ARRIVE IN STYLE

Tips and advice for choosing your big-day wheels

Perhaps choosing your big-day transport won’t be above the priority of finding your dream wedding venue, flowers, dress or honeymoon, however, as it’s a key factor in the on-the-day proceedings – getting you to and from your desired locations – it really should be high up on the agenda. After all, the ceremony can’t start until you’re there to say ‘I do’!

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Once the wedding venue has been chosen, then all the finer details can follow. For rustic settings, such as barns and teepees in fields, a classic Rolls Royce may look a little out of place. You can be inspired by your surroundings and choose your transport accordingly; a Land Rover or retro campervans would make a great choice for al fresco boho-themed days and will look supercool in the photos giving that ‘70s-vibe.

If you’ve decided you want a classic country house mansion, in acres of land – quite literally in the middle of nowhere – then a classic vintage car will epitomise the feel of the day. However, as beautiful as these cars are, they’re vintage for a reason, so check with your chosen supplier that the distance to the venue is suitable for your classic ride.

If choosing a fleet of cars for your bridal party, plan with the venue that driveways are kept clear and that there’s plenty of room for each car to arrive simultaneously. Does your venue have an area where the cars can wait between the ceremony and reception, and is there a picture-perfect spot for the all-important bridal portraits with the car?

When it comes to location, if your ceremony venue and reception venue aren’t at the same place, have you factored in transporting your guests from one to another? Have both venues’ locations been given out in the invites for people to plan their route in advance? If you’re tying the knot in the city, or busy town, are there parking restrictions? It’s worth giving guests a list of taxi numbers in the surrounding area so that they are well prepared ahead of the day.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Your wedding day transport can be another aspect of the wedding that you utilise to reflect your personalities. If you’re music-loving Rockabillies think about a Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Skyliner and Cadillac Coupe deVille. Movie fans? Then go-all out with a James Bondstyle Aston Martin, or John Wick’s Mustang. There’s a whole host of movies to be inspired by so if you need an idea, arrange a date night and get watching!

Be sure to check out our inspirational local shoot on page 86 which features a VW Splitscreen Campervan from Mae Dae, we love the bohemian vibes it gives out!

PSSST DID YOU KNOW?

Established in 1990 in Huddersfield, Cartwright’s Courtesy Cars provides a superior chauffeur driven service for all occasions. Furthermore, it offers a great choice of 18 cars. The fleet comprises of 14 vintage-style wedding cars, a Chrysler 300C, a Jaguar XJS, a 1968 Pink Cadillac and a stunning Ferrari F430 Spider.

For further information, visit https://cartwrightscars.co.uk CHECK LIST

❤ Saftey – always work with a reputable supplier who can look after the insurance and safety guidance for you! Some vintage cars don’t have seat belts – great for not creasing the dress but not great for little ones travelling with you. ❤ Extras – having your favourite bottle of bubbles, music of your favourite songs, colour matching ribbons etc are all ways to personalise your vehicle. Check what the supplier can and cannot suply and whether you are allowed to BYOB? ❤ Space – how many adults are travelling? Who’s sharing with who? If there’s a change over, i.e. the wedding couple come back in the car the bridesmaids were in, then don’t forget to arrange alternative transport for the bridesmaids to get to the second venue – you can’t leave them at the church! ❤ Backup – this is where hiring a professional company will be worth it’s wait in gold, as they will have more than one car and chauffeur in the event of unforeseen circumstances! Yes, taking your friend up on the offer of driving you is a nice idea, but you don’t want that stress on the day if they can’t do it, the car’s broken down or they now have Covid! ❤ Plan – check out routes, is there road works, allow time for running late and hold ups, yes your car hire company will do this, but will your guests? Remind them!

Spotlight on....

LOVE ME DO WEDDING CARS

Tell us a bit about your company. When did you open and why? The company was formed in 2015. After taking a friend to a wedding in my Aston Martin I decided to market the car as a surprise method of transport for the groom. I was looking for a new business venture and this combined my love for cars and being a part of someone’s special day.

What vehicles do you offer the wedding party? We have two white VW Campervans, a Morris Minor, Beauford, VW Beetle, a Chrysler and a Ferrari.

What services do you offer? We’re fully insured for weddings and funerals however almost all our work is for weddings. We offer multiple trips to and from the venue, surprise packages and transport options for all wedding styles and cultures. What vehicle is currently the most popular? Our most popular vehicle is our VW Splitscreen Campervan, it can seat seven passengers so is perfect for the bridal party.

What advice would you give to a bride trying to decide on her mode of transport. Choose a car which reflects your personality and don’t be afraid to go for something less traditional. It’s amazing how a wedding car can be a focal point for guests to have photos with too and generates a lot of interest.

Why do you love working with weddings? Being a part of someone’s special day is really important to us, due to the nature of our vehicles it’s also nice to be able to take people to their wedding in a car they really love. Campervans have a massive following and in some cases the whole wedding is centred around the classic Campervan.

Check out www.lovemedoweddingcars.co.uk

YOUR A-Z OF LOCAL SUPPLIERS

Cartwright Cars | https://cartwrightscars.co.uk CPW Chauffer Services | www.cpwchauffeurs.co.uk East Riding Vintage Wedding Cars | www.eastridingvintage.co.uk Laura’s Vintage Limousines | www.laurasvintageweddingcars.co.uk Love Me Do Wedding Cars | www.lovemedoweddingcars.co.uk Fairytale Wedding Cars | https://fairytaleweddingcars.co.uk Mae Dae VW | https://www.facebook.com/maedaevw The Yorkshire Wedding Car Company Ltd | www.theyorkshireweddingcarcompany.co.uk Wishing Tree Weddings | www.wishingtreeweddings.co.uk