Litter and Bearers Needed

[MikeyLear]

In the race to have the most awesome wedding the world has ever seen, my friend has asked me to research awesome transport for the bride to the church. I thought that some kind of litter carried by a bunch of medieval peasants or royal attendants or something might go down well. I'm afraid I don't know anything about the re-enactment scene, and I don't know where to start but someone (a Mr. Field) referred me here. Does anyone know of anyone who can arrange man-powered and costumed transport? Or something even better that I haven't thought of yet?
-Mikey

[Pete the Pong]

Well, it does help to tell us where and when!
Plus what "rewards" be they financial or otherwise you are prepared to offer your peasants and royal attendants!!!!

[Marcus Woodhouse]

Not something I had come across as being especially medieval, not even in the Papal States! You either walked or rode to church (if you bothered at all as all that was needed was a priest and two witnesses). There are some coranations during which the queen consort is taken to be invested in a prettily decorated cart, but not a litter.

[Phil the Grips]

There's a lovely sedanchair in Leeds for hire that comes with suitably swarthy and burly bearers- not medieval but c18th tho'.

[Medicus Matt]

awesome transport for the bride to the church.

Trebuchet?

[Marcus Woodhouse]

Checked and double checked and can only find eviedence of litters being used to carry the seriously ill (in fact the two instances I have come across were both of Princes of the Royal Blood dying-namely Edward, Prince of Wales amd King Henry V, though I expect other nobles must have made use of them too._

[MikeyLear]

Thanks for all the replies. The wedding is in July in a little village near Southampton. I've discovered that the distance to carry the bride is in the realms of 2 miles. I think that's probably a bit much for a manual lift. Does anyone have any other ideas which might be more suitable for this distance? And possibly for transporting the entire group of guests as well, maybe 200 people. Or any other ideas of how people or stuff from another time period could spice up a wedding. It's probably obvious that I don't know exactly what I'm looking for, so any suggestions are welcome.
-Mikey

[lucy the tudor]

200 people for two miles, without having to wait for three hours for a horse bus to go back and forth,hmmm... if you're looking for a level of authenticity for a time period, it would be best to decide a period and work towards it- so for say Medieval generic sort of stuff- most people walk there, chief protagonists (?) and gentry go on horse back, infirm and elderly in a farm cart.
Your guests may prefer the authenticity to start when they have entered the venue, so they don't spoil their shoes, or get too tired. Horse back and farm cart folk could still arrive authentically as a spectacle?

[Marcus Woodhouse]

Maybe you could change the time frame to the 1950's or 1960's and get in touch with some local car enthusiasts who might be able to take the bride and groom while everyone else arrives in an old bus?
The onle theme wedding I have ever been to was for a friend who was a Elvis fan and everyone came as teddy boys, very easy to dress in "50's style" clothes.
All the best for the day, it is only a day, however important it seems the hard work and the real joys are in the months, years, decades that come afterwards.

[Chris, yclept John Barber]

But if the budget's there, wouldn't it be fun...

200 passengers, that means 400 bearers, with at least two crews for each chair so they can swap over regularly, that's 800 re-enactors: surely a Footballer's Wife could be tempted by the prospect to fund 800 re-enactors getting together for a huge party once we deliver the guests?

[Colin Middleton]

When my wife and I got married, everyone turned up by car, then walked into the venu, including the bride. However, she was met by a bodyguard of a dozen or so soldiers/knights in bright and shiny coats/armour and escorted down to the cross where we were wed by them and attendants throwing petals, etc.

Other clasic options are the carriage or horseback.

I'd recomend foot, car or bus for the guests though.

Congratulations and best wishes.

[Pete the Pong]

And always remember....
If it can go wrong it WILL

[frances]

Fleet of 1950's charabancs?

Say 40 people per bus, plus one for bridal party = 6 old buses. Plus a large, empty car park for everyone to meet in and get parked; also near to public transport for those who go that way. Then during and after the party, regular transport back to the large car park, which has not, of course, been closed for the night.

[the real lord duvet]

tanks and armoured personal carriers are not quite right though.

can't see a bride in a 432.

[Brand]

Well I got hitched at Herstmonceaux Castle last August during the Medieval Spectacular, my good lady walked to the glade for the ceremonywith the guests, I arrived by golf cart a bit earlier (needed the cart to transport the Mead!)...

BTW Isle of Wight to Southampton is not so far- have Pirates, Ebglish Civil War Soldiers and Medieval Soldiers over here... of course July is very very busy so you'd better give actual dates...