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A Horse-drawn Carriage For Your Wedding?
Written by Peter and Cheryl Neilson, Magic Carousel Farm

In some places it's possible to hire a wedding carriage! To find one, check the business cards posted on the wall in your local tack shop or feed store. Because of the effort involved, as well as the costs of keeping horses, a carriage cannot be as inexpensive as a limo. If you cannot afford the price, perhaps your friends would like to chip in, foregoing the usual multiple toasters.

Your carriage should be elegant and clean. Ask if you will be allowed to decorate it. White carriages, although not traditional, seem to have found favour in recent years. There should be both a coachman and footman, and they should be neat and appropriately dressed. (Ask to see pictures.) The horse or horses should be well mannered and capable of standing while pictures are taken. They must not fuss, although they certainly will try to eat your bouquet if you're not careful when standing near them.

You cannot go a long distance by carriage without keeping your guests waiting. A mile or two is the limit. Plan a short trip, and arrange with your photographer and coachman in advance for the best spot to take pictures.

At the wedding, follow the coachman's recommendations about touching the horses or feeding them treats, and try not to spill drinks, either on his carriage or on your wedding dress, when the horses lurch to a start or stop.

After the wedding, it would be very nice if you could send your best photo of the horses and carriage to the coachman, who never has enough pictures of the horses.