Hiring Your Wedding Car 4296 views

Deciding on the right wedding car can be a tricky business. Philip Nunn of First Impressions Cars outlines some of the points to consider, whether you favour the romance of a Rolls-Royce, the authenticity of a true vintage car or the modernity of a stretch limousine.

As with all transport arrangements, make sure what you'll get is specified in writing to avoid mix-ups on the day. You should also ask for a copy of the company's Terms and Conditions, and pay particular attention to distance and time constraints - if you opt for a limousine, in which journey times will be similar to those for a normal car, you'll usually be allocated a specified time slot, with the possibility that the car will be used for more than one wedding on the day.

With a vintage car, by contrast, chances are the company in question will not attend more than one wedding per day. You should, however, remember that journey times can be much slower than in a normal car. You should also take into account any particularly arduous hills, tight bends or islands, speed bumps or narrow lanes. Generally speaking, vintage cars can cope with all of the above, but it's better for the hire company if they are known about beforehand!

Make sure you know exactly what you're getting. For example, many companies hire out 'vintage-style' or 'classic-style' cars. These are modern vehicles styled to look like they are of a certain age. Decide whether you're happy with this, or if you have your heart set on the tradition and romance of a true vintage or classic car.

Your driver should be presentable, professional and experienced. You might want to check whether they have any relevant qualification such as Advanced Driving training, and you should definitely ask what they’ll be wearing on the day – our drivers wear a suit and tie, along with a professional chauffeur's cap and gloves, but we've seen weddings where the driver turns up in jumper and jeans!

Check what will happen in the event of foul weather - especially if you're hiring an open-top vehicle. Umbrellas are sometimes provided by the company, so check before you go and buy your own. If there's any chance of the weather being cold on your big day, remember to ask if the vehicle you've chosen is heated. The majority of vintage vehicles are not, so find out if blankets or wraps will be provided if needed.

To be sure there's enough space for you to travel comfortably in the vehicle you choose, view it in advance (don’t just rely on a photo) - and take into account that wedding attire can take up a lot of room! Also bear in mind that, although a company might state that certain vehicles seat six or more, in reality, conditions might be cramped with any more than four or five passengers travelling.

Don't forget to ask about the special touches that can add so much to your wedding day. For example, does the company provide wedding decoration for their cars, and if so, can this be customised to match your colour scheme? Does champagne come as part of the package, or is this only upon request? What's the company's policy on throwing confetti in the vehicle? These might seem like trivial matters, but if they bring a smile to your face, they’re important!

First Impressions is an independent vintage-car hire company based in South Staffordshire.

Photos by kind permission of Jonathan Day.