d
We've
been in business since 1988 and we are also the only local broker in the area.
This means -
Wedding Day Transportation and Wedding Hints
articles written by Maria Lanides shown below photos. Wedding Limo Transportation - Capital Region Area of New York
State - includes: Sometimes there is availability when limos are reserved a week or two before your wedding.
However, it is best to reserve six to eight We never bump anyone.......... for a longer more lucrative
order!
__________________________________-
After you call office to reserve your wedding limos, a $150 deposit per each early 2000 model
limo is required. All deposits are non-
A Touch of Class Limos is a Bridal Center and we do specialize in weddings.
Our tuxedo attired chauffeurs are always helpful to the
A Touch of Class also offers the ultimate
Party
Bus Experience - (affordable rates when not prom season)
Party
BUSES -
Prom 20, 30 & 44 psg Party Buses
available in limited supply - when/if reserved early enough.
ALL WEDDING RATES QUOTED ARE 2-3 HR PKGS Ten Passenger White Super Stretched Lincoln Rounded Models (not the squared
of the 80's)
1963 Rolls Royce Austin-Bentley Princess - last
model Rolls & Bentley built together. Refunds
In the Capital Region Area, 10% of limos are still the boxy squared models.
Approx. 45% are the mid 90's and approx 45% are the early to mid 2000 models.
Let group know they are saving a great
deal of money by not using a newer limo.
For
a night out - to assure that your group doesn't drink and driver....it is not
necessary to spend a great deal of money on transportation.
Pick and choose when you want to spend on a newer style limo.
However, if you have Tiffany & other expensive item style tastes -.then you
might want to go for the newer style limos.
___________________ -
NOTES:
Skim through info below and on sister site........Most
likely you already know most info but keep eyes open See our sister site
www.PocketWeddingGuide.com for wedding planning ideas and advice on
Building a Marriage.
For a glimpse back to remember your prom night - - click Prom Info on home page
to read short story on
Wedding Planning Hints
by Maria Lanides
2. First make up Guest List.
Think in terms of eight to a table - starting with family groups...... and
list your 8 names to a table
3. After guest list
complete.........then talk budget - and type of reception. You may either
have to cut # of guests or change type of
5. Cakes & Cookies: 200
guests - order cake for 160 .......... because a "cookie and
dessert" table is very popular and guests only
6. Combining salad - fruit cocktail or
shrimp ready on table for guests .......with stations around the room
offering assorted other
Wedding Day
Transportation
-
by
Maria Lanides
Transportation on
a wedding day started with using someone’s car ”that was nicer looking” than
your own. The bride and her father usually rode in “that nicer looking car”
to the ceremony and the bride and groom rode in “that nice looking car” to the
reception.
In 1989, usually
only the bride and the bridesmaids were transported to the ceremony and maybe
50% of the time the bride also arranged for the bridesmaids to be transported to
the reception. Approximately 25% of the grooms and their groomsmen were
transported to the ceremony and to the reception. Since most of the time the
groomsmen drove their own cars to the ceremony - they happily drove the
bridesmaids to the reception.
In the year 2006
- Brides started to be more careful with spending for their wedding day. The
weakening economy influenced brides to seek other means of transportation for
their wedding day. Brides began to realize that members of their bridal
party were their friends and family, and the brides no longer felt they had to
try to impress them with the most expensive and newest vehicles. Many started
to order older vehicles because they were less cost.
Brides and their
bridal parties ride in all sorts of vehicles to the ceremony…. large and small,
old and new. Not only do the bride and groom get transported to the ceremony
and reception… but the entire bridal party is also transported to the ceremony
and to the reception. Ten passenger Limos are still the favorite means of
transportation because one limo can be sent for the groom and groomsmen and one
limo can be sent for the bride and bridesmaids. The more expense larger
vehicles (Excursions and Hummers, etc.) have enough room in one vehicle to
transport everyone in the bridal party to the reception were popular as well.
Quite often, a sedan or an older classic car transports the bride to the
ceremony and the bride and groom to the reception to lessen cost of
transportation.
Starting
in 2007 it
became a whole different ballgame. Companies closed their Hummer divisions and
many companies sold their larger SUV limos. Large expensive limos gave way to
bus coaches. Riding in a bus/coach allowed parents to ride along with bridal
party to take photos. Parents and Grandparents expressed that they felt
more a part of the wedding day by riding along with bridal party to photo and
reception locations. Limos are still popular but the 28-30 passenger wedding
coaches are fast rising in popularity. Advantage to bus coaches - is no more
climbing over others to get to your seat. Brides that need shuttling for
wedding guests can use the same wedding coach to transport the bridal party as
they do for transporting wedding guests. Combining the use of the shuttle
bus for guests and bridal party saves a great deal of money for the bride and
her family.
