ARRIVE IN STYLE

Your carriage awaits

Ensure everything runs smoothly with our top 10 tips to big-day transport

TIMELINE

Map out an itinerary of the big day – how much time will be spent where and when – and share this with your transport company. Here, you’ll want to spend time considering if there are any factors along the way that will affect your transport, such as whether your ceremony and reception are in different locations and if you want the car to stay for photos. We recommend seeking out suppliers who will only book your vehicle into your wedding for the day, meaning they won’t be constantly clock-watching.

Discuss travel times with your transport provider and bear in mind some vehicles can travel faster than others! Just because your car can get from A to Be in a certain time, it doesn’t mean a vintage motor or horse and carriage can cover the same distance as fast!

Finally on this note, be prepared! Check in with your driver or company the week of the wedding to make sure they have the correct address, timing and emergency phone numbers.

THE FINE PRINT

Make sure you check out every detail of the agreement when you book and ensure you know exactly what’s included. Here are a few of the things you’ll need to look out for:  How long do you have the transport for?  Is there a charge for unforeseen overtime?  Will there be an extra charge for photos?  How are you being charged? Is it a flat fee or based on mileage and petrol costs? How much is the deposit?  Does the supplier have a contingency plan in place in case of vehicle breakdown or driver illness?

Always look for a reputable supplier you can rely on. Look for a company with plenty of great reviews and arrange to meet them. It’s also worth asking to see the vehicle you’ll be riding in on the day so there are no surprises. If they’re reluctant to show you, there’s something amiss! Wedding fairs offer a good opportunity for this. Also, don’t be afraid to ask to see details of insurance and licensing.

GET CREATIVE

Just as you would any element of your day, you can look for transport to fit your personalities as well as the vibe for your day. For a rustic wedding, think super-cool VW Campervans! Vintage Camper Hire first started in 2015 after owner Anna Davidson purchased a VW camper now called Betsy after a sleepless night dreaming of a new opportunity. The Volkswagen T2 Bay two litre petrol camper seats four passengers plus a chauffeur, who happens to be Anna herself. She says, “The buzz of driving my little love-bus full of happy loved-up people is the best feeling! All the waves and smiles from bystanders are always a highlight of every wedding day.” She continues, “People always comment on my attention to detail and extensive knowledge of the industry - I have a lot of experience after seven years and I know how best to plan for departures and arrivals for smooth transitions between venues.”

Check out: www.vintagecamperhire.co.uk

ANNA’S TOP TIP!

Book a company with a passion for weddings and room for your glorious, voluminous dress.

ALL ABOARD!

Have a think about who you need to provide transport for. While this might largely depend on your budget, you may want to give a thought to your guests if your ceremony and reception are some distance apart, or if the venue is particularly difficult to reach. If you’re asking your loved ones to make a tricky journey, you might want to lend them a hand.

A routemaster bus is the perfect way to transport large groups to one venue to another and looks showstopping in photographs too!

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN?

Your guests will need to be the first to arrive at the ceremony, and they’ll be followed by the groom and grooms party. Traditionally, the bridesmaids travel to the ceremony with the mother-of-the-bride, while the bride follows on afterwards with her father, or whoever she has chosen to walk her down the aisle. Think about your budget and ask your prospective suppliers what they’d recommend. Some may be able to make repeat journeys to come back for different members of the wedding party, others may suggest you book multiple vehicles if this isn’t practical. To save money you could hire one vehicle for the bride, later for the newlyweds, and book taxis for your best girls.

The quick answer is: as early as possible. Some suppliers will only have one vehicle, their pride and joy, and can only be in one place at one time – secure your date to avoid disappointment.

SNAP HAPPY

You’ve devoted as much care and attention to choosing your transport as to any other element of your day, so don’t miss out on capturing those all-important photographs. When booking make sure you’ve allocated time for this.

If your ceremony and reception are at the same venue, why not ask if you can take a little trip together just the two of you, after the “I dos.” This time to soak up those first few moments as newlyweds will be precious and memorable. Plus if you can bring your photographer along, there’ll be opportunities to get some couple shots at some fabulous locations along the way. Find out whether your supplier provides any décor in the shape of palettefitting ribbons or flowers for the parcel shelf as part of the package or for an additional charge. If not, check whether they’re happy for you to make your own arrangements on that front.

We also recommend enquiring about the chauffeur’s attire! You don’t want anyone letting the side down, and full livery looks oh-so smart.

SURPRISE!

Looking for an extra special gift for your spouse-to-be and their party on the morning of the wedding? A sports car to get them to the ceremony on time will certainly be one to remember for the motoring enthusiast!

THE LITTLE WHITE BOOK OF LOCAL LOVELIES

Bridal Carriages of Northamptonshire http://bridalcarriages.co.uk Confidence Bus & Coach Hire Ltd www.confidencebus.co.uk DK Carriage Horses www.dkcarriagehorses.co.uk Gohil and Sons Wedding Cars https://gohilandsons weddingcars.co.uk Mr Vintage Cars http://mrvintagecars.co.uk Premier Limos www.premierlimosltd.com