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TOP TEN TIPS:

1. Classic or modern car.

Ultimately this comes down to taste. Think of your back drop for the wedding photos…would a 16th century church really suit a modern bright yellow Lamborghini? Classic cars tend to suit older surroudings. If its a winter wedding think about the temperature, classic and vintage cars can be colder than you imagine and also tend to be smaller.

2. Convertible or hard-top.

Most sports and supercars in the hire market are convertible. Great in the summer and great for the photos on your special day but make sure the roof is practial as most brides will not want to ruin their hair in the wind on the way to the church or get wet if our changeable British weather decides to bless you with rain.

3. Two or four doors.

Depending on your wedding entourage and dress it may be more practical to sit in the back of a car with the person giving you away or bridesmaids etc. Most 2 door sports and supercars cars have just 2 seats so bear ths in mind. And it’s not just Rolls-Royce – Bentley, Maserati, Aston Martin and Mercedes all have beautiful, luxury 4 door models which you can find for hire.

4. Colour. 

A white car is most commonly thought of as the traditional colour for a bride but with more and more weddings leaving convention behind anything goes these days (ok maybe not black !). Think about colour schemes and the brides dress for photography purposes. A silver / grey Aston Martin looks stunning wth a bride in white but a white car can look dirty quickly and clash with the dress. A blue hire car is a popular gift from the groom as the rhyme says “…something borrowed, something blue…”.

5. Budget.

You can hire a self-drive basic classic or sports car from as little as £180 per day. Supercars and luxury 4 door cars are more expensive (ranging from £300 to £1,500 per day). The minimum hire is normally 1 day (24 hours) and includes 100 miles and Saturday & Sunday often requires a minimum weekend hire especially in the summer months. Weekends are often better value and come with more mileage allowance. Check how much the excess deposit is – all car hire requires a deposit and the amount will refect the value of the car. They normally range from £1,000 to £5,000 but the money is not taken – it is a pre-authorisation against a bank / credit card. Remember, the excess deposit is the maximum figure you would be liable for in the event of any damage.

6. Performance. 

Don’t worry. Tearing around at crazy speeds on your wedding day is a definite ‘no no’. Style and good looks is what you want on your special day and a car that sounds great is just as exciting.

7. Age, licence and number of drivers. 

Most performance car hire is for 28 to 65 year olds however those who are aged 25 to 28 or 65 to 70 can normally be covered if they have a clean licence. You may be asked to pay a small premium. And don’t worry, a few penalty points on your licence can normally be tollerated if its for minor offences. Those with more serious endorsements will need to be referred to the insurers. Hire companies will normally add two additional drivers to the insurance for a small fee. Great if you want to let the best man or father-in-law have a go or get a cousin to do a bit of chauffeuring!  Licence terms and conditions will apply.

8. Can I get the car delivered and collected.

Yes most reputable sports car hire companies offer a nationwide deilvery and collection service. Charges apply based on distance, days of the week and time of day. Weekdays are cheaper than weekends and prices increase outside the hours of 9am to 5pm. If you can collect from the hire company yourself then it will be cheaper but bear in mind your mileage allowance which will start when you take the car, delivered or not. Please note extra miles above your 100 daily allowance can normally be pre-purchased in advance – unplanned over-miles will be charged at a higher rate.

9. Which company is safest to book with.

This is probably the most important. There are literally hundreds of companies offering sports car hire on the internet so a referral is always the safest way but if that’s not possible then look at their feedback on Google and most importantly give them a call. Never part with your money without speaking to anyone and avoid websites with only mobile phone numbers and no contact address. Check they are listed with Companies House and  that they provide adequate insurance – ask for a copy of their policy if necessary – motor traders cover is not adequeate, it must be a specific policy for the self-drive hire of high performance cars. Read the companies T&C’s in detail and only sign if you fully understand.Finally make sure they will be puncutal and always start your car hire the day before your wedding day.

10. Checking and driving your car. 

Check the age, mileage and condition of the vehicle you are interested in and ask for photos of the actual car to be emailed to you – if the price is too good to be true then it probably is! Poorly looked after, high mileage cars will be cheaper but will be less reliable and look worse. When you are presented with the car make sure you both record the mileage, fuel and any damage that exists. Don’t be afraid to use your smart phone to take photos or even videos. Remember, drive safely – any motoring offences you comit and any resutling fines will be your responsibilty but more importantly have fun!

D.H.CULLEN Ltd is the UK’s leading specialist for the hire of sports, classic, luxury and supercars with many years experience. Professional & friendly staff can answer any questions you may have: 020 7924 746 info@dhcullen.com

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