Lionsgate Event Center Spring Bridal Show – 4/22/2013
When Lisa Brown, site manager at the Lionsgate Event Center, called me in January to hire the Hippie Limo to take her and her staff out on a well-deserved night on the town, it was with a heavy heart that I had to explain that our Samba spent the winter months hibernating. “No problem,” she said. “We’ll definitely call back in the spring!” Then after a pause, she added, “Did you know about our Spring Bridal Show? “
Moments later I was filling out a vendor application and making adjustments in my calendar.
If you are looking for a venue that combines colonial elegance and country grace with modern refinement then you will be delighted with the Lionsgate Event Center. The center is made up of two different facilities, The Gate House and The Dove House.
The Gate House impresses with its vaulted ceilings, large copper bar, Victorian staircase, and antique German fireplace and paneling. The most spectacular feature is a century and a half-old French stained-glass window which creates a dramatic backdrop. Eight French doors on its either side open onto a large covered patio and spacious grounds. The bridal party’s dressing and preparation needs are well met by two beautiful guest rooms with fireplaces and private restroom access.
The Dove House boasts large living and dining rooms appointed with gracious French and Oriental furniture, a gorgeous brick and flagstone solarium with oversized skylights, and a large dance floor presided over by an illuminated 1920’s art-deco bar. Beyond these visual delights, the Dove House caters to both the practicalities and whimsies of preparing for the big event by providing a bride’s room that is bathed in natural light, an adjoining bridesmaid’s room and family room, and a man-cave of a groom’s room that includes a big screen TV, gaming console, and air-hockey table.
It is well worth noting that the brightness and welcoming of the entire venue is only outshined by the helpfulness of its supportive and friendly staff!
The Hippie Limo was a big hit with both the brides and their entourages, as well as with the Lionsgate Staff who took a few moments out of their busy post-show cleanup activities to rock to the Hippie Limo’s 1000-watt sound system. Take a look at some of the day’s photos in the slide show below and visit the fantastic galleries for The Dove House and The Gate House at the Lionsgate website to get an idea of the amazing experience that awaits you.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Miriah & Dale’s Wedding: The Chapel at Red Rocks and The Curtis Hotel – 10/19/2012
The Hippie Limo has long been hoping for a chance to visit the ultra-swank, mid-century mod The Curtis Hotel in downtown Denver. Miriah’s call asking the Hippie Limo to ferry her and her bridesmaids from The Curtis to The Chapel at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO and back was just the opportunity we had been waiting for.
Miriah’s call came as I was walking with my children to the local Isabelle Farm to pick some carving pumpkins as part of the day’s art project. She told me that she was thrilled to have found the Hippie Limo and couldn’t wait to have it as part of her wedding. “The pictures,” she said, “were going to be amazing.” When I pulled up to The Curtis to await Miriah and her entourage I found myself in line behind three stretch limos waiting to take Miriah’s guests up to the beautiful and intimate Chapel at Red Rocks for the wedding ceremony. A few last-minute arrangements and wardrobe checks along with a couple of wonderful photo ops meant that we were heading away from The Curtis well after the other limos had departed. However, we somehow still managed to arrive at the venue a good ten minutes before them.
As I helped Miriah out of our Samba I noticed her fine selection of shoes for the occasion, a pair of white, purple, and orange Nikes. She smiled at me and remarked, “There’s no reason why a bride should be uncomfortable on her wedding day, is there?” I couldn’t agree more. While the wedding party prepared and the guests milled about outside, I took advantage of a small cloister alongside the chapel to sit, reflect, and read a book. The ceremony was short and benefited from one of the most amazing views of the Red Rocks themselves I have seen short of the Red Rocks Trading Post within the park. Miriah, her new husband Dale, and their photographer were in our Microbus quick as a flash (if you’ll pardon the pun) to travel up the road a short ways from the chapel to take advantage of the fading light for a few more photos.
As quick as we were up we were back down at the chapel and saddling up for the ride back to The Curtis for the reception. Though the booking was for the standard three-hour minimum, I felt like the whole affair had been a whirlwind of activity. Our best wishes to the new couple in their lives together.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Juliana & Brian’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 9/29/2012
Every wedding has a moment or characteristic that defines it, that makes it stand apart from any other wedding that came before or will follow. For Brian and Juliana I would offer that the defining characteristic was the passion between them clearly evident in one of the photos (see below) taken in the Hippie Limo.
The trip began at the Hotel Boulderado where we picked up Juliana and her bridesmaids Adriana, Diana, and Alissa, along with the wedding photographers. After a short photo session we were on our way up the familiar Flagstaff Mountain road headed for Boulder‘s beautiful Sunrise Amphitheater, a local favorite for weddings and other ceremonies. The novelty and corresponding smiles on the wedding party’s collective faces at climbing up Flagstaff in our Samba flowed palpably into the front of the bus. One of the bridesmaids repeatedly remarked that the ride was “SOOOO cool!” Each time she said it she intoned a little more enthusiasm and appreciation.
Once at the amphitheater the bridal party disembarked and began their final wardrobe and logistics checks before the main event. Most of the guests were already seated when we arrived, so it was rewarding for me to see the faces of the friends and family blossom as they crested the amphitheater’s steps after the ceremony and saw the Hippie Limo. It seemed like no time at all before Juliana and Brian were again in the Microbus, the photographers documenting the experience through dozens upon dozens of shutter clicks. As is often (but not always) the case, the groom was understandably a bit more eager for the photo session to end and the reception party to begin, whereas the bride and photographers were focused on this one-and-only chance to record one of the most meaningful events of the couple’s lives.
During the drive down the mountain the couple and their photographers relaxed and readied themselves for the celebrations to come. I envied Juliana and Brian the delightful combination of elation and exhaustion of the evening to come. The reception is one of the biggest opportunities a couple will have to bask in the glow and possibility of their new life’s journey and it is a time to savor.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Lana & Allen’s Wedding: Mount Vernon Country Club – 9/22/2012
The Hippie Limo‘s most recent late-night excursion was to the Mount Vernon Country Club to pick up Lana and Allen for their ride to the Hotel Monaco, the official starting point for their honeymoon. The newlyweds were ready to go the moment we arrived and their guests were already collecting outside to give them a warm farewell despite the comparatively chilly evening temperatures.
