You want everything to be perfect, from the dress and the cake to the flowers and the music. And, of course, you also want your wedding transportation to be flawless.
One of the decisions you must make when planning your wedding transportation is who drives the bride to the wedding. This question may be simple, but it can have many implications for your wedding. The person who drives the bride to the wedding can affect the mood, the timing, and the symbolism of your wedding.
But how do you choose who drives the bride to the wedding?
Many options are available, from the traditional roles of the bride’s father, the groom, and the best man to some alternative or creative ideas for wedding transportation. How do you know which one suits your wedding best?
In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of each option and provide some tips and suggestions to help you make the best decision for your wedding transportation.
Bride’s Father
One of the most common and traditional options for who drives the bride to the wedding is her father. This is a classic and sentimental gesture that has been practised for centuries. The bride’s father drives her to the ceremony site and then walks her down the aisle to give her away to her groom.
This option has a lot of symbolism and significance for the bride and her father. It represents the bond and love between them and their support and blessing for her marriage. It also signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood, from being a daughter to being a wife. It is also a special moment for them to share private words and emotions before the ceremony.
If you choose this option, there are some tips and etiquette that you should follow to make it smooth and respectful.
For example:
• Choose a suitable vehicle that matches your wedding theme, style, and budget. You can opt for a classic car, a modern car, or even a horse-drawn carriage. Make sure that it is comfortable, spacious, and clean.
• Arrive at your pick-up location on time and leave enough time for traffic and unexpected delays. You don’t want to be late or stressed on your wedding day.
• Help your daughter with her dress and bouquet, and ensure they are not wrinkled or damaged during the ride. You can also bring her some water or tissues if she needs them.
• Coordinate with your groom’s father or someone who will drive him to the ceremony site. You can arrange to meet at a certain point or time or communicate by phone or text. You don’t want to spoil the surprise or ruin the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony.
• Be respectful and courteous to your daughter’s groom and his family. You are not losing your daughter but gaining a son-in-law and a new family. You should express your happiness and gratitude for their union.
Groom
Another option for who drives the bride to the wedding is her groom. This less common and more modern option can create a romantic and intimate atmosphere for your wedding. The groom drives the bride to the wedding,
either before or after the ceremony.
This option has some advantages and disadvantages for both the bride and groom. For example:
• Advantages:
• It can save money and time by using one vehicle instead of two.
• It can create a more personal and private experience for the couple,
as they can share their feelings and excitement before or after the ceremony.
• It can add some fun and surprise to the wedding, as they can choose a special vehicle, Decorate it with flowers or signs, or surprise each other with a special ride.
• Disadvantages:
• It can break tradition and superstition of not seeing each other before
the ceremony, which some people may find important or meaningful.
• It can reduce the involvement or participation of other people, such as their parents, attendants, or guests, who may want to share the ride or witness the arrival.
• It can create logistical or practical challenges, such as finding parking spaces, handling luggage or belongings, or coordinating with vendors. If you choose this option, There are some examples and ideas that you can use to make it more special and memorable.
For example:
• Rent a vintage car that matches your wedding theme or style, such as a Rolls Royce, a Cadillac, or a Mustang. You can add accessories or decorations like ribbons, balloons, or signs.
• Decorate your car with flowers or signs that express your love or humour, such as “Just Married”, “Happily Ever After”, or “Game Over”. You can also add some cans or shoes to the back of the car for some noise and fun.
• Surprise your bride with a special ride that she loves or dreams of, such as a motorcycle, a scooter, a skateboard, or a bike. You can also wear matching helmets, jackets, or sunglasses for style and safety.
Best Man
A third option for who drives the bride to the wedding is the best man. This is a more common and traditional option for driving the bride and groom to the reception or their next destination after the ceremony. The best man is usually responsible for arranging and paying for the car or limo service and providing drinks or snacks for the couple.
This option has some duties and expectations for the best man, as he is supposed to care for the couple and make their ride enjoyable and comfortable. He is also supposed to add fun or humour to the ride, as he is the groom’s best friend and confidant.
Some of his responsibilities are:
• Keeping the wedding rings safe and secure until the ceremony and handing them over to the officiant or the couple at the right time.
• Witnessing the marriage certificate and signing it as legal proof of the marriage.
• Arranging and paying for the car or limo service and ensuring it is reliable, punctual, and professional. He should also choose a suitable vehicle that matches the couple’s preferences and budget.
• Providing drinks or snacks for the couple, such as champagne, water, or chocolates. He should also avoid giving them anything that may stain their clothes or make them sick.
• Adding fun or humour to the ride, such as playing music, games, or jokes. He should also avoid anything that may offend or embarrass the couple or their guests.
If you choose this option, There are some suggestions and advice that you can follow to make it more smooth and respectful.
For example:
• Choose a comfortable and spacious vehicle that can accommodate the bride and groom, and their luggage or belongings.
You can opt for a sedan, an SUV, a stretch limo, or a party bus. Make sure that it is clean, well-maintained, and air-conditioned.
• Be punctual and reliable in picking up the bride and groom from their locations, and taking them to their destinations. You don’t want to keep them waiting or make them late for their reception or their next stop. You should also check the traffic and road conditions beforehand, and plan your route accordingly.
• Add some fun or humour to the ride, but don’t go overboard. You can play some music, games, or jokes that are appropriate and tasteful. You can also decorate the car or limo with some signs or balloons that is funny or cute. You should also respect the couple’s privacy and emotions, and give them some space or time if they need it.
Alternative Ideas
If you are unsatisfied with any of these options, consider some alternative or creative ideas for wedding transportation for the bride and her attendants. You can get to your wedding in many other ways, depending on your wedding theme, style, and personality. Some of these ideas are:
• Using public transportation, such as buses, trains, or taxis. This can be a cheap and eco-friendly option that can also add some fun and adventure to your wedding. You can also interact with other people and enjoy the scenery. However, you should also check public transportation’s availability, price, and safety before using it. You should also inform your guests and vendors about your transportation plan so they can prepare accordingly.
• Riding bikes, motorcycles, scooters, or skateboards. This can be a fun and sporty option showing your personality and style. You can also enjoy some fresh air and exercise on your wedding day. However, you should also consider the weather, terrain, and distance of your wedding locations before riding them. You should also wear protective gear and clothing to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Hiring a horse-drawn carriage, a boat, a helicopter, or a hot air balloon. This can be a romantic and extravagant option that can also make your wedding more memorable and unique. You can also enjoy some spectacular views and sensations on your wedding day. However, you should also consider the availability, price, and the safety of these vehicles before hiring them.
You should also check the weather conditions beforehand, and have a backup plan in case of any changes. If you choose an alternative idea for your wedding transportation, There are some tips and precautions that you should follow to make it more successful and enjoyable.
For example:
• Choose an alternative idea that matches your wedding theme, style, and personality. You want to choose something unique from your wedding vision or mood.
Conclusion
This blog post discusses who drives the bride to the wedding, and compares the pros and cons of different options, such as the bride’s father, the groom, the best man, or some alternative ideas. It also provides some tips and suggestions to help the bride and her attendants choose the best transportation option for their wedding day.