FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS and ADVICE ABOUT
HIRING A HORSE AND CARRIAGE SERVICE (Click here to download this article in PDF)

I am often pleasantly surprised by the number of couples (or brides' parents) who share with me that the decision to add a romantic horse and carriage ride to their wedding plans is to be the most important part of their special day! Thus, we make every effort to make your time with us everything you dreamed it would be.

RESERVE EARLY!
Spring and autumn book up quickly as those are popular seasons for weddings. The holidays also are very busy times. So we recommend you reserve your carriage service as far in advance as possible. You may book and pay online or send the reservation form in with your deposit via traditional mail delivery.
PAYMENT. When we are contacted for carriage service, we send out a Carriage Reservation form outlining all the details required for your event. The form needs to be returned with the specified deposit amount in order to hold your date. The balance is due not later than ten days before your event.
Dates are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you delay in returning your reservation and deposit, and someone else sends theirs in first for the same date, the first contract arriving secures the date. We will return your deposit immediately if this is the case.

EVERY EFFORT IS MADE IN PREPARING THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE TO LOOK THEIR FINEST SO THAT THEY SHOW OFF THE BRIDE AT HER VERY BEST.

WHAT ABOUT TIPPING OR GRATUITY TO THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE STAFF?
It is perfectly proper and acceptable to offer a gratuity to the driver or footman. People seldom realize the tremendous amount of time and effort invested in ensuring the horse and carriage are in the proper condition to show the bride off at her very best!

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN GETTING THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE READY?
Many people, when contacting us about horse and carriage service, say "But I only need you for 15 minutes!" What they don't realize is that there are about four hours before, and four hours after, preparing your steed and carriage for perfect presentation.
- Our carriage horse is bathed and groomed, his mane is braided and bedecked with flowers, his hooves are polished.
- His fine harness is cleaned and polished and often put on before we leave.
- The carriage is cleaned, polished, and decorated with ribbon or flower accents to match the event's theme colors, if requested, then loaded onto its own trailer for transport to your event.
- The horse trailer has to be clean and stocked with fresh water and hay for his trip, so he travels in comfort to your event. Often, two trucks and two trailers are required to carry the carriage and animal to your location, which requires two drivers and a good deal of time, effort,and fuel, as you can imagine.
- The owner of Arrivals in Elegance spends a lot of time working with the client to coordinate the event date, precise pickup locations (we often send a map with the route), arrival times, wedding theme colors, safety issues, and special requests. Sometimes we coordinate with the wedding planner, venue manager, or photographer as well. The actual 15 minutes we get with the bride is the icing on the cake for us!
Then we do everything outlined above in reverse as we leave you to complete your special day!!

WHAT MAKES ARRIVALS IN ELEGANCE THE BEST CHOICE FOR ME?
WHAT EXTRAS DO YOU OFFER?
Brides choose Arrivals In Elegance Horse-Drawn weddings more often because they are provided with more than just excellent service: As our gifts to you from Arrivals In Elegance, your carriage service includes:
- Flowers and ribbon in your wedding theme colors used as accents in the lovely white rose garland and tulle decorations on our Victorian surrey.
- A romantic private ride after the wedding ceremony, with a champagne refresher or nonalcoholic beverage to rejuvenate after your vows!
- A free professional photograph of you as a new couple in the carriage, compliments of Terri Aigner, president of the Arrivals in Elegance, who is also a professional photographer.
We are pleased to work with you on any other special requests you may have to make your special day perfect!

WHAT COLOR IS THE CARRIAGE?
Our Victorian surrey is Amish made of finest quality wood finished in a lustrous black that accentuates your beautiful bridal gown! Featuring gleaming black patent leather fenders, dashboard, and shaft covers, this carriage has comfortable seats custom-covered with butter-soft camel-colored Mercedes Benz leatherette. The carriage is decorated with lovely white rose garlands and tulle to provide a backdrop for our passengers. We have a full auto-top in case of inclement weather, so you arrive at your destination safe and dry.

HOW MANY CAN TRAVEL IN THE WEDDING CARRIAGE?
Two to four can travel in the carriage. Children must be accompanied by an adult when riding.

