Hints and Tips for your Big Day!

We know ourselves how stressful it is to organise every last detail of "the happiest day of your life", that's why at Classic Wedding Cars & Events, we not only see to every detail that you request of us, we go over-and-above to help you and offer advice on how to make your big day go even smoother.

As a general indication for a wedding at 2pm with a wedding party of 10 people the following is what we would consider to be "on time".

Wedding Car Arrangements

1st car

Would collect the groom, the best man and groom's parents to arrive at wedding venue for approximately 1.30pm

2nd car

Would collect the mother of the bride and bridesmaids (up to three) and would arrive at the wedding venue for approximately 1.45pm

Bridal car

Would collect the bride and her father and would arrive at the venue for approximately 1.55pm.

On each occasion this will allow the photographer 10 / 15 minutes of photographs and of course this would still give the bride her "traditional" 10 minutes to be late!

Wedding Ceremony

Normally, your ceremony will last approximately an hour, by he time you have photo's taken at your venue we would be leaving there roughly 3.30pm

From the Wedding Ceremony to Photograph Venue

1st Car

Would transport all of the parents

2nd Car

Would take the best man and the bridesmaids

Main Car

Would carry the newly-wed couple - the Bride and Groom

The cars would leave and drive to your chosen park or venue for pictures to be taken. We calculate that 45 minutes for photos is plenty of time once we have arrived, this would mean we would be leaving for 4.30pm to head to the reception.

Arrival at the Reception

We aim to have the wedding party arriving for approximately 4.45pm, allowing time for everyone to freshen up and re-compose themselves, as well as enjoying a drink at the bar before going for their meal at approximately 5.30pm.

Formal Line Up

5.15pm to 5.35pm - The tradition is to introduce both sides of the newly joined families to the bride and groom - as well as allowing the guests to congratulate the married couple.

Bride and Groom enter the Dining Area

5.40pm - Announced by the Master of Ceremonies, the bride and groom are welcomed to the dining area.

Dinner

5.45pm - Dinner commences and the conversation flows around the tables in the room.

Speeches

7.00pm - The customary order of the speakers are: Father of the Bride (welcome to the family speech); Best man  (on behalf of the bridesmaids and himself jovial banter about the groom); Groom (replies on half of his new wife, thanking all involved, presents gifts at this time).

Evening Preparation

7.30pm - 8.00pm - The venue is prepared for the arrival of evening guests and festivities. The evening guests arrive between 7.30pm and 8.00pm.

The Dances

8.15pm - It is customary for the bride and groom - as well as the families - to share a "first dance" together.

First Dance

Bride & Groom, Bride Father & Grooms Mother, Brides Mother & Grooms Father, Best Man & Chief Bridesmaid, Bridesmaids & Ushers

Second Dance

Bride & Best Man, Groom & Chief Bridesmaid, Grooms Mother & Father, Bride's Mother & Father, Ushers and Bridesmaids Swap Partners

Buffet

10.30pm - 11.00pm - If the Bride and Groom are leaving the venue, this should be at approximately 11.45pm.

Evening Finishes

12.30am or 1.00am for guests