Ticket to Ride

Originally published in the 2018 Newport Wedding Magazine.

Egan Morel Wedding by Allan Millora

Getting around town with ease is key to a smooth, and memorable, celebration day. Whether you’re riding a bicycle built for two or renting a fleet of buses, here are some considerations to help you get your party on the road in style.

Whatever your mode of transportation, book at least six months in advance, more if you have a wedding in May or June during prom season.

Figure out who’s hitching a ride when and where throughout your celebration. In addition to the bride and groom, passengers may include the wedding party, immediate family and out of town guests.

While limos are glamorous, trolleys and buses can carry a lot of people at one time. “Most customers rent our trolley,” says Meagan Mann, wedding sales manager at Rockstar Limo. “The interior allows for a more social setting and the large, panoramic windows allow the passengers to catch all the sites as you cruise around.”

If you have a small headcount, think beyond the limo. A flower festooned pedicab makes for a sweet ride, while a vintage car or horse-drawn carriage adds a touch of nostalgic romance. “Pedicabs can be rented out for a set time and can bring an entire wedding party to its Newport destination,” explains Newport Pedicab Manager, Justin Richardson. “Decorations and painted cans to pull behind are available too.”

Kirwin Brady Wedding by Melissa Quintal Photography

If you want to match your ride to your theme, but it is logistically impractical, stage a getaway photo op— think a bedecked bicycle built for two for a beach wedding or a rustic truck at a vineyard. This is a great day to borrow your uncle’s ’57 Mustang!

Book your service in person, so you can view your options and go over the contract and details several times before signing. To help with traffic delays, pad each trip by an additional 20-30 minutes as well as have your passengers gather at as few meeting places as possible: For example, all the bridesmaids at the bride’s home and all the groomsmen at the hotel.

“When researching transportation companies, ask about insurance coverage. Rhode Island requires a $1 million policy for smaller vehicles and $5 million for larger vehicles,” explains Mann. “ I also recommend they ask about contingency plans. While you never want to think the worst, you would like to know that there is a plan if something does go wrong. You just never know what can happen with mechanical objects!”

Written by Tracie Seed