WHAT ABOUT TIMING?
Horse and carriages travel approximately 3 to 7 miles per hour, so we generally pick up our passengers at a pre-determined location less than ten minutes away from your destination. If our service is to deliver a bride and the person giving her away to the wedding ceremony, we work closely with your or your wedding planner/coordinator to ensure that your grand entrance in the horse and carriage occurs precisely at the specified time. After-ceremony rides for the bridal party are usually along a safe, predetermined route near the event location.

Horse and carriages travel approximately 3 to 7 miles per hour, so we generally pick up our passengers at a pre-determined location less than ten minutes away from your destination. If our service is to deliver a bride and the person giving her away to the wedding ceremony, we work closely with your or your wedding planner/coordinator to ensure that your grand entrance in the horse and carriage occurs precisely at the specified time. After-ceremony rides for the bridal party are usually along a safe, predetermined route near the event location.

HOW FAR WILL A HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDE GO?
DOES PULLING A CARRIAGE HURT THE HORSE?
Not a week goes by that I don't receive a call from someone asking if we can carry the bride and groom from the ceremony to the reception – which are several miles or even different cities apart! So, as mentioned above, a vehicle which travels only 3-7 mph needs to begin your lovely carriage ride no more than a couple miles in rural areas, or a couple of blocks in more urban areas, from your destination. We love and care for our horses, and they love their job! So we never ask more of them than is comfortable or safe.
Please keep in mind that for safety's sake, we do not travel any routes with heavy automobile traffic (unless it is for a very short distance, in which case we always have a chase vehicle), or which require us to cross busy intersections unless we have police or traffic controllers. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. Event locations with a safe route a fairly short distance apart are usually easily accommodated. Just ask! Route planning is included with your service.

HOW CALM ARE THE HORSES? ARE THEY ACCUSTOMED TO TRAFFIC?
Absolutely. Our carriage horse, Ragan, is a grand champion draft horse who is unflappable. He is accustomed to helicopters, loud trains, busy, noisy traffic, large crowds, bad weather, and much more...and he takes it all in stride. I trust him to carry my grandchildren while being led. He is very gentle, enjoys the attention of the bridal party members and passengers, and I trust him implicitly in any situation.

WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO ENTER AND LEAVE THE CARRIAGE?
Wait to approach the carriage until indicated by the carriage driver or the footman. We seat the bride on the same side as that from which she will need to exit. On entry, the bride may hand her bouquet to the driver, and her escort may assist her in entering the carriage and arranging the fabric of her gown. Then he or she may go around the back of the carriage and enter from the opposite side.
Upon arrival at the destination, the escort will exit the carriage. The bride again hands her bouquet to the driver, and her escort assists her in leaving the vehicle. Be sure to exit by FACING the carriage, and using the handholds and steps. Do not climb out facing outwards. The driver will return the bouquet to the bride and wish her the best!

IS IT OKAY TO PET THE HORSE?
Yes – but please, always ask first. The driver will indicate when it is safe to do so. Our horses love children and will lower their heads for caresses and pats from the little ones!

Horses are large animals and with their bridle blinders on, cannot see what is coming up behind or beside them. So always approach from slightly off of the front (never stand directly in front of the horse), and let them know you are coming up by speaking to them. Pat theirneck or side of their face...they also love a good scratch on the forehead or behind the ears, too! People tend to want to rub the velvety soft nose of a horse, and most animals tolerate it, but imagine someone tickling YOUR nose…you can see why a nice scratch around the ears or forehead may be appreciated more!

WE ALSO OFFER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY as a combo-package with your horse and carriage service for $750 additional.

We also can connect you with
• Wedding Locations / Venues
including Plantation Weddings and beach weddings in Virginia
• Wedding Planners
• Wedding Caterers/Florists

OUR FAVORITE LINKS:
Arrivals In Elegance Horse-Drawn Wedding Carriage Services

Jasmine Plantation

New Kent-Charles City Guide & Regional Business & Phone Directory

Internet Guide to Richmond Weddings