Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding - September/October 2025 (Issue 83)

vehicles built to look vintage, so there’ll be very few issues here in terms of the roads they can travel on and the speed. However, if you’re booking an original vehicle or mode of transport such as a horse and cart, you’ll run into restrictions. They may, for example, have speed limits; a horse and carriage won’t be able to travel on a motorway, and an old car might not be able to travel significant distances. Your supplier will be able to help you with all of this, but it may lead to them suggesting a longer journey time and an alternative route, so be prepared to factor this into the day’s schedule. All aboard So, who do you need transport for? When looking for vehicles for your wedding party be sure to take note of the passengers it can carry. Think about who will be travelling with you. Will it be the bride and the loved one walking you down the aisle? Will it be the groom and his party travelling from a different location, or will they already be at the venue? Do you need transport for your bridesmaids? Having all of this planned before you decide on a supplier will stand you in good stead to help plan your budget and logistics. You may need multiple vehicles to transport your party, but what if your provider only has one? They’ll need to plan several trips, which will add to the timings and cost. On the other hand, you could look into bigger vehicles that can fit you all in with one trip. We recommend a vintage VW Campervan – a superfun way to travel with your best girls. It sounds crazy, but you might want to count your dress as an extra person if it’s particularly full. You’ll have plenty of room for a ballgown in a Landaulette, but you might struggle in a twoseater Porsche! Then, there’s your guests. If you’re marrying in church for example, and need to get to a separate reception venue, how will you get everyone there? Perhaps your celebration space is difficult to access or doesn’t have ample parking. Why not lay on a red Routemaster? This is sure to be one of the day’s highlights for your guests and who could resist a sing-a-long on the way! You may also want to lay on evening transport to get local guests safely home after an evening of partying. We suggest hiring a minibus service or making sure taxi numbers are easily available. When to book It’s generally recommended to book your wedding transport soon after you secure your date and venue to avoid disappointment. If you’re tying the knot during the summer peak season, or on a Saturday, a lead time of 12 to 18 months is advisable to ensure you get your first choice of vehicle. The type of provider you’re looking at will have an influence. A one-person-band with one pride-and-joy vehicle, who will also be your chauffeur, will have limited availability, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and stick more closely to the recommended 18-month window. A larger company with multiple vehicles and drivers, may be able to offer more flexibility in a shorter time frame. But we recommend you don’t leave it to chance! unsplash.com@thehkphotocompany unsplash.com@danielsalgado unsplash.com@patrick_schneider TRANSPORT 39

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=