The Hitchhiking Bride and Her Genius Fiancé: Wedding-Day Transportation

Mr. Seal does a pretty fantastic job of not only letting me indulge in all of my unbridled wedding-day dreams, but of being just the right amount of involved. Without being controlling or, on the other end of the spectrum, mindlessly grinning and nodding, he gives his honest opinion —reason 3,476,301 why I love him.

I don't want to give away all of his amazing contributions right off the bat, but I'll at least introduce you to his unparalleled ingenuity.

Mr. S being a goofy/slightly creepy, creative genius:

Remember how our wedding party is 543 people large? Okay, I exaggerated a little bit, but I was close—25 (including us, our two flower girls and our ring bearer). I, in typical me fashion, started to get anxiety trying to imagine how we would affordably and comfortably transport all of us, plus our parents, to and from the ceremony. Crazy, I know, but I am ridiculous by nature.

Getting to the ceremony wouldn't be an issue—we'd obviously be making two trips anyhow, first to let the guys head over and then the girls. It was the getting to the reception that gave me a headache. Mr. S really wanted a vintage Rolls Royce to transport the two of us after the ceremony, and seeing as how he rarely requests anything, I was keen to oblige to his request (plus it fit the vintage feel we are going for). So this now meant that we could deduct two people (us, duh) from the group transport back to the reception but add in a whole new cost for the Rolls. Yikes.

The Rolls Royce he had in mind:

Image via Silver Lady Wedding Cars

Though at this point our wedding was still well over a year out, that didn't stop me from requesting quotes from just about every limousine company in the greater Bay Area. I'm fairly sure our wedding date is going to be a popular one and my competitive side really did not want to lose out on the best deal just because I waited too long.

Anyhow, after months of discouraging Rolls Royce quotes (3-hour minimums? $700?) and equally depressing limousine discoveries (even the stretch SUVs only held a max of about 16 people!), I was ready to throw in the towel and hitchhike to our ceremony and reception. It was just not in our budget to spend almost $2000 on transportation for a vintage car and an ugly limo bus.

Image via MixNews

Enter Mr. Seal's innovative savvy.

One day, while driving to who knows where, I was sideswiped—and no, not physically by another driver, but by the most wonderful idea EVER. The Sealman casually asked, "Why don't we rent a cable car for our transportation?" Ahh! Why hadn't I thought of that?! Iconic San Francisco-themed transportation that would likely fit our entire wedding party! He even said he'd be willing to forgo the Rolls if we managed to charter a trolley car.

I researched and requested quotes from a few different companies as soon as I got home. As fate would have it, the company (Events West) with the best reviews came back with the most affordable rate I could have ever hoped for. After improvising a couple of love songs for Shaun in light of his fantastic idea, I put down the deposit and signed the contract.

Events West's fleet of cable cars:

Images via Events West

The rates were so affordable and their seating capacity so generous that I am even considering (if my rapidly increasing budget allows for it) chartering a second car for the guests.

Is your ceremony in a different location? How will you get you and your wedding party to and from? Are you providing transportation for your guests as well?

Until next time!

Miss Seal