10 Tips for Booking a Coach for Weddings and Special Events

Are you planning for your wedding or other special events in Manchester? One of the things you shouldn’t forget is to plan the transportation of the guests. Although some can drive to the venue, others will find it hard to commute. In addition, some venues don’t have access to public transportation, so just save them the hassle and book a coach hire in Manchester. Fortunately, coach hire in Manchester is a popular option for various events, including corporate events, birthdays, school trips, and weddings. In this article, we’ll give you some tips for booking a coach for your wedding and other special events.

1. Book in Advance

Although coach-hire services can be a popular transportation option for various events, they can also be booked up easily. So, if you don’t want to be stressed about the transportation for your guests, don’t make last-minute bookings. Instead, book the coach hire as early as possible (like at least 3 months in advance), so that you can have more options and get discounts. At the same time, booking a coach hire at the last minute can cost more.

2. Finalise Your Guestlist

Usually, organising guest transportation is done once the number of attendees is confirmed. It allows the host to determine the number of guests that will ride the coach and also its size. Besides, coaches have two common sizes minibus and full-size coaches. So, if most of your guests are going to ride the transportation you provide, it’s best to choose the full-size coach.

3. Choose the Right Type of Coach

Aside from the size of the coaches, they also come with various types. Some of these include party buses (ideal for lively, pre-reception celebrations), vintage buses (for vintage-themed weddings), standard coaches (group transportation), and luxury coaches (more room for luggage, better seats, and usually come with entertainment systems). So before choosing the right type of coach to hire, you should first determine the specific use and number of passengers.

4. Plan the Route and Schedule

Since the wedding is already planned, you can easily come up with the itinerary for the coach hire. For instance, you can identify each stop the coach hire should make, and the final destination is the venue or the wedding (or the special event). The same goes when the guests are about to go home.

5. Check the Company’s Reputation

Before finalising the booking of the coach hire, you should ensure that the company has a great reputation. You can check their website, other social media platforms, and online forums that talk about coach hire in Manchester. In addition, ensure that the reviews and feedback you read are not manipulated. Nowadays, it’s easy to leave fake reviews on websites and social media platforms, so you should know which is real and not.

6. Ask About Driver Experience

Once you’ve been assigned with a driver, don’t forget to ask about their experience driving coach hire. This is even more important if the venue of the event is far away. Meanwhile, when asking about their experience, ask about their familiarity with the route, their experience in driving groups of people, and the emergency procedures they can provide to their passengers.

7. Compare Prices

If you have enough time to look for the best coach hire in Manchester, you should compare their prices, and understand the breakdown of their rates. For instance, know if the rate is per hour, the fees for tolls, fuels, and overtime charges, and the fees for cancellation or deposit. Besides, two of the most essential things you should consider in coach hire are price and reliability, so don’t forget about the costs.

8. Inspect the Vehicle If Possible

If possible, you should personally visit the coach hire company, and inspect the coach you’re going to hire. If you can see that it’s well-maintained, clean, and has all the proper documentation and permits, then you can ensure the safety of your guests.

9. Double-check the Contract

Once you confirm the booking, you should ask for the contract provided by the coach hire company. It should include the terms, route information (including the date, time, and locations), specific details of the coach you’re hiring, driver’s name, total costs, rate of additional fees, and cancellation fees. Having every information you need, in writing, gives you peace of mind, and ensures that the service you can get is as expected.

10. Have a Backup Plan

Always have a backup plan. In some cases, there can be a last-minute issue with the coach hire, so there should be an alternative way to get your guests from their location to the event venue. Although it may cost you more than the amount you can pay for coach hire, booking cars from your preferred app can solve your problem.

Final Thoughts

Planning events can be stressful, but it shouldn’t be when it comes to arranging transportation. Fortunately, you can easily find coach hire in Manchester. By considering the tips listed in this article, you can have a smooth transaction, and ensure that your guests can be there safely, and on time.