If you have a wedding coming up, whether you are the one doing the planning or actually in the wedding itself, you may want to consider making a limo service part of the function. If this is so, then your next step would be to make a check list that you will need when dealing with the limousine service.

Many More Choices

For one thing, the choices of what type of limousine that you can use are now more varied then ever before. Bear in mind however, that the more exotic and expensive the vehicle, the more you are going to have to spend on the limousine service.

How Big is Big

Another item to take into consideration is the number of people that will be riding in the limo. Sure, they are all big inside but some are much bigger than others. So make sure that you take an accurate count and relay that information to the limousine service when you are ordering up your limo.

Be Clear on Your Needs

Don't assume that every limousine service that you order up will come with the same full service package. If you want a full wet bar then make sure that you tell them so. Also, if you are plan on bringing your own drinks or liquor into the vehicle for the ride make sure that you check with them first. You certainly would think of walking into a bar with your own drinks would you?

Make Your Reservations Early

Besides, most all limousine services will have the full capacity for providing refreshments in the back and you might find that they are far less expensive then you think. Make your reservations as far ahead from the event as possible and you will have your best luck in getting the best deal. Calling at the last moment is the worst thing that you can do if choices is what you are after.

The limousine, once a dream car for ordinary people, is now available on rent throughout the US. A large number of car rental companies are offering variety of limousines at very competitive rates. You can hire any type of limousine depending on your taste and its fitness to the occasion.

There are several reasons to hire a particular type of limousine on rent. People have their own needs and tastes that determine their choice of limo from a large fleet of limousines available with rental companies.

Here are a few guidelines that will help you choose a limousine to fit need of occasion, and deal with limousine rental companies:

- If you are hiring a limousine for a prom night or for a concert, join a group. This will lower the cost per person as more people will join the group

- You should know the seating arrangement inside limo before hiring. This will give you an idea of level of comfort of seating and maximum number of group members to take

- Make sure that the limo is supported with proper insurance coverage before hiring

- Don't search for too many rental companies for a better deal. Normally most of the limousine rental companies have similar pricing structure. Just look for quality of service the company is offering. Hire from a company that offers the service meeting your needs. Normally the companies that have proven track record of best services often provide better services

- If you are going to consume alcohol while riding the limo, check local laws. If consuming alcohol is allowed by the local authorities then limousine rental companies usually don't have any objection

- Make sure that limousine driver is not going to drink alcohol while enjoying a concert with you. The safety is important. The driver should be good enough to bring you home safe even if you are drunk

- It is important that you offer tip to the driver. Normally limo drivers are low paid individuals and need extra money to make a good living

K Khatri is a freelance writer currently reviewing Miami Limo and reporting his Miami Limousine on his blog.

Gone are the days when limousines remain the privilege of the billionaires and the celebrities. Today with the growing number of limo services in the US, virtually anyone can hire the services of these limo rental companies to get a taste of glamour and success often associated with the rich and famous.

Let's look at some special times when the use of a Orange County limo would be perfect!

Prom
Everyone wants to look especially good on prom night. This is a special day when the teenager is beginning to build memories of a lifetime as they near adulthood. You would obviously want to make it as memorable as possible. If you want to add a touch of class on prom night and create a favorable impression on your date and everyone else that is present, hire a limousine service to get you there!

Birthday Parties
Your birthday party needs a touch of class that only a limousine service can deliver. Hire a limousine service to get you to the party in style and watch your friends turn green with envy as you step out of this luxurious car.

Graduations
You deserve the best on your graduation day if you have been working hard at earning your degree or diploma. Years of hard work finally paid off as you finally arrive on your graduation day. Hire a limo service! This is the only way you can condition yourself for bigger successes in the future.

Weddings
Wedding is a special moment that needs the right vehicle to transport you and your new spouse. Get a limousine instead of opting for a car or a cab to get you to your destination. Beginning your life together focused on your new spouse and you can let the driver do the driving.

Business
If you have an important business colleague arriving from out of town who needs transportation, a limousine is meant to impress! Honor him by hiring a limousine and you can score big points that may work to your advantage in the business dealings. Invest in a limousine service for the right occasion and you can immediately boost your image.

