What to check before booking a luxury car for a wedding day, from the chauffeur to breakdown cover.
Luxury vehicle hire is a single, well-chosen car for the couple, usually for arrival, the photographs immediately after the ceremony and departure at the end of the night, rather than transport for guests generally.
It suits a couple who want a particular car in the photographs, or simply want not to think about driving on the day itself. It adds little for a couple marrying at home or somewhere they can walk between ceremony and reception, and it is easy to overspend on relative to what it actually contributes to the day.
This page covers what to check before booking: the drive time, the chauffeur, what happens if it rains, and what backup exists if the car does not start.
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Gavin would rather leave a page empty than fill it with names he cannot stand behind, and checking a business properly takes time, so these pages fill slowly.
In the meantime, the guidance above is the part that helps: how to choose, what to ask, and what usually goes wrong. If you want a name, Gavin will tell you who he has worked alongside, and why.
A car booked purely for the photograph does a different job from one booked to carry the couple between two venues some distance apart, and the second needs far more planning than the first. Be clear with yourself, and with the hire company, about which one you are booking, since it changes the questions worth asking.
The chauffeur matters more than the car
A beautiful car with a chauffeur who does not know the route, has not driven it before, or is unfamiliar with your specific timing, is a worse booking than a slightly plainer car with someone who has done this exact route on a wedding day before. Ask about the driver directly, not only the vehicle.
What to ask
Has this driver worked a wedding before, and have they driven our specific route?
What is the plan if it rains: does the car allow getting in and out without getting wet?
What happens if the car breaks down or does not start on the day: is there a backup vehicle?
How long is the car booked for, and what happens if we run over that time?
Is the vehicle insured for a wedding hire, and can you show that cover?
Can we see the actual car, not a similar model, before we book?
What is included: fuel, the driver's time, decoration, or is any of that extra?
How far in advance do you need our timing confirmed?
Contracts and logistics
Confirm the booked hours precisely, including whether the clock starts at pick-up or from an earlier standby time, and what the hourly rate is for running over. A ceremony that starts twenty minutes late should not become an unplanned cost.
Ask what backup exists in writing, not as a verbal reassurance, if the specific car booked cannot be delivered on the day for any reason, including a breakdown. A company with a real answer to this question is a safer booking than one that has not considered it.
Checklist
Confirmed exactly what the car is being used for: photographs, transport, or both
Seen the actual vehicle, not a similar model, before booking
Asked about the driver's experience with weddings and with your specific route
Confirmed the plan for rain, including cover getting in and out of the car
Confirmed what backup vehicle exists if the booked car cannot be delivered
Agreed the booked hours and the overtime rate in writing
Checked what is included in the price and what is extra
Is luxury vehicle hire worth it if we are marrying at one venue?
It depends on what you want from it. If the car matters to you in the photographs, or you simply do not want to drive on the day, it earns its place even at one venue. If neither applies, the same money often goes further elsewhere, since a single-venue wedding does not need the car for its more obvious job of moving a couple between two places.
What if it rains on the day?
Ask the hire company directly what their plan is: whether the car allows getting in and out under cover, and whether the driver has an umbrella and a routine for it. A good provider will have an answer ready rather than treating it as an unlikely inconvenience, since rain on a wedding day in South Africa is common enough to plan for properly.
What happens if the car breaks down on the day?
Ask this before you book, in writing, not as a passing question on the day itself. A serious hire company will have a backup vehicle or a clear plan; one that has not thought about it is a risk on the one day you cannot simply reschedule. Confirm the answer applies to your actual booking, not a general assurance.
Should we hire a car or simply use our own?
Either can work well. A hired car with a driver removes the need for anyone to think about parking, timing or driving in wedding clothes, which matters more to some couples than others. If you already have access to a car you love and someone willing to drive it properly, hiring one adds little beyond convenience.
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“I decided to get engaged while my lovely girlfriend went to the UK for a short trip and I used the time to get a ring made while she was away. Gavin and his team gave me great advice and freedom. They helped me create and design my own ring, and taught me so much about the choices I have. They made the whole process a fantastic experience and I will totally send my friends back for the one on one experience.”
“Gavin and his firm were recommended to us by a mutual friend. From the very first contact, Gavin conducted himself in a very friendly but professional manner. Gavin clearly demonstrated the love and understanding of his business. His attention to detail and willingness to listen to our needs was very reassuring. We are extremely pleased with the design, quality of our jewellery and the superb service. It was certainly one of the best shopping experiences we have had. Our friends have found Gavin amazing and are very impressed with their purchases. On purchasing diamonds, we highly recommend others to contact Gavin. We certainly look forward to doing business with his company for years to come.”
“My experience with Gavin was nothing less than exceptional. He provided excellent customer service, quality diamonds, and competitive prices. He was very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. I learned everything I needed to know before purchasing the right diamond. I would recommend him and his company to anyone considering the purchase of a precious stone.”
“Great experience dealing with Gavin. I have had many good experiences dealing with Gavin. The jewellery and stones are breathtaking and very reasonable in price. The service we received was so efficient and good advice was given to us when choosing specific stones. We look forward to many more dealings with Gavin.”
“My experience with Gavin goes back some years. Not only have I and my wife been advised and purchased from the company; we have, in addition, successfully referred a number of our friends to Gavin. His knowledge, service and flexibility have ensured that we consult them on any occasion where we are thinking of purchasing jewellery.”
“Gavin Ruschin has been my preferred supplier of diamonds and designer jewellery for the past five years. During this period of knowing Gavin, I feel extremely privileged to have a supplier of such character and integrity servicing me personally, my company The BLD Group and our clients. Gavin has through excellent service become one of the most credible suppliers on our books. His honesty, unconditional professional service, excellent pricing and pleasant manner have earned him the respect and reputation of the highest degree amongst my clients, which include professional sportsmen and sportswomen, leading business people and politicians.”
