Car Couture: all about the wedding car

Posted on 05 June 2009

bride in car with tulips I read recently that Limo Rental for Weddings has dropped by 7% in the US, which got me thinking about the whole bridal car thing. If you are newly engaged, you probably have no idea what’s involved in a seemingly simple thing such as hiring a nice car to get you to the church on time, right?

Well, a small component of the wedding it might be, but the bridal car is hugely important for most brides.

Apart from making a dramatic entrance on the most important day of your life, arriving in a beautiful shiny car with that crisp white ribbon tied to the bonnet also signifies the delivery of the bride safely into the hands of her new husband to be.

Travelling from the place of getting ready, usually with her father or person “giving her away”, it’s the brides last single moments. Traditionally the bridesmaids and mother of the bride travel in a second and third bridal car if needed. The groom and his groomsmen usually make their own way to the ceremony.

So what do bridal cars cost, what’s involved and can’t my rich uncle just drop me off in his Jag??

Bridal Cars can cost anything from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, so shop around. However you might want to avoid breaking down in the middle of Saturday afternoon traffic on the way to the church, so perhaps spending a bit more on a quality provider is advisable.

Some cars restrict eating and drinking inside (such as vintage classics) and others encourage a little celebration on the way – most Limousines are equipped with champagne buckets, flutes and will provide ice and even the champagne at a cost. Just enquire as to what you can and can’t do.

Who pays? Traditionally it’s the grooms side who pays for all the transport, however these days there are no set rules. Generally car companies require a deposit and to be paid the remainder on or before the day. Most providers will charge by the hour, so don’t forget transfers between venues, photos and potential stops on the way all add up.

Which Colour? Black use to be the preferred colour until the 70’s when white became the colour of preference. Some brides prefer bright colours (pink Cadillac anyone?) however keep in mind that the car will be in some of the wedding shots, so will need to complement your wedding dress.

Timing? Always leave enough time for getting in and out of the car (more difficult than you expect, with all that dress!) and definitely allow time for traffic problems. Whilst it’s expected that the bride will be up to 40 mins late to the church, any more than that leaves guests fidgety, thirsty and irked.

Use the Boot! Don’t forget you have spare space in the boot, so pack your emergency bridal kit, and if the car company allows, an esky with ice and bubbly for the festivities. If you haven’t eaten all day, throw in a few snacks so that you don’t arrive at the church faint and feeble.

TIP: Throw in a water spray bottle to keep bouquets fresh and an umbrella in case of rain.

Now about that rich Uncle and his Jag…. as helpful as he might think he is being, it’s actually a huge ask of someone to transport the bride and her bridal party, safely from home to church to wedding reception, without a glitch. My uncle did this for me at my wedding, and after it he was a nervous wreck – the pressure to be at the right place at the right time, without crashing or breaking down was enormous. So best advice – just let the professionals do it.

PLAN IT RIGHT: Use Marziplanner’s Task List for the best help in organising your bridal cars – and budget for it in the Budget Section

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