Choosing a wedding car: 5 questions before you pick a type

Five questions first, then the type

Getting married in 2027? Then you probably start with the car you like the look of. That feels logical, but it is the wrong way round. A beautiful car does not always suit your day, your guests or your dress. So answer five questions about your day first, and only then choose the type. That way you answer the question 'which wedding car suits us?' step by step, and you find not just the prettiest car, but the perfect wedding car for your day.

You won't find prices or booking advice here. For what a wedding car costs, read what wedding car hire costs. For when to book and what to confirm, read our wedding car checklist.

Step 1: style and venue set the tone

Start by looking at your wedding venue and the feel of your day. The car will be in many photos next to that venue, so the two need to go together. A castle, a beach pavilion and a town hall in the city centre each call for something different.

According to Trouwen.nl, a classic car looks best in front of a castle or country estate. Our own tip: for a relaxed wedding in a garden or on the beach, a cheerful van fits well, and in the city a sleek modern car can look just as good.

What role will the car play in your photos?

Also ask yourself how important the car is in your photos. If you want a photo shoot with the car, the exterior matters most: colour, chrome and shape. If the car is mainly transport from A to B, comfort and space count for more. Talk this through with your photographer. Still looking for ideas? See 10 special wedding cars.

Step 2: count who is riding along

Are you travelling as a couple, or are your witnesses, your parents or the children coming too? Count exactly, including the chauffeur. Many sporty cars and open two-seaters have room for two people. If a chauffeur is driving, a two-seater has space for only one passenger next to him. If you want more people in one car, look at roomier models or a van.

If small children are riding along, such as a flower girl, pay attention to the seat belts. According to the ANWB, a car built before 1971 does not have to have seat belts. You may carry people in it, but children under three may not travel in a car without a seat belt. So with a classic car, always ask which seats have a belt.

Want to drive your guests yourself in a van? With a category B licence you may carry at most 8 passengers, according to the RDW. For a large group, hire a minibus with a chauffeur.

Step 3: the dress has a say too

A wedding dress with a lot of fabric takes up space. Valkengoed puts it briefly: a big dress does not fit in every car. So match the transport to the dress, not the other way round. If you haven't chosen your dress yet, factor the car into your decision.

What should you look out for?

• Getting in: in a tall, spacious car you step in upright. Trouwen.nl names this as an advantage of classic luxury, such as a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. In a low sports car you sink down deep.
• Legroom: according to rental company Trouwautoshop, classic cars often have less legroom.
• A full skirt: with a princess or A-line dress, you spread the skirt out beside you or over the back seat, advises Nikita Bruidsmode. But then the car does need a back seat.

A handy test: at the viewing, sit in the car yourself with a long skirt or a sheet around you. Then you know straight away whether it works.

Photo: Ford Mustang Shelby from Classicrides.nl

Step 4: season and weather

You never know what the weather will do, but you do know the average. The KNMI keeps those figures for De Bilt. Averaged over 1991 to 2020, there were 10.0 days in June with at least 1 mm of rain, 11.4 days in August and 11.5 days in October. So even in summer, you can expect measurable rain on roughly one day in three.

What does that mean for your choice?

• Getting married in summer? It can also be hot. In July, De Bilt averaged 9.2 days of 25 °C or warmer. Many classic cars have no air conditioning, writes Trouwautoshop. A modern luxury car does.
• Choosing a convertible? Keep the roof up during the journey. Nikita Bruidsmode recommends taking the photos with the roof down at the venue. That way you avoid wind, dust and insects.
• Getting married in winter and want a convertible? Keep a plan B in reserve. That is the advice of Bruid & Bruidegom Online. In every season, bring a large umbrella.

Photo: Porsche 356 Speedster cabrio from Je Trouwauto Huren

Step 5: the route, the low-emission zone and the town hall

If you are driving through a big city, check the low-emission zone. This matters most with an old diesel. According to Milieuzones.nl, 4 cities have a low-emission zone for diesel cars: Amsterdam, Arnhem, Den Haag and Utrecht. In Den Haag a diesel must have at least emission class 4, in the other three cities emission class 5. Eindhoven has announced that it will also introduce a low-emission zone for passenger cars from 1 January 2027. Cars running on petrol, LPG or electricity may enter all low-emission zones.

There is an exception for genuine classic cars. According to Milieuzones.nl, a diesel older than 40 years is exempt. Our listings include, for example, a Mercedes-Benz W123 240D, a diesel version of the W123. With a car like that, check the year of manufacture if your route goes through a low-emission zone.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz W123 240D from Rik de Paauw

Allow plenty of time for the route too. Classic cars usually drive more slowly, says Trouwautoshop, and that adds to the journey time. Whether the car may stop in front of the town hall differs from one municipality to the next.

Which type of wedding car suits you?

Have you answered the five questions? Then you know how much space you need and what your dress and the season call for. Trouwen.nl divides wedding cars into five groups: classic car, classic luxury, modern luxury, sporty and special transport. Below is a short sketch of each type.

Classic car

A classic car adds character and suits a castle, country estate or retro theme. You can read more in 7 reasons to choose a classic car as your wedding car. See the range at classic wedding car hire.

Classic luxury

Rolls-Royce or Bentley: spacious and stately, a good choice with a big dress because you step in upright. You will find them at vintage wedding car hire.

Modern luxury

A recent Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series, with air conditioning and room for four. Handy for a summer wedding or if your parents are riding along. See luxury wedding car hire.

Convertible

An open car looks wonderful in photos, but you depend on the weather. The range is at convertible wedding car hire.

Sporty

A Porsche or Ferrari stands out, but is often a car for two. One example is the Porsche 356 Speedster cabrio from Je Trouwauto Huren. See more at sporty wedding car hire.

Limousine

A limousine falls under modern luxury, with air conditioning and room for four. If you want a playful touch, there is the Volkswagen Kever Limousine from Kevermobiel. See limousine wedding car hire.

Wedding van

If you are travelling with your witnesses or guests, a van is a cheerful choice, such as the Volkswagen T2 Sandy from We Love Oldtimers. The range is at wedding van hire.

Chauffeur or self-drive

According to Bruid & Bruidegom Online, some rental companies offer their classic cars only with a chauffeur. That brings peace of mind: you don't have to think about the route, the parking or your dress behind the wheel. If you would still like to drive yourself, first read wedding car hire without a chauffeur.

Choosing a wedding car: tips to avoid common mistakes

• Choosing on looks alone. A car can look beautiful in photos and still be too small for you, your dress and your witnesses.
• Skipping the practical questions. Dress, seat belts and low-emission zone: go through steps 2, 3 and 5 again.
• Not asking what is allowed on the car. Ribbons and flowers are part of the day, but not every rental company allows everything. You can find ideas at original wedding car decoration.
• No test drive. Bruid & Bruidegom Online recommends taking a test drive beforehand.

From choice to quote

Know which type suits you? Then browse the wedding cars on offer and save the ones you like. In your request, say how many people are riding along, which dress you are wearing and which route you are taking. That way you receive a quote that really fits your day.