While wedding fashions continue to evolve, the tradition of arriving in a chauffeur-driven wedding car remains one of the most cherished and iconic parts of any wedding day. Whether it’s hiring a classic Rolls–Royce Phantom, a vintage Bentley Tourer or a chic Mercedes-Benz, wedding car hire continues to add elegance, style and unforgettable memories.

The Origins of Wedding Transport

Long before motor vehicles existed, Brides travelled to their wedding ceremony by horse and carriage. In so many cultures and faiths around the world, the journey of the Bride travelling to the ceremony represents the Bride’s transition from one stage of her life to another.

Families would decorate horse-drawn carriages with flowers, ribbons, and greenery to symbolise prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. Wealthier families often had more ornate carriages as a sign of status.

The journey to the ceremony became an important ceremonial event in itself, allowing family, friends, and local communities to cheer as the carriage went by and to bear witness to the celebration.

How Wedding Cars Became Part of British Weddings

As motor vehicles became more common in the early 20th century, they gradually replaced horse-drawn carriages as the preferred wedding transport.

Luxury manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz quickly became associated with weddings because they offered comfort, prestige, and refinement. Arriving in a glamorous motor car became the modern expression for the sense of occasion that horse-drawn carriages had provided for centuries.

During the 1920s and 1930s, luxury saloons and Bentley open top Tourers became fashionable among affluent families.

The 1950s introduced elegant post-war classics with sweeping chrome details and spacious interiors such our Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III. In the 1960s, hiring a chauffeur-driven wedding car had become a well-established wedding tradition across the UK with Royal Weddings particularly highlighting the prestige of the Rolls Royce Phantom as the iconic wedding car. Today we still decorate our wedding cars with ribbons and flowers, a tradition stemming from the older rituals of the horse-drawn carriage and the journey is still an opportunity for passers-by to wave and cheer and for other drivers to toot in celebration!

Why Wedding Cars Became a Tradition

Wedding cars have always represented much more than simply travelling from one location to another. The wedding car is a symbol of the ending of one journey and the start of another journey together.

Why do Brides traditionally arrive in a wedding car?

Traditionally the Bride travels to church with her father or a close family member. This signifies the last journey she makes with her Father before he gives her away.

Creating a Grand Entrance for the Wedding Party

Traditional etiquette dictates an ordered procession to the venue. The Groom’s party typically arrives first. At Coopers of Goodwood our luxury Grooms car is our 2024 hybrid Range Rover or super smart Rolls-Royce Ghost, both seating up to four passengers. Their arrival is followed by the Bridesmaids and the Mother of the Bride. Our Rolls-Royce Phantom has 6 seats and is perfect for the Bridesmaids to all arrive together in style.

The Bride and her Father arrive last. Every Bride dreams of making an unforgettable entrance. A beautifully presented wedding car builds anticipation for those waiting outside the church who naturally turn their attention towards the arriving car making the Bride’s entrance even more dramatic and special. Our Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud has a timeless elegance or our ivory Mercedes has a vintage flair.

Leaving the Ceremony or Reception

The next journey the Bride makes is with her husband, and leaving the ceremony or reception in a wedding car traditionally marks the first journey the married couple take together. For this to be in a luxurious car makes the day more special.

There is even more tradition to the wedding car of tying tin cans and shoes to the car. Originally, noisy pots and pans were banged together by bystanders to draw attention to the couple, which eventually morphed into attaching cans to the cars.

Are Wedding Cars Still Relevant Today?

Although weddings have changed dramatically over recent decades, the tradition of hiring a luxury wedding car remains stronger than ever. A wedding is one of life’s biggest celebrations, and hiring a luxury wedding car allows couples to enjoy an experience they might not have on any other ordinary day.

Today, couples enjoy more choice than ever before. Vintage vehicles, classic Rolls-Royce’s, luxury SUVs, sports cars, electric vehicles, and even camper vans all feature in modern weddings.

Perfect Wedding Photography

Professional photographers love beautiful wedding cars because they provide timeless backdrops for photographs.

Classic vehicles add sophistication and character to wedding albums, creating images that never go out of style.

Popular photo opportunities include:

The Bride stepping out of the car
The newlyweds leaving the ceremony together
A quiet moment by the car
Group photographs around the vehicle
Evening photos as the Bride and Groom leave the reception

These images often become some of the most treasured photographs from the day.

Making Memories

Weddings can be emotional and busy. The journey between home for the Bride and Father allows a memorable moment for both. Whilst the journey from the ceremony to the reception for the Bride and Groom provides a rare opportunity for couples to enjoy a few peaceful moments together during the celebrations of the day.

These moments become lasting memories that remain long after the wedding has ended. Many couples remember the excitement of seeing the car arrive, the conversations during the journey, and the feeling of being treated like royalty for the day.

Feedback from many Coopers of Goodwood newlyweds say the drive after the ceremony is one of their favourite memories because it offers time to relax before celebrating with family and friends.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Car

Whether choosing a vintage classic or a modern executive car, wedding transport adds an extra touch of elegance that makes the occasion feel even more special.

Whether you’re planning a traditional church wedding, a countryside celebration, a contemporary city ceremony, or a registry office wedding, there’s a wedding car to suit every style. The vehicle couples choose often reflects their personality and the style of their wedding.

When selecting your wedding car, consider:

Your wedding theme
The colour of the vehicle
Passenger capacity
Comfort and accessibility
Photography opportunities
Travel distance between any venues

Wedding Car Hire in Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and London

Professional wedding car hire companies such as Coopers of Goodwood provide much more than a beautiful vehicle.

Our reputable chauffeur service will ensure the car is immaculately presented, arrives early, and delivers a relaxed, professional experience from start to finish. We cover Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and London.

Our experienced wedding chauffeurs also understand wedding schedules and allow extra time for photographs and unexpected delays, helping the day run smoothly.

Our chauffeur driven wedding cars regularly attend weddings at Marylebone Town Hall, Chelsea Town Hall, Leatherhead Registry Office, Farnham Castle and Northbrook Park.

Choosing an experienced wedding car hire company such as Coopers of Goodwood gives couples peace of mind, allowing them to focus on enjoying every moment of their special day.

The Timeless Tradition Continues

From horse-drawn carriages centuries ago to today’s luxury chauffeur-driven vehicles, wedding transport has always symbolised celebration, elegance, and the beginning of a new chapter.

Whether you choose a vintage classic, a modern luxury saloon, or something completely unique, your wedding car is a memorable journey that marks one of the most important days of your life.

If you’re planning your wedding, investing in the right wedding car isn’t just about simply providing transport, wedding cars create unforgettable memories, stunning photographs, and arriving in style on the day you’ll remember forever.

At Coopers of Goodwood, we’ve had the privilege of providing chauffeur-driven wedding car hire for hundreds of weddings across Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and London. From intimate registry office ceremonies to grand country house celebrations, we’ve seen first-hand how the right wedding car becomes an unforgettable part of the day.

Contact our friendly team today to discuss your wedding transport and reserve your preferred car, as popular dates are already booking well into 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I book a chauffeur-driven wedding car?

We recommend no less than 6 months in advance, especially if you’re getting married during the peak wedding season or have a specific vehicle in mind.

What is included within the wedding car hire?

Coopers of Goodwood wedding car service also offer extras such as ribbons, floral decorations, complimentary refreshments, umbrellas, and multiple journeys to accommodate Bridesmaids and family members.