On spotting the Hippie Limo’s approach, one of Lana’s bridesmaids sprang into action and organized the guests and wedding party into mirrored exit lines on either side of the red carpet leading from the venue’s polished oak and brass entryway to our Samba’s gleaming red and white doors. I caught a glimpse of the couple as they navigated (and occasionally dodged) the crowd inside and noticed that they did not have coats. Having not seen any warm clothing at hand among the items I had already loaded for them, I quickly slipped inside the Microbus and laid out two blankets for Lana and Allen in case they wanted to ride with the five-foot canvas sunroof rolled back.
When I turned around I was startled to see several dozen large sparklers suddenly ignite above Lana and Allen’s heads as they dashed down the swelling gauntlet of well-wishers. Specks of bright, white light fell everywhere as I helped the breathless and smiling couple into their seats. Just as I was about to introduce myself, a photographer ushered me to the far side the bus’ doorway and began snapping pictures. Soon he was joined by another and suddenly amid all the flashing lights I began to wonder if these were Paparazzi instead of wedding photographers and whether I had accidentally picked up a pop music duo rather than a pair of newlyweds. A quick glance in the couple’s direction after the cameras withdrew revealed the flushed faces of a young couple a bit torn between their immense and sincere appreciation for the love and support they were receiving and their eagerness to exchange the constant limelight of the day for the gentle candlelight of the evening to come.
I made eye contact with Lana and Allen and wordlessly pointed first to the open sunroof and then to the blankets before giving the pair a questioning look. Knowing I would not be able to hear their words from their seats, they both motioned that they wanted the sunroof open and would very much appreciate the blankets. I indicated for them to buckle their seat belts and then unfolded the blankets. Suddenly the action-oriented bridesmaid from earlier appeared and gave her bride one final inspection. She gingerly reached down and tucked in the hem of her bride’s wedding gown far beyond the reach of the door, smiled sweetly to her, then seemingly just to herself, and then asked in an uncertain voice filled with bitter-sweet tremors, ”Is she ready?” At that moment she sounded and looked like every mother who has ever sent her little girl off to her first day of school, week at camp, or semester at college. I smiled. For no reason I can completely explain, I said, “She’s fabulous. Thanks to you.”
At last we pulled away into the near-moonless night. The chilled air, relative quiet, and lulling darkness that followed was as much of a contrast to the maelstrom of activity that had preceded as one could ask. I could both hear and feel Lana and Allen melt into the seats and into each other’s arms in the back. Lana asked if we could keep the sunroof open until we reached the highway and then close it until we were in the city. I said of course. The two exchanged stories about the day in quiet revere for the rest of the trip . . . until we reached downtown Denver when their energy levels rebounded.
Noting their newfound vigor, I suggested that we take some time to make a few passes through LoDo with the sound system cranked before we went to their hotel. Their response was enthusiastic! The next 20 minutes found us inching our way through the throngs of revelers in the streets and becoming the focus of attention for every bar with a patio and every pedestrian with the ability to turn their head. Camera phone flashes winked in the shadows and smiles glinted in the street lights all of the way through the district. Lana and Allen took it all in, waiving and smiling to the strangers as if they were royalty on parade. When at last we reached the entrance to the Hotel Monaco the streets were quiet as were Lana and Allen. After I unloaded their belongings into a bellhop cart, the couple thanked me for an amazing ride, remarking that they had both done the “limo thing” lots of times before, but that this trip had been something special. I bid them farewell and headed home, happy that even amid the amazing sendoff they received, Lana and Allen still felt that their ride in the Hippie Limo was something special.
Images below courtesy of James Ellison Photography.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Adriana & Ryan’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 9/22/2012
The Hippie Limo was operating in stealth mode for Adriana and Ryan’s wedding at the Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater. Ryan called me the week before to arrange for the Hippie Limo to be the surprise getaway car for his bride Adriana and himself. He cautioned me not to arrive before 6:00 pm to ensure that Adriana would not see the Samba until the ceremony was over. The best laid plans . . .
I made the trip up Flagstaff mountain a bit in advance but pulled the microbus into a spot far away from the amphitheater and away from prying eyes. I parked on a downward-facing hill so when the time came I would simply let the Hippie Limo roll down the road and around the bend separating me from the amphitheater. My intent was to make sure that there would be no engine noise to either interrupt the ceremony or spoil the surprise in case the ceremony was running a few minutes late.
At 6:01 pm I released the parking brake, pushed in the clutch, and let our Samba do it’s impersonation of a silent-running hybrid. I had just begun to round the bend when a woman who I would later learn was Adriana and Ryan’s wedding coordinator darted out from behind a large van and waved me back out of sight. I could see a group of women who were obviously bridesmaids lining up on the stairs to the amphitheater and one of them had caught a glimpse of the bus as I came into sight. In one quick motion born of years of crisis management, the coordinator distracted the bride, silenced the bridesmaid, slipped out from the crowd, and let me know in broad gestures that I should disappear. The wedding hadn’t even begun!
I started the engine and backed up the hill. Luckily the coordinator’s distraction was a good one and I was able to scurry out of sight before the surprise was ruined. Later the coordinator walked to my parking spot around the bend and told me that the ceremony was running about 30 minutes behind and that she would come up and get me when I was needed. Shortly I was joined by two large shuttle coaches who were arriving to collect the guests and take them back into Boulder for the reception. I waived them to stop before they were able to make my mistake (their loud diesel engines would have certainly interrupted the ceremony).
When the coordinator finally did give me the all-clear I rolled down to the parking lot and was greeted by the beaming and ecstatic face of a new bride, the relieved and joyful expression of a novice groom, and the amazed and appreciative gazes of the guests and wedding party. Ryan shook my hand and introduced his wife while the amateur and professional photographers took their positions around the Hippie Limo. The couple looked so glamorous, yet carried themselves with such a playful grace that I had to smile as I watched them effortlessly transition from pose to pose for the photographers. Looking at the picture below of Ryan leaning in to gently steal a kiss from Adriana I think you will see something of that playful grace I saw, as well as catch a glimpse of a type of gentle appreciation and admiration that the most loving couples share.
