Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Personalizing your wedding with a unique getaway car adds a special touch.
- Vintage cars like the Ford Thunderbird and Porsche 911 offer charm and historical elegance.
- Unique options like tandem bikes, carriages, or even canoes can make for a memorable getaway.
- Modern luxury cars provide a practical, long-term investment.
- DIY decor can transform your personal car into a stylish wedding ride.
- Horseback riding offers a picturesque and nature-inspired transportation choice.
- Converted vans or RVs provide a unique, direct route to your honeymoon adventure.
Injecting personality into your wedding adds a unique touch, with custom colours and themes often playing a key role in highlighting the couple’s unique bond. In fact, 63% of respondents felt that personalization was the most important part of their planning process, according to data from The Knot’s 2024 Global Wedding Report. While personalization may appear in the form of monogrammed decor, custom flower arrangements, and even a special theme to showcase the couple’s relationship, choosing a unique getaway car can speak volumes all on its own. While limos are a popular choice, it’s important to keep in mind that there are a plethora of unique options out there that can make for an unforgettable first drive as newlyweds, whether you prefer vintage, modern luxury, or something in between.
A vintage showstopper
For couples who are going with a rustic or vintage theme for the Big Day, a getaway car that matches the style perfectly is undoubtedly the way to go. Vintage vehicles not only possess a charm on their own, but can make for a picturesque photo opportunity all the while injecting a bit of a historical element to your wedding day. Whether you choose the iconic Ford Thunderbird, the Porsche 911, or a vintage Volkswagen Beetle, there are no shortage of options out there that will make more than a statement when driving away from your ceremony. For a truly vintage touch, consider the quintessential ‘Just Married’ sign along with empty tin cans tied to the back of the car.
When choosing the right vehicle for the occasion, it’s imperative to keep a few distinctions in mind in order to avoid any confusion. “Vintage is 1919-1930, post-vintage is 1931-1949, classic is 1950-1969 and modern classic is 1970-1989,” explains expert Clive Dawkes from Leicester Wedding Cars. The Hitched UK article goes on to point out a few considerations that can help make renting the wedding car of your dreams much more accessible — such as saving money by booking a weekday wedding, a tried and true budget-friendly hack that applies to the cost of renting vintage vehicles for weddings, too. “I offer different prices for weekdays and weekends,” Dawkes notes. Other factors that could influence the cost of renting a vintage vehicle include whether your wedding will take place during an off-peak month or not, as well as the number of journeys you plan on taking in the car.
Quirky choices for an intimate getaway
For many, getting married is akin to a fairy tale, making an extravagant carriage a fitting option for getaway transportation — however, this isn’t the only unique solution out there. The Knot presents several unique options worth looking into, many of which can cater to a more intimate getaway. For the athletic couple, riding off into the sunset on a tandem bike can be a fitting option.
Not only does this show your love for one another as newlyweds, but sends the message of teamwork — a must-have element of any successful marriage. Depending on your taste as a couple and the style of the wedding, this idea can be adapted as you see fit, whether it be a bad-to-the-bones motorcycle or a classy and timeless Vespa scooter. It’s important to note that you don’t have to limit your options to those that feature wheels — in fact, there are several fun ways to travel on your wedding day (should the venue allow, of course). For example, if your ceremony takes place outdoors, arriving in a canoe or even a rugged ATV are both unique suggestions by The Knot.
Practicality meets luxury — a long-term investment
For couples who wish to inject a sleek, modern feel into their getaway car choice, opting for a newer vehicle can be a practical choice. For example, choosing a modern luxury car can be a great way for a couple to ‘gift’ themselves with a joint vehicle that can be used for years to come, rather than renting a unique showstopper for just one day. With that in mind, picking the perfect modern luxury car can be an overwhelming endeavor, especially when taking into consideration the immense amount of features, makes, and models that are available on the market today.
Taking the time to peruse the ratings and reviews is key when looking for first-hand insight into various different luxury vehicles, enabling you to make an educated purchase. Reviews of top luxury cars are essential when gaining insight into key features such as artful design, premium materials, and high-level safety features, as well as when aiming to successfully compare two (or more vehicles). For instance, while the 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman features optional equipment such as heated mirrors and parking assist, many enjoy the 2022 Lexus IS for its experience of using vehicle safety systems.
The value in DIY decor
For couples looking to find a budget-friendly yet bougie ride for the Big Day, there are a variety of ways that you can dress up your own car — and you don’t have to sacrifice style along the way, either. One Brides article highlights a number of ways that you can makeover your car, whether you want a simple and cute solution or an extravagant homemade makeover. Suspending a banner, for instance, serves as a great way to send a short and simple message on the back of the car (from the traditional ‘just married’ to ‘forever and always,’ to highlight a couple of worthy phrases. A banner can also be as dressed up or down as you’d like, with creative choices ranging from the material to the font, colors, and more.
Adding ribbon is another great (and cheap) way to add a touch of luxury, though the concept can be taken to another level entirely through the creation of a flower arrangement (matching those used in the ceremony, of course) or garland on the back of the car. Brides suggests using a mix of both fresh and dried florals, however, which will help the arrangement last until the end of the reception. “If wilting is a major risk, stick with just dried flowers.” The result? A stunning showcase of nature full of texture that’s sure to last for a major impression.
Saddling up for a spectacular moment
Couples who wish to incorporate their love for nature into their wedding day should certainly consider horses for a unique twist on transportation. While a showstopping and equally as picturesque choice, however, enlisting the help of horses requires significant consideration. This is especially true when one (or both) partners lack experience with riding horses, meaning that should you choose to do so, you’ll certainly need practice beforehand.
Finding a riding school is a great choice for learning the basics, though Horse & Hound highlights several additional tips for beginners, which can also be of use to couples looking to saddle up for their wedding day. Finding a good instructor at a reputable riding school, for instance, is just one consideration to keep in mind. Additionally, the Horse & Hound article recommends taking time to watch instructional riding videos on YouTube, always asking your instructor questions, and simply having confidence. “Trust your horse — he needs to feel this to trust you in return, which will build your confidence.”
From ceremony to honeymoon
For couples looking for a truly unique and intimate way to spend their first moments together as newlyweds, taking off from the ceremony in a converted van or an RV can make for a direct route to your honeymoon. Whether for a weekend or a couple of weeks (or even as a newfound way of life), van life presents a variety of advantages for newlyweds looking to spend their honeymoon side by side — particularly when it comes to exploring more of the world together. According to Yahoo Finance, the number of American ‘van lifers’ has increased by 63% over the last couple of years, spiking from a mere 1.9 million in 2020 to an impressive 3.1 million in 2022, highlighting its popularity.
For couples looking forward to this unique form of wedding transportation, investing time and effort into sprucing up a van, RV, or camper can make for a fantastic way to spend time together. In fact, turning a van or RV into a ‘passion project’ can serve as the perfect reprieve amidst stressful wedding planning. From renovations to cleaning, decor, and packing, there are an abundance of tasks that can be tackled together — not to mention you’re sure to learn more about one another along the way. And, once you’re on your honeymoon, the hard work will surely pay off with a fully customized home on wheels.
For many couples, personalization is a major factor when planning a wedding that perfectly showcases their special bond. In addition to a custom theme, however, taking the time to find unique transportation for the Big Day can make the occasion that much more memorable.
