Driven by a dream
Sherry Amatenstein
It’s not the destination but the journey that matters, so say the Buddhists. And many real brides agree. Just take a gander below at how brides travel to and from their ceremony in unusual ways. The costs will vary depending on where you live in the country; the prices quoted below might not include tax and gratuity. ANTIQUE CARS THE PLUSES: These cars are typically fun, elegant and whimsical. Some have a jump seat and can hold five people comfortably. The 1957 Classic Chevy Bel Air carries ten people. THE CONSIDERATIONS: Make sure the limo company maintains their automobiles! THE BUCKS: Around $400 to $450 for a three hour minimum. ONE BRIDE’S EXPERIENCE: Ever since buying her first run-down Volkswagen Bug, Sara Gordon was a lover of antique autos. Even before meeting her future husband, Sara knew she'd travel to her eventual wedding in classic car style. Indeed when the 28-year-old wed this past September, she and David drove to and from Baker Beach (in glorious view of the Golden Gate Bridge) in a convertible. She laughs, “You never know about the weather in San Francisco, so we had a driver behind us with a roofed second car, just in case.” The couple matched their snazzy wheels: each wore 1920’s wedding clothes! Sara laughs, “My usually ultra-modern groom looked adorable in his bright blue zoot suit and hat.” HOT AIR BALLOON THE PLUSES: Very-romantic, very memorable! THE CONSIDERATIONS: You’re literally at the whim of the winds. Not only might your bridal attire – and hair — get mussed, you might not be able to land at the time or place you desire. Warning for those wanting to marry in the afternoon or evening: hot air balloons "take off" at sunrise or sunset. THE BUCKS: Around $210 a person plus $500 for basket rental. ONE BRIDE’S EXPERIENCE: Christie Bennett-Zellers is one of the rare brides to actually plan her wedding around the way she chose to travel to it! The 24-year-old newlywed of one year laughs, “It was my fiancé’s idea to invite guests to come to our wedding via hot air balloon. We set the ceremony for the woods by my parents’ house in Bethel, Pennsylvania.” When 42 people agreed not only to buy their balloon passage but also to come to a wedding that began at sunrise (winds are best that time of day), the nail biting time really began. Christie recalls, “We had two dates planned to make allowances for bad weather. Luckily we were able to take off the first day. The other problem is you never know exactly where the balloon is going to land. We had chaser trucks following the balloons so they could pick up the people when they landed and bring them to my parent’s house.” Every last guest-filled balloon was accounted for and the wedding went off without a hitch. Why did the couple pick such a flighty form of transport? Christie explains, “We’re both quiet people and wanted the center of attention to be on the balloons, not us.” HORSE AND BUGGY THE PLUSES: Talk about romantic! Terrific for a rural or city setting. THE CONSIDERATIONS: According to Joyce Scardina Becker, president of Events of Distinction, a wedding design firm in San Francisco, “If you’re traveling with your bridal party and not the groom, a horse and buggy ride defeats the purpose of romance.” THE BUCKS: Request a flat fee as opposed to by the hour. It’ll probably be $400 to $500. ONE BRIDE’S EXPERIENCE: Jamie Duncan giggles, recalling the unexpected mini-crisis that befell she and her groom Steve when they left the church and stepped into their buggy. She says, “We had attached a JUST MARRIED sign and a string of cans to the back of the carriage. The rattling sound made the horse go wacky. The driver finally had to get out and take off all the cans!” WATER TRANSPORTS THE PLUSES: Here are modes of transportation that will make a statement – if not a splash. Pull up to shore via motorboat, sailboat, jet skis, or surfboard. THE CONSIDERATIONS: Mother Nature. Also, surfboards are hell on a wedding gown and coifed ‘do. Not recommended if you can’t swim, get seasick and/or want your reception to be elegant rather than casual. THE BUCKS: Motorboat or 18-foot Sailboat: $180 to $200 an hour Jet Ski: $110 an hour Surfboard: $34 an hour ONE BRIDE’S EXPERIENCE: Carol Hudler will always remember how she almost didn't make it to her wedding. She and her fiancé, Ad, decided to get married on Useppa Island, off the coast of South Florida. To get to the ceremony the bridal party traveled by a small motor boat. Ad, always confident, steered like he'd driven a boat before. He hadn't. Carol, who can now laugh about the incident, recalls, “We got stuck on a sandbar and had to be rescued by the water patrol. Luckily we still weren't late. Though the weird luck continued after the ceremony when the island lost power. Ad and I huddled in our suite, which wasn't such a bad thing.” HELICOPTER THE PLUSES: Adds pizzazz to the proceedings. Your guests will be open-mouthed with awe. Becker says, “It’s incredible to watch a helicopter land on a country club’s golf course and see the bridal party emerge.” THE CONSIDERATIONS: Not all sites want helicopters landing in their backyard, or will make you pay through the nose for the privilege. If you, your groom or any member of the bridal party suffer from fear of flying, reconsider this mode of transport! THE BUCKS: $550 an hour and up ONE BRIDE’S EXPERIENCE: Veronica Mannarino agreed to travel to her wedding in a helicopter because her fiancé loved airplanes to the point where he had taken a few flying lessons. Their mini-crisis occurred when shortly after sending out the wedding invitations they discovered the town wouldn’t allow them to land a helicopter near the church they’d chosen for the ceremony. Many frantic phone calls and last minute arrangements ensued. But it proved worth the trouble. Veronica recalls, “I’d been nervous but the ride was so much fun. The helicopter actually had the luxury of a limo. Not only did I feel like Queen for a Day, I got an incredible video I was able to show my children the exciting way their mommy and daddy got married.”