Travel in style: Unique ways to hitch a ride on your wedding day

Whatever's waiting for you at the end of the rice-throwing tunnel of loved ones inevitably says "Just Married" on the back, but it can also say something about you and your new spouse. Why not make a statement with the means of that first voyage as a wedded couple?

Limousine

A bit decadent, perhaps, but that's the point. It's your wedding day, and what's classier than whisking the entourage off to the reception in a sleek black limousine?

Depending on the type of limousine and the extra bells and whistles it has, expect it to run a few hundred dollars for the night.

Hot rod

If you'd rather have something more intimate, say, a two-seated roadster, renting a hot rod is an option.

Some rental car companies, such as Hertz's "Dream Car" line, have been introducing options with some sex appeal, including the Porsche Boxter and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

True, they don't come cheap; the Boxter costs about $400 per day and a Lamborghini will run more than three times that. But it's a Lamborghini.

And spring weddings coincide with a yearly lull in the rental industry, meaning there are sometimes deals to be found.

__Tractor__

Great for two reasons. One: unmistakable pastoral charm. It's a fine way to appease the country groom after vetoing his camouflage tux.

The second is that a tractor goes so slow and takes up so much road that as you ride to the reception, everyone in town will be forced to acknowledge your brand-spanking-new union. Take that honking as congratulations.

You could even hitch up a flatbed trailer and take the whole wedding party hayride-style.

Good luck finding one for rent, though. The best bet for adding country flair to your big day is a friendly farmer. Chances are, if a tractor tickles your fancy, you probably know one or two.

Bicycle

On top of the freewheeling photo-ops, leaving by bike has its charms.

It's intimate. It's down to earth. It's emissions-free for the eco-conscious couple.

And did we mention? It's way cheaper than renting a limo. Most bike shops, including Cycle Werx in Cape Girardeau, offer bikes for rent for $25 to $50 per day. Or pick up some vintage bikes online and spruce them up with your wedding colors for a more personalized ride.

__Party bus/schoolbus__

All aboard the party bus. Or something more nostalgic like a schoolbus.

The virtue here is the number of people who can accompany the bride and groom to the reception. A full-size school bus seats 40 to 50 people.

Semo Party Bus is a bus service based in Cape Girardeau and serves the surrounding area, and for a school bus, busrates.com lists available fleets by zipcode. The nearest local fleet is based in Scott City, and the cost to rent one for a day is about $600 on average.