Before long we were heading down Flagstaff en route to their reception at the Boulder Theater. By the time we reached the neon-drapped marquee, twilight had settled around Boulder and the nightlife was getting underway. I bid Adriana and Ryan farewell and a good life together. I hope Ryan’s surprise delighted Adriana. I am sure the Hippie Limo will be only one of many happy surprises they share together in their lives.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Kendra & Justin’s Wedding: Crooked Willow Farms – 8/26/2012
“We saw the Hippie Limo and right then it was a done deal!” That is what Kendra told me after I dropped her and her new hubby Justin off at The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood, CO. The couple had hired our Samba to make a classy getaway following their wedding and reception at Crooked Willow Farms in Larkspur, CO. By all indications, it was one heck of a party!
When the Hippie Limo arrived at Crooked Willow Farms the evening’s festivities were just getting under way. I heard the DJ announce the first dance from the second-story window of the U-shaped building that was the venue. The building looked like it had formerly been a very large stable that had undergone such an elegant and dramatic remodel that it was hard to recognize it as such. The courtyard inside the arms of the U was beautifully landscaped and immaculately manicured and looked like an English garden nestled within a stone terrace. I crossed the courtyard and climbed the corkscrew stares up to the rustic dance area where I let the bride know the Hippie Limo had arrived.
Kendra was in such a state of flustered joy that I hesitated to even approach her. I could see the whirlwind that must have been the events of the day still spinning in her eyes, but I also saw the combination of elation, fulfillment, and relief that defines nearly every bride as she sees the finish line approaching to that happiest but also most draining of days. After simply introducing myself I stepped back outside to wait in the courtyard. I did take a quick detour to the other side of the building to take a look at the dining hall that was currently being cleaned by the staff. It was lined on both sides with large windows and had French doors at the end. The inside looked liked it had been outfitted by an expert in fine, vintage restaurant design.
In a couple of hours the guests began to trickle out. A few lined up in front of our Microbus, thinking that perhaps it was the bus that had been hired to take them to the hotel. In this particular case I had been retained just to be the livery for the lucky couple. Only moments after I explained why I was there a very large luxury charter bus rolled up on the other side of the Hippie Limo creating quite the visual contrast. Another half hour saw Kendra and Justin and their remaining guests flowing down the stairs and into the courtyard. The bridal party formed a canopy for the couple to run through on their way to the bus.
A few poses for photographs was all that separated them from their final getaway. It was close to midnight before we were off and cruising the back-country roads on our way to Kendra and Jusin’s hotel. The couple had their playlist going on our sound system at about half the system’s capacity (which is pretty loud) and settled into gentle cuddles and enthusiastic reminiscing about the day as they finally had some precious time just for themselves. I could almost feel the warmth from them radiating all of the way to the front of the bus, despite the cool air flowing in through the sunroof (which I suppose was technically now a moonroof since it was letting in the lunar glow from outside).
The couple had about a half-hour to themselves during the ride, and when we pulled into the Inverness driveway I could tell it had done them a world of good. As I opened the door for them and began unloading some of their baggage from rear hatch Kendra and Justin came around to the back of the bus and thanked me profusely for an amazing trip. Kendra offered me a pastry from the box the caterer had brought out to them prior to departing and told me that the couple would definitely tell others about the Hippie Limo. Then the two of them once again entered the fray of guests and photographers, happy and ready for the next stage of the evening.
We wish all the best for Kendra and Justin, and are particularly glad that we had the chance to meet them and be part of their celebration.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Lauren & Brent’s Wedding: Red Rocks Park & Trading Post – 8/25/2012
When Lauren contacted me she told me that her beau-to-be was a lifelong fan of VW buses and that he wanted more than anything to own one. In anticipation of that day she wanted to give him a ride in the Hippie Limo for their special trip from the ceremony at Red Rocks to the reception at the Boulder Country Club. Of course, I jumped at the chance to give another VW lover a taste of the very best VW had to offer in the 60′s.
When I arrived at the venue I tucked our Samba discretely behind a catering truck to await a text from Lauren’s mother that would signal my surprise arrival. The couple’s big day coincided with the 2012 edition of Reggae on the Rocks, a music festival showcasing the best of legendary and upcoming artists in the genre. There was no shortage of good music to listen to or shouts of appreciation from the crowds as I waited. When the time came I rolled up to the large event space with The Beatles song Love Me Do reverberating from the sound system. A wave of smiles washed across the faces of Lauren and Brent’s wedding guests and several of them broke out into dance.
On hearing the music, Lauren ushered Brent around the corner of the Trading Post to see the surprise she had arranged. From the driver’s seat of the Hippie Limo I could see his eyes widen and jaw drop. Brent then drew Lauren in for an embrace and a kiss, obviously deeply touched. Brent had to content himself with simply adoring the Microbus from afar for a bit longer as their photographer, the very personable and obviously talented Penny of Penny [O] Photography, had to pull them away for some group photos. The time passed quickly for me as I was very busy answering their departing guests’ questions about the couple’s sweet getaway car, but it must have been an eternity for Brent.
Finally we were off to the Boulder Country Club via a beautiful ride down Highway 93. Lauren and Brent split their attention among the lovely Foothills scenery outside and the music and conversation they shared on the inside. Lauren requested a custom playlist of Rock and Motown hits for their ride, which I gladly provided for them. The trip passed all too quickly and soon the couple found themselves entering their reception (but not before several poses with the Hippie Limo ). I bid them farewell, their smiling but exhausted faces full of appreciation. Best of luck to them on the ride of their lives – marriage!
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Megan & Brad’s Wedding: Lyons Farmette – 8/18/2012
The Lyons Farmette was the site of Megan and Brad’s big day (and evening) as well as the starting point for the Hippie Limo‘s latest wedding adventure. Megan and Brad wanted a safe and special way to transport their guests (and the two of them) from their big celebration at the Lyons Farmette to the “after party” house on the banks of the St. Vrain river. What transport could be more special than the Hippie Limo?
I pulled up to the venue at 9:30 pm and found a party in full swing. The loud and surprisingly clear music from the DJ stand echoed down the bridge that connected the hillside above to the parking area below. I could immediately tell a lot about the bride and groom from their music selection – 80′s to early 90′s hits. My first impressions were confirmed when I found the bride, Megan, swaying in perfect rhythm to the bass line of The Knack’s My Sherona as she talked with some of her guests. She didn’t even skip a beat when I introduced myself and let her know that her ride was here. She continued to move to the music as she told me the plan for the evening. These were going to be some pretty cool clients!
