Weddings · Boise & the Treasure Valley
A bookstore at your wedding
Trolley Parton is a vintage trolley turned fully stocked bookstore, and she makes an excellent wedding guest. She's quiet, she's photogenic, and she has zero opinions about your seating chart.
Guests can wander in between toasts, browse for a while, pick out something they'll actually keep, and your photographer gets a thirty-foot red trolley to work with.
Why bring a bookstore to your wedding?
There are always stretches of a wedding where people are mingling between everything else happening. Photos are underway, dinner is wrapping up, or the dance floor hasn't quite filled yet.
That's where the trolley fits in.
Guests wander over, climb aboard, browse the shelves, and inevitably start talking about books.
It also happens to solve a few things you may already be thinking about:
- Something for guests to do. The trolley gives people somewhere to wander without turning the evening into another scheduled activity.
- The kids. There's a whole children's section, with books, puzzles, and plenty to browse.
- The favors. An open book bar lets guests choose something they'll actually take home.
- The photos. Warm lamps, deep green shelves, brass fixtures, and a Persian rug make the inside especially good at golden hour.
- The welcome party. It gives out-of-town guests somewhere to explore while everyone starts meeting each other.
Where the trolley fits into the weekend
There are a few ways couples bring Trolley Parton into the celebration.
The welcome party
A bookstore makes a very easy gathering place when everyone is arriving from different places and meeting for the first time.
Guests can grab a drink, wander through the trolley, browse the shelves, and have something to talk about besides how they know the couple.
If you asked us where we'd put the trolley in a full wedding weekend, this would be high on the list.
Cocktail hour & reception
Park Trolley Parton where guests are already gathering and let people wander in and out throughout the evening.
It works especially well during cocktail hour, between dinner and dancing, or anywhere you want to give people something to explore without pulling them away from the celebration.
It can also double as your favor station if you're sending guests home with books.
The day-after brunch
Coffee, a slower morning, and a bookstore people can wander through at their own pace.
It's a nice way to keep the weekend going for another couple of hours without asking anyone to do very much at all.
What it costs
Real numbers, right here, because you already have enough wedding vendors to email.
Two hours with the trolley
$650
- Two hours on site with the trolley open and fully stocked
- We arrive early and handle setup
- A shelf curated around the two of you
- We stay and run the bookstore throughout the booking
- Guests can browse and shop normally
- We coordinate directly with your planner or venue when needed
Additional hours are $200 each.
By default, guests purchase their own books. If you'd rather cover some or all of them, keep reading.
A 50% deposit holds your date and the remaining balance is due the day of your event.
Travel outside the Treasure Valley may include an additional fee. We'll always give you the full number before you book.
We'll make a shelf about you
Included with every wedding booking.
Tell us a little about the two of you and we'll build a small section inside the trolley around your story.
The books you fell in love over. The ones you've recommended to each other. The genres you always reach for. A few titles that somehow feel particularly you.
We'll add a hand-lettered sign so guests know the shelf is yours.
It's personal without requiring you to monogram anything.
Want to send guests home with books?
There are a few ways to turn the trolley into part of your favors, guest book, or table plan.
The Open Book Bar
$18 per book redeemed
Let your guests choose a book and put it on your tab.
We keep track of what actually goes home and bill you afterward, so you're only paying for books that are chosen.
You can open it to everyone or set a number in advance.
Blind date with a book
$15 per book
Wrapped books with a few clues written on the front.
Guests choose entirely by description and find out what they picked when they unwrap it.
Bookish gift bags
$28 per guest
A kraft gift bag with a canvas tote, bookmark, small soy candle, art print, and pin or sticker pack.
A guest book that's actually a book
Choose a title that means something to the two of you and have guests sign the endpapers or margins.
You go home with something that belongs on your bookshelf instead of in a box in the closet.
Ask us about sourcing the book or bring your own.
Books as escort cards
Use books as table assignments, favors, or both.
Names or table numbers can be tucked into the covers, and guests take the book home at the end of the night.
If you're interested in doing this for a larger guest list, tell us what you're imagining and we'll help figure out the logistics and pricing.
Just the two of you
Private Trolley for Two
$27590 minutes
For proposals, engagement photos, elopements, anniversaries, or a private little piece of your wedding day.
- Trolley Parton entirely to yourselves
- Includes a $75 Curbside Books gift card
- Bring your own food and playlist
- Great for proposals, engagement shoots, elopements, and anniversaries
People have proposed in here. It went well.
