Wedding car hire in Friesland

Getting married in Friesland: towns, lakes and terp villages

Friesland combines historic towns with a wide, open landscape. Leeuwarden has an old city centre with canals and the leaning Oldehove, and the other Elfsteden (the Eleven Cities), such as Sneek with its Waterpoort, Harlingen, Franeker, Dokkum and Hindeloopen, each have their own character. Many couples marry in a town hall or a historic church and then drive on to a venue in the countryside.

That countryside is typically Frisian: meadows stretching to the horizon, farms with a large barn and churches on terps (artificial dwelling mounds), which you often come across in the north of the province. In the south west you will find the Frisian lakes and Gaasterland, with woods and cliffs along the IJsselmeer. Around the lakes there are marinas and waterside venues where a wedding party by the water is possible. And then there are the Wadden Islands, a special setting, but with their own rules for cars.

Frisian roads and the right wedding car

A Frisian wedding often combines a historic spot for the ceremony with a party in the countryside or by the water. The car therefore has to look its best both in a narrow town street and on a dyke road between the meadows. That calls for a classic car that is not too large.

Classic style for town and church

A car with timeless lines suits a town hall or a terp church. A Ford Mustang or a Porsche 356 from the 1950s and 1960s, or a four-door Mercedes-Benz W123, makes for a stylish arrival. Under classic wedding cars you will find more models from that era, from relaxed saloons to sporty coupés.

Open-top or with the whole family

A convertible looks wonderful on the narrow dyke roads between the meadows, especially on a sunny day. A Volkswagen Beetle convertible, a Citroën 2CV or a Fiat 500 suits the unhurried pace of the Frisian countryside. If you want to take your witnesses or parents along, a Volkswagen T1 or T2 is a fun choice that also looks lovely at a farm or marina.

Practical matters: the islands, the dyke roads and rental companies nearby

If you are getting married on a Wadden Island, bear the ferry in mind. On Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog visitors may not bring their own car; on Terschelling and Ameland they can, but the crossing with a car must be booked in advance. Check with the rental company whether a drive on the island is feasible, or choose to have your photos taken with the car on the mainland.

On the mainland the roads are often narrow, with many small bridges and locks. In spring and autumn, farm traffic is also a factor. Rental companies that drive in Friesland are partly based in the province itself, but often also come from Groningen, Drenthe or further afield. If you are marrying close to the border, you can also look at the cars available in the province of Groningen. In any case, agree a clear arrival time and a waiting spot.