Who's responsible for wedding party transportation to/from airport?
A friend in New England is getting married in a few months, and most, if not all, of the bridal party is flying in from out of town. I’m a bridesmaid. The closest airports are in New York. I’m happy to pay for my airfare and hotel even though I don’t make much money, but I have anxiety issues when it comes to driving, and at this point I’ll be damned if I’m going to rent a car and panic my way from Laguardia or JFK to the hotel, more than an hour away. A taxi or limo would run close to 0, which is out of the question after I’ve already paid for the flight, hotel, dress, and who knows what else. I was under the impression that it’s proper etiquette to provide some sort of airport-to-hotel transportation for the bridal party, and the bride has family members who could probably make a trip or two to pick up guests, but she hasn’t mentioned the possibility and I’d feel like a beastly bridesmaid if I asked. Am I responsible for getting to the hotel myself?
Another 0 for a limo when you make the equivalent of minimum wage isn’t exactly "nickels." 
I’d rather not give out the exact location; I’m paranoid the bride will find this, recognize me and throw a fit. But I’ve checked, and the nearest airports are in NY (I have family that used to live in NY, and they confirmed this for me).
Thanks for the suggestions about asking what the other bridal party members are planning and possibly "carpooling" with some of them. I’m willing to pay my share for a rental car as long as I don’t have to drive. If I drive I won’t get past the parking lot. Also, I’m traveling in from across the country and don’t have days to spend traveling, so I do need to fly in.
10 Responses
Firefighters Wif
18 Feb 2010
Melchior Ingvar
18 Feb 2010
The bride’s little sister’s best friend’s mother’s first born child’s nephew.
Prophet 1102
18 Feb 2010
Bride’s family pay for her guests, groom’s for his.
It’s a one time thing – the money is spent, have a good time and quit worrying about nickles.
nova_queen_28
18 Feb 2010
I wouldn’t expect the bride & groom to handle my transportation arrangements.
I’m also curious where in New England are you going that the nearest airport is in New York?
If you must go into New York, you could take mass transit rather than drive and simply ask the bride & groom if someone would be able to help you get to the hotel from the closest train station you could get to.
brwneyes
18 Feb 2010
It is not her responsibility. It would be a courtesy above and beyond if she did provide transportation.
So, yes, this is your responsibility.
Why not take an Amtrak or bus?
Sarah B
18 Feb 2010
It would be proper etiquette to provide the bridal party with transportation. But the Bride may have overlooked that detail with all the planning. It wouldn’t hurt and I doubt that you’d be considered a beastly bridesmaid for asking if there were a way for her to arrange some kind of transportation for you. After all, if you are in her wedding I am sure that she considers you a dear friend and wouldn’t mind helping you out.
LB
18 Feb 2010
You would be wise to talk to the bride and mention that you’d like to find a way to share a ride from the airport with another bridesmaid or some other out of town guest to cut down on the cost of that transportation. That will clue her in that maybe she should think about some kind of arrangements…
fizzy stuff
18 Feb 2010
Public transportation in the US is a shame, isnt it? Are there any buses or trains that you could take?
You mentioned the other attendants are flying in too. How about getting in contact with them and offering to split the costs of a rental car?
AC 1-10-09
18 Feb 2010
If I was going to a wedding out of town I would take care of my own transportation. If they can get me a discount at a hotel close to the wedding that would be appreciated. If not we are going as guest. It would be different if we were in the actual wedding party. I would want the bride and groom help for some of the costs.
krissy7490
18 Feb 2010
Well, I’m not sure if this is any closer, but there is Burlington International Airport in Vermont. Not sure if its any closer. There is also the airport in Albany, NY.
Is there a way you could get in touch with other members of the bridal party and maybe carpool? Maybe chip in for the price of the rental car.
Good luck! I know how scary driving in certain places can be!
I would suggest it to her….I was in a wedding w/ a friend of myn’ she got married in Vegas, it cost my husband & I well over $1,000 to just participate in the wedding, the hotel, the dress, the flight, etc. She became crazy w/ all of the bridesmaids demanding our money, so that way she could book all of the rooms & flights, etc. Anyways all of us bridesmaids were upset about how much it was costing, i finally stood up & asked her about it…i told her that i didn’t want her to get the wrong impression, i was still so happy to be a part of her wedding, i just asked if i could handle booking my hotel (I could get it at half the cost if i booked it through those cheap places like expedia, trip advisor, etc.)…well she got all mad (due to a lot of stress, i was the lucky one she got to vent it on) anyways…end of the story…i spent too much money to be in her wedding, she wasn’t gratefull for anything, then when i was married a year later, she didn’t show up to any of the showers, showed up late to the rehersal, wedding, and anything else she could be late too!! I HAD MY WEDDING IN OUR TOWN, the town SHE lived in!! ughhh anyways, just kindly ask her what method the other members of the bridal party are using for transportation…if she doesn’t know ask her if she would mind if you set up a shuttle bus for the whole party, that way no one would get lost, and everyone would show up at the same time….hope this long novel helps somehow! haha