I walked down the bridge away from the music and the romantic glow of vintage-looking Italian Christmas lights circling the hillside and prepared the Samba for my first passengers. Unknown to me, the groom and a few of his friends were following behind and quickly came up and introduced themselves. They were dressed in white shirts with purple paisley suspenders and bow ties. The groom, Brad, was wearing the additional adornment of what I can only describe as a cross between a “Little Dutch Boy hat” and a railroad Engineer’s cap (though I later learned it was a Pageboy hat, like the early 1900′s “newsies” pageboys wore). On him it looked both dapper and whimsical, an impression furthered by the classically wax-curled tips of his moustache.
Brad and his party chatted with me a bit about the Hippie Limo and its history while six happy-go-lucky guests lined up, ready for the first trip up Highway 36 on its climb to Estes Park. The destination was a bit hard to find, but luckily the landmark of Shelly’s Cottages made it possible to find the turn-off in the dark. A couple more round trips and it was time for the happy couple to make their getaway. Megan and Brad made a special request for The Beatles to be their soundtrack during their ascent up the canyon. As we cruised through Lyons we saw crowds just starting to make the long trudge to their cars from The Rocky Mountain Folk Festival at Planet Bluegrass Ranch. Smiles lit up everyone’s faces as we made our way through the departing spectators. Soon we were winding our way up to the house with the twilight outline of rocky cliffs and a blanket of beaming stars flowing in through the sunroof.
Megan and Brad stepped out of the Hippie Limo into the awaiting revels of their friends and family. After one more quick round trip I was off to home at the nearly unheard-of hour (for me) of 12:30. My eyes may have been a bit blurry but I could tell by watching Megan and Brad that the two of them were going to be great companions for one another during their life together.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Advice for Using the Hippie Limo as a Shuttle for Your Wedding or Commitment Celebration
Starting the Hippie Limo has been a learning experience, and the last year has yielded some best practices in making the Hippie Limo a part of a couple’s big day. Below are suggestions for using the Hippie Limo as an oh-so-special shuttle service for their wedding or commitment. Remember that we have a six passenger maximum, which means you will have to do some planning if you want to shuttle a number of guests during your wedding or commitment.
- Estimate total time for each one-way or round trip for the shuttle (pickup to dropoff and/or return to pickup location, for example) using something like Google Maps or Mapquest. Then add between 3-5 minutes for each estimate to be on the safe side.
- Create a shuttle departure timetable for each specific location or event and provide it to the guests at their respective lodgings as well as post it on every reception table and at the bar or catering table (if there is one) so that all guests have a way to see when a ride will be arriving or departing from a location. Make it clear which part of the timetable is for trips from one location to another. Be sure to indicate the maximum number of passengers per trip and highlight the time of the last trip to or from any location.
- Go a step further and create assigned seating for each shuttle trip (based on the seating chart at the reception tables or some other existing ordered list of guests to make things easier for you to plan and easier for your guests to remember). In conjunction with the timetable this should make sure that all guests are transported before the start of an event and at the end of the evening in workable numbers. If this is not done there is a risk that at some point (usually just before the ceremony or at the very end of the evening) there will be a line of guests waiting transportation and no room for them.
- Make an announcement about the shuttle, schedule, and assigned seating at the beginning of the reception as well as at least two or three times throughout.
- Task your wedding party, coordinator, or other reliable persons to round-up guests at the departure times and help them get to their ride. You can be tech-savvy about it and in addition send out texts to each party’s cell phones to give them a 10-15 minute heads-up on the time they will be leaving. For those with smart phones you can send out emails with schedules for each part of the evening in advance. That said, don’t rely on technology to be sure your guests make their departure times. Nothing substitutes for a friendly reminder from a person.
- Decide on and reserve a specific spot for pickups and dropoffs and then provide signage to help direct guests to the location. Also post a copy of the timetable at the location. Establishing a consistent pickup point is critical, especially in cases where guests may have enjoyed themselves a bit more than expected and could end up getting lost. You can kick it up a notch and include a kitchen timer or other battery-powered clock at the pickup location to really help keep the guests on track.
- Last, but surely not least, check all event calendars for the city and local venues (concert halls, hotels, festival pavilions, etc,) to be sure there are no events that might impact travel times to the venues, hotels, B&Bs, or other lodgings. All it takes is one unexpected event and the associated traffic or road closures to turn a five-minute trip into a 25 minute trip.
If this much planning doesn’t sound like your cup of tea or you just have too many guests in your entourage, you could consider choosing another limo service that offers vehicles with larger seating capacity or can provide more vehicles for the event. There are several limo companies in Denver that can provide both of these benefits. Take a look at our article on Denver & Boulder Limousine Options, Rates, and Advice for Weddings and Special Occasions – Making the Decision to help you find just the right service at the right price for you.
Of course, should you choose another company it will certainly not be able to give you the one-of-a-kind experience in riding in the icon of an era, nor will your guests be able to boast about having been in one of the most unique rides in Denver or Boulder. As one group of passengers observed on a night out in our Samba, “A Hummer sure doesn’t get you the smiles, reactions, or peace signs like you get in the Hippie Limo!” 
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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What did you think of this article? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Denver & Boulder Limousine Options, Rates, and Advice for Weddings and Special Occasions – Making the Decision
Choosing the right limo service for your wedding or special occasion – the combination of amenities, quality and type of vehicles, good service, and budget-friendly pricing – can be difficult. Denver-metro residents have a host of limo services to choose from, especially if they are looking for the standard stretch towncar, SUV, or party bus. On the other hand there are only a handful of services that offer classic, antique, unique, and vintage limos like the Hippie Limo.
Most limo services offer the modern limo experience – partial or full bars, lots of neon in the interior with nightclub styling, and the cache of a sleek machine for your ride. Though the Hippie Limo’s completely period dealer-showroom restoration does not allow for these sort of extras (nor would we want them to spoil the experience), it does have its own appeal for those with retro-mod tastes. If you want to jump over and see what the Hippie Limo charges for service, go over to Limo Packages & Rates.
