What if the car has not arrived by the agreed time or breaks down on the wedding day?

Vehicles are machines, and as we all know could let us down at the most inopportune moment or can be held up in traffic congestion or an accident, a fact of life in today’s modern world. 

Any unexpected issue that arises at the last minute could create a problem and although your chauffeur will do their very best to rectify the situation when time permits it may not always be possible especially at short notice where timings are critical.  

As your wedding day is such a very special occasion we would strongly advise that you also plan ahead and have your own back-up plan to put into action in event of ‘last minute’ problems that are unable to be rectified by the vehicle owner or driver in the time permitting, although of course it probably will never be needed it is still better to have an additional back-up plan, just in case. 

Planning some 'Breathing Space'

On our part at Premier Carriage we automatically build in a 15 minute safety margin into all itineraries at the start of the hire, the vehicle therefore should arrive at the collection address 15 minutes before the first planned departure. The client may extend this to a 30 minute safety margin at the start of the hire if they so wish in order to relieve possible anxiety however this may reflect on the end of hire time being slightly earlier, unless the client extends the hire time.

'Late Arrival' at Collection Address

The vehicle is planned to arrive at the collection address on schedule, however if running late due to unforeseen traffic or other problems en-route there is the comfort of a 15 minute safety margin before the planned departure. 

However, in the unlikely event the car has not arrived at your collection address by the chauffeur’s arrival time shown on your itinerary do not wait the 15 minutes, time is crucial so now is the time to telephone the chauffeur and/or vehicle owner’s numbers directly, these are shown in ‘red print’ as your "On the Day Contact Number" on your itinerary. 

Please remember contact with the chauffeur on the day is by mobile phone and subject to signal reception and mobile phone driving laws. Vehicle owners/chauffeurs will have been given your contact numbers so if you have only advised of a mobile number for the collection address and not a landline, ensure the mobile is switched on and is able to receive calls. Where possible keep lines free until the car has arrived in case the chauffeur needs to contact you. 

Organising a Back-Up Plan for your wedding transportation

Since 1996 we have gained a wealth of experience in wedding transportation so would like to offer some valuable advice, although your chauffeur/vehicle owner will have their own plans to deal with problems every situation is different and some may not be recoverable at short notice. 

As timings are critical and for your own peace of mind, we would advise you nominate a friend, neighbour or a wedding guest [who perhaps has a nice car] to be your rescue vehicle in the event of a ‘last minute’ problem and who will be prepared to collect you at short notice. They will need to remain contactable by phone until they know the Bride has arrived safely at the ceremony venue.

The object is to get the Bride, and Bridesmaids if using the same car, to the venue as soon as possible as any delay to the start of the ceremony could have a knock-on effect throughout the day, even a local taxi company may not be able to provide a car as quickly as your nominated friend or neighbour who has been pre-notified and briefed. The best option for your rescue vehicle would be to nominate someone who is closest to your collection address as this will ensure the minimum delay to your departure and therefore the minimum delay to your arrival at the ceremony as this will be the tightest part of your schedule to maintain. 

Be prepared to make a decision

The vehicle owner and/or driver will do their very best to try to rectify the situation and they will base their actions on the particular circumstances on the day as every situation will be different.

However, if it means using a replacement car this vehicle may be based some distance from where your original vehicle has encountered it’s problem or where your collection address is and therefore may take some time to arrive so you will then need to decide whether to wait for the replacement car and possibly arrive at the ceremony later than scheduled, or put your own back-up plan into action and alert your pre-notified friend/neighbour. 

In the interim (after the Bride is finally on her way to the ceremony) the replacement vehicle [if available] or the original vehicle [if the problem has been rectified] can then proceed to the ceremony venue so it will be waiting for the Bride & Groom’s onward journey to the reception. A partial refund will be provided for the journeys not completed. 

Alternatively, you may opt to carry on with your own back-up plan and the booked vehicle will be returned to its garage. A full refund will be provided in this eventuality. 

Your Chauffeur

Traffic congestion is out of everyone’s control and breakdowns thankfully are very rare, but we must not forget that vehicles are simply machines, and although a breakdown is not caused by the vehicle owner/chauffeur it is understandable in such a situation to vent frustration on the poor old chauffeur so it would be a kindly gesture to remember in the unlikely event of a breakdown your chauffeur will be just as distressed as yourself while also trying to remedy the situation for you to the best of their ability and under very tight time schedules.  

Remember, older vehicles are not equipped with hands-free phone system and your chauffeur might not be able to pick up the phone while driving and the ability to send text messages is not always a skill mastered by all. 

Advance planning 

During your final phone call with your wedding car supplier (a week or two before your wedding day) as well as going through the itinerary, addresses, timings and any other finer details do talk about the eventuality of breakdown and delays. It will put your mind at rest as to what is expected from each party and ease the stress should the unexpected happen.  

On the positive side, 99% of weddings go exactly according to schedule so we are more than confident yours will also, but to have your own back-up plan prepared beforehand is not only a sensible precaution but will also help reduce the anxiety and stress should the unthinkable happen when there is little time to spare.  

Premier Carriage is a forward thinking company and wants your day to be memorable for all the right reasons, we have provided sensible advice and have put safeguards in place based upon a wealth of experience.  We therefore STRONGLY advise you follow these important requirements above and contact the Wedding Car Supplier who will actually be providing the service and vehicle for you on the wedding day. You can then relax and enjoy the time remaining to your wedding knowing that yourself, the wedding car supplier and Premier Carriage have done everything possible to ensure your special day runs smoothly.