Wedding Transport Guide

Organising your wedding-day transport is a breeze with this simple guide.

Before you book any transportation for your wedding, there are a few important questions you need to answer.

How many vehicles?

Most wedding require at least three bridal vehicles - one for the bride and her father, another for the bridesmaids, and a third for the groom and groomsmen. Of course, the more people you have, the more cars you will need. If you have a tight budget and don't live far from the venue, you might also consider sharing cars - the car that drops the groom at the ceremony location might return to pick up the bridesmaids, and so on.

What type of vehicle?

The vehicle you choose will depend largely on your personal taste and budget, but it should also fit into the theme of the wedding. A vintage wedding might feature classic cars such as Bentleys and Jaguars; a more modern theme could include newer models of luxury cars. A fairytale bride could arrive in a horse and cart, but at a rustic country wedding, the bride might have a hay-ride to her ceremony! Don't be afraid to think outside the square and make a grand entrance - we've seen couples arriving by boat, balloon, plane and helicopter! And in Issue 11 at an Indian Summer-themed wedding, the groom and groomsmen arrived on camels, while the bride sat in a Doli carried by her father and three friends! If you are planning a casual, light hearted affair and only have a short distance to travel, some or all of the bridal party could arrive on bicycles. We recently saw a groom who loved skate boarding, so he and his groomsmen skated to the wedding. It made for fantastic photos!

In which order should they arrive?

The groom and best man should arrive first, followed by the groom's parents, the mother of the bride and the bridesmaids, and finally the bride and her father. If the mother of the bride is not participating in ‘giving the bride away', she is usually escorted to her seat by a groomsman or usher. Bridesmaids traditionally wait outside the church for the bride to arrive in order to assist her in getting out of the car.

Things to remember

Think of your dress: If you're wearing a ball gown, or a gown with a long train, a Mini Cooper may not be the most sensible choice of vehicle - you'll want more leg room. Likewise if you've always dreamed of arriving on horseback, take that into consideration when selecting your dress. If you know the weather is going to be hot you might want to avoid leather seats or take a sheet to sit on - otherwise peeling yourself and your dress off the seat at the other end could be uncomfortable!

Do a test run: Regardless of which form of transport you choose, always do a "test run" of the route, on the day and at the same time as your ceremony, so you have an idea of how long it will take, and any areas you should avoid. A few weeks before your wedding, check to see if there are any major events in the area on the day. This is particularly important if you are travelling into the heart of a major city - there could be anything from a running event to a protest march that blocks your route! If there is a major sporting match or cultural event scheduled for that day, allow extra time as the traffic may be heavy.

Give directions: Be sure to brief any drivers carefully about the route you would like to take - if there are certain things you would like to pass on the way to your ceremony, be sure to let them know. If necessary, provide directions - we have heard stories of brides whose drivers did not know where they were going, and made the bride extremely late!

Quick Tips

• Transport bookings usually allow for the bride, her parents and attendants to the wedding and reception. For large wedding consider hiring a bus or van.
• Book your transport early, obtain a contract and reconfirm arrangements beforehand.
• Insist that drivers be well groomed and uniformed - and make sure they are equipped with large door-man style umbrellas
• Consult your florist and/or event stylist about suitable decorations for bridal transport.
• If the vehicle permits, organise refreshments and snacks for the journey - it might be the only chance the bride and groom get to eat and drink uninterrupted.