Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Arriving & Leaving in Style

Back in the day, it was nearly impossible for newlyweds to get away from the church or reception without a bumper-full of old shoes. The tradition later changed to tin cans – because they’re both louder and less expensive than a good pair of wing tips, we’re guessing. Fortunately, the bumper regalia custom has pretty much fallen by the wayside, possibly due to the danger of letting a stray oxford or soup can fly at 70 miles per hour on the highway. Good riddance to tacky traditions.

In the meantime, stretch limousines have become standard fare, with the occasional horse-drawn carriage thrown in for romantic variety. But transportation is an opportunity for creativity and originality that often goes untapped. What better way to start or end your party with a bang than to show up or ride off into the sunset in some kind of fantastic and oh-so-you contraption?

For transportation inspiration think about the season, what your region has to offer, and your and your partner’s interests. Not only might you end up with a truly unique idea for getting there and away, but you’ll also get great photo opps and, possibly, a much lower price tag than that of a limo.

Some ideas:

• Do you live in a city that features trolley tours? Think about renting an old-fashioned trolley for the night. You and your hubby or your whole wedding party could set a swingin’ tone for the evening by showing up in a high-style streetcar.

• Are you and your partner committed to green, sustainable living? Why not ditch the gas guzzlers all together and arrive on bikes or even roller skates? Better yet, how about a tandem bicycle? Trust us: the photos will be you some of your favorites.

• Know a family friend with a classic car? Arriving or leaving in a Karmann Ghia or Model T will make a major impact and perfectly suit couples with an appreciation for retro design and old-school sophistication.

• Getting married by the water? Arriving and/or leaving on a boat is a no-brainer. Whether it’s a romantic sailboat, an ironic rowboat or a luxury yacht, your guests will be impressed. Even if you’re on a lake or other limited body of water, you can board or disembark around the corner, out of eyesight, and no one will know the difference.

For the most original ideas, think about what you have on-hand, and what might creatively suit the theme or season of your wedding. From golf carts to Vespas to hay wagons to Harleys to Segues to rickshaws, there are loads of ways to get around the world, and any of them would make for a memorable wedding entrance.

In the end, what’s most important is that your mode of transport suit the two of you, your personalities and ideals. We’ve even heard of the bride and groom arriving by parachute, but have to imagine it does a number on an up-do.