d
A Touch of Class Limos started business November 1, 1988.
Our
Classic Style mid-90s limo was a popular wedding vehicle in 2011 and is also
popular for
2012 weddings.
FUN
BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE DAY TRIP
www.PocketWeddingGui
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 ceremony and bride and groom rode in “that nice looking car” to
reception.
In 1989, usually
only bride and bridesmaids were transported to ceremony and maybe
50% of the time bride also arranged for bridesmaids to be transported to reception. Approximately 25% of t grooms and their groomsmen were
transported to ceremony and to reception. Since most of the time groomsmen drove their own cars to ceremony - they happily drove
bridesmaids to reception.
In 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 friends and family, and brides no longer felt they had to
try to impress them with 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 bride and groom get transported to ceremony
and reception… but entire bridal party is also transported to ceremony
and to reception. Ten passenger Limos are still the favorite means of
transportation because one limo can be sent for groom and groomsmen and one
limo can be sent for bride and bridesmaids. The more expense larger
vehicles (Excursions and Hummers, etc.) have enough room in one vehicle to
transport everyone in bridal party to reception were popular as well.
Quite often, a lower cost sedan transports bride to
ceremony and bride and groom to reception.
Starting
in 2007
Most wedding
planning books state that it is the groom’s responsibility to arrange for
wedding day transportation. However, it is best for couples to sit down
with the parents and discuss who will be covering which expenses. My
experience has been that the couples and parents arrange transportation!
*****************************************************
Thoughts to
ponder:
2.) Arrange in
advance for someone in 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 bride on her
wedding day.
3.) It is best
to have cash envelope ready at 1st pick up location for each driver. Upon
arrival at the reception, family and wedding party are ready to celebrate and no
one is thinking about driver's tip. It is best to distribute all tip
envelopes on arrival so that you don't forget.
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 couple on their 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
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 margin of error.....when a problem occurs……..you can either look at bottom side….that limo was late or that a breakdown occurred. Or you can look
at 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 transportation 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
when circumstances beyond their control caused your reserved vehicle to be
late.
11.)
Refunds,
if any - On rare occasions - If a company for some reason misses transferring 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 trip to reception
was missed. 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 reasons are justified, are only given in form of service credits.
Couples/parents 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.
However, 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. Most
likely you already checked out everything for your wedding day. However,
keep your mind
__________________________________
Ten Passenger White Super Stretched Lincoln
Late Model style Limos
are available.
We also
have a "Classic Style" mid-90s white super stretched Limo available at a much lower cost than late model limos.
1963 Rolls Royce Austin-Bentley Princess - last
model Rolls & Bentley built together.
Local use only.
Refunds
In the Capital Region Area, 10% of limos are still the boxy squared models.
Approx. 45% are the rounded
NOTES:
Wedding Planning Hints
by Maria Lanides
2. Guest List is 1st step.
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
Air
Conditioning ( Realities)
Twenty five years
ago, if at the last minute AC didn't work - we would
cancel vehicle and customer
When doors open
…. heat in winter rushes out and in warm months cool air
rushes out. Your limo can take 5-7 minutes to cool down or
heat up again.
A fan can stop blowing the cool air or heat at any time. This is a machine
part. On high humidity days, very warm days the fan over works and then stops. On Feb. 7, 2010 - with
0-5 degree weather after 1am in Saratoga our back fan froze and didn't
start working again until next day. Same with new or old AC fans...they over
heat and then stop working. On occasion a Limo goes over a pot hole which
causes a fuse to loosen and the AC stops. Most of the time….AC will go back on
a little while later. There is no cash refund when AC doesn't work
properly.
On high temperature days where humidity is also high....
AC should be turned
off when limo is idling. Sometimes a client demands that the driver keep the
AC on while idling 5 minutes. When we do this….most often the compressor
dies and then we are without AC the rest of the day and night. The
compressor can break on a new vehicle just as easy as on an older vehicle. AC is
a never ending problem for limo and bus companies and that’s why we talk about it up
front!
Very rarely does
AC fail but when it does......If everyone
stays calm……you’ll feel the breeze from the drivers windows.
True story.
A number of
years ago, AC was not up to par in one of our limos on the way to the ceremony
from a famous hotel in Saratoga. During ceremony we found out it only needed
more coolant. The groom’s mother angrily called us and
offered a few threats and a great deal more! We explained - it
was beyond our control when a part breaks and we promised to have a
vehicle with AC at the church to take group to reception.