Most wedding
planning books state that it is the groom’s responsibility to arrange for
wedding day transportation. It is best for bride and groom-to-be to sit down
with the parents and discuss who will be covering which expenses. My
experience has been that the bride and her parents arrange transportation most
of the time!
Thoughts to
ponder:
1.) Limo rates
are much higher during prom season….because there are never enough limos
available on any given prom night. If your wedding is during prom season, try
to schedule ceremony no later than 2 pm so you don’t have problems arranging
transportation. A 2pm ceremony means cocktail hour starts at 4 pm and
candlelight dinner starts between 5 and 6pm.
A 2 pm wedding ceremony is always a great time because the bride and groom have
the whole day and evening to celebrate.
2.) Arrange in
advance for someone in the bridal party to be responsible for checking for
items that might be left inside limo and trunk when they exit vehicle at
ceremony as well as upon arrival at reception location. Assigning someone to
take care of this matter will certainly avoid stress for the bride on her
wedding day.
3.) It is best
to have an envelope ready at 1st pick up location for each driver. Upon
arrival at the reception, family and bridal party are ready to celebrate and no
one is thinking about the driver's tip. It is best to distribute all tip
envelopes on arrival so that you don't forget. When group arrives at
reception...no one is thinking about the driver's tip....and .it gets very
awkward for driver when tip isn't offered.
4.) Certain
situations are often referred to as "limo horror stories". These "horror"
stories are exaggerated and expanded many times over. When someone tells me
about a horror story....I expect names, dates and locations - otherwise I don't
listen. Mot times this information is unavailable and that is why they are
called "stories". Transportation company representatives and all other
suppliers to the wedding day want everything to go right for the bride on her
wedding day.
6.) Arrival
time should not be same as Leave time. Always best to state a separate
arrival time and a separate leave time rather than a pick up time for
weddings. Vehicles can not arrive and leave at the same time. It takes time
to get everyone in to a limo. To save money....most families cut this time
too short and don't want limo to arrive too early. However, it is best to
schedule at least 15-20 minutes between arrival and leave time at both bride
and groom's pick up location which can avoid late problems.
7.) Weather and
accidents can affect the timeliness of your scheduled limo: The driver,
dispatcher and owner all feel bad and are upset when a vehicle is delayed.
Again, the driver, dispatcher and owner did not arrange for a heavy downpour or
an accident just so your limo would be late. A transportation company can
go weeks and weeks without one even minor problem. When something
does occur, please stay calm and try not to
attack, threaten or scream at your driver, dispatcher or transportation
company owner. All companies try to resolve problems as soon as possible.
8.) Limos are
vehicles just like your own vehicle: Limo companies do as much preventative
maintenance as possible - but parts can break down at any time just as can
happen with your own vehicle. Often there is enough time to make a repair and
still be on time. Whenever possible, limo companies try to substitute another
vehicle when something happens to your scheduled limo. In this less than
perfect world, it is just not economically feasible to always have an extra
vehicle just sitting around…..for the very few times a breakdown happens. A
driver can go for 8 weeks to weddings and night out customers without being late
and then something happens to make him 10 minutes late for one wedding.
Please - stay
calm so you enjoy your day. If Ac doesn't work, or a driver is
late....it won't ruin your day unless "you choose to allow it to ruin your
day"....
Again, most
important is to try to stay calm. Every limo company dispatcher, owner and all
drivers feel extremely terrible when a breakdown happens or something unforeseen
causes vehicle to be late. Limos are machines and machines do have
breakdowns. Most limo companies maintain a 4-6% margin of error. No matter
what the margin of error.....when a problem occurs……..you can either look at the
bottom side….that limo was late or that a breakdown occurred. Or you can look
at the top side - which is... limo was late or a mechanical breakdown
occurred….but problem didn’t cause physical harm to anyone in your group.
10.)
If limo is late because of circumstances beyond the limo company's
control.........and substitute limo….is accepted and used…..to transfer
individuals to ceremony and/or reception – there is no cash refund.
Limo companies do
not give a cash refund when vehicle is accepted and used….but usually will offer
a few hours of free service to acknowledge they understand client’s frustration
because circumstances beyond their control caused your reserved vehicle to be
late – or caused your reserved vehicle not to show up at all.
