Here are a few things you need to consider when thinking about transportation on your big day
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Decide on your budget and who needs to be in a car. Traditionally the Bride and her Father go in one car, the Bride's Mother and bridesmaids in another (they all leave from the Bride's house or hotel where they have been staying) and perhaps one for the Groom and his Best Man.
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Do some research: look at the internet and local car hire firms in the phone book. When speaking to these companies ask about the availability for the date you have chosen, different transportation options and, of course, the costs
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If budget is an issue, the bare minimum for the day should be a car for the Bride to arrive in with her Father and depart with her new husband after the ceremony, so book only one car or, why not ask a family friend if they have a nice enough car. It should be a high marque car such as a Jaguar or Mercedes and should have four doors and be big enough for the dress and elegant enough for the bride to get out of it easily!
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Why not go for something different: a London taxi cab, a classic 1950s American automobile, a London bus or even a horse and carriage (we suggest that only for short distances and if you don't mind being looked at)
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Do you need transportation for your guests? This is really good if your guests are staying in only a few hotels that are relatively close together or if there is a large distance between venues. Again, you can think different and hire a red London RouteMaster bus, but creature comforts on a modern bus might be more appreciated in the winter or if there is a large distance between the venues
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Ask the guests in the accompanying letter with your invite if they will require transportation, or at least say if a bus is being provided in the letter that mentions your accommodation. Get an attendant the night before, or on the morning of the wedding, to double check with guests that they know the arrangements for the bus (they can always make a list to ensure no one gets left behind)
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For special guests, particularly elderly relatives, you might have to make special arrangements with one of your attendants to ferry them back and forth. Organise in advance to avoid confusion on the day
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Ask your hire company how they want to be paid (or have a thank you gift ready for the driver if they are your friend loaning their car). Often a deposit is paid in advance with the balance paid on the day. You will need to organise for one of your attendants to give them the money in an envelope on the day
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Finally remember that older cars and horse take longer than modern cars to reach their destination. Remember this when calculating pick up times. Often churches will have more than one wedding on a busy Saturday and cannot let your ceremony run over too much just because your horse is slow!
