Rolls-Royce wedding car hire

Rolls-Royce: the classic wedding car par excellence

Few cars are as closely linked with weddings as a Rolls-Royce. The British marque has stood for luxury and craftsmanship for well over a century, and the combination of the upright grille and the silver figure on the bonnet, the Spirit of Ecstasy, is recognised all over the world. In England a Rolls-Royce has been a familiar sight at weddings for generations, and in the Netherlands too it is a trusted choice for a classic wedding car.

A Rolls-Royce suits a formal, elegant wedding. Think of a ceremony in a church or a castle, a dinner on an estate or in a historic hotel, and a dress code of morning suits and long gowns. The car looks dignified, calm and spacious, and gives the couple an entrance that matches a big moment.

Silver Cloud or Silver Shadow II?

The Silver Cloud and the Silver Shadow II come from two different eras. They share the grille and the figure on the bonnet, but are otherwise very different in shape and character.

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud: the fifties and sixties

The Silver Cloud was built from the mid-fifties to the mid-sixties. It has the classic shape, with long, curved wings that slope away towards the rear, a tall grille and a stately presence. The final version, the Silver Cloud III, can be recognised by its twin headlamps. Read more about the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud as a wedding car.

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II: the seventies

The Silver Shadow was a more modern Rolls-Royce, sleeker in shape and more compact than the Silver Cloud. The Silver Shadow II is the later version, from the late seventies. It is more comfortable to drive and better suited to modern traffic, while keeping the dignified look of the marque. Find out more about the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II as a wedding car.

Hiring a classic Rolls-Royce: practical tips

Both models are four-door saloons with a wide rear seat. The bride can step in calmly at the back, and a dress with plenty of volume or a long train has room. The roof of the Silver Cloud is a little higher, which is pleasant if you have an upswept hairstyle or a hat.

A classic Rolls-Royce is heavy and long. In a historic town centre with narrow streets that can sometimes be tricky, so agree on a drop-off spot where the car can stop for a moment. Choose a route along quiet roads and allow some extra time in your schedule: these cars are made to be driven in a stately fashion, not to be rushed.

Air conditioning in the older cars is limited or absent. On a warm day it is wise to leave the car in the shade during the ceremony and to avoid long periods of idling. Ask the rental company about maintenance and the arrangements in case of a breakdown.

If you would like to compare more British classics, you will find them among the English wedding cars, including Bentley and Austin. For the decoration, the classic look works best: a white ribbon from the grille to the windscreen, and perhaps a flower arrangement on the parcel shelf.

For your photoshoot, a Rolls-Royce looks best in a place with space and calm: a tree-lined driveway, the courtyard of a castle or the steps of a historic building. Ask the photographer to capture the interior as well, with the leather, the wood and the couple in the back.