For planners and venues
The useful logistics, all in one place.
Length: About 30 feet
Parking space: Roughly 35 feet of relatively flat space, plus safe door clearance
Surface: Firm, relatively level, and approved by the venue
Power: Fully self-contained; no hookup required
Load-in: Approximately 90 minutes
Load-out: Approximately 30 minutes
Location: Outdoors only
Insurance: Certificate of insurance available
Staffing: One or two Curbside Books staff members on site
Food & alcohol: We don't serve either and won't interfere with your catering or bar plan
Site visit: Happy to walk the location with your planner or venue when needed
If you're a planner with a couple who would love this, email hello@curbsidebooks.com and we'll send over the details you need for your proposal or timeline.
We're also happy to talk about venue open houses and styled shoots.
Kind words
From Google reviews and the local press.
The cutest book trolley! Lots of fun options including cute puzzles, kid books, journals, and of course books in all genres. Super cozy atmosphere, definitely recommend!
Cassandra B. Google review
Love Curbside Books. A great selection and a really fun vibe. One of my favorite spots to stop by.
Tyler M. Google review
This is such a great concept and so well carried-out!
MB T. Google review
"A love letter to stories, community, and one very special trolley"
Totally Boise"Stories on wheels"
Idaho News 2"A cozy book nook on wheels"
Boise Weekly"Takes the bookstore to the streets"
id guideQuestions couples ask
How far in advance should we book?
Summer and fall Saturdays will have the least flexibility, so if you already know your date, it's worth reaching out early.
Fridays, Sundays, and weekday celebrations are usually easier for us to accommodate.
That said, always ask. If Trolley Parton is available, we'll do our best to make it work.
Will our venue allow the trolley?
Often, yes.
We need a relatively flat spot with enough room to safely pull in, park, and open the doors, and your venue needs to be okay with having a thirty-foot trolley on site.
Send us your venue and we'll take a look. If we need more information, we're happy to coordinate directly with your planner or venue.
Do you have insurance?
Yes.
We can provide a certificate of insurance for your venue and, when required, add them as an additional insured.
Just send us the venue information with enough lead time to get the paperwork taken care of.
Are the books included, or do guests pay?
By default, guests shop normally and purchase their own books.
If you'd rather send everyone home with something, the Open Book Bar is $18 per book redeemed. Guests choose what they want and we keep track of what actually leaves with them.
We'll bill you for the final number afterward.
Can you match our colors or theme?
Trolley Parton is red and green and full of brass, and she's going to look like herself no matter what.
But we can absolutely curate the books, personalize your shelf, and coordinate signs or cards with your stationery and wedding details.
If you're working with a planner or designer, send them our way.
What if it rains?
The inside of the trolley stays dry and climate controlled, so ordinary rain usually isn't a problem.
High winds, ice, or unsafe driving conditions are the exception.
If we ever need to cancel because it's not safe to drive or park the trolley, you'll receive a full refund or can move the booking to another date.
We can't move the trolley indoors, so if your venue's weather plan changes vehicle access, it's worth talking through that with us ahead of time.
Can we book the trolley for a rehearsal dinner or shower instead?
Absolutely.
Welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties, bridal showers, and day-after brunches all work beautifully.
If you're hosting at a house, you may also want to look at our at-home book party options.
Is the trolley accessible?
Unfortunately, there are steps to enter and the trolley doesn't have a wheelchair ramp.
We're always happy to bring a selection of books outside for anyone who can't access the trolley. If you let us know ahead of time, we can have that ready before guests arrive.
Can children come inside?
Absolutely.
We have a children's section inside the trolley, and kids are always welcome with their adults.
Can guests bring drinks inside?
We ask that drinks stay outside the trolley.
A drink table just outside the doors works perfectly and keeps red wine a comfortable distance from several hundred books.
Do you travel outside Boise?
Yes.
We regularly travel throughout Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Garden City, Nampa, Caldwell, Kuna, and Star.
For venues farther outside the Treasure Valley, we'll quote travel up front before you commit.
Can we book the trolley for just part of the wedding?
Yes. In fact, that's usually the best way to do it.
Two hours gives guests plenty of time to wander through without asking you to build your whole wedding timeline around the trolley.
Something we didn't cover? Just ask us.
Let's check your date
Even if the rest of the wedding is still a rough draft.
Send us what you know and we'll reply within 48 hours with availability, logistics, and a real number.
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Congratulations, by the way. That part matters more than the trolley.