Victoria,

My mother is really upset that I want to arrive to the wedding ceremony in a convertible. Not a vintage “To Wong Foo” type convertible but more like an SL600 convertible. My wedding will be a formal Summer morning wedding and I thought it would be fun to have my bridesmaids in the back seat, my maid of honor sitting shotgun and I drive myself to the ceremony. The convertible is elegant so it’s not like I am arriving in a dirty pick up truck. My mother tells me that wedding etiquette dictates the bride arrive in a limosine or a classic car like a Royles Royce. What can I say to her?

Laura

--- ---- --- ----

Hi Laura,

Uh-oh, your mother is going to hate me. Kevin Costner’s new bride rode to her upscale wedding in an old pick up truck. And a bride I know arrived in a pedicab. Brides and grooms are arriving to their wedding ceremony and reception by the most creative means of transportation, ranging from trolleys, helicopters, rowboats, yellow cabs, horse and carriage and even jetski! All of those ways are acceptable and sometimes little touches like these make wedding guests feel like this isn’t your average wedding.

Wedding planning is about creativity and inspiration should come from your personality. Do you want to look back and see the wedding of a couple from the 1970s? Probably not. Arrive in what you think is fun and will help make you smile throughout the day.

But my advice to you is to let someone else drive. With your nerves being a little strained, the slightest bit of traffic may not help. I’m sure your maid of honor wouldn’t mind switching seats.

Happy planning!

Thanks for writing,
Victoria

* Send in your wedding etiquette and planning questions to weddings@bellaonline.com *