The Chase
If you are the kind of person who just wants the basic information (without all of the details that will likely explain the variation between published and actual pricing), then here you go:
On average, for a 6-passenger regular luxury SUV “limo” (not stretched) in the Denver Metro you can expect to pay a base $200 for a standard 3-hour minimum and $65 for each additional hour NOT INCLUDING taxes or a mandatory 20% gratuity.
The Details
Now read below to learn more about pricing factors and variations and to find links to the published pricing for specific companies.
If you are doing web searches to find out just what sort of hit to the pocket-book a limo will mean for your wedding or special occasion, you will often find yourself having to call the service for a quote as pricing is dependent on several factors, including but not limited to:
- Season
- Vehicle
- Time of day
- Occasion
- Gratuity
- Fuel prices and other ever-changing operating costs
Still, there are several companies who publish and presumably regularly update their hourly rates, a few of which I will list for you below. A common misconception is that limos bill similarly to taxis, meaning they bill by the time it takes to make a trip. Mostly this is not so except in the case of airport or concert services. It doesn’t matter if you will only physically be in the limo for a couple of hours, if you plan on having a 6-hour night on the town you will be paying for 6-hours of service. This is because the limo will be at your command for those hours and is unable to service other customers during that time. As I said, this is not always the case but it is how the vast majority of companies work their billing.
Considerations in Pricing a Limo Service in Denver
To help you the savvy consumer try to get some idea of just what you will pay for a limo ride in our area I have collected a few of the Denver sites with rates pages below. Before you take them at face value you should be aware of the following restrictions that may apply. Or put another way, the lower rates they list are based on limitations on service that may not actually apply to your specific occasion or situation:
- Season: Prom, Wedding, and Concert seasons (May-ish to October-ish) are more expensive than off-seasons because of demand.
- Note: The Hippie Limo only operates from April to October and only has one price structure.
- Weekday, Weekend, or Time-of-Day: Rates will vary depending on the days and times you want service. Obviously the more popular days and times (weekends and evenings) command the more expensive rates.
- Note: The Hippie Limo’s rates are the same regardless of day or time.
- Occasion: Limo companies know that some occasions warrant a more premium price on service because people are just willing to pay more for their special occasion. A limo for a wedding or prom is usually more special than a night out. Funerals are usually another matter.
- Note: The Hippie Limo is “agnostic” when it comes to occasion. Meaning it doesn’t matter what you want to use it for, it is one price.
- Distance: Limos have their lowest rates the closer they provide service to their respective garages. Obviously it takes longer and costs more for a limo to provide service to a suburb or rural area than it does to downtown locations where most companies are based. The posted rates usually are for the metro area and can vary depending on pickup and drop-off destinations.
- Note: The Hippie Limo includes travel charges in our base hourly rate provided pickup and dropoff locations are within a 30-mile radius of Boulder City Center (that’s radius, not actual road miles – see Contact & Booking for more details). Any travel to mountain towns and as well as travel to areas outside this radius will incur an extra charge to cover our additional costs (again, see Contact & Booking for details). The Hippie Limo is also limited by our insurance to operation within a 50-mile radius of Downtown Denver (again, radius, not miles travelled).
- Amenities: Most limos have some level of luxuries such as bars and decor. That being said, the lower priced limos will have less stylish or extravagant presentations. Generally, the larger the vehicle the more indulgent and impressive the perks you get.
- Note: The Hippie Limo lacks pretty much all of these luxuries as I mentioned above. Some “luxuries” you might expect, such as air-conditioning or heating, are also lacking. The former was pretty rare on any car in 1965 and the latter was never much on the old Microbuses in the first place. Even so, this is almost never an issue regarding the comfort of passengers as the 5-foot open-air sunroof and front opening Safari windshields usually keep the temperature very moderate.
- Hourly Minimum: Most services have an hourly minimum, usually about 3-4 hours. When you look at their page they will use a grid to distinguish between the type of vehicle and its associated hourly rate and minimums.
- Note: The Hippie Limo has a 3-hour minimum, which is pretty standard.
- Vehicle Selection: You really have a range of options to meet your desires with most companies (save for classic cars). You can have a basic towncar (which will still be very nice) that seats 2 passengers; a van, stretch towncar, or regular SUV which usually seats 6-8 passengers; and finally a stretch SUV or bus which can seat anywhere from 12-26 or so. As you go up in vehicle capacity you go up in price. Towncars usually bill out between $65 and $85 and hour, whereas the coveted stretch dual axle Hummer behemoth can run $180 an hour or more.
- Note: The Hippie Limo is our one and only vehicle. I am a full-time at-home dad of two children. In an effort to fill that pesky income gap that results from having a devoted at-home parent, I am trying to find a way to make some money with my classic car.
- Classic or Modern: Newer limos are surprisingly less expensive to acquire and maintain than older ones, so classic, antique, and vintage limos demand a premium over modern cars. Though price is a consideration, you just cannot beat the photos at a wedding or other occasion that come along with hiring a car such as a Rolls Royce, Bently, or similar (a 1965 21-Window Deluxe VW Microbus, for example . You can easily expect to pay between $130-$180 an hour for one of these beauties (and you are often charged for roundtrip travel from/to their garage in addition to your actual hours of service). I you can stretch your budged to include a classic limo, you won’t regret it when it comes to the general “wow” factor in your guests’ reactions as well as in the “pop” you will have in your photographs.
- Note: The Hippie Limo bills out at about the same rate as a stretch towncar with most companies (sometimes a little higher), which is quite a bit less than one of the more ritzy options – though admittedly less prestigious. Check out our Weddings & Commitments page as well as our Photo Gallery to see what sort of photos you might expect to have if you hire the Hippie Limo.
- Gratuities, Taxes, and Charges: Published pricing for many services may not include a mandatory 20% “gratuity,” a 5% fuel surcharge, or other applicable taxes and charges. These can add up if the service uses them. Usually the service will have a disclaimer near the pricing grid that lets you know these extras are not included in the base pricing.
- Note: The Hippie Limo has all taxes and charges (other than mentioned above for some travel) included in its base rate. Gratuities are never expected or required (but they are sure appreciated!)
- Special Note on the term “Gratuity:” Most limousine companies book their vehicles at a rate plus a 20% gratuity, also called a “chauffeur’s fee.” The use of the word “gratuity” is misleading as it leads most customers to think they are tipping the driver in advance. In fact, the 20% is the driver’s base wage. This is what the company pays the driver for her or his hard work; drivers rarely get an hourly wage.
