Horse drawn carriage packages are built around the occasion rather than a fixed menu. Every package includes the carriage, a white Percheron, a professionally uniformed driver, and a reserved block of time. What changes is the length of the ride, the route, the number of horses, and the carriage itself, all matched to your event.
What comes with every horse drawn carriage package?
Start with the pieces that do not change. You get a carriage, a horse, a driver in uniform, and a window of time reserved for you.
The horses are primarily white Percheron draft horses, chosen for a gentle temperament. They are groomed for the day, and the carriage is polished before it leaves the barn.
The driver handles the route, the pace, and the timing with your venue or planner. That coordination is part of the package, not an add-on.
Then the package flexes. A wedding needs staging and a wait. A prom needs a sharp arrival time. A funeral needs a measured pace and a different carriage entirely. You can see each option on the horses and carriages page.
Which carriage fits which occasion?
Three carriages cover the range of events the team serves.
| Carriage | Seats | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Classic vis-à-vis | Four to six, including children | Weddings, quinceañeras, proms, birthdays, proposals, date nights, city tours |
| White hearse carriage | The casket, with family following | Funerals and memorial processions |
| Military caisson | The casket, with full honors | Veteran and service funerals |
The vis-à-vis is the carriage most people picture. Its seats face each other, so a couple, a small family, or a birthday guest and friends can ride together.
The white hearse carriage and the caisson are reserved for funerals. They are described on the funeral carriage services page with the care that occasion deserves.
How do packages differ by occasion?
Each event asks something different of the carriage, so the package changes to match.
Weddings usually center on one or two moments: an arrival, a send-off, or a private ride between ceremony and reception. The package sets aside time for portraits and a wait while the ceremony happens.
Proms are about the arrival. The package is timed tightly so the carriage rounds the corner as classmates gather, then departs once photos are done.
Quinceañeras and birthdays give the guest of honor a spotlight entrance. The vis-à-vis seats up to six, so parents, court members, or close friends can ride along.
Proposals and date nights are quieter. The package is a slow ride on a private route with room to talk and a stop if you want one.
Funerals use the hearse carriage or caisson at a walking pace, leading the procession with dignity.
City tours are relaxed rides through downtown streets at whatever pace suits the group.
What decides the price of a package?
Four things set the quote: the event type, the number of horses, how long the carriage is reserved, and how far it travels.
Event type matters because a wedding with staging and a wait is a longer, more involved day than a birthday ride. Number of horses is a visual choice, with one Percheron or a pair.
Duration is where you have the most control. A single featured moment costs less than keeping the carriage through several parts of the event.
Distance covers travel from the barn to your venue and between locations. The team serves the Charlotte metro, the Triangle, and the Sandhills, with wider North Carolina and South Carolina by arrangement.
Because these four combine differently for every event, quotes are personal. The pricing guide explains each factor so you know what you are choosing before you ask for a number.
How do you choose the right package?
Think in moments, not minutes. Decide what you want the carriage to do, then size the package to that.
If you want one unforgettable entrance, a short package is enough. If you want portraits, a private ride, and a send-off, plan for a longer window.
Ask what your venue allows. Where the carriage can arrive, wait, and turn shapes the route and the time on site.
Ask who rides. Six seats covers most parties, but a large court or wedding party may need a plan for who rides and who walks alongside for photos.
Then ask for a quote with those answers in hand. A clear plan gets a clear number, and the team can suggest a shorter or longer option if it fits better.
When should you book, and what should you know first?
Weddings and funerals are booked two to four weeks ahead. Birthdays and date nights need one to two weeks. Busy Saturdays in spring and fall fill sooner, so ask early when your date is fixed.
A reservation is final once you receive an approval email. All purchases are final, so read the no refund policy before you confirm.
Weather is handled by planning, not by canceling. The team watches the forecast and works with you to reschedule or adjust the route. If conditions turn unsafe during the ride, it pauses until they improve.
If you have questions the team has not covered here, the frequently asked questions page is a good next stop.
Choosing among horse drawn carriage packages gets easier once you have a date and a venue in mind. When you do, check availability for your date and the team will match a package to your day.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a horse drawn carriage package?
Each package includes the carriage, a white Percheron draft horse, a professionally uniformed driver, and the time you reserve. The route, length, and number of horses are set to fit your occasion, and anything extra is agreed before you confirm.
How many people fit in the carriage?
The classic vis-à-vis carriage seats up to six passengers, including children. That is enough for a couple with attendants, a birthday guest with friends, or a quinceañera with her parents and court members.
Can a package be customized for two locations?
Yes. Tell the team both addresses and the timing when you request your date. Distance between sites is one of the factors in the quote, so a personal quote will reflect the extra travel.
Are there set package prices?
No. Pricing depends on event type, number of horses, duration, and distance, so each quote is built for the event in front of us. The pricing guide explains how those pieces work together before you ask for your number.