Wedding transport usually refers to wedding cars, but the term could encompass anything from hot rods to horses! Here are 16 questions to ask your wedding car supplier, whatever mode of transport they may specialise in.
What style of transport do you offer?
Ask this question early. Obviously, if you’re speaking with a wedding car hire vendor who specialises in, say, hot rods, but you’re after a sports car, you’re better off speaking with someone who offers the transport options you’re actually after.
However, a real benefit of asking this question is that you may be pleasantly surprised when the car hire vendor has in their stock a vehicle or mode of transport you may never have considered. Your perfect wedding car may not be a car at all!
How many cars will we need to book?
Obviously, this will depend on the size of your bridal party and who needs transportation. You’ll usually require between one and three vehicles. Traditionally, the bride arrives in a ‘special’ car with her father, while the groom will arrive with his best man. In years gone by, the mother-of-the-bride would always arrive with the bridesmaids.
These days, however, the bride may arrive with both her parents or with her bridesmaids – and her parents will come in a separate car. Similarly, many of today’s grooms wish to arrive in style, so, increasingly, we’re seeing them arrive with their groomsmen.
There is no right or wrong answer, so the answer to this question will depend on how you want to arrive, who you want to arrive with and how many people will need transport on the day.
Remember that though the bride will arrive in a separate car, the bride and groom will leave together in a car, usually, alone, so be sure to cater for your parents and know how they’re going to be getting to the photos and/or reception.
How many people will each vehicle seat?
How many people a vehicle seats will vary depending on the make and style of the vehicle, however, as a rough guide, most limousines seat between 10 and 14 people, with some seating up to 18! There is even the odd stretch hummer that seats up to 24 people.
Most classic cars are sedans that seat three in the back and one in the front and, if you’re thinking of a sports car, remember that most seat only two people, which means there’s no room for a driver. That’s why, most often, sports cars at weddings are only used to bring the groom to the ceremony.
Do I need to drive or find a driver?
No. If you want to do the driving, you’ll need to go to a rental car hire place such as Budget or Hertz as no wedding car supplier will allow their vehicles out without a fully licensed chauffeur. All vehicles like this will come with a licensed chauffeur.
Are there any additional costs we may encounter?
It’s rare to incur additional costs when it comes to your wedding transport hire as most things are included, be they ribbon or water, however, if your pick-up or drop-off points are particularly far, there may be a travel surcharge. The only other additional cost you may encounter is an over-time fee if your event runs late.
How will the chauffeur be dressed on the day?
Every vendor varies when it comes to their policy around dress, however, most drivers will be wearing a suit, white tie and, sometimes, a tie and hat.
Do you provide any food/drink on the day?
Many wedding car hire companies will provide water, even champagne, sometimes, but every company has a different policy, so be sure to ask ahead.
What happens if it rains?
Don’t worry. Rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck – and, anyway, most wedding transport providers have a healthy stock of giant golf umbrellas, so you can tick that item off your to-do list.
Does your service include ribbons/decorations?
Though most wedding transport companies include such items as wedding car decorations/ribbons etc, others will, literally, roll out the red carpet for you!
Is there a limit to the distance we can travel? What about my wedding photos?
Most wedding transport is hired on an hourly or daily/half-daily basis, so, if you hire the car for the day, your wedding transport provider will get you to and from all the places you need to be at within that period.
When will the cars leave?
Most vendors only book one wedding per day, so you won’t be rushed to leave your event, but if you do go too far over your booking time, you will, likely, be charged an over-time fee.
What are the over-time fees?
Over-time fees are payable if your event runs over the allocated time and your driver has to wait for you. These vary from company to company. Some vendors will impose over-time fees as soon as you go over your allocated period, however, most have some sort of grace period. If you think you may run over time on the day, check with your wedding car hire supplier beforehand so that you know exactly how it will work without being embarrassed.
What about if the ceremony, photos and reception are at the same place?
Your wedding car provider will be hired on an hourly basis, so if you’re having everything in the same place, then you may only need a list to the ceremony, however, if you also need a lift back, you’ll need to make arrangements with your vendor.
What happens if a vehicle breaks down? What sort of back-up do you have?
The majority of wedding transport providers take impeccable care of their vehicles with regular checks and services. In the event something unforeseen does happen, ask what sort of back-up plan is in place. For example, will a replacement vehicle be sent?
How does payment work?
Typically, couples pay a deposit, which will vary from vendor to vendor, and the balance will, usually, be due about a week before the wedding.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Let’s face it, sometimes unexpected things do happen and you need to be prepared, so be sure to ask about the company’s refund policy should you have to cancel.
Every company’s terms and conditions should outline their cancellation policy but, generally, a deposit will be non-refundable.
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