What Are the Most Popular Wedding Car Choices for Brides and Grooms in London?

For those of you looking to get married in London, there is a myriad of choices when it comes to churches, reception venues, caterers, photographers, entertainment acts, stylists, and of course, vehicles to hire for your special day.

But by undertaking some of our own meticulous research, we’re hopefully going to make the planning process much easier for you. We’ve trawled through our database containing thousands of orders (spanning more than two decades) in order to reveal what the most (and least) popular choices are for wedding car hire in London, along with their average costs.

So what do the statistics say? Which type of wedding car comes out on top?

Genuine Classic (1940s-1980s) – 40%

That’s right, almost half of all soon-to-be-married couples opt to hire a genuine classic vehicle for their London wedding. And who can blame them with so many amazing cars to choose from this particular era!

You could opt to go for the elegance and opulence of a 1960s Rolls-Royce Phantom Limousine, or perhaps you and your partner might prefer taking the cute and quirky 1950s convertible Volkswagen Beetle for a spin from the church to the reception venue?

Whatever the choice, the average cost for a wedding vehicle hired within this category comes in at £395, which roughly represents the median value on the price spectrum for wedding vehicle hire within London.

1930s-Style Vintage Vehicles – 27%

Coming in a very creditable second place are vehicles from the 1930s-style vintage category. These are cars that are best described as tributes to the great designs of the 1930s while offering the reliability of modern engines and safety features.

Perhaps the most famous exponent of this type of car is the Beauford Convertible. From the release of the first models in 1980, this “fairytale” wedding car combines modern performance with the delicious curves and elongated bonnet of a 1930s Grand Tourer.

These wedding vehicles are perfect for those looking for a sense of nostalgia without taking on the perceived risk of relying on older technology under the hood. The average wedding vehicle hire cost for this category in London comes in at £320, which is excellent news for those wanting the vintage look at a reasonable price.

Modern Cars – 20%

Rounding out the top three choices for wedding car hire in London are modern-day wedding vehicles. Once again, it’s not at all surprising that these cars are popular amongst the choices made by London-based couples.

After all, this category includes high-powered sports cars that are always popular with bridegrooms. Who wouldn’t want to play the role of James Bond for the big day by arriving suited and booted in an Aston Martin?

Or maybe both of you want to leave the church in style by hiring a car that oozes luxury and class, such as the long-wheel-based Bentley Mulsanne or Luxurious Rolls-Royce? Either way, hiring a modern vehicle for your wedding will set you back, on average, £390 for locations within London, offering excellent value for access to the latest models.

Genuine Vintage – 6%

For some couples, nothing but the real thing will suffice. Those that hire certified vintage wedding vehicles are looking to add that extra layer of rarity and exclusivity to their nuptials. With programs such as Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders helping to bring these vehicles very much back in fashion, they are an excellent addition to any wedding.

Why not truly step back in time by hiring a vintage Citroen Deluxe Saloon for your church arrivals and departures? Or what about grabbing the chance to experience one of the most historically-significant cars ever made, the Ford Model ‘T’?

Whichever model you choose; these are the rarest breed of cars. Not many of them still exist, and even less so remain roadworthy. This is reflected in the average price of hiring a genuine vintage wedding car, coming in at £590, which occupies the top end of wedding car hire prices in London.

London Routemaster Bus – 2%

Is there any vehicle that typifies London more than a red Routemaster Bus? These vehicles allow you to transport your wedding guests in perhaps the most widely-recognised bus on the planet.

With up to 72 passengers per bus, and multiple buses available to hire for your wedding, you should comfortably have the capacity to find a seat for each of your guests. What’s more, the traditional destination signs on the front and the back of the buses can be personalised to your preferences.

Of course, as is to be expected, these vehicles also come in at the top end of the budget when it comes to wedding bus hire in London. The average cost of hire is £895, but when you compute that price on a per head basis, it works out at a very reasonable rate.

London Price Trends for Wedding Car Hire in 2020

Over the past two decades, wedding car hire prices have primarily remained aligned to inflationary increases. However, prices have increased by £25.00 on average since 2018, thanks to the ULEZ charges introduced in London, which are included within the hire price (as is VAT).

Fortunately, we are in an excellent position to help you do exactly that. With a fleet containing hundreds of vehicles, and an expert team on hand to help you pick your perfect car, you can rely upon us to deliver exactly what you need for your London wedding. So if you need to hire a wedding vehicle for your special day, don’t hesitate to contact us today!