Getting married is a serious business. Everything has to be organised well in advance to ensure the day goes off without a hitch, and some decisions can be more difficult than others.
Booking a wedding car is something you may have to think about and depending on what you want – from a vintage Rolls Royce to a Range Rover Evoque – the vehicle may have to be booked up to 18 months in advance. Many couples often pick their car once they've chosen the venue. But where is the best place to get your car?
Beginning the search
Searching "wedding car hire" on Google predictably brings up an overwhelming number of options. To narrow your search down, it's a good idea to know what car or type of car you're looking for. For example, if you want something lean and sporty, you'll want to look at options such as Jaguar, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. If you want something vintage, a Bentley or Rolls Royce is the perfect option. Alternatively, search for companies in the location of your wedding venue and see what cars are available.
Budget
You'll also need to have an idea of how much you want to spend. There's no point setting your heart on a Lamborghini if it's way out of your price range. So when you have a couple of companies in mind, contact them to compare prices. Don't forget to bear in mind what services are offered with the car – chauffeuring, early pick up times to allow time for taking photographs, decorations etc. and make your choice based on what you get for your money.
If you're on a budget and need a good deal, sites like Groupon now offer discounts for wedding services. Always check the terms and conditions of such deals, but it can prove to be a much cheaper way of travelling to your wedding in style.
Logistics
It's the less fun part of choosing your car, but you need to consider the logistics of using a particular vehicle. For example, you'll need to take into account the size of the bridal party. If you're having four bridesmaids, a two-seater sports car won't be suitable. Similarly, you'll need to travel comfortably with plenty of room for the dress to spread out around you and you'll need to be able to get in and out of the car fairly gracefully.
Many companies offer limousines for larger bridal parties and saloon style models are more practical if you have a fuller skirt on your dress.
Testimonials
When choosing the hire company, it's a good idea to check independent reviews and testimonials to ensure they have a good reputation. The last thing you want is for the car to turn up scratched or dirty, so make sure other people have had good experiences with the company you're considering before booking.
If finding reviews proves to be difficult, you can ask others in the wedding business if they know anything of the company's reputation. Check with your photographer, for example, as he or she is likely have had experience with a range of companies and know which are reliable.
