Of all the aspects of your wedding, your transportation is the most public.Your decorations and attire will be seen by your friends and family, but your vehicle, whether it's a silver limousine, a crimson sports car or a horsedrawn carriage, can announce your wedding to the entire world. So, pick something that fits your event's style, but remember, whatever you choose, you'll still want reliability and comfort.

Traditionally, providing transportation is the bride's responsibility, but the logistics on the wedding day fall upon the best man. Not only is he charged with getting the groom to the church on time, but getting himself and guests to the reception, and driving the bride and groom from the reception.

Limousines are usually for taking the bride and her father or other relative to the ceremony and carrying the bride and groom to the reception. In a pinch, the best man can serve as the bride and groom's driver.

Depending on your budget, you could also hire extra limousines or coaches to carry other guests, or arrange for friends and relatives to pitch in with their cars.

Perhaps the most common mistake in hiring limousines is to make a decision based solely on price. A bargain can turn out to be a car other than what you ordered, reeking of cigarettes, that arrives half an hour late. Like anything else, limousine services vary in quality. Some specialize in weddings, while others are more like taxi services.

The most important thing to ask about is the limousine company's Motor Carrier Licence.Without it, the company may be operating illegally, and you may not be insured in case of an accident.

A company's rates must match the tariff filed with the Motor Carrier Commission, regardless of it how busy the company may claim to be. Also bear in mind that some limousines may actually be owned independently of the service company you contacted. Be aware of the laws regarding rented vehicles in your municipality. In Vancouver, for example, any limousine should have a Vancouver Vehicle for Hire plate, showing that it has passed inspection by City Hall. It's equally important to check that the driver has a chauffeur license issued by the Vancouver police department.

If you have questions about a company, call the Motor Carrier Commission at 604 453-4250 in Vancouver or 250 953-3777 in Victoria.

Once you've chosen a service, get everything in writing, including deposits, contracts, insurance and cancellation policies. Make sure you examine the vehicle you will be renting first hand, to see if it is clean and properly maintained. Also ensure that the driver will be well groomed.