Money as a couple: How much does wedding transport cost? Cars, coaches and more
Wedding transport cost covers getting the couple to and from the ceremony and, often, moving guests between venues. In a worked example, a wedding car and a coach for guests together cost about 800.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- Wedding transport cost covers the couple's car and any guest travel between venues.
- In a worked example, a hired car and a guest coach together cost about 800.
- Choosing a ceremony and reception at the same place removes most transport costs.
- A friend's car with ribbons can look just as good in photos.
How much does wedding transport cost?
Transport is easy to forget when planning a wedding, but it can add a fair amount. Most couples need to get to the ceremony, then to the reception if it's somewhere else. Guests may need help getting between venues, or back to their hotels at the end of the night. In a worked example, a hired wedding car and a coach for guests together cost about 800.
Prices depend on the type of vehicle, how many hours you need it, the distance and the day of the week. Summer Saturdays are the busiest and often the most expensive.
What do wedding transport options cost?
Here's a worked example, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Friend's car, decorated | 50 |
| Hired wedding car | 400 |
| Coach for guests | 400 |
| Vintage car | 700 |
The friend's car figure covers ribbons, a full tank and a clean. A hired car usually includes a driver, decoration and a few hours of use.
What transport do you need?
Getting the couple to the ceremony
This is the journey most couples think of first. It might be one car for one partner and their family, or two cars if both partners travel separately. Some couples arrive together.
Getting from ceremony to reception
If the ceremony and reception are in different places, you'll need to get there, and so will your guests. The couple often travel in the wedding car, which is a nice chance for photos and a quiet moment.
Guest travel
A coach or minibus between venues stops guests worrying about driving, parking or drinking. It also keeps everyone on schedule, so dinner starts on time and nobody gets lost on country lanes. Put the pick-up times on the invitation or wedding website, so guests can plan around them. For a wedding in the countryside, a late coach back to town at the end of the night can be a real help.
What affects wedding transport cost?
Type of vehicle
Modern cars usually cost less than vintage or classic cars, which need specialist drivers and care. Unusual options, like a horse and carriage or a vintage bus, cost more.
Hours and distance
Most hire companies charge for a minimum number of hours, including travel to and from their base. A long journey or a long gap between ceremony and reception adds time.
Day and season
Weekday and off-season weddings often get lower prices, since demand is lower.
How can you save on wedding transport?
Choose one venue
Having the ceremony and reception in the same place removes most transport costs. Guests only need to arrive once.
Borrow a friend's car
A friend or relative with a nice car can drive you, with ribbons and a clean. It costs little, and they'll often be honoured to be asked.
Book one car for several trips
One car can make two or three short trips, taking each partner and their family in turn, if the timings work.
Share a coach
Guests often happily chip in for a coach, or the venue may know a local company with good rates. A minibus for a small group costs less than a large coach.
Skip the extras
Hire packages sometimes add champagne, extra decoration or red carpets. These cost more and are easy to skip.
How does transport fit into the wedding budget?
Set a figure for transport when you plan the whole wedding, alongside the venue, food and clothes. The wedding budget covers how to split a total across everything. If guests are travelling far, the cost of being a wedding guest shows what they're spending too, which can help you plan with them in mind.
Ask the right questions
Before booking, ask how many hours are included, whether travel to your venues costs extra, what happens if the car breaks down and how much the deposit is. Get it all in writing. Check the route and timings with the driver a week before, and share a phone number with whoever is coordinating the day, so any delays can be handled calmly without you needing to step in.
Book early
Popular cars and coaches get booked up months ahead for summer weekends. Booking early gives you more choice and better prices.
How do you track wedding costs in Wealtie?
Use a shared account so you both see what's been spent on transport and everything else. The account owner needs Pro, and the person invited can be on any plan. Add a wedding category to your expense categories and set a budget for it.
Questions people ask
In a worked example, a hired wedding car and a coach for guests together cost about 800.
It's not required, but a coach between venues or back to town helps guests who'd otherwise drive or struggle to get a taxi.
Hold the ceremony and reception at one venue, borrow a friend's car, book one car for several trips and skip package extras.
In a worked example, a hired modern wedding car costs about 400 and a vintage car about 700.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
