Wedding carriage packages are built around a single moment: a ceremony arrival, a just-married exit, or a portrait session with the horse and carriage. Choose the moment first, then match the time on site to it. Pricing is quoted per wedding based on horses, duration, and distance.
A carriage is not a standard vendor line item. It is a live moment with a horse, a driver, and a route, so the package should fit the shape of your day rather than the other way around.
What do wedding carriage packages usually include?
Every package from AJ Carriage includes the same core pieces. What changes is how long the carriage is on site and which moment it serves.
- The carriage. For weddings this is the classic vis-à-vis, which seats four to six passengers facing each other.
- The horse or horses. Ours are primarily white Percheron draft horses, chosen for a gentle temperament around crowds and music.
- A professionally uniformed driver who handles the horse, the route, and boarding.
- A service window sized to your moment, from a short exit to a longer arrival and portrait plan.
- Route planning with your venue, plus coordination with your planner and photographer.
You can read more about the horses and carriages before you decide which fits your venue.
Which carriage moment should you choose?
Pick the moment before you pick the package. Most couples land on one of three.
| Moment | How it feels | Fits well when |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremony arrival | Grand and formal | The venue has a long drive or open lawn |
| Just-married exit | Joyful and relaxed | The ceremony start time is fixed |
| Portrait session | Quiet and unhurried | Photos are your priority |
A ceremony arrival makes the carriage part of the ceremony itself. It suits estates, gardens, and any site with a scenic approach. It also needs the most coordination, because the carriage must be staged and ready before guests are seated.
A just-married exit is often the easiest to plan. You say your vows, greet family, and step into the carriage while guests cheer. Photographers love it because the smiles are real.
A portrait session skips transportation entirely. The carriage arrives during cocktail hour, you take twenty or thirty minutes of photos, and it leaves. This is a good fit when the ceremony site has poor access but the grounds are beautiful.
For arrival ideas by venue type, see our wedding carriage entrance examples.
How long should the carriage be on site?
Longer is not automatically better. A short, well-timed exit can carry more weight than an hour-long ride that delays your reception. Size the window to the moment.
For an arrival, the team needs time to stage before guests arrive, plus the entrance itself and a short departure. For an exit, the carriage waits nearby during the ceremony, then loads and rides a short loop. For portraits, plan the time your photographer needs and a little more.
If you want two or three moments, the carriage stays longer and the horse needs a shaded spot to rest between them. Ask your venue for a quiet corner with firm ground. The team will confirm it works.
What details change the package for your venue?
The venue shapes the package more than anything else. Before you request a quote, look at these points.
- Access. Is there a firm route from a staging area to the ceremony spot? Gates, soft ground, and tight turns change the plan.
- Distance. How far will the carriage travel? A short scenic loop is more graceful than a long trip through traffic.
- Waiting area. Where can the horse and driver stand out of sight, with shade in summer?
- Season and time. Summer afternoons call for later starts. Spring and fall weekends fill first.
- Attire. Full skirts and long trains work well in the vis-à-vis, but practice the step-up once before the day.
- Guests riding along. Decide whether a parent, attendants, or children will ride, within the six-seat limit.
Share this information when you book. It lets the team quote accurately and plan a route that photographs well.
How is a wedding carriage package priced?
There is no fixed menu, because no two venues are alike. Pricing depends on four things: the event type, the number of horses, the duration on site, and the travel distance to your venue. A short exit at a nearby church and a full arrival, portrait, and departure plan at a rural estate will be quoted differently.
That is why every quote is personal. When you request one, include your date, venue address, ceremony time, the moment or moments you want, and how many people will ride. The team replies with a quote built for that plan rather than a guess.
Our pricing guide explains each factor in plain terms. Once you accept, your date is held when the approval email arrives. All purchases are final, so read the no refund policy before you confirm. If the forecast turns, the team works with you to adjust the route or reschedule, and unsafe conditions pause the ride until they pass.
What should you ask before you reserve?
A few questions protect the moment. Ask whether the team has seen your route or needs photos of the approach. Ask what happens if the ceremony runs late, and who the driver should call on the day. Ask where the carriage will wait and how boarding will work in your dress.
Also ask about weather. The team watches the forecast in the days before and will talk through options with you. Knowing the plan lets you enjoy the ride instead of managing it.
Finally, book on time. Reserve a wedding carriage two to four weeks ahead, and earlier if your date is set. Popular spring and fall Saturdays are the first to fill.
Ready to match a package to your day?
Decide which moment you want guests to remember, then check whether your date is open on our reservations page. Include your venue and ceremony time, and we will shape the rest with you.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a wedding carriage package?
A package covers the carriage, the horse or horses, a professionally uniformed driver, and a set window of time for your arrival, exit, or portraits. Route planning and coordination with your venue and photographer are part of the service.
How much do wedding carriage packages cost?
Pricing is quoted per wedding rather than from a fixed menu. It depends on the event type, the number of horses, how long the carriage is on site, and travel distance. The pricing guide explains each factor, and a quote request gives you a personal number.
Can one package cover both the arrival and the exit?
Yes. A longer service window can cover a ceremony arrival, portraits during cocktail hour, and a departure. It needs a safe place for the horse to rest between moments, so share your full timeline when you request a quote.
Do you need a deposit to hold a wedding date?
Your date is held once you receive an approval email after booking. All purchases are final, so confirm your ceremony time and venue access before you reserve. The no refund policy page explains the terms in full.