All Weddings are different and unique and the number of hours you'll need a wedding car depends on different factors and considerations, including distance between each venue locations, your plans and time needed for photography   We will always tailor the day to your exact requirements and we are happy to offer guidance on timings if needed.    We have compiled some idea of possible hire timings below and a basic wedding car timeline.   The minimum time a car can be hired is one hour.

Typical wedding car duration

One Way Journey

1 Hour:  Pick up from one Collection Address and Drop Off at Ceremony Venue with photos on arrival but no waiting after this.  

One Way Journey and Wait for Photos

2 Hours:  Pick up and drop off, wait until immediately after the ceremony for photographs with the car, subject to ceremony length.   [possibly Bridesmaids first if all very local]

Registry Office or Church Wedding Service

3 Hours:  Pick up and drop at registry office, civil venue, or a church if short service and short photo session after, then onward to reception venue after ceremony. [Possibly bridesmaids to ceremony venue first if all very local].  

Note: Standard length of service at a registrar's office last about 25 minutes but the registrar will want to see the couple at least 15 minutes prior to ceremony start time for a short interview together. Standard church service is normally about 45 minutes. 

Full Church Service

4 Hours:  Full Church Wedding with Bridesmaids trip before Bride [if all very local], wait until after ceremony and following photographs then onward trip to the Reception Venue. A possible stop en-route for additional photographs [subject to time spent at church after ceremony, normally about 45 minutes service and time for photos at the church]. 

Civil Ceremony followed by Church Blessing

5 Hours: Extended Waiting Times. Refreshments after ceremony before travelling on to Reception Venue.  Civil Ceremony followed by a Church Blessing.  Longer Photo Opportunities.

Asian Weddings

6 Hours and above:  Extended waiting times and longer wedding ceremonies, and, depending on the culture, different traditions and rituals might need to take place during the day which may require the hire to be longer when hiring a wedding car for an Asian wedding. We are happy to tailor for any cultural traditions, just let us know all you require at the time of enquiry.

Basic wedding car timeline:

Below timeline is based on a full wedding service including journey to the ceremony with an onward journey to the reception venue.

•   ♥  Arrival at collection address: 15 minutes before the actual departure time. Gives you extra peace of mind to know the vehicle is waiting outside.
•   ♥  Arrival at the ceremony: Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony start time if conducted by your local registrar (Check with your registrar for exact timings). For a church wedding arrive 5 minutes prior to allow time to get out of the vehicle and walk towards your church. 
•   ♥  During the ceremony: While you are getting married the vehicle will wait outside to tkae you to your reception venue.
•   ♥  Transport to the reception: Typically, couple will leave the ceremony before all the guests, taking a longer route to the reception venue to allow guests to arrive at the venue and couple to make their grand entrance. It also allows couple to have a quick stop-off for some photos. 
•   ♥  At the Reception: Few photos with the car at the reception venue before the hire ends and the car leaves. 

Additional Time Considerations:

Additional Journeys for Bridesmaids / Groomsmen

Subject to timing and mileage a journey to the ceremony for the Bridesmaids and/or Groomsmen can be included. Include enough time for the vehicle to go back and fourth and additional 5 minutes "turnaround time" at each end to allow for the passengers to disembark and vehicle to turn around. 

Traffic 

Allow additional time for traffic especially if the journey from collection and ceremony is far. Sporting events (football, rugby,...) or special local events such as a food market, convention, planned protest or even a public transport strike could impact on the vehicle's timing on the day with busier than normal roads. 

Photography 

Best to always check with your photographer for the time they will need for photos. Some couples have longer photo sessions with the vehicle. You may also want to have a stop-off between the ceremony and reception for additional photos. 

Vehicle's Speed 

Depending on type of vehicle you are hiring and the road being used they might travel at a much slower pace than a standard modern vehicle. For example, some vintage vehicles from the 1930s or 40s will not go faster than 35 to 40mph.  

Length of Service 

If you require the vehicle to wait while you are getting married you will need to consider the length of service. 

•   ♥  Registrar Office: Normally about 25 minutes, plus the couple need to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the service start time for their personal interview. 
•   ♥  Church Service: Normally about 45 minutes service, add an extra 15 minutes for couple to walk out of the church.
•   ♥  Asian Service: Depending on culture, ceremony can last from three to six hours including different rituals and customs.