Wedding car timings: how long you actually need
The schedule most couples get wrong, and the buffer that saves the photographs.
Wedding transport is the part of the day most couples underestimate, and it is the part that quietly determines whether the photographs happen in good light or in a rush.
Book the car for the day, not the trip
One option is to book the vehicle for the broader wedding schedule rather than arranging separate transfers between each location. Where your booking includes vehicle hire for the broader schedule, the chauffeur can remain available through the agreed ceremony, photography and travel periods. A transfer booking means the car leaves and has to be re-booked.
A schedule that works
- Arrival at the bridal preparation address: 60 minutes before you intend to leave.
- Bridal party departure: 45 minutes before the ceremony start time for a city venue.
- Ceremony to photographs: allow 20 minutes more than the map says.
- Photographs to reception: 30 minutes, plus 15 if the light is good and you want more.
Those buffers look generous written down. On the day, they are the reason nobody is standing on a footpath at 4pm making a phone call.
Multiple vehicles
If the bridal party exceeds the capacity of the selected vehicle, a second vehicle or a larger people mover may be more suitable than making multiple trips. Convoys leave together and arrive together, which matters more than it sounds when the ceremony has a fixed start.
What we do before the day
- The vehicle is professionally prepared for the wedding journey.
- Ribbons and decoration are fitted to your colours if you provide them.
- The route and relevant parking arrangements can be reviewed in advance based on the wedding itinerary.
- Dispatch can keep the agreed schedule on file and assist with coordination if changes arise.
Book early
Popular wedding dates can book well in advance. If your date is fixed, arranging your preferred vehicle early can help with availability.
