Uber for Transporting Guests Yay or Nay

I need to provide them some transportation to and from the hotel to venue. However, after looking into a few transportation companies, they want $850.00 minimum! NO WAY is that in our budget. Is anyone familiar with Uber? I am seriously considering using them. The set up will be a little anxiety-ridden because you can't book or reserve in advance. But I will take a little stress to transport really, likely only several guests (but important guests from out of state) to save hundreds of dollars! Uber is a new transportation business around this area and I hear amazing things about them. They are a little bit like a taxi company, but not really. Most people are not going to book rooms and need transportation, I blocked 10 rooms. FH has about 5 people who may book a room, I have 1 family from out of state that will book. So, $850.00 to transport these guests is out of the question. ANY help or insight on this would be very much appreciated. Thank You. And Happy New Year!

I would not rely on uber, no. They've been around in Baltimore for at least a couple years now and I considered it for getting all of our out of town bridal party members from the aquarium to the RD, but uber gets REALLY busy during peak hours.

Why can't your guests get cabs themselves? Or drive?

I also wouldn't rely on Uber. Aside from not being able to book in advance, they've been riddled with law suits so who knows if they'll still even be around by your wedding. Also, the way their pricing works, it can fluctuate with demand-- so, a ride that could be $20 on a regular Wednesday night could jump to over $100 if there is a lot of demand (which, given the location and time of year, there could be).

Have you looked at airport shuttle services/business car services? They shouldn't require a minimum like a formal/event transportation company will.

Even though it is nice for you to provide transportation for your guests, it is definitely not required. Since they are coming from bordering states I would assume they will be driving to the hotel, so hopefully they will be able to drive back to the hotel after the reception. If you are worried about people drinking and driving, then just be sure to provide information about how to call a cab or uber either on your wedding website and/or at your venue.

I'm using Uber as a option for my guests (I'm also providing a shuttle to/from the wedding from the hotel). I got a special $30 off promo code from Uber for my guests to specifically use to get to the hotel from the airport, etc.

I'm having the bridal party also take Uber SUVs to the venue and having an antique car and limo pick us up.

I wouldn't rely on Uber either. You could end up having guests with no transportation the day of. I think your guests probably plan to drive (as you said they are coming from bordering states) and by blocking rooms you have done what you "need" to do. Plus in the last few weeks, 3 different women in Boston thought they were getting into Uber vehicles and ended up getting attacked which tells me that there could be issues with the service around here.

FYI-- you can also book ahead for a locked in rate with Uber, you just have to contact their local offices.

I wouldn't either. Transport is one of our biggest headaches in trying to start ceremonies on time.

People are adults, most of them. They are used to going places, getting from point A to point B; you all really don't have to make their lodging and transportation issues your headaches.

I personally couldn't figure out how to make uber or lyft work for my guests, but if you figure it out please share! I found that the cheapest way to transport guests was to rent school buses. They are $50-100 an hour around here. We are using two different bus companies and will have shifts at 12:30 for the bridal party, 2 buses at 3pm for everyone else, and then shifts at 10,11,&12. We are being charged $700, and are transporting somewhere between 120 and 150 people. If you are doing less, or only do one shift there and one shift back you could probably do it for a lot cheaper.

(We are planning for 200 people inviting 271 of which 200 live more than an hour and a half away, and our room block is 20 minutes from our hotel. We will have ~30 people there before the ceremony, and approximately another 100 coming after from the hotel. We are getting 50-60 person buses.)

I've also heard you can look into doing prepaid cab fair, or you could offer a bus to the venue maybe, and then call a taxi service so that as guests need to leave they can take a taxi. I tried to figure that out, but couldn't figure out how best to do it for my area.

Hmmm all great advice!!! I especially love the comments that say transporting guests is not a requirement!

I certainly wouldn't want to use Uber as the main source of transportation, but the $30 off code is basically one way to or from the airport for free. I know it's a useful saving tool for many of my guests who are primarily out of town. However, we also offered them numbers to local taxis and are providing day of transportation.

I would not trust Uber as a transportation option ever. There are not enough regulations in place for this type of transportation business. Each driver uses his own vehicle and personal auto insurance and am not sure how they are screened by Uber. Everyone at my wedding drove. I find people don't like to be without their cars in case they want to leave early or go elsewhere after the wedding. Other guests and family members can provide them with rides, if necessary. Also, very few people used our hotel block. Many got better deals using Priceline or other online service.

I would not rely on uber. However, I would include the local taxi companies phone #s, info on uber, and local car rental companies on your wedding website and in a gift bag for guests who opt to stay at the hotel. They are adults who can figure out their own ride, but will definitely appreciate the information!