The above points cover most considerations you will have in pricing a limo service for your wedding or other special occasion. The bit of guidance above is not meant to show how the Hippie Limo is better than other services. Indeed, we don’t offer much of what they do — other than a one-of-a-kind experience in a 60′s icon, of course.
Some Denver and Boulder Area Limo Rates and Services
As promised, below are links to some companies in the Denver and Boulder area that publish their limo rates in some form on the web. Though it is not possible to compare “apples to apples” when considering our Limo Packages & Rates along with theirs, it should give you some starting point on pricing.
On average, for a 6-passenger regular luxury SUV “limo” (not stretched) in the Denver Metro you can expect to pay a base $200 for a standard 3-hour minimum and $65 for each additional hour. This pricing DOES NOT INCLUDE taxes or a mandatory 20% gratuity. Nor does it account for extra charges for high-demand days, hours, or occasions.
The companies below are presented in no particular order and the Hippie Limo does not endorse any service nor does it know whether or not the rates on the pages are up-to-date or if the considerations listed above apply in all cases.
- Denver Crown Limousine
- A Century Limousine Denver
- American Eagle Limousine Denver
- Colorado Luxury Limousine Denver
- Pearl Limousine Denver
- Denver Limo Service
- Global VIP Limousine (Denver VIP Coach)
- Denver Limo, Inc.
- Sunset Luxury Limousines
Denver and Boulder Area Classic, Vintage, Antique, or Unique Limo Services
Our area does have a few choices when it comes to renting an unusual limo for your wedding or special occasion. Check out the ones below.
- Excursions Limousine Service
- Rolls Royce Rentals Denver
- The Ambassador’s Rolls: Classic Rolls Royce Limousines (R.I.P)
- Colorado Movie Cars (Facebook)
- Silver Elegance Rolls Royce Limousine Service
- Rolls Royce Weddings
Other Advice When Hiring a Limo and Denver
Visit the sites below for good advice and “gotchas” to watch out for when renting a limo. To see the Hippie Limo’s operation credentials go to Contact & Booking and scroll to the bottom of the page.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Do you have a company or other resource to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Julia & Ryan’s Wedding: Lone Hawk Farms – 6/16/2012
On Saturday June 16th the Hippie Limo was lucky enough to be at Lone Hawk Farms in Longmont, Colorado for its first wedding of the 2012 season. The bride and groom, Julia O’Shea and Ryan McFarling, had the extremely good taste to book a ride in the Hippie Limo after seeing a story about us in the Colorado Hometown Weekly (visit our In the Press page to find links to that story and all of the other buzz about us). Julia and Ryan live in the area and are committed to supporting local business, which includes the Hippie Limo. Judging by the number of out-of-town guests at their wedding, they also do a fair job of supporting the tourism industry.
The Hippie Limo had an afternoon event that day at the 2nd Annual Longmont G’Night Ride presented by Bicycle Longmont and Oskar Blues Brewery, so it was a short hop, skip, and groove from there to the farm where Julia and Ryan were preparing for final photographs and toasts before heading off to their honeymoon evening. As I entered the farm’s stone gates, Sophia the resident peacock greeted me and seemingly proceded to guide me toward the event area at the back of the property where the day-long party was winding down. It is worth noting that Lone Hawk Farm is a working farm that grows organic produce for sale, holds monthly farm-to-table family style dinners, and plays host to weddings, commitments, and other special events in its elegantly re-envisioned and crafted main event barn and adjoining gorgeous lawns and gardens that overlook the front range mountains. It is equally worth noting that it would be one of the first places I would consider for having a country wedding in modern style.
The Hippie Limo’s arrival was heralded by shouts from guests ranging from “That ride is sick!” and “What a cherry bus!” to “Outstanding!” and ”Classic!” In short order I met Julia, Ryan, and their photographer Shawn Lortie of Shawn Lortie Photography who positioned the Hippie Limo in just the right light and backdrop for photographs that were both playful and artistic. As I helped Julia and Ryan exit the bus after some final shots of them dancing in the five-foot open air sunroof, she turned to her new husband and marveled sweetly, “Can you believe we’re going to get to ride in this thing later.” “Yea,” he replied, “this was a GREAT idea!” Back into the event center they went to say their farewells and get ready for their country cruise to the Hotel Boulderado in (where else?) downtown Boulder.
As the Hippie Limo again pulled onto the backcountry roads, Ryan used the remote control to crank up the sound system playing The Beatles tracks that Julia had requested and both settled in for their leisurely twilight ride into the city. Between singing the chorus to “Eight Days a Week” and “Drive My Car” and reminiscing about the events of the day, the couple exchanged endearing glances and shared long gazes into the starry heavens rolling by through the sunroof and skylight windows. All too soon they were out of the microbus and entering the warm wood portico of the Boulderado and the new adventure of their lives together. The Hippie Limo wishes the best for them and their families.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Denver Metro GLBT Wedding Expo – 4/29/2012
The Hippie Limo is proud to be a part of The Denver Metro GLBT Wedding Expo which will be held Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Summit Conference and Event Center in Aurora, CO. I was contacted by Cat Kirk the organizer of the expo last year inquiring as to whether or not I would like to exhibit. I enthusiastically said yes as GLBT equality (or LGBT as it is also known) is not only part of my core value system, but also a deep commitment that I give to my most wonderful friends and family of whom many are married same-sex couples.
Cat shared with me some interesting facts about GLBT weddings that I will share below:
Meet Today’s GLBT Couple
According to U.S. Census data about 780,000 couples identified themselves as being part of a same-sex couple household in 2008. An estimate from the Congressional Budget Office put the likely-to-get-married number at 600,000 if gay marriage were legalized nationwide. In 2010 there were more than 12,000 same sex couples in the Denver metro area.
More and more Colorado GLBT couples are getting married in states that have legalized same sex marriage and civil unions: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington D.C., Washington State (as of 6/7/2012), and Maryland recognizes same sex marriage. Colorado is working to have civil unions put on the 2012 ballot.
