Should You Arrive by Limo or Vintage Car?

There are many ways that you can choose to arrive at the chapel doors on the happiest day of your life.

While some may seem exciting or romantic in theory, you really need to consider the downside of riding in on a stallion (they smell bad, they’re hard to control, you’ll have to ride side-saddle, and they have no qualms about stepping on your train) or skydiving above the site (you could land in a field three miles away if it’s windy).

In short, you might want to put the big ideas on the backburner and select a mode of transportation that is formal, functional, and not so fraught with potential drawbacks.  In this regard both limousines and classic cars could fit the bill.  But if you can’t really decide which you would prefer, here are just a couple of things you may want to consider before you choose.

Driver

There’s something to be said for having a driver to navigate traffic while you sit back and sip champagne with your bridesmaids on the way to the church.  But what if the driver shows up late?  He certainly isn’t as invested in getting you there on time as you are.  You’re simply going to have to decide if you’d rather have convenience or control when it comes to whether or not you want a driver.

Comfort

There’s no denying that a limo is more comfortable than a classic car.  Since the limo is likely to be fairly new, you’ll have a superior engine and chassis (including better suspension, automatic transmission, fuel injection, unleaded fuel, and so on).  Vintage automobiles, on the other hand, may offer a bumpy ride, the smell of gasoline, and a shifter that sticks (not to mention a complete lack of amenities like air conditioning, GPS, and seatbelts).  And if you break down on the way there (classic cars can easily overheat, amongst other things) you’ll wish you had chosen the limo.

Style

A limo comes with a high caliber of class, but if a stylish entrance is what you want, you just can’t beat a cool classic car.  Imagine driving up in a gorgeous bathtub Porsche, a 1960s Mustang convertible, or a 1950s two-tone Ford Fairlane with the top down and your veil streaming in the wind.  That’s a photo op, for sure.  Even better, think of yourself driving away in this car with your new husband, with cans and a “Just Married” sign attached to the back bumper.  It’s a pretty picture, isn’t it?  It’s certainly more unique and stylish than a limo.

Size

A limo is definitely going to be bigger than a car, even if the car is a land yacht.  If you’re planning on arriving with your whole entourage you might be better off going in one car rather than caravanning.  And think about trying to squeeze behind the wheel of a car in your huge dress; it’s bound to cause you a number of problems ranging from mild to potentially severe.

Cost

This will depend largely on the company you choose, but you could pay about the same amount either way.  Although you would expect to pay less for a car rental, restored vintage cars for rent are both rare and expensive (to insure), meaning that the cost gets passed on to you.  However, considering that you’ll pay by the hour for the limo and by the day for the car, you’ll almost certainly spend less on the latter.

Sarah Danielson writes for Connecticut Limo where you can find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs.