Most people associate a horse and carriage with a fairy tale wedding. However, even if you are not having that type of wedding, you can still arrive to your wedding venue in a carriage. Before booking your carriage, here are some tips to remember.

Ask About the Distance Restrictions

Chances are, the horse and carriage company you are considering has restrictions on how far their horses can travel. The restrictions are in place to protect the horses. Depending on the company, you could be limited to 10 to 15 miles.

If the company does not have distance restrictions in place, there is a possibility that the welfare of the horses is not being considered. Contracting with the company could come down to a moral decision.

Contract for More Than One Carriage

You can choose to use one wedding carriage to deliver you and your wedding party, but this could delay your start time. The carriage operator would have to pick up and drop off your wedding party and then return to pick up the bride. Depending on the size of your wedding party and the distance from the pickup and drop-off location, this could take a considerable amount of time.

Contracting for more than one carriage will help to shorten this time. Even if you only contract for just one more carriage, it could help save time.

Talk to Your Photographer

Talking to your wedding photographer before you book the carriage might seem strange, but it is a logical move. If you are planning to take wedding photos in and near the carriage, you want to make sure the photographer is prepared. He or she might need to bring along special equipment to get the pictures needed.

Another reason to talk to the photographer is that he or she can provide a friendly reminder that you wanted to take photos in the carriage. In the bustle of the day, you could forget and miss out on the opportunity.

Have a Backup Plan

Depending on the weather, you might not be able to follow through with your intention to ride a carriage to your wedding. If the weather takes a turn for the worse on your wedding day, you will still need a ride to the venue.

If your ride is cancelled due to the weather, talk to the carriage company about booking a ride at a later time. You and your new spouse can opt to take a romantic ride or you can take the photos that you wanted on your wedding day.