When we got back
to church with another limo with AC working, we discovered groom's mother
ordered another limo - and to get back at us-
they did so without letting us know! Remember, Vehicles are
machines! On the day mentioned above, the humidity was as high as temperature.
During their reception when
it was time to announce the newlyweds - just as dinner was about to be
served……the hotel’s air conditioning units also stopped working
because the humidity was so high.
Groom’s mother was again upset. However,
bridal party and all guests shrugged it off. They all had a
great time.
Moral of the story is…..
Many Brides & Prom
goers have told us they wished they had selected a lower weight gown for
their Wedding/Prom . Many gowns use a heavier material than others…….keep
weight of gown in mind when shopping for gowns…… especially for events May –
Oct..
We certainly appreciate your business, patience and
understanding. Thank you. www.atouchofclasslimos.com
For
Easy loading - we reduce size of print.
For easier reading.......enlarge
font of article you are reading!
**********************************************
Bus Coach
Charters:
Since
2008, Maria Lanides - Capital Region's only Transportation Broker - call 518
312-8505
Out of Town Casino bus trips only $32 & include $20 free
play/$5 food cards.
Outlet shopping & other out-of-town trips. Shuttling for
weddings .
Combine
friends/music/fun occasion to create a party bus effect!
Wedding Limos and other
important information.
Where
has time gone? It seems as if we blinked our eyes and now realize
almost 25 years have passed.
We've lasted in the limo business
longer than most all others in the area.
TIME FLIES BY..............Couples from 20- 21
years ago now call us to request prom limos for their children!
Many combine Classic Style 10 pax with our '63 Bentley Princess.
(Makes a great procession
and adds a special ambiance to your photos.)
Classic Style limo costs less than most other limos and is very well-maintained.
Couples have told us the Classic Style Limo holds its own next to late model limos
and it's a great way
to reduce wedding day expenses.
More Wedding
Hints included on our sister site: www.PocketWeddingGuide.com
Turning Stone Casino
Bus Trip
Only
$32/psg
Fun
Gift
Idea
FREE
$25 playing Card & $5 Food Credit included.
Meet by Friday's at Stuyvesant Plaza 8:45am - Leave Casino 4:30 - 5pm
Start
planning & if you need more passengers..... Ask
us to help you fill bus-coach!
Limos are still popular but 20-54 passenger wedding coaches have
taken over as #1 choice for wedding transportation.
#1 Advantage
of bus coaches is - no more
climbing over others to get to your seat which
means no more torn dresses and veils!
Couples use same wedding coach to transport wedding party
and transporting wedding guests.
Combining use for wedding party and shuttling guests - saves a great deal of money for
wedding couples and their families.
For
funny short video on why it is more fun & best to go in a group.....click on
photos below!
You can't view photos/Videos on Smart Phone or other hand held
computers,
Also send email from home or school computer so you can view photos/videos.
When wedding pick ups are after 3:30pm - most likely couples can expect much
higher wedding transportation cost during prom season.
There are never enough
limos available on any given prom night so when a wedding ceremony starts after
2:30pm - expect higher rates.
If 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 bride and groom have whole day and evening to celebrate.
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.
During warm weather - On occasion problems occur with AC in any
type of large vehicle including limos and buses. Manufacturers put the
same size AC unit in a 10 passenger limo as is in your own sedan. If AC
doesn't work properly - most importantly - stay calm and driver will have
you at ceremony or reception as soon as possible.
In warm
weather.......offer water to all passengers before time to leave bride or groom
pick up location. Passengers will feel cooler whether AC works or
not. Limos/Coaches are machines and no matter how much
preventative maintenance a company does........we know there will be AC problems
in the warm months.
Be determined not to let anything bother you on your wedding day - and
you'll set a pattern to follow for years to come!
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 driver, calling office and yelling at dispatcher and
owner do not help the situation. Even though drivers, dispatchers and owners
can understand and empathize with wedding couple and 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.
All suppliers work
diligently to have everything go right......until Murphy's law takes over.
Understandably most parents and wedding couples don't always allow enough time prior to leaving
pick up location to get to ceremony because they don't want their quoted wedding cost to go
up. Understandably most drivers - because 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.
See bottom of page for more info on AC in vehicles.
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 pick up
location…….. to transport group to ceremony so that wedding group can arrive as
close to “on time” as possible…..with the least amount of stress.