11.)
Refunds: Most companies divide their wedding package service in to three
parts: a.) Getting to ceremony. b.) Time at ceremony . c.) Getting to
reception. If a company misses arriving in time to transfer you to
ceremony....usually there is a 1/3 cash refund due. If vehicle takes you to
ceremony and is at ceremony and somehow the limo overheated and won't start to
get you to reception....then there usually is a 1/3 cash refund due because we
missed trip to reception. This type of situation is an example of what is
beyond our control and deserves a cash refund for that portion of service that
was not received. .
All service:
After vehicle accepted & used for any portion of contract. - Refunds, if and
when justified, are only given in form of service credits.
A bride should not hold a limo company liable for
delays/service interruptions or damages caused by acts of God, authorities of
law, inclement weather, hazardous road conditions, accidents or breakdowns or
any other condition beyond its control.
Most
transportation companies do not offer a cash refunds after vehicle accepted and
used.
When a problem
occurs and client reserved/paid for vehicle that didn’t arrive as requested and
no other substitute vehicles is available from same transportation company…. It
stands to reason that a cash refund would be due.
12.) Whether
free service is donated to a fund raising group or if a client receives free
service because a problem occurred on their wedding day, recipients of the free
service more often than not pay for gas and minimum tips to driver.
Wedding Limos
after you designate us as your broker
(at no extra cost
to you)
"we find any
vehicle you want".
You can expect "a touch of class" with all transportation!
Albany, Delmar, Niskayuna, Schenectady, Troy, Rensselaer, Clifton Park,
Saratoga Springs, etc.
months ahead of time, depending on season. Limited availability on prom nights........also expect
higher
costs on prom nights starting
3rd week of April through 2nd week of June
if arrival at reception after 4pm. .
Brides often reserve black and other dark
colored SUVs and possibly a full size white sedan instead of limos
to make
sure they have affordable transportation on a prom night.
NYS Sales Tax collected on all orders.
Steps to take for ordering limo:
1. Include as much information as possible on your quote
form.
We will reply with a written quote via email to you.
2. After you receive our quote... we may exchange 2 -4 emails before you decide
on a vehicle.
After you decide - e-mail us to let us know. Also
email us signed contract.
3. Two months prior to wedding, a full time schedule for your limo(s)
should be done.
4. Please be patient with us on the phone, the information you give us will affect the most important day of your life.
refundable.
All balances are due one month
prior to your wedding day. Remember to include the date of your wedding on
all
checks. Checks accepted up to 3-1/2 weeks prior to service date. Please email and call the office to reserve your wedding limo.
No
cash refund if less than
four weeks notice is given to cancel vehicle. After vehicle accepted & used for any portion of
agreed upon service -
refunds, if and when
justified, are only given in form of service credits.
bride and her bridal party.
A Touch of
Class offers an assortment of 6-10 psg limos
and bus/coaches
for 14 - 20 - 27 - 30 46 and 54 passengers:
1.) 15 passenger limo/coach - outside looks like a bus -
inside looks like a limo with seating in
the round! Photo available in
email with
attachment.
Bus/coaches - 2 x 2 seating - Affordable cost for
transporting Bridal Party & guests on wedding day.
Great rates for sporting events, shopping in NYC//Boston or to go to a Casino.
email us info and we will try to service "your area" !
Keep
us in mind when you need to order transportation
for bachelorette or
bachelor Party as well as for
airport/Amtrak transfers. Our SPAC-Saratoga season
rates are fair and well received.
Party Buses: Any bus can be a spectacular
Party
Bus Experience when you have a few portable Strobe Lights!
are available
(rounded style shown above).
Usually takes Mother, Father & Bride to Ceremony, and Bride and Groom to Reception.
Will know by May 1 if Classic car will be available May - Nov. 1.
For Information: email atoc@nycap.rr.com
No cash refund if less than four weeks notice
is given to cancel vehicle. $100
processing fee charged on all wedding cancellations. After vehicle accepted & used for
any portion of wedding transportation
- there are no refunds.
Refunds, if and when
justified, are only given in form of service credits.
You have most
likely realized.... that for all types of services offered....mid 90 model limo
rates are lower than rates offered for newer model limos.
to discover a new and fun
idea for your wedding.
On same site check out Wedding Planning Hint
# 12
"Lady-in-Waiting" .....scores of brides-to-be
emailed me saying they shed a few tears reading this story.
