Wedding car planning: a timeline and checklist for London and Surrey weddings

Updated 6 November 2026 · By the Wimbledon Chauffeur team

Short answer: Book wedding cars six to twelve months ahead for a summer Saturday, once your date and venues are fixed. Plan a running order showing every run, who travels in which car and the times, aiming for the bride to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony. Confirm addresses, timings, ribbons and contact numbers two to four weeks before the day.

Planning timeline

When	What to do
9 to 12 months before	Fix the date and venues, decide on modern or vintage cars and get quotes
6 to 9 months before	Book the cars, confirm the number of vehicles and the booking length
2 to 3 months before	Draft the running order with your photographer and venue coordinator
2 to 4 weeks before	Send final timings, addresses, ribbon colour and on-the-day contacts
Week of the wedding	Reconfirm pick-up times and check the route for roadworks or events
On the day	Hand one person, such as an usher, the chauffeur's contact number

Popular summer Saturdays go first, so book earlier if your date falls between May and September or on a bank holiday weekend.

How many cars do you need?

Most weddings use one or two cars. One car can do several runs if the distances are short, but every return trip adds time and risk. A second car or a people carrier makes sense when the bridal party is large or the distances are long.

One car: bridal party run, return for the bride, then the couple to the reception, if home and ceremony are close
Two cars: bridesmaids and parent in one, bride and the person giving her away in the other
People carrier: a larger bridal party travelling together
Extra cars or a minibus: guest transfers between ceremony and reception or from hotels and stations

A typical running order

A running order sets out every movement of every car. Share it with the chauffeur, the photographer and whoever is coordinating the day.

Car arrives at the bride's address about 30 to 45 minutes before the first departure
Bridesmaids and parent leave first, arriving at the ceremony about 20 minutes before the start
Car returns for the bride, or a second car is used
Bride arrives about 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony for photographs
Car waits during the ceremony and is dressed and ready at the exit
Couple travel to the reception, with any photo stop agreed in advance
Optional going-away car later in the evening

Modern chauffeur cars or vintage?

Modern executive and luxury saloons are comfortable, air conditioned, reliable over long distances and good in any weather, which suits weddings where the ceremony and reception are far apart. Vintage and classic cars give a distinctive look in photographs, but they are often slower, may have limits on distance and motorways, and can be less comfortable in hot or wet weather. Some couples use a classic car for the short ceremony run and a modern car for the longer trip to the reception. Whichever you choose, ask to see the actual car or recent photos of it, and confirm the colour and model in writing.

London and Surrey practicalities

Check whether the church or register office has parking or a set-down point, and whether waiting outside is allowed
London register offices often run back-to-back ceremonies, so arrive on time but not too early
Look out for local events, football or road closures on your date
Allow for traffic on the A3, A24 and M25 when venues are in Surrey
Ask venues outside London about access for cars on gravel drives or private roads

What to confirm with your chauffeur

Every address, in order, with postcodes
Exact times for each run and the total booking length
Who travels in which car
Ribbon colour or any dressing, and whether flowers are allowed on the car
Mobile numbers for the chauffeur and a nominated contact on the day
What happens if the ceremony or photographs run over
Whether any extra time is charged and at what rate

Budgeting for wedding cars

Wedding car prices are usually based on the vehicle, the number of hours and the distance between venues. Around London, a modern executive car for roughly four hours typically costs a few hundred pounds, with luxury models, extra cars and peak summer Saturdays costing more. When you compare quotes, check what each one covers rather than just the headline figure.

How many hours are included, and the rate for each extra hour
Whether ribbons or dressing are included
Mileage limits for venues outside London
Waiting time during the ceremony and photographs
Any travel charge to reach the first address
Whether the price is for the car only or includes a separate guest shuttle

Saving money usually comes from simplifying the plan: fewer runs, venues closer together, or a weekday or winter date when demand is lower.