My brother arranged to have a limo to take his bride and the bridal party from Rockport MA to the church in Gloucester MA on a Saturday in July for their 1 PM wedding. He hired Ludwig's Limousine Service in Peabody MA at the suggestion of the reception venue. The price was $255 plus a contractually required tip of 20% ($300 total).
Concerned about the beach traffic in this resort area, my brother called Ludwig's 2 weeks prior to remind them of the timing. He was assured by Ludwig employee Karen that the company is professional and did not need to be told when to arrive and that the driver would ensure that the wedding party arrive at their destination at the appointed hour. Also note that if the ceremony started more than five minutes late, the couple would be charged $200 by the church.
As a member of the bridal party, I was a passenger in the limo. The bride needed to be at the church by 12:45 PM. The limo arrived in Rockport at 12:47 PM, 17 minutes after the requested 12:30 PM limo arrival time. Upon arrival, the driver lamented the beach traffic. Steve, the driver, then drove recklessly at speeds exceeding 50 mph (in 35 zone), passed cars on a narrow winding double line road, and skidded to a stop to avoid other cars. The bridal party, including an 88 year old grandmother, were thrown around the limo, spilling champagne supplied by the bridal party.
At 1:06 PM, we noticed that the driver was taking us into downtown Gloucester instead of to St. Anthony's. He was taking us to the wrong church: he said he was going to St. Anthony's but gave an address across the downtown area. We arrived at the correct church after multiple sudden turns and reverses (when he failed to follow our precise directions) at 1:18 PM, 33 minutes late. Eighty-eight year old Nana responded to Steve's inquiry of Sweetheart, are you ok? As she alighted from the car with I'm not your sweetheart and thanks to you, I am NOT ok!
The ever gracious bride, while repressing tears, thanked the driver for getting us there alive and told him "not to worry" about the late hour. She was trying not to cry at being late and disheveled; she was only grateful to arrive in one piece. The driver grabbed her hand and inhibited her path from the limo and acted in an overly familiar fashion.
After the ceremony, the driver was intrusive, mingled with guests, and needed to be asked to move out of the background of pictures. He kissed the bride as she exited the church and took her bouquet from her for safe keeping. As guests exited the church, he had placed a bottle of champagne with two glasses in the sun on the trunk of the car. He later served the warm champagne to the newlyweds in glasses, one of them cracked and repaired with white tape. When he deposited the couple at the reception, Steve was given the contractually required "tip."
After the incident, the mother of the groom called the owner to discuss the situation. Mr. Jeff Ludwig denied that anything had been wrong with the service provided or that his employee Steve was anything other than professional. Mr. Ludwig claimed:
#1 that the driver only drove quickly because the passengers were upset at being late,
#2 that the driver was NOT late,
#3 that the driver DID NOT break any traffic laws or act in an unsafe manner,
#4 that the groom DID NOT call Karen to remind the company about the beach area traffic,
#5 to be the only one who answers the phone (even though Karen works there until he arrives at 3 PM),
#6 that the driver spoke to the priest about the $200 fine and that he convinced the priest to waive the charge (the priest confirmed that no such conversation occurred),
#7 that the driver DID NOT go to the wrong church, stating that the driver picks the best route based on his experience,
#8 that the passengers WERE NOT thrown about the limo as Steve the driver drove recklessly,
#9 that the bride was so grateful about the outstanding service that she hugged and kissed and profusely thanked the driver (no such event occurred),
#10 questioned why a tip was given if the couple was not satisfied with the service (even though a 20% tip is contractually required).
Mr. Ludwig offered to pay the $200 late fee, but we are waiting to see if this actually happens. We have serious concerns about the validity of any statement made by Mr. Ludwig based on his previous contradictory comments.
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