Q1 In which area do you provide your wedding services?
Our cars are based in Drayton, Portsmouth - and we currently limit our weddings to within a 20-30 mile area from our base -
please contact us for latest information.

Q2 How long do we have the car for on our wedding day?
Although there is no overall time limit, always advise us if your wedding ceremony or timing requirements are to be longer than normal in order for a correct quote to be given. Unless we are advised that you require extended timings our normal quote includes Journey 1 to the ceremony venue, waiting time during the ceremony and the following photographs, then Journey 2 on to the reception venue. A short stop off for photographs at an additional location can be included enroute to the reception but please advise if you require this at the time of booking. On conclusion of Journey 2 to the reception venue the car(s) will depart.

Q3 We require a single journey as our civil ceremony and reception are at the same venue, how long do we have the car for?
Although there is no overall time limit, suffice to say the vehicle will be yours for the duration of the wedding. Civil ceremonies usually take around 20 minutes, so unless we are advised that you require extended timings our normal A to B quote covers one or two journeys to the ceremony venue (subject to distance and booking arrangement). Your Chauffeur will then wait at the venue until immediately after the ceremony so the Bride & Groom may have photographs with the car before it departs back to base.

Q4 Can we use the Bride's car to take the Bridesmaids & Bride's Mother to the Ceremony prior to the Bride?
Yes, if pre-arranged. Although we would suggest that if the driving time to the ceremony venue is more than 5 to 10 minutes in each direction then additional transport might be considered more practical for your Bridesmaids. You must also consider possible traffic and road conditions, if these are not good an earlier journey using the Bride's car may result in the car being delayed or dirty by the time the Bride travels.

Q5 Do you provide your vehicles for Civil Partnership Ceremonies?
Yes, we are pleased to provide our cars and chauffeur services on your special day to all of those making a life long commitment to each other.

Q6 Is the car we book going to attend other weddings on the same day?
Absolutely not, Hampshire Bridal Cars will only book each car out to one wedding per day.

Q7 Do you carry out weddings during the week?
Yes, on every day of the week.

Q8 If on the day we want to make an additional trip or go to a different destination is this OK?
The amount you will have paid has been based on the information given at the time of your booking, however the Chauffeur will be as flexible and understanding as possible within certain limits.

Q9 We may have an additional passenger to squeeze into the car, do we need to inform you?
Yes you do. We will always be happy to transport persons up to the legal seating limit of the car (7), although we recommend a maximum of six adults for comfort. We will not under any circumstances transport persons in excess of the seating limit as this is unlawful and would render our insurance invalid. Your comfort and safety remains our top priority. Please always inform us well before the day if there are additional passengers that we have not been informed of, we will then have time to re-arrange the transportation arrangements for you, if need be.

Q10 Do we need to inform you if we have children under the age of 12 travelling in your cars?
Yes you do need to advise us. A new UK law came into force on 18th September 2006 for the protection of children that makes it compulsory for every child under 12 years of age to sit in a baby seat, a child seat, on a booster seat or on a booster cushion. Unlike taxis, wedding cars are NOT exempt from this new legislation. Regretfully this new law means all wedding car companies must make fundamental changes to the way we provide our services to young persons. Vehicle drivers are legally responsible for ensuring children under 14 years of age are properly restrained in the car. As part of our terms and conditions you must advise us when completing the booking form if any child using our vehicles will be under 14 at the time of travel by giving the actual ages children will be on the travel date.

'Child Restraints' can only be used in vehicles that have fitted seatbelts. This new law regretfully means children up to the age of three requiring Baby Seats and Child Seats can no longer be carried in our Princess Limousines as they do not have seatbelts fitted. Our Princess Limousines are legally exempt from having seat belts fitted because of their historical age, and as Baby Seats and Child Seats need to be strapped to the seat they are not permitted in these cars. However the law does allow children of 3 years and above to travel in the back seats of these Classic Cars without using 'Child Restraints'.

We understand this new law means changes may need to be made to travel plans but as a professional company we must adhere to the law and our priority must be for the comfort and safety of all our passengers. The following website has the full information on this new law http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/

Q11 What if the car we book becomes unserviceable or breaks down before the wedding day?
We hope this situation does not occur, however vehicles as we all know can break down or need unscheduled repairs despite careful maintenance. If your car is unable to carry out the wedding and the problem occurs prior to your wedding day you will be contacted immediately to discuss alternatives. If you are not happy with any of our alternative suggestions, a suitable car from other reputable companies will be sought and if successful all monies paid will be returned so you can enter into a new arrangement with the other company. Please bear in mind that the chances of finding similar cars of unique character or specific colour may prove unachievable at short notice.

Q12 What happens if the car breaks down on the wedding day itself or is delayed in arriving due to heavy traffic?
Vehicles as we all know can break down at the most inopportune moment or can be held up in traffic congestion. We always plan our routes carefully to accommodate local roadworks etc, and will allow additional time in order to reach you with time to spare, but we would strongly advise that you also prepare beforehand and have a back up plan to put into action. Your Chauffeur will carry a mobile phone for the purpose of emergency arrangements (subject to signal reception and mobile phone driving laws).

For peace of mind we would advise you to nominate a reliable friend, neighbour or guest attending your wedding to be your rescue car in the event of a last minute problem, to be prepared to collect the Bride at short notice. They will need to be contactable by mobile phone and have it switched on until they know the Bride has arrived safely at the church. The object is to get the Bride to the Church with as little delay as possible, even a local taxi company may not be able to provide a car as quickly as your nominated backup who has been pre-notified and briefed.

We ourselves have a standby backup system and will usually have a vehicle prepared and available to cover such last minute eventualities, however this vehicle may be based some distance from where your vehicle breaks down or where your pick up address is and therefore may take some time to reach you so y ou will then need to decide whether to wait for the replacement car and possibly arrive at the Church later than scheduled or proceed to Church using your backup arrangement. In the interim after the Bride is finally on her way the original vehicle with problems may be able to be rectified by the breakdown services or the replacement car will be able to proceed to the ceremony venue so it will be waiting for the Bride and Groom's onward journey to the reception. Please do not worry, 99.9% of weddings go according to plan so we are confident that your wedding will proceed to the original arrangement, but a back up plan prepared beforehand hand is a sensible precaution and will also help to take some of the stress out of the situation if it does occur.

Q13 Can we pay cash on the day?
Unfortunately not. To book our vehicles a non-refundable deposit of 20% is required with your completed booking form. The outstanding balance must then be received no later than 4 weeks before the wedding day.

Q14 Do you accept credit cards?
To avoid additional administration fees and help keep prices as low as possible, we only accept payment by cheque or cash.