportunity. Enjoy a ride with just the two of you, or include some of your wedding party. A vintage wedding car rental usually fits up to four guests but might accommodate six if it’s a vintage van. A vintage car makes a great transportation choice if your wedding theme is classic, such as all-white decorations or has a retro feel. Antique cars are best for shorter distances of up to 10 miles but can be driven further if they’re in good condition.
2. Horseback
If your wedding is in a beautiful rural area, a horseback ride can be a unique wedding transportation option that adds to the aura of the big day. Take a horseback ride as newlyweds or extend the invitation to your wedding party for legendary photos. Check with your venue to ensure they allow horses on the property. Even a short stint around the grounds can make for an unforgettable experience.
3. Gondola
A gondola ride is one of the most romantic wedding transportation ideas. If you’re getting married near a lake, pond, or river, a gondola might be the perfect choice, especially if you and your partner have a special connection to water. Gondolas fit two to six people, depending on their size. Plan for a ride of up to 30 minutes, giving you ample opportunity for photos and snuggling with your new spouse.
4. Sleigh Ride
A sleigh ride offers quintessential wedding transportation if you’re getting married in the cooler months, especially if there’s freshly fallen snow. Most sleighs can fit two to six people, but some larger sleighs can hold up to 20 wedding guests. Sleigh rides are best for distances up to five miles. Consider packing a thermos of cider or cocoa along with warm blankets to stay cozy on the ride.
5. Helicopter
Want to look across the mountains, a lake, or another scenic area on your wedding day? A private helicopter can hold up to eight passengers, meaning you, your witnesses, and some special guests can fly with you. If you’re planning an elopement, a helicopter may already be on your elopement checklist. One thing is certain if you opt for a helicopter on your wedding day: you’ll have epic photographs no one will forget.
Wedding Party Transportation Ideas
Providing transportation for your wedding party ensures your group stays together, arrives on time to each event, and has plenty of fun. Plus, no one will have to drive, making it the safest option for everyone. You can take your wedding party from the ceremony to the reception, special photo locations, and even the afterparty. Here are the best wedding party transportation ideas, no matter the size of your crew.
6. Party Bus
In a party bus, everyone can see each other, dance, talk, and share drinks and snacks. The stereo can be pumping your favorite tunes. A small party bus can fit 14 to 16 guests, while a large bus can transport up to 30 guests. A bus is excellent for both short and long distances, up to 20 miles or more, depending on how much time you have in your schedule. After all, part of your wedding party’s role is to be by your side through it all — and have fun at the same time.
7. Sprinter Van
A sprinter van fits up to 14 wedding guests and is perfect for traveling between wedding venues and photo locations throughout your day. You can all ride together, turn on your best jams, and savor time with your favorite people. A sprinter van is ideal for city weddings, rural weddings, and everything in between — up to 30 miles or more.
You can book reliable, trusted sprinter vans (or even coach or passenger buses) for your big day with Joy ground transportation. Our transportation partners offer flexible wedding shuttle options and can help you take one thing off your to-do list.
8. Sailboat
Whether you’re getting married near a lake, river, or ocean, a sailboat provides a breath of fresh air on your wedding day. You can capture scenic photos out on the water and celebrate with your wedding party. Depending on the size, a sailboat can fit anywhere from four to 15 guests. Schedule at least an hour in your day for the ride to allow for docking.
9. Horse-Drawn Carriage
What could be more romantic than riding in a horse-drawn carriage on your big day? A horse-drawn carriage is a great option for various ceremonies, from rural weddings to city weddings where you can explore downtown areas. Some horse-drawn carriages are meant for two or four people, while others hold up to 15 guests. Consider a horse-drawn carriage for shorter distances up to 5 miles, to ensure you have time in your schedule.
10. Stretch Limo
Looking for wedding guest transportation that is sleek, modern, and functional? A standard stretch limo can fit up to 10 guests, while a super stretch can accommodate up to 20. A limo is excellent for short and long distances up to 30 miles. Whether you have an urban or rural wedding, a stretch limo can make the perfect companion and a great party bus alternative.
Wedding Guests Transportation Ideas
If your ceremony is in a different location than the reception, you may want to offer transportation to shuttle your guests. Or, if you’re getting married on a large property with a significant distance between the parking and your venues, transportation can help the flow of your day. Another reason couples get transportation is for out-of-towners, so no one has to rent a car or worry about driving to and from the celebration.
11. Passenger Bus
If you have a large number of guests who need transportation between the ceremony and reception venues or between the hotel and your venue, consider a wedding shuttle service. Buses can go any distance, but rides up to 30 minutes are usually standard. A passenger bus can accommodate 35 to 56 guests and is the cheapest way to transport many wedding guests, whether in a rural, urban, or suburban setting.
12. Water Taxi or Ferry
A water taxi or ferry can be a fun way to transport guests across a river, canal, or pond. Water taxis can accommodate 10 to 100 people, depending on the size. You might enjoy a water ride as a memorable trip or as transportation from the marina to a restaurant on the water for your reception.
13. Hayride
Add the perfect touch to your farm or rural wedding with one of the most fun wedding transportation ideas: a hay ride. Guests can tour the land or ride to another venue on the property, such as from a field for the ceremony to the barn for the reception. A hayride can fit 20 to 30 wedding guests and is a great wedding transportation option for up to three miles.
14. Golf Cart
If you’re getting married on a property where the ceremony and reception are a distance apart, golf carts can be a great way to transport guests who might have difficulty walking. Golf carts can fit up to six people and are ideal for short distances under three miles, such as from the parking lot to a barn field or forest. You and your partner can also sneak out for a special ride, giving you one-on-one time on your big day.
15. Trolley Bus
For city weddings where parking and navigating one-way streets can be difficult, a trolley bus is a great wedding transportation idea that makes it easy for guests staying at a hotel to get to your wedding. Depending on their size, trolley buses can fit up to 40 people and are best in a city or suburban area. Plus, the vintage look of the trolley offers unique photo opportunities.
Make Wedding Transportation Seamless With Joy
Choosing the perfect wedding transportation ensures it’s a fun, relaxed day for you, your wedding party, and your guests. With these wedding transportation ideas in mind, you can make it a smooth day from start to finish.
Book reliable, trusted ground transportation with Joy, from sprinter vans to passenger buses. Our carefully selected transportation partners offer flexible options and personalized services, ensuring your day is seamless – and truly unforgettable.
Beyond transportation, Joy can help reserve hotel room blocks for guests and manage free online RSVPs.
Wedding Transportation FAQ
As you plan your wedding transportation, it’s helpful to know how much to budget for and when to make your reservation. Learn all about wedding guest transportation costs and other important details.
Wedding transportation typically costs between $150 to $1,800, depending on the type of vehicle, the length of time you book it for, and the cost of living in your area. The average couple spends between $500 and $1,000, while luxury transportation like a helicopter reaches beyond this budget. The most affordable wedding transportation for a wedding party is a sprinter van. For transporting all guests, the most cost-effective option is a coach or passenger bus.
The parents of the couple often pay for the wedding transportation, but it depends on your family, cultural traditions, and personal circumstances. While traditionally, a bride’s family may have paid for wedding transportation, more couples pay for transportation and other expenses on their own. Build transportation into your wedding budget to ensure you plan for it amidst other expenses.
You should book your wedding transportation at least three to six months in advance to ensure the availability of the vehicle and driver. Consider booking 9 to 12 months in advance if you have a specific desire for transportation, or if you live in a highly populated area. Make sure to ask about the minimum hours required and any special rules, such as if you can bring snacks and drinks on board.
