By English Wedding member Truly Experiences
Feature photo by GK Photography – full feature here

It’s your big day. Your time to shine. There’s no better way to make an entrance than with a unique ride to the altar – and then to your reception. Of course, you can opt for the traditional limousine or vintage car, but that’s never going to leave a lasting impression or reflect your unique style.

If you’ve ever been looking for a reason to travel in the most unconventional way, your wedding day is a wonderful opportunity.

You can use your creativity and come up with a carless transport method that perfectly reflects your personality, or you can opt for an idea simply because it makes a bold statement. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’ll love and remember for years to come – and your guests will too!

Let’s take a look at some of the alternative transport options that will make arriving at your wedding all the more exciting.

Motorbike

If you’re not too worried about the wind in your hair or taking a ride on the wild side, then a two-wheeled entrance may do the trick. You can go all out with a Harley Davidson or opt for something lower key like a Vespa. A motorbike with a sidecar is also a great option if you’d prefer to ride pillion.

Golf cart

A golf cart is a quick, easy and convenient way to move around the venue on your big day, and it can be decorated to match your theme. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding and the route to the altar isn’t suitable for a car, a golf cart is a great alternative.

Tractor

It’s big, loud and guaranteed to turn heads. This obviously only suits a venue with the space to manoeuvre a tractor, but it’s ideal for rural countryside weddings. As a bonus, your ‘wedding tractor’ can double as a prop for photos.

Sleigh

A sleigh needs snow, but it’s essentially the winter equivalent of a carriage. There’s nothing quite as romantic as a sleigh with horses, and it’s sure to add a touch of elegance to proceedings. Alternatively, if you opt for an exotic destination wedding in the desert, the sand dunes could provide the perfect sleigh surface.

Helicopter

Ever wanted to ride in a helicopter? Well now’s your chance! Blow your guests away by making your entrance from the sky. You could even splurge and offer your guests quick flights to keep them entertained while you have your photos taken.

Speak to your venue before committing to a helicopter and be sure to follow the laws applicable to the safety of the environment and the people within it.

Hot air balloon

A hot air balloon is a whimsical, slightly old-fashioned idea that certainly stands out. It’s also perfectly suited to steampunk themed weddings, which are becoming increasingly popular.

Just bear in mind that the weather will play a role in your landing, and that you’ll need plenty of space for the balloon to deposit you near your beloved.

Tandem bicycle

There’s something romantic about a bicycle built for two. It’s a little bit hipster and a little bit old school, but it’s undeniably cool. You could even take it a step further and arrange bicycles for your bridal party too – just be sure to look out for uphills and uneven road surfaces beforehand. You’ll also need to make sure that your dress is bicycle-friendly and that you’re able to pedal with ease.

Pedicab

A fun twist on arriving by bicycle or taxi, a pedicab is truly unique and will certainly be memorable! You can even decorate the cab with flowers, or deck it out with ribbons, streamers or balloons.

For added fun, rope in the Best Man to pedal you to the altar – although you may have to give him a really good thank you gift if he performs this service!

Watercraft

If you’re getting married near, or on, a body of water, a watercraft will work in your favour. You can channel your inner Italian with a romantic gondola ride or take a page out of The Notebook and hire a rowboat.
If you’re tying the note on a yacht or sailboat you can make your grand entrance on the back of a jet ski.

Walk

This is my favourite: walking to your wedding is a tradition in some countries. It’s a wonderful way to have a procession, and people may even come out of their houses to wish you well on the way. If you’re having a location wedding, walking to your venue lets you experience the culture of the area first-hand.
Walking is also the most cost-effective option, plus it’s eco-friendly and good for the environment too.

Ditch traditional transport and make a statement

Add character and charm to your wedding day and make a statement with a unique entrance. We’re not saying that the more traditional transport modes are a no-go, we’re merely saying other options may give you a more memorable moment.

All you need to do is consider your venue, theme and personality to find something that brings it all together. Then all that’s left is to make your grand entrance and say ‘I Do’!