ARRIVE IN STYLE

Safe Journey

Arrive at your wedding in style thanks to one of these North-East-based transport solutions

If you’re travelling to your venue – all donned out in your wedding day best – then the last thing your stress levels need is a journey crammed in the back of your dad’s hatchback. Your dress or suit will no doubt get crumpled, thanks to a combination of your mam balancing the boxed wedding cake on her lap alongside you, along with your bridesmaid or best man on the other side, fidgeting nervously at the thought of ticking everything off their to-do list – or sweating profusely at the thought of their impending speech.

With this in mind why not consider incorporating some seriously retro or stylish transport in to your big-day? They’ll arrive in plenty of time; you can choose any number of vehicles to transport your wedding party with plenty of space; you’ll receive plenty of waves from well-wishers as you’re driven through town – and you’ll enjoy plenty of photo opportunities, both pre- and post-ceremony, with your preferred transport option in clear view. Even if you’re staying at, or getting ready at, your venue, then it can still be nice for other members of the party to arrive in some head-turning transport.

Ready to search for a retro Camper, horse and carriage, Lambo or Rolls-Royce? Here are a few suggestions to whet your whistle…

Who? North East Carriage Company Where? County Durham Why? “We have been supplying the finest in horse-drawn wedding carriage hire for over 25 years,” says North East Carriage Company’s Marianne Stephenson. “We provide a unique one-to-one service to provide you with a truly bespoke experience. If you’ve ever dreamt of a fairytale wedding, arriving at your ceremony in a sparkling carriage drawn by a regal, powerful horse, then we are most definitely the transport for you! We can provide anything from black to white horses, backup wagons and, of course, highly trained staff. We ensure our service is completely reliable and lives up to your expectations, and we also offer a wedding horse service that’s perfect for Asian celebrations. We make sure everything from decorations down to colours is supplied just how you want it, place extremely high priority on the welfare of our horses, and have carriages to suit all budgets. Go on – transform your occasion into something really special by choosing the UK’s premier horse-drawn carriage service.” https://northeastcarriagecompany.co.uk

Who? Kinnie & Kinnie Where? Hartlepool Why? “We are a family-owned wedding car company offering a fleet of Bentleys to complement our traditional, vintage-style bridal car,” says Kinnie & Kinnie’s Sarah Kinnie. “We cover from Whitley Bay down to Thirsk and the surrounding areas, executing a five-star chauffeuring experience. We endeavour to pay attention to every detail; our drivers will carry the bride’s dress from car to venue, chaperone bridesmaids and shield guests under umbrellas – and even conduct multiple trips as a gesture of goodwill if items have been forgotten. Our Imperial Viscount bridal car is British-made and custom-built specifically for us. This post-1930s classic combines a vintage-looking exterior with a modern, luxury interior, designed in Sapphire Bentley blue to match our fleet of three identical Bentley Continental Flying Spurs. Weddings can be a monopoly for women, therefore, we offer the Bentleys for the groomsmen as well as the bridal party, so that the guys also get the opportunity to arrive in style. The Bentleys offer an irresistible combination of luxury and performance, grace and power, which is a guaranteed head turner for all our couples’ special days.” www.facebook.com/kinnieandkinnie

Who? Prestige Car Hire North East Where? Newcastle upon Tyne Why? “We have a lot of transport options available, from self-drive performance cars and 4X4s to chauffeur-driven limousines and supercars,” says Prestige Car Hire North East’s Kas Mohammed. “All of our vehicles are checked regularly and serviced to a very high standard by our specialist technicians, with all cars also being no more than two years old, so clients can enjoy a real wedding day wow factor. One such wow is our Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder, which can be chauffeured or driven to the venue by yourself. Hitting 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds – and with a top speed of 202mph – the 5.2-litre V10 naturally aspirated engine produces 640hp at a heady 8,000rpm, and boasts a maximum torque of 600Nm at 6,000rpm. Alternatively, choose our Rolls-Royce Ghost, or Porsche Panamera Turbo – or why not have your whole wedding party rock up in our Range Rover Sport limousine? We even have some Vintage Beauford convertibles, which are a great option if you’re striving for that classic vintage wedding feel.” www.prestigecarhirenortheast.co.uk

Who? Wearside Executive Limited Where? Washington Why? “We provide modern, high-end Mercedes-Benz vehicles for use as your wedding transport,” says Wearside Executive Limited’s Graeme Ian Stammers. “Whether it’s for the bridal party, groomsmen or other guests, we can transport everyone in style and luxury. With your personal chauffeur to look after you every step of the way, you will not be disappointed at the service we provide. Our service can include a full bridal package including ribbons and drinks, or we can supply you the vehicles you need under an executive travel option, which is more basic and of course comes at less expense. Our black Mercedes-Benz S-Class is our flagship vehicle, boasting full leather interior, panoramic sunroof and ultrasmooth air suspension for a truly comfortable ride. We also have a couple of smaller E-Class models to choose from, with half leather/ Alcantara interior, fantastic drivability, and styling that will make you stand out on your special day. Plus, we’ve a V-Class capable of carrying up to seven passengers, ideal as a second vehicle to carry your bridesmaids, or as a main vehicle for your groomsmen.” www.wearsideexecutive.co.uk

Who? Sweet Campers Where? Darlington Why? “Established in 2014, we passionately deliver quality weddings and put smiles on people’s faces with our range of wedding transport options,” says Sweet Campers’ Graham and Rachael Davies. “We offer a number of exciting packages, which include our Classic VW Wedding Transport, with two delightful vintage VW Campervans, named Olive and Florence. You can even hire Olive for a short break too, which some newlyweds like to book for a minihoneymoon after their big day. Then there’s our Vintage VW Campervan Sweet Shop option, where we serve you and your guests sweets from the back of our vintage Campervan! We set up an array of treats for your wedding party to indulge in – and of course you get to take some sweets home with you! This service is certainly unique, and will really get your friends and family talking.” www.sweetcampers.com