Wedding Cars Checklist

Arrive in style and turn every head, before anyone has even laid an eye on your dress. Plan ahead, follow this guideline and you’ll be rolling up to the event with the hottest set of wheels in town. P.S. This is usually the groom’s favourite part of the planning process, so don’t forget to include him in the decision making as you go through this to-do list.

(Courtesy bridesmaid.com)

One Year to Go

• If you – or more usually, your sweetheart – have got your eye on a particularly rare vehicle, you’ll want to book that beast ASAP, before someone else does (in fact, some companies hold reservations for up to 18 months!). Classic cars and one-of-a-kind models tend to book up pretty quickly.

• If you haven’t put too much thought into the type of car you’d like for your big day, and you’re not too fussed about exclusively rare or hard-to-find cars, you’ve got a bit of time to think about your options. Things to consider are: the formality of your wedding, the number of people in your wedding party, your budget, and the overall theme or style you’re going for.

9 Months

• If you’re swamped with your wedding to-do list, send your honey off with his groomsmen to go scouting for hire car companies. Once he’s shortlisted his favourite cars, you can tag along with him to the showrooms to check out the options.

• Make sure that you – or your betrothed – inspect each of the vehicles carefully and ask about all of the details that are included in the deal. Check out this article to find out what you should be asking.

6 Months

• Once you’ve finally got the idea of a Formula One Drag Car out of your honey’s head – unless, of course, that’s the vehicle you’ve both decided on – make a decision about your hire car(s), read the fine print, sign the contract and put down your deposit.

• Grab a stop watch and take a drive from the hire car company’s office to your venue. This will give you a good idea about the pick-up/drop-off schedule you’ll need to stick to on your wedding day. Preferably do this at the actual time your wedding will be held- timing the trip on a traffic-free Wednesday morning won’t even be comparable if your holding your wedding on a Saturday night!

3 Months

• If you’re having a custom-made “Just Married” sign made, now is the time to ask a local artist to design something for you. Or, if you’re a bit of a craft-queen, you can make one yourself.

• Before you hit the craft shop, call your hire car company and double check that they will be supplying the wedding ribbon for the car. If not, make sure you pick some up while you’re at the craft store.

1 Month

• If you haven’t already done so, ask the staff at your venue about where the hire cars can park during the ceremony and reception.

• Send a map or diagram of the venue to your hire car company, so that they know exactly which entrances and exits to use, as well as where they can park. This is also a good time to confirm the pick-up and drop-off times.

1 Week

• If you’re providing your own refreshments, this is the time to stock up. Make sure that you’ve got an esky, glasses, bottle openers, and anything else you might need.

• If your contract doesn’t include umbrellas, make sure that you’ve got enough for the whole wedding party, in the unfortunate event of inclement weather.

The Day Before

• Put some cash in the hands of the best man, or someone very trustworthy, and give him the responsibility of handling any overtime fees that might be incurred on the big day (including anything that may be related to car hire).

The Big Day

• Take your time getting into the car. You don’t want to crumple your gorgeous dress.

• Don’t be tempted to drink alcohol on the way to the wedding. Most states have laws against passengers drinking while riding. The last thing you need is to be arrested on the way to your wedding! But feel free to bookend the drive with some lovely champs!

• Take care when getting out of the car, so as not to get your heels caught on your hemline or brush up against the car tyres.

• As that car door opens, flash your guests a dazzling smile, and remember that this is just the beginning of the incredible experience that’s going to unfold on this momentous day.