Most of the time…..when a problem with limo occurs……if it can’t be fixed in
time to use to transfer wedding group to ceremony……. usually the problem is rectified
soon after ………and the limo gets to ceremony location – so that when
newlyweds come out…….the limo can take group to reception..
Limos were the "thing" for all weddings in the 90s. Transportation trends have evolved and today couples planning their wedding request an assortment of limos, wedding coach/buses, SUVs and sedans to transport
couples, parents and wedding party to ceremony and reception. Wedding Coach/buses
have an advantage because 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!
A Touch of Class Wedding Shows
are 1st to offer all the newest Wedding Day trends! Go to
our sister site -
www.PocketWeddingGuide.com for wedding planning
ideas and advice on Building a Marriage.
________________________________________
Notes:
1. On same site check out Wedding Planning Hint
# 12 "Lady-in-Waiting"
Scores of brides-to-be
and a few grooms have
emailed us to say their eyes filled with tears after reading this
story.
2. COUPLES SHOULD BE ON TIME FOR THEIR WEDDING!
Remember, it is rude to guests
when either bride or groom is late for their wedding.
Also, experts say:
Most likely brides risk having a 10 month pregnancy if they are late for
the wedding!
Please - be on time - because
we wouldn't wish a 10 month pregnancy on anyone!
3. For a glimpse back to remember your prom night - - click Prom Info on home page
to read short story on
"An Almost Magical Prom Night"
4. Weddings that start
before 3pm offer most amount of time for couples families-guests to enjoy
the day!
5. Weddings on a prom night. Best to schedule
ceremony no later than 2:30pm. Limited availability
for various supplies on prom
nights. Expect higher transportation costs if arrival at reception after
4:30pm on a
prom night. Proms start
3rd week of April thru 2nd -3rd week of June.
Couples often reserve the huge 7 pax + driver VANs & SUVs and possibly a full size
sedan in place of limos to make
sure
they have affordable wedding transportation on a prom night.
Cost for 2 SUVs usually less than one 14 pax SUV.
6. A
Touch of Class Limos has maintained a "no-bump" policy
for 24 + years. Twelve out of 24 years, we were
mentioned on TV
or in print describing how we rescued
wedding couples and prom students.
Often these groups were bumped for longer more lucrative
orders! Most Capital Region Limo Companies are reputable.
However, if you are told
something happened to your vehicle .....ASK WHERE
vehicle IS ....SO SOMEONE CAN CHECK IF TRULY
disabled.
Limos are machines and even
though preventative maintenance schedules are followed....on rare
occasions....something can
go wrong. Also,
when one thing goes wrong.....the "domino" effect takes over.
Best to stay calm.
Steps to take to reserve limo:
1. Include as much information as possible on quote
form.
We will reply with a written quote via email to you.
Please highlight and copy your
responses before you hit send. A few carriers won't allow send button
to work.
If submit button fails - you can paste your
responses on an email and send to: atoc@nycap.rr.comaatoctoc@nycap.rr.com
2. After you receive our quote... we may exchange 2 -4 emails before you decide
on a vehicle.
EMAIL US to let us know you want
to reserve a vehicle. Follow up with signed contract.
3. Always best to email questions.
4. Please be patient with us on the phone, the information you give us will affect the most important day of your life.
5. After you send email to reserve wedding limo(s) a $100
-$150 deposit may be required. All deposits are non-
refundable.
All balances are due one month
prior to your wedding day. Include date of wedding on
all checks.
Checks accepted one month prior to service date.
6. No cash refund if less than
eight (8) weeks notice is given to cancel vehicle. No Refund
after vehicle accepted and
used for any portion of agreed upon service.
Refunds, if
& when
justified, only given in form of service credits.
When there is a problem - paperwork is placed into a follow up
file for approximately 2 weeks so we can address problem
after
newlyweds return from honeymoon.
____________________________________________
A Touch of Class Limos was established in 1988.
Pax is abbreviation for passengers.
In 2008, A Touch of Class expanded and has now has become the only
local transportation broker in the
Capital Region Area.
For bus-Coaches and charters call Maria Lanides 518 312-8505.
22-24 -30-32 - 46 and 54 pax vehicles
and Party buses:
A Touch of Class offers an assortment of limos
small and large groups for in-town and out-of-town
events.
11 -12 pax Limo & 8-10 pax Limos
ALL quoted WEDDING RATES are
always 2-3 HR Packages
if you want to reserve longer times.....state time requested in your email.
