LOVE AND CARRIAGE

Love and CARRIAGE We caught up with some of the county’s transport suppliers to find out how to arrive in style

THE ASHDOWN CLASSIC WEDDING CAR COLLECTION

01342 810 698 | www.tacwcc.co.uk

The Ashdown Classic Wedding Car Collection is a group of local car enthusiasts who are passionate about vintage and classic cars and have been providing owner-driven wedding cars in Sussex, Surrey and Kent for more than a decade.

We spoke to Nick Lacey-Hulbert to find out more.

What vehicles are in your fleet? Everything from Austin to VW, Alvis to Vauxhall, with Rolls Royces and other classic marques from 1905 to 1973.

How many people can you transport on the big day? Some cars can take up to four or five, but we don't like to crowd the couple on their big day. Each car only does one wedding per day, so we’re never in a hurry to get away to another job, and there are no hidden time or mileage extras in our prices.

Do you offer any added extras? We provide ribbon and flowers, as well as a suited and booted driver, usually the owner.

What can we expect? We always pre-plan the routes and give timings for departures, which allow for last minute hitches. We’re happy, time and distance permitting, to do a trip before the bride or groom with others from the wedding party. We’ll arrive well before departure time so there’s no panic, and we can take a leisurely drive to give you a chance to relax. We always arrive just before the ceremony time for church weddings and 15 minutes before civil ceremonies to meet the registrars.

We’ll wait for your ceremony to finish and then take the two of you for a drive giving you a few moments peace and quiet whether your wedding is all in one location or at another reception venue.

We’re never in a hurry to get away, giving ample time for photographs, but when everyone is in the reception we’ll take our leave.

What’s your top tip when it comes to booking wedding transport? See if you can get married on a weekday, everything will be cheaper and availability better. Also, don’t leave finding a car to the last minute. After all the effort you’ve gone to to plan a fantastic day, you don’t want to arrive in a standard taxi!

WHITE LONDON TAXI WEDDING CARS

01293 406 751 | www.whitelondontaxis.com

White London Taxis was established in 2004 with a goal to make fine quality examples of London’s unique cabs available to brides and grooms.

Gary Ellard tells us more.

What vehicles are in your fleet? In total the fleet now consists of five exceptional examples of the iconic London taxi, covering the 1955 vintage style FX4 London cab to the more contemporary TX4 model still in service today.

How many people can you transport on the big day? All vehicles offer space for five passengers, in a rear passenger compartment with the chauffeur separated in their own driver’s compartment. The face-to-face passenger seating incorporated in the design of these vehicles allows the wedding party to easily converse on their way to the wedding. With retractable seating when not in full occupation the taxis also provide a large square floor space, which along with large wide-opening doors, make them perfectly wedding-dress friendly. Do you offer any added extras? Traditional vehicle ribbons, grill bow and flowers come as standard for all clients. As does a driver in traditional chauffeur attire with a cap. Those having their preparations, ceremony and reception at different locations are also provided with champagne for their post-ceremony journey.

Also available is the option either to have the vehicle for transport to the ceremony or to retain it for pictures. This is ideal if your “I dos” and celebrations are at the same location. Don’t forget, these vehicles will be the place to gather final thoughts, share private moments with the loved one giving you away as well as with your new spouse. These short drives away from it all will be so memorable.

What can we expect? The taxis are priced on a duration hire basis rather than distance, which offers additional flexibility. They can often accommodate two trips to the ceremony, bridesmaids then bridal travel. They’re also able to take a scenic route onwards to the reception, allowing guests to arrive first.

What’s your top tip when it comes to booking wedding transport? Leaving the vehicle at the ceremony is one of those great photographic moments. It’s amazing how the height of the seat from the floor can assist you in doing this gracefully. Look for something where the seat isn’t too low to the floor, and has handles you can grip for an effortless exit.

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PEDICAB

www.emmahillfilmphotography.co.uk www.emmahillfilmphotography.co.uk TRANSPORT

LOLA THE VW CAMPERVAN

01444 891578 | www.lolathevwcampervan.co.uk

What vehicles are in your fleet? Just one VW T2 Campervan, Lola is our pride and joy.

How many people can you transport on the big day? Up to six. Two in the front with the driver and four in the back. We can offer additional trips for extra guests if needed.

Do you offer any added extras? We offer a glass of bubbly for the happy couple after the ceremony, and a romantic drive if the ceremony is at same site as the reception, plus vintage-style decorations. What can we expect? We are a husband-and-wife team who only do a limited number of weddings per year to ensure a personal service. Jacqueline will help plan everything in advance, and Mike will be there waiting with a friendly and reassuring smile to take you to your ceremony.

After the “I dos,” we suggest a confetti line leading the happy couple into Lola our VW, where you’ll be handed a cold glass of bubbly and be whisked off for a romantic drive. Mike knows Sussex’s most picturesque spots, so you can relax and take in the day, or bring your photographer for a photoshoot before being dropped off at your reception.

What’s your top tip when it comes to booking wedding transport? Always plan in extra travel time, especially if booking a vintage vehicle. We can always drive around the block a few times if we’re a little early!

Make a memory and tailor your transport pick to your personalities

Images courtesy of Getty Images BY BOAT