"An Almost Magical Prom Night"
1.
Saturday
weddings are the most expensive.... Friday weddings less expensive and Sunday
weddings usually are least
expensive! Time of ceremony is most
important. Selecting a 1, 2 or 3pm ceremony time is best for
most seasons. An early
ceremony time allows you to have most of
the day and evening to celebrate!
Discuss ceremony time with your Bridal/Wedding
Consultant. An early ceremony time is
most important during Prom season. During prom season
try not to select a ceremony
time later than 2pm. You can still have a
"candlelight" dinner with a 2 pm ceremony. Keep in mind
- there is much more time
"to party" at
reception and "after" with an early ceremony time.
Limit planning
discussions to no more than 15 - 20 minutes to
avoid arguments!
on one sheet of paper. Your floor
plan is almost done as you are doing your guest list!
reception to fit your budget.
Parents on both side have a guest list. Quite often - bride
and groom also have their own guest
list. If it becomes necessary
to cut number of guests.......delete names equally on all lists and don't expect
all the cuts to come
from parents' lists.
4.
Reception Location: You can find quality of
service/food the same in many locations. Cost and names
may be different and
in most cases - that is it! Be cost
effective in your wedding choices. Once
the money goes out of your pocket - it is gone! Go
easy with amount of hors d'oeuvres - or guests won't
finish their main meal!
want a small piece of cake so they can also
sample the other desserts!
items has also become most popular.
A combination "station and sit down" dinner is less cost than an entire
sit down dinner!
7. Avoid large
centerpieces that block guest's view across the table.
During dinner - keep music low so guests can carry on
conversations!
8. Destination
Weddings: Discuss in advance with parents. If parents want you
to have a traditional wedding - they are only
thinking that it will be easier and less
expensive for the family and friends to attend. Many couples
schedule a renewal of
vows "Destination
wedding" for
their first anniversary and invite friends and family to come along.
Cost is less and the
event becomes a planned fun vacation
for everyone.
9. Time of
arrival at reception: Weddings usually require 2-1/2 hours from ceremony time to arrival at
reception time. This
means that with a 2 pm ceremony most brides
will arrive at their reception by 4 pm. During Prom Season, expect to receive
much higher vehicle prices - if
arrival at reception is after 4 pm.
Remember - whatever you want to do is OK for your wedding day.
You've seen this statement elsewhere in my articles on
"PocketWedding Guide.com" but please remember
that your wedding day is a day to share with family and friends.
Therefore.....it is always best to keep in mind and include a few wishes
that your parents want for
your wedding day.
5.) Transportation companies work with people, machines, traffic and weather.
All companies endeavor to be on time for all pick ups - but machines are
machines...and as such...even with preventable maintenance....limos do have
breakdowns. Weather conditions also affect timeliness.
Keep
everything in perspective. It does no good to crucify the driver, dispatcher and company
owner if AC doesn't work or if your driver is late. None of them want a breakdown to occur and
yelling at the driver, calling the office and yelling at the dispatcher and
owner do not help the situation. Even though drivers, dispatchers and owners
can understand and empathize with the bride and her family’s frustration when a
problem arises……..the frustration does not justify an attack on any one of them
or on all of them.
As an owner - I am crushed when something goes wrong. We all work
diligently to have everything go right......until Murphy's law takes over.
Understandably most parents and brides don't allow enough time prior to leaving
pick up location because they don't want their quoted wedding cost to go
up. Understandably most drivers - because the last 15 pick ups
went as scheduled........don't anticipate a delay.
Ideally an extra 20 minutes should be allowed to accommodate delays - but
that isn't always feasible.
9,) Extra
Vehicle available: If and when a problem does occur……and transportation
company is not able to locate a replacement vehicle – it is a good idea to have
extra vehicles at the pick up location…….. to transport group to ceremony so
that bride can arrive as close to “on time” as possible…..with the least amount
of stress. Most of the time…..when a problem with the limo occurs……if it can’t
be fixed in time to use to transfer bride to ceremony……. usually the problem is
rectified soon after ………and the limo gets to the ceremony location – so that
when newlyweds come out…….the limo can take the group to the reception..
All brides wanted limos 20 years ago. Today brides ask
for limos, wedding coach/buses, SUV limos and sedans to transport bride,
groom, parents and bridal party to ceremony and reception. Wedding Coach/buses
have an advantage and that is.. passengers do not have to climb over other
passengers to get to their seat. Yes, over the past 20 years -
transportation has come a long way!