How to Hire a Car Service Near You for Your Wedding: Your Ultimate Guide

Let's face it: It's easy to get caught up in the throes of wedding planning, which makes it easy to overlook critical details such as your transportation. So, let this be your reminder to hire a car service for your wedding, stat. However, with so many vehicle and vendor options to choose from, selecting your vendor is no easy feat. To help make the process a bit easier, we've compiled the ultimate guide on how to hire a car service near you for your wedding, including need-to-know information and expert tips.

In this article:

• How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wedding Car?
• How to Hire a Wedding Car Near You
• Tips for Hiring a Car for a Wedding

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Wedding Car?

Wondering how much wedding car hire prices are? We've got you covered with expert insight from Thomas Waters, owner and event planner at The Renaissance in Richmond, Virginia. Like most wedding day expenditures, wedding car hire rates "will vary depending on various factors, including location, availability and peak times," he tells The Knot. For example, if you're looking to hire a luxury car for your wedding, it can cost somewhere between $140 to $180 in the Richmond area, per Waters. He continues, telling The Knot, "It's important to remember that they may also have a four-hour minimum, if not more."

You may also be curious as to how much it costs to hire a vintage wedding car—and we've tapped Waters to weigh in. "Vintage cars, especially rarer ones, will generally cost more per hour," he explains. Additionally, "In larger cities, expect to pay potentially hundreds of dollars an hour." Limousines, on the other hand, tend to be less expensive. Per Thomas, you can expect to pay between $80 and $140 an hour, give or take, depending on your specific location. "The rate varies and will depend on the size and age of the car, as well as the body style."

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Additionally, keep in mind that the total cost also depends on whether or not you are booking a chauffeur along with the car. "With many car hires," says Waters, "you'll understandably be required to have it chauffeured, and I can't overstate how much our couples value the convenience of having a professional driver who knows the roads well." Conversely, if you're looking to hire a getaway car for your exit, Waters recommends booking an exotic car. While you can expect to spend less, you will 1) need to drive the car and 2) be responsible for picking it up and dropping it off.

How to Hire a Wedding Car Near You

"How do I find wedding car hires near me?" you may be wondering—and you're not alone. Enter The Knot Vendor Marketplace, your one-stop shop for researching wedding cars for hire! Our user-friendly platform allows couples to search for wedding transportation companies based on location and budget. Plus, to make the process all the more seamless, couples can even filter by transportation type (i.e., classic and exotic, limos and more).

Tips for Hiring a Car for a Wedding

Booking your wedding transportation is one of the most important—albeit often overlooked—parts of the wedding planning process. Ahead, we've rounded up expert-approved tips for hiring a car for your wedding.

1. Do your research

Before jumping full-speed ahead into booking your wedding transportation, it's key to do your research. Fortunately, The Knot Vendor Marketplace makes this process as simple and stress-free as possible. As previously mentioned, this platform allows couples to search wedding transportation companies based on location, budget and vehicle type.

2. Book early

It's always a good idea to reserve your wedding transportation early—especially if you have a particular car in mind. "Remember," says Waters, "demand will be highest on a Saturday, especially when you're competing with prom season." Additionally, "Peak wedding season, in general, will mean that the inventory will run low quickly."

3. Ask questions

Not asking your potential wedding transportation company questions is a major mistake that's all too common. Of course, you'll want to double-check that the vendor is available on your wedding date—and that they have your desired vehicle in their fleet—but don't be afraid to get into the nitty-gritty, either. For example, you may consider asking about driver attire, cleaning fees, food and beverage regulations and the cancellation policy.

4. Seek referrals and references

Prior to booking your wedding transportation vendor, Waters recommends relying on references, customer reviews and planner recommendations. What's more, he says, "You want a reputable company that offers great cars, proper insurance and reliable customer service." As such, your wedding transportation company "should be ready and willing to walk you through the contract and answer any questions you may have."

5. Finalize logistics and go over your timeline

Per Waters, "It stands to reason that the price will begin to creep up the longer you need the car, so run through the timeline thoroughly to make sure you've taken everything into account." For example, "You'll want to consider the routes being driven, if the car is needed during photographers and whether they'll stay to drive you after you exit the festivities." While this all may seem overwhelming, "a great wedding planner will be able to coordinate this for you and anticipate how long a rental will be necessary. "

BONUS: Consult with your wedding planner

"Your wedding day aesthetic can certainly be extended to your car hire," says Waters. As such, he recommends "connect[ing] with your wedding planner to discuss options and what could be the best overall fit for your wedding day look." On a related note, "If you have a particular vision you'd like to see through, look into a company's policies and pricing for decorating the car." Pro tip: You may also want to consider adding this clause to your wedding transportation contract!