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Ideas & Trends

Green Day: Save Gas! Transportation Options for your Wedding Party

by Nicole of mywedding.com

Photography by Jeff Newsom - see more at www.jeffnewsom.com

Tip #5: Ditch the Hummer Stretch Limo

You’ve traded in your SUV for a Prius, started utilizing public transportation or given up a little freedom by carpooling to work. With gas prices through the roof and the possibility of oil reserves running out, we’re all motivated to make different choices. Many couples have also decided to make a statement on their wedding day by choosing alternative ways to transport their wedding party to the reception. Here are nine ways you can let your values continue to shine through on your special day:

1. Rent a Hybrid -Many limousine and rental car companies are investing in hybrid options for their customers. This company in Los Angeles allows you to choose from a Prius, a hybrid Town car or a hybrid SUV. Check your local area rental car companies for hybrid car possibilities.

2. Take the Train (or bus) -If your wedding and reception is located in a major metropolitan area, consider taking public transportation to and from the ceremony and reception. This couple did. It’s cheap and better yet, it keeps your wedding party (and guests) safe if drinking is involved. Map out the best route for guests who are unfamiliar with the area and maybe include a ticket to ride in their welcome basket.

3. Hire a Horse Drawn Carriage -It may sound old fashioned, but this novel option is elegant and fun for all. Prices differ according to area, but remember you’ll be contributing no harmful emissions to the environment (well, except for methane gas). To find a carriage company in your area check the "transportation" category in the local mywedding.com city nearest you.

4. Electric Cars are Back -Electric cars are making a comeback, and many cities have electric car rentals. These funny looking vehicles are a fun and unique way to draw attention to you and your wedding party as you make your way to your destination.

5. Ride Your Bike -Depending on where and when your wedding takes place, bicycles could be a very romantic option. This may not be the best idea for those of you who live in hilly San Francisco, but it would be fun if you have a flat, short distance to travel. Photo op, anyone?

6. Gang Up -Pair up groomsmen and bridesmaids on rented and ride together, motorcycle-gang-style, to your reception. Regardless of its environmental benefits, it’ll sure be fun.

7. Carpool -Pack your cars full of wedding attendants and guests. Designate sober drivers who are willing to drive your friends and family home at the end of the night as well.

8. Take a Hike -How about a wedding parade? When your reception hall is just a few blocks away from your ceremony site, why not hoof it to the party? You’ll get some fresh air and a little (much needed) down time before the festivities begin. Just make sure you have shoes on hand that can handle the hike.

9. Stay Put -The most environmentally friendly option of all, of course, is not to go anywhere for your reception. When you plan your ceremony and reception to be held at the same venue, you not only cut down on emissions, you make life simpler as well.

Nicole mywedding.com August 29, 2008

Comments

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    • Suffolk wedding photographers
    • 09-01-2008   05:32 AM (PST)
    • I think that not only are ideas like this good for the environment (obviously!), but they help set your wedding apart from the others.

      Too often these days all the weddings are getting 'samey'. Be different and unique.
    • Reply
    • Mike
    • 09-24-2008   10:24 AM (PST)
    • Limelite Coach Works of Santa Clara, Calif.—which builds a variety of stretch limos from Hummers and Escalades to Mini Coopers and Jaguar XFs—recently added more than 13 feet to a Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. LimeLite Business Development Representative Mike Williams told HybridCars.com that it’s the first hybrid limo off the line for the company, and was sold before it was finished being built. Zbest Limos of Baltimore, Md. will soon put the vehicle into service.

      Williams noted that limo services historically have not paid much attention to fuel economy, but rising gas prices have given them new interest in the savings offered by hybrids. The company believes that using the Tahoe hybrid can yield up to 80 percent fuel savings compared to a comparable non-hybrid model.

      When parked, all of the electronics in the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid limo run off the battery while traditional limos need to run the gas engine to power toys such as flat-screen TVs, Karaoke machines, full-service wet bars, and multi-color neon lighting. In the company’s first conversion, the usual purple neon lights were switched to green.

      LimeLite has more hybrids on the way. Shop foreman Miguel De la Vega said the stretch of 160 inches in the first Tahoe was conservative—they now feel they can go to a more extreme 220-inch stretch. The company had no problems dealing with the high-voltage hybrid system, though De la Vega said he was “very careful.” All of the Tahoe’s hybrid system remains intact. In a standard limo, they would have added an additional battery and a beefed-up alternator.

      Phil Restivo, president and CEO of LimeLite, told HybridCars.com that the hybrid limo business is just beginning. “The hybrid Escalade is coming in October,” he said. Since the standard Escalade is one of LimeLite’s big sellers, he thinks the hybrid version will also be popular.

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