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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...about the cost of wedding cars!

40 replies

shellistar · 13/06/2017 13:32

I know I could keep it cheap and go to the registry office and out for a Macy's afterwards to celebrate and I know I could go to Maui... Grin but neither of those options is particularly us!

We're planning a relatively reasonabley priced wedding in a reasonabley priced location even though we're still going down the white dress traditional route (less than £5k for 60 day and 120 evening guests in a naice location). One of the things that's making me balk is the cost of transport for me and my bridesmaids! I only want to go 2 miles up the road on a Friday afternoon but I'm getting quotes for £500+

I've booked 2 local naice vehicles for £100 and I'm still a bit Shock at that!

AIBU to think that wedding cars are just a an extortionate rip off?!? I'm quite honest when the suppliers are chasing the quotes... or is it just that I'm cheap and they're totally worth the money?!?

OP posts:
LadySalmakia · 13/06/2017 16:26

Actually now I think about it, I think my mum might've paid the taxi driver and we didn't actually pay her back anyway. Super cheap. Blush

budgiegirl · 13/06/2017 16:42

My friend found that as soon as you mention the word wedding, the price for anything goes up

While it's true that wedding services do usually cost more than 'normal' services, there is a reason for this, it's not just a case of ripping off the customer.

There is a degree of it being what the market will stand, but it also does generally cost more to provide a wedding service - higher level of service, often there'll be a consultation, more phone calls than your average customer, paperwork, maybe flowers and a bottle of champagne in the car, a uniformed driver, some hanging about waiting etc. The cars are very often high value, or vintage, and have to be maintained and insured, cleaned and polished for the occasion. They can probably only take one booking per day, due to the timing. Then there's marketing - wedding fairs, websites, leaflets etc.

That said, it's up to you if the money is worth it. It is expensive, but I can understand why.

DijonVu · 13/06/2017 16:46

I phoned local taxi firms and booked a black car and a black Mercedes minibus! It cost £200 all in for a 40 mile journey to the ceremony, and another couple of miles to the reception. The drivers wore plain uniforms and they even put personalised number plates and ribbon on them so they looked the part!

I was getting quoted £400-600 from proper wedding car companies for pretty much the same thing!

Theweasleytwins · 13/06/2017 16:48

Ha! We had a lovely expensive car to take my husband then myself to the church from separate places, it broke down on his way, they managed to get it going again, then it broke down with me 6 months pregnant. We got out and within 5 minutes a van and a car stopped to offer help, ended up going to the church in the back of the bmw😋

Morecaffeineplease · 13/06/2017 20:24

I came on to say what budgie has said.

As a wife of a corporate chauffeur of 20 years, I have "lived" the other side of this.

He lost an entire days worth of corporate bookings for each wedding, equating to the same sort of income as a "wedding car" would bring in.

The hours spent behind the scenes that you don't see are incredible. Easily 6 or 7 hours preparation then another 3 cleaning after, as well as the commute to & from the collection & drop-off points.

The time spent driving 'you' ie the bridal party just 2 miles down the road actually meant someone like my DH would have to charge for 11hrs +.

If insurance was cheaper, if fuel was cheaper, if tyres and all other running costs were cheaper, it would be better for all involved Smile

Please don't think I am having a pop, I just wish to explain the reality.

Your day sounds like it will be memorable for the right reasons. Congratulations- have fun!

Original poster
shellistar · 13/06/2017 21:21

Morecaffeine

I completely understand and appreciate the input. I suppose my frustration is when a local firm

OP posts:
Offherhead · 13/06/2017 21:25

Try "executive" cars / airport cars more than a taxi but a higher spec car. The drivers tend to wear a suit too.

emsyj37 · 13/06/2017 21:32

I used an 'executive' type airport car as Offerhead suggests - they charged me £70 including some ribbon Grin to come and pick me and my bridesmaids up and take us to the venue (about 30 mins' drive away, not that local really). He was in a naice suit, showed up really early and waited unobtrusively for us to be ready, drove me around for a while as we were a bit early, then said he would come and pick us up from the venue and take us home at the end of the night if we called him - any time up to 3am! (Venue didn't have accommodation). We didn't take him up on that but it was kind. He wouldn't accept a tip and just asked that we pass on a recommendation if possible, which we enthusiastically did (and continue to do). The car itself was a BMW and was huge, but I couldn't tell you what model.

Brittbugs80 · 13/06/2017 21:36

£120 for an old Citroen DS (husband's choice) we did 12 miles in it altogether.

It turned more heads than your typical Bentley, Mercedes wedding car.

SherbertLemon2011 · 13/06/2017 21:42

I got a taxi. Everyone was inside already so no-one saw. £12 - bargain :-)

Original poster
shellistar · 13/06/2017 22:05

I really wanted a Delorean... but that was way off budget Grin

OP posts:
TweedAddict · 13/06/2017 22:10

God I had a horse and carriage for that!

Have you got any friends that will take you? Most friends would do it as a wedding present-if they are going to the wedding. Worth asking. If had a few friends do this, one had a Land Rover defender, another an series 7 BMW, one a horse-lead by friend and another mate has had a jcb. All free, as gifts for good friends

Izzabellasasperella · 13/06/2017 22:19

This was my wedding car. My one extravagance. It cost £350 five years ago but the driver who was lovely did three trips from my house to the church then after we drove to a viewing spot for a glass of fizz then another trip to our reception.

...about the cost of wedding cars!
Serendipper · 13/06/2017 22:33

If you have a particular car in mind try contacting a local enthusiasts group. I wanted a Morris minor and asked my local group who assured me someone would be happy to do it. In the end all the usual wedding cars were booked so the group leader offered to drive us, for £100 and a meal on the day. We had 2 venues and travelled after the meal to the evening do so he waited a good while during service and meal! Hardly anyone saw the car but I have some lovely photos and he enjoyed it so much he asked for the pics so he could set up a website to do it more!

arbrighton · 13/06/2017 22:39

We did pay for a vintage car. But the upkeep of something so old, and the fuel for a practice journey to check timings/ route, and supporting a local firm was important to us.

And the car was then used to take me and DH to reception, and for some of our photos- style of dress/ venue etc matched so they are really lovely.

DH got a taxi though.

Was a bit more than 2 miles though (more like 15)

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