Affluent
Today’s GLBT have an average wedding budget of $25,000-a third more that of heterosexual couples. Households run by two gay men average 35% higher income than same-sex couples. Many couples have been together for years and go ‘all out’ for their big day.
Come on Out
Please come out and see the Hippie Limo at the Denver Metro GLBT Wedding Expo and show your pride and support for GLBT businesses.
The Summit Event Center is located at 411 Sable Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011. For questions contact Cat Kirk at 720.903.0702 or at denvermetroglbtweddingexpo@gmail.com. You can also visit the expo’s Facebook Page.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Season’s Bliss Event Center Bridal Show – 3/24/2012
The Hippie Limo will be stepping out of its winter garage hibernation for a few hours of display at Broomfield, CO‘s newest wedding and events location – Season’s Bliss Event Center. Season’s Bliss will be hosting its first Bridal Show to provide couples with a chance to view and visit with exhibitors from a range of wedding service providers. The show will be held on Saturday, March 24th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
I had the privilege of visiting the event center and can tell you that it boasts a spacious and charming garden-style interior with giant windows that frame an amazing view of the front range mountains. The center is full of amenities such as a wooden bar, raised firepit, appointed dressing rooms, and spacious deck. Season’s Bliss can accommodate up to 400 guests, and with its reasonable rates it is a perfect choice for couples on a budget who also like to think big!
Season’s Bliss Event Center is located at 665 Flatiron Marketplace Drive in Broomfield, CO 80021. For questions contact Allie at 720.327.9144 or at allie@seasonsbliss.com.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Colorado Bridal Show in Denver – 10/16/2011
The Hippie Limo is grateful to the organizers of the Colorado Bridal Show for the opportunity to exhibit at the Doubletree Hotel in the Denver Tech Center on October 16, 2011. We had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic array of exceptionally creative brides, grooms, and families. The biggest highlight for us is that this particular show resulted in the Hippie Limo’s first television appearance! Matt Flener and Corey Rose of KUSA-TV Channel 9 Denver welcomed us into the weather deck of their studio to talk about the Colorado Bridal Show and the Hippie Limo. You can see the interview for yourself here: Man Creates a Far Out Limo for the ‘Hippie’ Crowd.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest.
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Jehnna & Michael’s Wedding: Boulder Chautauqua Park – 10/1/2011
Q: How do you know the Bride and Groom at a wedding are both from Wyoming?
A: Their wedding outfits perfectly match their cowboy boots.
So finds the Hippie Limo at the wedding of Jehnna Foster and Michael Mahoney in its last outing as a limousine for the 2011 season. Though Jehnna and Micheal are not citizens of the Republic of Boulder, or of Colorado, they do have a streak of the boho and alternative in them, as is evident by their choice of wedding location, Boulder‘s beautiful Chautauqua Park. I have been to many weddings as a guest, and a few as a the Hippie Limo’s driver, and in my opinion their ceremony was the most perfect example of balance between tradition and whimsy I have seen yet.
Collecting the bride-to-be, her father, her maid of honor, and three of her bridesmaids was the first order of business, followed quickly by a stop at a lovely house in downtown Boulder for a photo opportunity. Next was the big trip to Chautauqua where the ceremony began almost immediately. The ceremony itself was brief, as most seem to be these days, but the time for guests to chat with and congratulate the lucky couple was long (as it should be).
Afterward there were two trips scheduled to the reception at Bacaro Venetian Taverna in Boulder, one for select bridesmaids and groomsmen, followed by another just for the lucky couple to allow them to decompress. Traffic was building after a University of Colorado Boulder football game, which meant a far longer than usual commute to downtown for the first crew. My standard wedding song list was playing on the sound system, and I asked if anyone would prefer something more rockin’; an offer that was quickly acknowledged by a bridesmaid’s request for Kanye. Though I could not oblige as my iPod only has room for my 60′s collection, I would have been happy to play his tunes had the party had an iPod or disc on them at the time. Instead, they made do with a bit of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
After dropping off the penultimate party at Bacaro it was back into the fray to pick up the happy couple who were just finishing with the first batch of photographs. Another session of photos in the Hippie Limo and then a sudden rain shower preceded a timely departure for the reception. Jehnna and Michael relaxed in the back during our more abbreviated ride to their reception (thankfully, the traffic was now thinning as the game’s spectators were reaching their respective destinations or managing to leave Boulder altogether). The newly minted Mahoneys exited the Hippie Limo to a hail of cheers from the crowds dining outside or passing by Bacaro and the couple were then off to their celebration and new lives together.
What a great way to end a season, and best of luck to Jehnna and Michael!
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Janelle & Tommy’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 8/28/2011
August finds the Hippie Limo making its favorite trip up Flagstaff mountain near Chautauqua Park to Boulder’s Sunrise Amphitheater for another wedding. This time its Janelle and Tommy Stover who are joining hands, hearts, and lives. This ride was extra special for this couple as both have fond memories and deep affections for air-cooled VWs. Tommy in particular looked forward to having the Hippie Limo be their special wedding ride because he has always wanted to own a 21-Window Deluxe Samba Microbus. Funny how birds of a feather flock together, especially since half a dozen guests at the wedding stopped to comment on our microbus and tell us stories about the ones they had in the past or were currently restoring.
As planned, the Hippie Limo arrived in time to ferry the ecstatic couple from their ceremony to their reception at the Hotel Boulderado. Not as planned was the downpour that started just as they boarded. Sadly, that meant that the sunroof had to remain closed during the journey down, which is one of the best features of the Hippie Limo, even more so in the mountains. When the couple weren’t making eyes at each other they were studying our microbus’s interior and commenting on how complete and original it looked. The back windows and skylights began to steam up just a bit from the rain and their kissing as we pulled up to the hotel. The rain was slowing, so throwing caution (and good sense) to the wind, I told the waiting photographer to get ready and opened up the sunroof to allow the couple to strike the classic out-of-the-sunroof pose. Another great ride for the Hippie Limo, but nothing compared to the future Janelle and Tommy are about to embark upon.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
The Rocky Mountain Bridal Show in Downtown Denver – 8/21/2011
The Hippie Limo was fortunate enough to be invited to exhibit at the Rocky Mountain Bridal Show at the Denver Colorado Convention Center on Sunday, August 18 ,2011. Barbie Howard, the owner and producer, contacted me after looking at our website, commenting that it struck her funny bone in a way that made her just have to give me a call. Since the Rocky Mountain Bridal Show is one of Colorado’s largest and most well-attended bridal shows, and most importantly, because of Barbie’s professional, friendly, and accommodating manner, it was an invitation I gladly accepted.
