I have a soft spot in my heart for Volkswagens – my first car was a VW and I had it for nine years, my husband & I have another one now and my love for them continues. When I got an email from Richard Blake about his VW Bus “limo” business called The Hippie Limo, I knew we had to interview him for a Vendor Spotlight here on Mile High Bride. It is always so much fun hearing from vendors around town and their super unique wedding businesses!
What services does the Hippie Limo provide for brides/couples?
The Hippie Limo provides brides and grooms with an unusual and eye-catching mode of transport for their special day that is guaranteed to make guests smile, couples beam, photographs pop, and bystanders cheer! Our 1965 VW Samba Microbus has been restored to dealer showroom condition, right down to correct factory colors, fabrics, and trim, and is a great choice for the couple who wants to make a memorable arrival, take a romantic cruise, or stage a dramatic departure (or all of the above!). Our Samba can also serve as a vintage taxi service for ferrying the bridal party and guests among hotels and wedding and reception locations. The five-foot open-air canvas sunroof and skylight windows let both mountain vistas and city skylines stream into the interior, and if you get tired of looking at the views outside we even have period magazines, knick-knacks, and toys to peruse during the ride. To make the best even better, the Hippie Limo boasts a 1000-watt high-end sound system, a comprehensive catalogue of 60s music, and the ability to play your own MP3 or Audio CDs, which means we can create the perfect custom soundtrack for your day.
How did you first get started with the Hippie Limo?
In 2009, with the birth of our first child and a confluence of other events, I became a full-time at-home dad. Though the rewards were great, the pay left more than a little to be desired. As a way to earn money to help support my family I decided to dust off an idea that I had had nine years earlier about using our vintage Microbus as a “Hippie Limo.” I had always had a passion for V-Dubs from the 60′s and 70′s, largely because my first car was a 1972 VW Beetle purchased from a junk yard for the stately sum of $35. Encouraged by my wife, I began Hippie Limo as a business in 2011, which was fortunate since by then we were expecting our second child. I am not a business person, and Hippie Limo is far from a full-time job for me, but it is an ideal opportunity for me to share the experience and joy of vintage VWs with others while earning some income in a flexible environment that allows me to care for my children and household. As an added bonus, I get to drive my dream car more often, which puts a very large smile on my face.
How long have you been driving couples for weddings?
The Hippie Limo had the honor of participating in its first wedding in July of 2011. We met the bride and her party at the Rembrandt Yard in Boulder and took them up to the ceremony at Boulder’s Sunrise Amphitheater atop Flagstaff mountain. Afterwards we transported the newly minted couple back down the mountain for a spin through beautiful Chautauqua Park and then around downtown Boulder before dropping them off at the Hotel Boulderado for their reception.
Does the Hippie Limo travel all over the state for weddings?
At this time the Hippie Limo serves the Denver Metro and Boulder areas with occasional forays to Estes Park and nearby mountain towns.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
The Hippie Limo performs every service that a standard limousine service does. We do date nights, concerns, birthdays, quinceaneras, etc., but weddings are by far our favorite. Everyone is so primed for joy and it is deeply fulfilling to be around that kind of energy and to have the opportunity to make one of the most significant days in a couple’s life even that much more special for them.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The Hippie Limo isn’t a luxury ride like other companies provide; it is a classic and fun experience that only comes with a vintage vehicle. There’s no mini bar, but there are plenty of smiles to be had, both on your face and on the faces of those who see you passing by. There’s no swagger of a stretch Hummer, but there is the retro mod chic of an automobile that demonstrates your taste for the unusual and the special. Limousines help you make a statement, but the Hippie Limo helps you stand out!
Thank you to Richard at The Hippie Limo for the interview!
Please visit their website at hippielimo.com!
Photography: Tim Kish Photography and Richard Blake