We can process any over-time on your credit card.
Use of Classic Style Limo helps reduce wedding
day expenses.
Classic rounded Style Limos blend well with late model
limos and
were
most popular limo again for 2011-12 weddings & proms.
Usually takes Mother, Father & Bride to Ceremony, and Bride and Groom to Reception.
Vehicle has Rolls Insignia on hood because it was last
model Rolls and Bentley made together.
c@nycap.rr.com
No cash refund if less than
8 weeks notice
is given to cancel vehicle. $150
processing fee charged on
all wedding Limo cancellations. Deposits on Bus Coaches
are non-refundable and is considered a processing fee.
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.
When there is a problem - paperwork is placed into a follow up
file for approximately 2 weeks so we can address problem
after newlyweds return from honeymoon.
Thank you for not giving us all sorts of threats
when something mechanically goes wrong. We practice
preventative maintenance but still unexpected problems
can occur with machines...and vehicles are machines!
mid 90's and approx 45% are the early to mid 2000 models.
___________________ -
Check out our sister site: www. PocketWeddingGuide.com for
wedding day ideas.
1.
Friday
and Sunday weddings are usually much less expensive than a
Saturday wedding!
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 day/evening to celebrate!
Discuss ceremony time with Bridal/Wedding
Consultant. Prom
Season: best to schedule wedding 2 or 2:30pm latest. You can still have a
"candlelight" dinner
with a 2 pm ceremony. Keep in mind
- there is much more time "to party" at
reception &"after" with 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 - couples also have their own guest
list. If it becomes necessary
to cut number of guests.......be fair and
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! A small chocolate "bon-bon" table is fast
becoming
popular for receptions and bridal showers!
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.
1st Anniversary "Destination
Celebration". Many couples are now scheduling a 1st
Anniversary Destination Celebration instead of a Destination Wedding.
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 /friends
to attend.
1st Anniversary "Destination
Celebration"
is less cost for everyone.... than cost of planning a Destination Wedding.
The 1st Anniversary event becomes a
planned fun vacation
for everyone who can attend.
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.
"thank you".
Remember - whatever you want to do is OK
for your wedding day but please remember
that your wedding day is a day to share
with family and friends.
It is always best to keep in mind to include a few
of your parents' wishes for
your wedding day.
as well as our company suffered. Wedding Couples &
We've learned -
Vehicles
are machines and as such - even though we practice preventative maintenance we can’t promise AC will
always work well
in vehicles. If AC doesn’t work or doesn’t work properly……. Stay calm and you
will still have a wonderful Prom, Wedding, or trip to Saratoga…….
Now – experience tells us – no matter what…..get to customer and transport
them as best as possible.
If there’s a problem with AC –
we no longer cancel a limo -
because it's still
most important to get to customer and transfer them to their
important event with
or without AC working properly.
Stay calm and you'll feel cooler!
Of course we all want AC and most of the time AC works most all the time in
all vehicles.
AC in large vehicles (10 pax and larger) it's another story. We've learned that by opening the front
windows and opening back windows just a bit to circulate air - we can
still get bride/groom to ceremony/reception or students to their prom -
with
minimal discomfort –
with a breeze generated from the
open front windows.
(Don't open back window too much so breeze doesn't
mess hair!)
AC always seems to work great in our Sedans, Vans and SUVs. However -
in larger 10 passenger and larger vehicles - including coach/buses- AC
at times present problems. Everyone’s body temperature goes up a little on
prom and wedding days…so make sure you drink water before leaving home and
you'll stay cooler no matter what!.
In the heat….drivers get uncomfortable as well and try to do
everything possible to keep you comfortable. Vehicles leave garage
with heat and AC working.
REFUNDS
- Vehicles leave garage with AC (or heat) working.
After vehicle
accepted & used - Refunds, if and when justified, are given only in form of
service credits. Cash refunds are not given when something goes wrong and
the AC or heat stops working. As a courtesy to let passengers know the
company understands….A Touch of Class Limos and most other companies give
courtesy service credits when deemed appropriate. If we don't show up for service - a
cash refund is justified. If something happens and we must end
service - yes a partial cash refund would be justified.
Certain types of problems deserve a refund, if and when justified, refunds are only
given in form of service credits. We want you happy. We work with
people, machines, traffic and weather. We do proper maintenance but
parts/machines do break and we never know when. Often we cannot
repair heat or AC problem until next day.