Being in the driver’s seat on a bride and groom’s wedding day is a happy occasion for a transportation company.

“Luckily we don’t have the pressures of wedding planners and other detail makers. But it is fun to do,” said Jeremy Danziger, president of Presidential Limousine. “Our goal is to make people’s days special.”

Lisa Wallace, brand and revenue manager for Best Transportation, said, “People think of transportation as one of the less glamorous tasks to prepare for their wedding, but we are so happy to make that happen for them.”

Danziger, whose family took over Presidential in 2013, said most weddings vary between a four-hour minimum and six hours. Some, however, book as long as 10 hours. Local transportation companies try to comply with each wedding plan.

“As many brides as I talk to in one day,” Wallace said, “that is how many ways they do things.”

For some, intimacy is the ultimate goal.

“They want things small and private and classy,” she said. “People call us well in advance looking to book our 1960 Silver Cloud II Bentley-Rolls Royce for two. Others want everybody together. We supply everything from the Rolls Royce or modern sedan up to a bus that holds 44. We work with favored affiliates, too, for up to 54 people. Those are the ones that look like tour buses outside, but are very nice inside.”

Danziger agreed. A signature look attracts couples to special vehicles.

“We get many calls because they want to use our Camaro,” he said. “It depends on how many they are taking. It will stretch for eight people.”

A favorite task for the one-of-a-kind, snow-white, Camaro limousine with 12-foot stretch delivered a couple to the Missouri Botanical Garden. The luxurious ride, resulting in a proposal to the man’s lady love, left them wanting to book the vehicle for their wedding.

For a wedding-day ride, most choose a spacious party bus to accommodate dresses for the women and leg room for the men. Presidential’s biggest limo is an 18-passenger Hummer while its largest luxury party bus holds 32 without adjusting for personal size and possessions. The party schedule and time of year may require further ease.

Wallace explained that a fleet at Best Transportation or another provider often offers greater economy through motor coaches with forward-facing seats.

“What people don’t expect is that those can be just as nice inside except they don’t have the wraparound seating, which is much better for a bride with a full skirt. Our recently purchased mini coaches have lots of bells and whistles: leather seaing, decorative lighting, monitors and the same sound system as motor buses.”

Many people choose them for bachelor and bachelorette parties as well.

She listed physical safety outside and inside the vehicle as the first priority for the service as well as guests, right down to glassware and beverages that likely will not break. A variety of options fill the need to move people securely.

“More and more couples are getting married who live outside St. Louis and a significant number of guests come from out of town,” she explained about relieving stress. “Even if they have to use that 44-person passenger bus, it is safer for guests who would have to find their way to the ceremony in a strange city.”

Time gaps encourage thoughtful creativity by couples.

“They provide a driving tour through Forest Park or through neighborhoods, such as where the bride grew up,” Wallace said about another opportunity brides and grooms take to weave together a day of festive vignettes.

Photographers usually direct destinations for a bridal couple based on weather and traffic congestion on the wedding day. The two providers may be booked separately, but they rely on each other to make or break the day.

“We are always going to go with what is safest and most efficient. That adds up to the best deal for brides and grooms,” she said.

At Best, Forest Park’s many vistas rank “head and shoulders” among popular destinations, but Tower Grove and Carondelet Parks in St. Louis City and Bee Tree Park in St. Louis County also offer oft-used photogenic alternatives. An artistic touch of brick walls on old buildings is a favorite backdrop. The Graffiti Wall in downtown St. Louis remains popular and Busch Stadium never loses its appeal for hometown fans.

While Best’s fleet provides several white vehicles, it opts now for black in new acquisitions and updates in response to couples’ requests for today’s modern, sleek look.

Of course, the third-generation company loves to hear happy wedding stories.

Recently a bride’s response “made us all tear up” as she noted appreciation that the chauffeur and celebrant stood as witnesses at the couple’s very intimate wedding.

Wallace recalled another occasion.

“Last summer we drove a 24-passenger limo bus out to the bride’s family farm for photos in her family’s bean field.” Luckily they scouted three routes in advance because only one provided access.