Bridal cars
Traditionally, the bridal car is a feature car for the bride and father on the way to the ceremony.
Following the ceremony the car provides transport for the bride and groom for the afternoon to feature photograph locations and on to the reception. Belle Classic Limousines has several feature bridal cars to offer choice to brides and their families – the Jaguar Mk5 convertible, Jaguar Mk5 sedan, Jaguar Mk9 sedan, Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and Rolls Royce Silver Wraith will all make a perfect bridal car. It is common for the bridal car to be different to other cars and limousines used on the day. A Rolls Royce Cloud for the bridal car and Jaguar sedans for the wedding party for instance.
Mother of the bride
Traditionally mum goes to the reception early to represent the family. It is dad’s responsibility to deliver the daughter to the groom. These days the mother of the bride often gets a ride in the bridal car to share the experience with her daughter. Proud parents and daughter sharing the experience.
Beautiful limousines, friendly service, great value.
Having a separate bridal car provides an opportunity for parents and the bride to share special thoughts on the way to the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the short journeys between photo locations and on to the reception are often the only times the bride and groom get to share their experiences and thoughts of the day away from the demands of the bridal party and other well-wishers. Whilst a separate bridal car is not essential, it is often noted as a special memory of many couples who choose one.
When planning your wedding transport, it is also worth reading the Belle Classic reviews of wedding car access to various Perth wedding venues to ensure your choice of wedding transport is suited to your locations.
The bridal party transport – bridesmaids and flower-girls
The bridesmaids and flower girls (and sometimes the pageboy) usually accompany the bride to the wedding.
Depending on the size of the bridal party, either a complementary classic wedding car for a bridal party of 2-4; a Rolls Royce or Jaguar limousine for a bridal party of 3-6; or a Chrysler limousine for larger bridal parties.
Seat belts for children
Current seat belt laws require children to be correctly restrained, as many of the classic cars are not required to and do not have seat belts; please confirm the transport of young members of your bridal party. Children under seven will need to be carried in the more modern limousines or in an accompanying vehicle with suitable restraints. If you want a young flower girl or page boy to arrive at the ceremony in a classic wedding car we recommend that they meet the car a block from the ceremony location. They can travel to the venue in the correct set belt arrangement.
From experience, they will get the same thrill or arriving at the wedding with the bride, but the bride will have a much more relaxing drive to the ceremony. Often young children get bored and moody, over-excited, or are demanding of attention for much of the drive – the last thing you need is to arrive at your wedding feeling frazzled.
The groom’s transport
The groom and groomsmen traditionally arrive at the ceremony 20-30 before the bridal party to greet and meet the guests. A complementary or matching car to the bridesmaids’ car makes for spectacular photos and a special journey to photo locations and the reception.
It is common for the groom’s party to find their own way to the ceremony and hop into the bridal cars/limousine for the afternoon. Belle Classic offers some short-hire limousines for groom transfers on most afternoons.
Some variations on traditional wedding transport:
Bridal car and limousine
The bridal car is still usually a feature car for the bride also taking the father and/or mother of the bride on the way to the ceremony. Following the ceremony the bride and groom travel in the bridal car to feature photography locations and then on to the reception. It is often the only time they get alone on the wedding day until they depart at the end of night departure – most couples cherish this time.
The bridesmaids accompany the bride to the wedding in a Rolls Royce or Chrysler limousine big enough to carry the entire wedding party after the ceremony.
The groom and groomsmen get to the ceremony:
- in a short hire chauffeur sedan or limousine
- driven by a friend or relatives to arrive around 30 before the bridal party
The groomsmen then join the bridesmaids and travel in the limousine with the bridesmaids while the groom joins the bride in the bridal car to travel to photos and on to the reception.
Ceremony and reception at the same venue
Many wedding reception venues now offer a ceremony location so the whole wedding is on site. Couples who choose single location weddings often do so for the convenience of the guests and end up with a ceremony close to the reception time (3.30 – 4.30pm is common) although many couples choose an earlier ceremony time to ensure they have sufficient time for photos and build in a break before the reception. Three different approaches to all-at-one-venue weddings have emerged.
1 Keep all transport for the afternoon
Most couples choose to engage transport for the bridesmaids and groomsmen as well as the bridal car and retain the cars for feature photos. Many venues have ample on-site photo locations but still involve walking 100’s of metres to get to each spot favoured by photographers. Some venues have limited feature photo locations so the wedding party are transported to external photo locations before returning to the reception..
