A Guide to Hiring Wedding Cars

Hiring one or more wedding cars for the big day is a wise decision. Though transporting everyone in the wedding party may be costly, ensuring timely, comfortable transportation for the bride is a must. Hiring an elegant car with a chauffeur provides an oasis of calm, when excitement is at its peak before the ceremony. A spacious hired car is kind to expensive clothing and speaks to the importance of a wedding. In hired vehicles, newly weds can relax with music and glasses of champagne on the way to their reception.

It’s exciting looking at the wide range of wedding cars for hire— vintage cars, modern sedans, classics, limos, sports cars, and more. Imagine relaxing in dream vehicles such as:

• A vintage car made before 1950; a Rolls Royce, Lincoln, Ford, or Austin;
• A classic car made between 1950 and 1980; a Mercedes, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, or Bentley;
• A stretch limousine, featuring a partition between driver and passengers; and seating for 6 to 20 people;
• A modern, vintage, or classic sports car—sometimes most suitable for gentlemen, as bucket seats can be hard to get into when wearing a fancy dress.

Once a guest list is drawn up and venues for ceremony and reception are chosen, start planning for transportation. It’s best to foresee all of the hires that will be needed, so as to negotiate the best deal. Following are possible car requirements for the wedding day:

• For special relatives or friends arriving at the airport—transportation to the ceremony venue.
• Two cars for travelling to the ceremony from the bride’s home— one for the bride and her father, and one for the bridesmaids and the bride’s mother.
• One car for the groom and best man, travelling to the ceremony from the groom’s home.
• After the ceremony, transportation to the reception for the bride and groom, for the bride’s parents, and the remainder of the wedding party.
• Transportation for the bride and groom after the reception.

Nowadays people make travel arrangements based on the preferences of the people involved, cost, and the number of privately owned vehicles that are available. Consider the advantages of hiring a large car for the day. Large hired cars, such as stretch limousines, can carry big groups; and a car hired for the day can be used as a shuttle for several trips—this is especially practical for short distances.

Don’t delay making wedding car arrangements, as hiring cars for weddings is popular. To ensure that you can book the vehicles you have chosen, book as far in advance as possible.

Make several enquiries and compare terms on offer.  Consider wedding car hire companies, wedding taxis, and self-drive car rental firms.  Compare mileage rates, gas charges, daily rates; and charges for extras, such as decorations and refreshments.  Having a few quotes may strengthen your bargaining position.  A firm may try to sweeten their terms by offering a lower rate or complimentary extras, such as free flowers or champagne.

If you are thinking about self-drive arrangements, don’t assume that self-drive will be less expensive.  Make enquiries at both wedding car hire firms and regular car rental firms, to be fully informed.

Hire rates for wedding cars are either hourly or daily.  An advantage of hiring for the day with unlimited mileage is that a car can be used throughout the day for a few trips—between home and church and between church and reception venue.

When it comes to putting a hire agreement into writing, don’t rush over the written contract.   Read it carefully and ask to have any crucial details written down.  If you have plans to decorate the vehicles with special floral arrangements and streamers, confirm that the hire company allows personal decorations.

Finally, as the big day approaches, review and confirm all of the arrangements.  Make sure that the people being chauffeured know what to expect, family drivers confirm their commitments, and that each person in the wedding party knows how they will be transported.   Even if you are being chauffeured, know the best routes to the ceremony and reception venues—so that there will be no chance of a hitch on the special day.