I have been in production for about 13 years now and I have owned Endless Wave Studios for about 10 years (January marks our 10 year anniversary). In those 10 years, I have never had a limousine company NOT tell the bride and groom that they are going into overtime. I am so fed up with this that I am calling them out. I am tired of the trick. They tell you that you need about 3 hours with them and they know it is more like 4-5 hours. I am sick of seeing people have to pay extra money for no reason, so I will advise you on how to judge time length for your limousine, and then YOU will be in control when booking.
First: Take note that 3 hours is not long enough. This is in the case that you are not having the wedding all in one location (ceremony, photo session and reception). If you are having the ceremony at one location then leaving to go to another for a photo session and then on to the reception hall, this is for you. 3 hours is not long enough. You have to factor in the drive from home to the ceremony site and the length of the ceremony. Also, please note that if you have one limo for the girls and the guys, then you need extra time so that the limousine can get the guys to the ceremony and then go to the girls, and get them there as well.
Some ceremonies take over an hour. From there, you may do a receiving line, which can take up to another half hour, and then family photos which can range from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Most people fall somewhere in between there at about 15-20 minutes. Your ride to the location for your photo session is next. How far away is it? How important are amazing photos and video to you? If you are having any kind of images taken at your wedding by a professional photographer, we know it is important, otherwise you wouldn’t be paying for it. Why let a limo company take that away from you by rushing you? I consistently feel rushed when filming photo sessions because the limo driver (who is unfortunately the bad guy, not the owner) keeps telling the couple they need to hurry or be charged. I never enjoy seeing the look on the bride and groom’s faces when this happens.
I always ask the driver why they don’t advise the correct amount of hours for the bride and groom and they all have the same answer; “it is up the the owner.”
Finally, you need to remember the ride to the reception. That part is fairly simple.
Second: Do not let the limousine company tell you what you need. The whole reason they do what they do is because they charge more for overtime than they do for hours booked up front. Naturally they are looking to collect…a lot.
You have the power to say that you want an extra hour or two up front. Knowing what you have going on on your wedding day is the most important part of this issue. All you need is to plan your day well and you will be able to dictate the way you spend your money.
I hate having to call an entire industry out like this, but sometimes someone has to step up and do it. I cannot watch people get taken advantage of much longer. Hopefully, this will help you all plan your wedding.
Leave Your
Comments »
