Wedding cars have become one of the highlights of “traditional” weddings that start with a ceremony and conclude with a reception. When you need to get from one place to another as a newly married couple, a nice car can set the mood and add to the joy of the day. It feels a lot nicer than hopping into your own car or getting into a coach with everyone else to get to your reception venue - but what should you know before booking your vehicle?
You might think it’s a simple case of looking for the best wedding car recommendations, but that might not work for you. The right car for your big day depends on so many factors, so here’s what to know before you go ahead and book.
When And Where Will You Need One
Before even deciding what type of car you want for your special day, you need to know when and where you’ll be needing to use it. Will it just get you to and from the ceremony, or will it be needed for a whole day? The answer to that might impact the type of car you’ll need to hire. If it's for the whole day, then you’ll need something that will manage all the distance rather than hiring one solely for aesthetic reasons that might not be able to make all the journeys.
You also will want to consider if you’re wanting to use it to take any wedding photos. In that case, you’ll want to make sure that it looks the part as well as being able to get you to and from all your required destinations. Obviously, the longer you require the vehicle, the more costly the day, but you’ll want to prioritise getting everywhere you need to; just make sure you run through your wedding day itinerary to factor in when you’ll actually need the car.
Always Prioritise Reliability
The most gorgeous vehicle is of absolutely no use to you on your wedding day if it’s unreliable. You see people with some stunning vintage cars that look amazing in photos, only they take ages to start up, cough out loads of black smoke, and feel like they’re about to break down every five seconds during the journey.
Remember, this is your wedding day, so you want things to run as smoothly as possible - which is why you cannot compromise on reliability here. Keep your focus on premium wedding cars that are well looked after and will stay reliable on your big day. You can still find a mixture of vintage and modern vehicles; it’s merely a case of avoiding choices that might look great, but don’t have a fantastic history.
The best way to avoid reliability issues is by booking through a recognised and well-reviewed wedding car provider. Do not buy or rent a car from a random garage or rental company; that’s how you almost guarantee a reliability problem. Book one that is well-maintained and has barely any miles on the clock because it’s only used for weddings, meaning you don’t have to worry about it breaking down on your special day.
Do You Need Transport For Other People
Wedding transport doesn’t just have to include the people getting married. You might want to think about organising transport for bridesmaids and groomsmen, parents, kids and other members too.
If your wedding venue or reception is far from where most of your family and friends are staying, or there is little to no parking for many vehicles, you might need to consider arranging transport for all or most of your party. You might not be able to have all your family and friends' vehicles clogging up the entrance to your venue, so instead you might be better off hiring some kind of transport, like an old-style bus, to take them all together.
Something to also consider is that a lot of stylish older cars may only be two-seaters. If the bride wants to travel with someone else, her father, for example, then you need to consider how many seats the car has before hiring it out.
What Sort Of Weather Is Expected?
Weddings get planned months, even years in advance, so it's not possible to predict what the weather is going to be like. However, you can make assumptions based on the time of year. You’re definitely not going to want to hire an open-top car during the winter, and probably most of the year in the UK, because of the threat of rain on your wedding day, but you might consider doing so in the summer months - if you think it's worth the risk.
You should also be mindful not just of the rain but, if you’re getting married in the summer, how hot the temperatures could get. Some of the most beautiful, older cars may look stunning, but with many not having solid air conditioning, it might not make your journeys particularly comfortable. In an ideal world you'd use the journey as an opportunity to cool down.
If you’re really set on a vehicle, you need to decide what to do if bad weather does happen. What are your options? Does it have a roof? Can windows be shut? Or will you have to go in something else altogether? The wrong decision could end up ruining your special day.
Make Sure You Check What Is Included
Comparing different quotes from different suppliers can be tricky as not all include the same things. Some may show the price with all the extra bells and whistles whilst others might separate it all out. That can lead you to getting confused or unsure about what is included in the price you’d pay.
There might be certain things you want to have included whilst some other extras that would be nice but not a necessity. Check whether the price includes: a chauffeur, fuel, mileage, wait times, champagne, ribbons, flowers, cleaning time or even VAT. You don’t want to be caught out by the necessary add on to push the price higher than you first thought. Don’t be caught out by seeing crazy cheap prices; it might look cheap, but once all the extras you want or have to have are added, you might end up paying significantly more.
A stunning wedding car can help make your wedding day feel more special, but it should not come at the cost of practicality or reliability. The right transport should fit into your itinerary, suit the style of your venue and be able to get you there with peace of mind. By balancing style with reliability and your own comfort, you can avoid any unnecessary stress and ensure your wedding day runs smoothly, from beginning to end.
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