2 Keep a feature bridal car for the afternoon
The bridal car is still usually a feature car for the bride and father (and mother) on the way to the ceremony. After the ceremony the bride and groom can have photos taken with the cars at the reception venue or drive to other photo locations in the local area. Short hire limousines or chauffeur cars can be used to get the grooms party and the bridesmaids to the ceremony making this an economical option. The picture below is taken near Sittella Winery and the bridal car can shuttle the whole wedding party to a near location during the photo session.
3 Transport only needed to the venue
We do get many requests each year for a short hire in a classic car to an all-at-one-venue wedding. Whilst we will usually assist on Sundays, morning and mid-week weddings expect that we will hold out for a full wedding hire on peak Saturday afternoons unless you are inquiring close to date and we still have availability..
Loop-de-loop
If the bride chooses to get ready for the day near (within 10 – 15 minutes drive) to the ceremony location, the wedding cars or limousine can deliver the groom and groomsmen to the venue and circle round to bring the bride, her parents and bridesmaids saving the hire of additional groom transport.
Caution
The loop-de-loop strategy is great when it works but can also lead to some serious delays in your wedding day if something goes wrong. We recommend you only choose a loop-de-loop if both the bride and groom get prepared near the ceremony location. Rear our article on ‘Plan B‘ for more information.
Feature wedding photographs
One of the highlights of the day is often the time spent between the ceremony and reception visiting one or more locations for photographs with the bridal party. Remember to plan some time out (at least 10-15 minutes) to sit and relax – it is often the only break you will get from dawn until midnight.
Belle Classic provides ice boxes, iced water and champagne flutes in every car to ensure that there is enough for your bridal party. Bring the refreshments of your choice to add to the occasion.
End of night get-away
Belle Classic limos can provide a late night get-away from your reception to your hotel or chosen destination. We have dropped couples to hotels (of-course), the airport (direct to the honeymoon), the Crown Casino (lets party on) and even back home (what is all the fuss about?). These days it is what ever works for you.
Be confident your end of night transport is on time and free of alcohol. Belle Classic drivers will be friendly and patient – the last thing you need at the end of the night is to be hustled by a driver trying to hurry you along because he has a following commitment.
Late night transfers use modern Caprice chauffeur cars or a Rolls Royce or Chrysler limousine for larger numbers of guests. Classic cars can be provided by special arrangement for your get-away, however we do limit the number of classic cars used each night.
End of night transport can also be arranged for your special guests using the Chrysler or Rolls Royce limos if required.
Caution
Businesses that offer free late night get-aways as an inducement to get your wedding booking often stack the transfers of two or more weddings onto one car. This leads to pushy chauffeurs rushing between transfers and disappearing chauffeur cars if you are late departing which is very frustrating. Belle Classic Limousines provide a car per end of night booking and we will be patient and courteous at the end of your reception.
Taxies
Taxies have a reputation for turning up late, not turning up, being impatient, being rude – this is not how to finish your wedding night. Taxies also rarely travel to the northern end of the Swan Valley, it would be helpful to advise your guests to book chauffeur cars for the end of night lift if you are using a Swan Valley reception venue. They will thank you later. We pass many wedding guests roaming the back streets of the Swan Valley in search of an elusive taxi.
Uber
Uber has quickly become the short hire car of choice for Perth. Quick responses and relatively cheap fares are attractive. Whilst the supply of Uber cars has increased and their availability seems fine when you are heading out or home from a night out, Uber can be as challenging as taxis at the end of a wedding.
Weddings usually finish between 11.00pm – midnight. Surprisingly this is the same time that pubs close, shows finish and lots of other people head home. Uber cars, like taxis, accumulate in areas they expect they will find work – wedding venues don’t rate. When the rush is on the demand quickly consumes the supply of cars and the wait begins. This is especially true in ‘fringe’ areas like the Swan Valley, the Perth Hills and even Joondalup. On very busy nights Uber also introduces peak rates which quickly erode any price advantage (remember Uber’s short transfer fares of $100s on New Years Eve).
We recommend that you prebook a chauffeur car for the bride and groom and special guests.
Inquire how Belle Classic Limousines can assist on your wedding day
Belle Classic staff like to be known as the friendliest limo business in Perth. We offer obligation free advice and suggestions to help you consider various formats as you plan the perfect transport mix for your day. We can accommodate both small and large wedding parties and in most cases can provide a wedding transport solution that will meet the budget of couples.
Please contact us to set up an appointment to view the cars. There is no obligation and it will give you a very good idea of the difference our classic cars will make on your special day.
Inquire by email or phone the office on 9279 9922 for assistance with your questions.
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