The Hippie Limo was given a special place in the show as we were actually inside the Korbel Ballroom beside the other vendors and near the prize-filled balloon drop scheduled for the end of the day. Though it was a bit of a harrowing experience for me to drive our microbus up the truck dock ramp and through the back corridors of the convention center to get to the ballroom, it was well worth it when the crowds filed through and eventually saw our shiny red and white icon in a sea of black velvet booths. The Hippie Limo was very well received by brides, grooms, and vendors alike, and our growing display of 60′s bridal memorabilia garnered more than a few laughs.
I was fortunate to be able to exhibit at the show on another level, as well. My wife was at that time two days overdue for delivering our second child and was justifiably concerned that I might find myself locked inside a show and unable to make it to the labor or birth. Luckily Bill Walker, president of the Volkswagen Enthusiasts of Colorado VW club, graciously volunteered to be my standby to either fill-in or take-over for me in case I couldn’t make the show or had to leave early. Here’s thanks to Bill, a great guy and a great president. Luckily for me (but uncomfortably for my wife), she did not go into labor during the show, and still has not as of the writing of this article.
Among the vendors who took time away from their busy booths to visit us was:
- The Food Guy’s Tom Harper whose company specializes in thrilling the palates of guests at weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events with tastes ranging from seven-course gourmet meals to finger lickin’ barbecue.
- Adventure Weddings‘ Rita McConnell who designs packages specifically for the adventurous couple’s proposal, bachelor/bachelorette party, wedding, honeymoon, vow renewal, or romantic getaway.
- Trent’s Images‘ own Trent Norman whose mood, scene, and feel photographic style does more than create an image, it tells a story (and who also is featured in the Hippie Limo’s Photo Gallery)
- Mahal Bella Photography‘s Anabelle Brunck who applies her artistic talents toward vintage, photojournalistic, and mod wedding photography.
Many heartfelt thanks to everyone who stopped by. We hope to hear from all of you soon.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
Amy & Tim’s Wedding: Boulder Sunrise Amphitheater – 7/1/2011
A long weekend is a perfect time to get married. All of your potential guests have likely already set aside time in their schedules and everyone will be able to enjoy an extended time of celebration. That is probably what was going through the minds of Amy Cramer, instructor at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, and Tim Meewusen, chef at Mountain Brewery, when they were planning their July 1 wedding at Boulder’s Sunrise Amphitheater atop Flagstaff mountain near beautiful Chautauqua Park. Their officiant, Jude Herr, the winner of the Hippie Limo’s Magical Mystery Tour Package donated to Boulder’s Food, Libation, & Independent Cinema, made their day even more special by giving them her “ticket to ride” for their wedding day.
The Hippie Limo arrived at the Rembrandt Yard in Boulder where the couple was making last-minute checks and arrangements as their guests gathered for the trip up. Several of Amy and Tim’s friends loitered outside with me chatting about the couple while admiring our Samba. Amy’s attendants were the first to walk out the door and see their special ride. Exclamations of “Oh my god, how CUTE!” were followed by similar comments from the other attendants and the emerging guests. The trip up to the amphitheater was exclusively for the bride and her attendants, one of whom told a brief story about her time living in a microbus that was very similar to the Hippie Limo, though not quite as pretty. Once we were rolling and the wedding playlist was going, the attendants serenaded the bride with The Beatles‘ ”I Want to Hold Your Hand” and Herman’s Hermits‘ “I’m Into Something Good.” I smiled to myself as I listened, occasionally singing along, albeit quietly. Judging from the voices I heard coming out of the back of the Hippie Limo, at least one of the attendants has a serious shot at American Idol.
Atop Flagstaff the bride and her entourage stepped out into a wonderful sunny late afternoon; a turn of weather for which everyone was grateful given that the day before it had been raining and lightening during the rehearsal. Though it was warm, a breeze and a fair amount of shade in the audience area kept things moderately comfortable for the guests’ arrival. Celtic music from a trio of musicians resolved into a slow but spirited march as the wedding party approached the stage. Amy and Tim had their own vows which Judy recited to them as what seemed like the whole of Boulder county spread out as a backdrop behind them. Though the ceremony itself was brief, the emotion was strong, and soon the couple were making their way up the steps to the Hippie Limo, where by the groom’s request, rockin’ songs by Steppenwolf and The Rolling Stones had replaced the earlier romantic crooning.
Down the mountain we went (just a bit slower than we had come up) and the couple were off to their long-awaited reception. After the meal at the Rembrandt Yard the couple had planned to continue the festivities in the Catacombs beneath the Hotel Boulderado until the wee hours of the morning (or more accurately, 11:00 PM, which by my reckoning counts as the wee hours these days). It was a fantastic day for all involved, including myself. Not only did the Hippie Limo get to do a wedding (its favorite type of excursion), but I was fortunate enough to meet several intriguing personalities, including one Ed Rinaldi, a poet in Albany, NY who “paints himself blind with words” [sic] at his blog The Blind Lantern and on Twitter at @blindedbeatpoet.
More Wedding & Commitment Adventures!
Curious about the fun other couples have had with the Hippie Limo on their special day? We have stories and pictures galore:
- Look under Current Events & Musings in the right sidebar for the most recent rides
- Visit Weddings & Commitments for a complete rundown of all of our wedding related activities
- Go to Wedding Wire for reviews from couples on the Hippie Limo’s services
- Peruse our Photo Gallery to see some of the best images that couples have shared
- Be inspired by wedding pictures from around the world that feature vintage VWs on Pinterest
- Hop over to In the Press to see what the media and blogosphere are saying about us
- Preview a ride in the Hippie Limo from The Experience
- Click on the services listed on the Hippie Limo main page to explore other fun options
When you’re ready, check out our Limo Packages & Rates or our Beer, Wine & Sights Tours to see what we can do for your wedding, commitment, or other special occasion!
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Did you attend this event? Do you have something to add? Tell us about it with a comment in the Leave a Reply box below. If you need help making a comment, see the instructions on our Word on the Street page.