Elle Wood alerts you to great businesses and people that bring added value and customer service to your life. For additional information regarding Orange County Limousine Service, please visit http://www.limos-la.com

Normally, drivers would be busy transporting actors and film crews about. But today, half the drivers have been sent home with their limousines, and few clients call.

"There is no business. Because of the threat of a writers strike, we are already down by about 20% this quarter," says Arjang Tagaui, owner of Hollywood Limousine, which caters largely to Los Angeles' entertainment industry.

The impending strike by the Writer's Guild of America on the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers could cripple Los Angeles, industry insiders say. The WGA is negotiating with producers for additional money for secondary markets such as video, DVD, and the Internet, as well as more control over the final product. If their demands aren't met by the time the contract expires on May 1, writers are threatening a walkout, which could halt film production.

"TOTAL SHUTDOWN." Small businesses that rely on the movie industry have had a busy first quarter as film projects have been stepped up in anticipation of the deadline. But work is beginning to drop off, says Ed Clare, president and executive director of the Production Equipment Rental Assn., a trade group.

The near-term outlook for the food stylists, waiters, production crews, limousine companies, and other small businesses in the industry is beginning to look dire. According to Morrie Goldman, vice-president for communications at the Entertainment Industry Development Corp., a strike could cost up to $50 million a day in lost revenue. Adds Clare: "The companies are usually booked way ahead of time, but there is nothing on the books. We are going to see a near total shutdown."

Chris Oliver, a Los Angeles food stylist, has been designing food displays for feature films and TV for 12 years. Although she was inundated with work in the last four months, Oliver is afraid those earnings might be all for the year. With rent to pay and two children in private school, she says the drop-off is terrifying. Says Oliver, whose workload has gone from five to six shows a day, worth anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000, to nothing: "I'm panicked. Everyone [in the film business] is."

CERTAIN DROP. Tagaui, the limousine hire company owner, confirms that a rush in film production and two awards ceremonies gave him the best first quarter in years. But now he wonders how his chauffeurs will be able to support their families. "Mostly I am afraid for the drivers. They rely heavily on the tips. Meanwhile, they have bills to pay, families to take care of," says Tagaui.

Clare and other industry insiders think's is likely that the WGA will avoid a walkout. But because many productions were pushed into the first quarter, the stockpile means a slow second quarter is almost certain.

"Even if there's no strike, there will be at least a 25% slowdown in business as a result. If the strike does evolve, we will see a 50% drop in business," says Clare.

Small-business owners are scrambling for others way to stay afloat. Oliver says she may go back to cooking for weddings and bar mitzvahs, which would mean a pay cut. Food styling for commercials, though more labor-intensive than for movies, is another option. But if a strike is called, this market could be flooded with 50,000 unemployed film workers trying to get jobs on commercials, she says.

LIMITED OPTIONS. Small caterers say they're supplementing film-studio clients with corporate clients. According to Sandy Arabia, who works in the catering division of Tommy Tang, one of Los Angeles' top three catering companies, business has already come to a standstill, and his company had its first cancelations in years. But Arabia is confident it can fall back on corporate events.

"Normally I would be scared. But we have a good name, and our restaurants are consistently busy. Even in the last strike and the depression of the mid-Eighties, we were all right. I think we will be fine with the business-catering jobs," says Arabia.

The film-crew and equipment companies, many of which employ fewer than 25 workers, may have more limited options, says Clare. About all they can do, he says, is shorten the workweek, encourage vacations, and reduce their rates. The next step is layoffs. Others are just going to have to ride out the slow times. Says Tagaui: "God bless lines of credit."

Decide the type of limousine you want to rent. Also consider color and passengers. How long would you like to rent the limousine for.

While most people assume that all companies are the same this is not the case. Most people concern themselves with the hourly rate. This is a mistake since most of the times you get what you pay for.

If you see a price that is much lower than other companies take warning. It will probably mean the year, make and features of the limousine offered are not up to par. So the word to the wise: Pay the extra few bucks and avoid a disaster on your limo ride. Really who wants to end up getting a taxi driver in their limo ride. Yikes! That would be a mistake. Besides when you consider that a usual 3 hour minimum you are only talking £80.00 dollars on the high end for a regular sized limousine.

One other suggestion we offer is to get the contact phone number of a management figure in the limousine you are renting from prior to your scheduled event ride.