Alternative title: “Do I just have to, like, wish myself there or something?”
It was about four months into planning when I realized that I wasn’t thinking about a pretty key fact: transportation.
Image via Molly’s Trolleys Pittsburgh
Through my research, I haven’t discovered much related to transportation on the big day. I mean, I think of movies and it’s always the couple driving away with “Just Married” on the back.
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Image via Martha Stewart Weddings / But these won’t make any noise!
And that’s all fine and dandy—but how in the heck do you get from point A to point B? The hotel/wherever you’re getting ready to the ceremony site? Ceremony to picture site? Perhaps the most important (definitely in our case), from the reception back to the hotel?
Does the bride drive herself? Does a bridesmaid drive? What about the dresses? Does the groom drive? What if everyone doesn’t fit in one car? Does the hotel (if applicable) provide transportation? I mean, these are serious questions.
Obviously, the idea of a limo pops into mind. When I attended a bridal show early in my planning stages, I made sure to stop at the limo booths and, honestly, their prices didn’t really “wow” me. Granted, I’m competing with prom time—which I didn’t even think about until they pointed it out—so I’m sure that is factored in, somewhere. But $900-plus smackeroonies for a “party bus” just made me crinkle my nose.
As I continued my research into wedding-day transportation options, I realized pretty quickly that limos were not the way to go for us or for our bridal party. One of the newer (Or is it just new to me? I swear, I’ve never heard of this.) options is to rent a charter bus for the day.
Image via Qualistar Transportation / Who knew?
Even though the charter bus was definitely a better option for our fairly well-stacked wedding party, it still wasn’t the BEST option for us.
Personal photo / We roll deep, people. From left to right: Groomsman L, Mr. Palm Tree, Groomsman Y, Rev. Fun, Best Man R, MOH Mem, Bridesmaid Blackout, Me, Bridesmaid Badonk, Bridesmaid Y, Groomsman Pythagoras, and Bridesmaid Tiny Dancer. Missing: Groomsman Dubstep.
Enter: Molly’s Trolleys. First, some eye candy:
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Above images via Molly’s Trolleys / I. Die. SERIOUSLY. Do you see all of these?!
I have to be honest, friends. It was pretty much that second picture that had me foaming at the mouth. So long as it would not completely break our bank, it was happening.
We had a weekend that we called “wedding weekend” about a year ago, when almost all of us were in the same place, and for our night outings we took the $5 limo (side note: up there with Primanti’s sandwiches on the list of bomb ass things to come out of Pittsburgh) and someone joked that we should just book it for the wedding. I mentioned how expensive the limos were and MOH Mem said, “We could split it between us and pay for it and make it part of our gift to you guys.” BOOM.
I have to be honest, it is significantly more expensive than the limo—but we get much more. As in: ability to bring a cooler (or coolers, inevitably) with whatever we’d like, our choice of music, extended hours, no trip charges (meaning we rent for the hours, not for the stops, gas, etc.). The higher price was definitely, absolutely worth everything we would get. I crunched more numbers (I’m so bad with math, I literally have to quadruple check myself) and figured it out: If we split the total cost in half, the wedding party would be paying about the same as if splitting the total cost of the limo. Granted, Mr. Palm Tree and I would have to pay a chunk (half, to be exact), but so totally worth it. AND THOSE PICTURES. I have such visions! They are so perfect, the trolley is so perfect (and so CUTE)—it’s very us. Honestly, one of the most exciting decisions we’ve made.
What was the most exciting decision you’ve made thus far? Were you faced with any options that made you MAKE room in your already tight budget for something you wanted?
I love the trolley! I really wanted one, but we have to take a parkway to get from the ceremony to the reception, and the trolley can’t do that 
I am in State College, PA and using a trolley too. I really hope we get some good pictures with it.
OMG IT’S CALLED MOLLY’S TROLLEYS! I would’ve rented from them based on the name alone.
Renting a trolley was one of the best wedding choices we made. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
I was once in a wedding where the bride and groom did have a limo, but rather than allowing the bridal party to be transported with them to the reception, they used it for only their own transportation. It was a bummer for all the bridesmaids to figure out who was driving and how to get to the reception hall. I’m glad you’re transporting your whole party – I imagine it will be a lot more fun that way!
The Trolley is super cute..and unique. Plus, I agree with the PP’s – the pictures will be epic!
Love Molly’s Trolleys! We took one to prom. and rented one for my dad’s 50th birthday. the driver was so friendly too! You might not have a problem if your dress is big enough to provide a cushion but the seats aren’t that comfortable. the best perk is bringing your own booze. and the photo opportunities are great too!!! Awesome choice!
I agree with @Mrs. Treasure the name alone is reason enough to rent from them. You’re going to have so many cute trolley pictures!
I love the trolley! The quality of images are low but you look so fun! Congrats!
@new york bride 13: Ugh, what a bummer. Are you going limo instead? Mrs. Fox had a school bus and it made for stellar pictures, is that an option for you?
@aoneil225: You definitely will! Trolley pictures are aaaamazing.
@Mrs. Treasure: LOL. That’s what I said to Mr. Palm Tree – this ended up being a no budgey. It’ll be so nice to be comfortable and not squished together, too.
@pinkpre: Not to diss the B&G, and I’m sure they had personal reasons, but that makes me sad for the wedding party. I’d hate to exclude them or make them be responsible for driving the day of – that’s just how we are, though, a close-knit circle. I, too, think it’ll be very fun this way. And okay, True Confessions: I’ve wanted to ride on a trolley since the days of Full House. 
@sarg88: Oh, what great news! Yay for good reviews! I can totally deal with the wooden seats for a bit, but thank you for the heads up. . . oh, and the booze was a huge pro for us. 
@Mrs. Pony: EEEE! Thank you! I can’t wait.
@sierratakeloon: Thank you! Maybe I’ll lend the website some of our photos after they’re taken? haha
@Mrs. Treasure: We looooooved your trolley pics. I can’t wait, it’s going to be such a blasty blast!!
so neat, wish they had one here in Colorado! We just couldnt picture me crawling out of the limo w/my giant dress, so we’re doing the hotel shuttle (blah) back and forth, but it’s pretty close to free and its like a little mini bus-so no crawling required. We are lucky enough to have ceremony/reception at the same place, 2 miles from the hotel.
Our budget breaker is the booze! Our venue is crazy expensive and you can’t byo Anything! but we’ve figured it out, have a few things open bar -up to a certain amount but in no way did we expect to pay more than $350 for a keg of Coors light -geez. Still makes my stomach turn.
Some things are just worth busting the budget for though 
@babbot: We are offering the hotel shuttle for our guests’ transportation needs. We wanted to provide them with as little need to coordinate things as possible. That’s AWFUL about your venue’s alcohol prices and regulations. $350 for a keg of Coors Light?! Ahhh. If in that situation, we would’ve sucked it up, too – definitely a worthwhile budget buster.
Miss Palm Tree, Pittsburgh, PA Age and Occupation: 23, Lease Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Associate Systems Analyst Engagement Date: December 22, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2013 Venue: The Fez in Aliquippa, PA About Me: I’m Miss Palm Tree - an opinionated, loyal and outgoing bride-to-be. I currently work as a Lease Analyst by day and a catering assistant by night. Mr. Palm Tree is a Computer Engineer with a love for all things cats. Mr. Palm Tree and I are absolute soul mates. Having grown up across the street from each other (I have the scars to prove it), we have been a part of each other’s lives for almost as long as we can remember. We are far from perfect: we fight, we get annoyed with each other and we certainly take advantage of knowing one another so well when pushed to the edge, but ultimately, what truly defines us as a couple is our love.
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