Joust married

Whatever you choose as your mode of wedding transport, make sure you do it in style...

IT won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage, but you'll look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle made for two!

Transport is an important part of your wedding and needs much thought and planning. It is necessary for you to book whichever means you choose well in advance, so you can be sure to get what you really want.

There are so many options available, that with a little research and imagination, you're sure to find an ideal vehicle that ties in with your wedding theme. Be it a traditional wedding with a horsedrawn carriage, or fast paced wedding with a Ferrari, it is now possible to add that extra something to your special day.

Arranging transport can be difficult, as it is often unclear the number of people who need to be transferred at each stage of the proceedings. The bridesmaids and bride's mother are the first to leave for the ceremony, and the bride and her father follow, to arrive a few minutes before the service begins. Certainly two cars will be required, but you may need more depending on the number of bridesmaids you have.

It is the best man's responsibility for getting the groom to the ceremony, and normally the best man either drives or orders a taxi.

After the ceremony, your wedding car will be waiting to take you and your new husband to the reception. It is not uncommon for the father of the bride to have left his car at the ceremony earlier in the day, and drive the bride's mother to the reception.

To help with the costs and where possible, it may be an idea for the bridesmaids to travel with the bride's mother and father to the reception. It is the guest's responsibility to organise transport for them, but to avoid any problems on the day, you should check beforehand that any elderly or disabled guests have adequate means of getting there.

If you are not staying overnight where the reception is being held, and instead leaving for your honeymoon, you will need to organise a 'going away' car. If you can't stay away from the bubbly at the reception, it is best to order a taxi, but otherwise yours or your husband's car will be fine (remember it will end up decorated with tin cans and balloons!).

Traditionally, it is the groom's responsibility to pay and organise your going away car. Having decided how many people you need to transport, it should become clearer what is practical and affordable.

If you are having a traditional wedding then why not consider a vintage car? Or maybe you would prefer something simpler like the classic horsedrawn carriage. Used for many years, it never goes out of fashion. When booking a horse and carriage, the weather needs to be taken into consideration. Protective hoods are usually provided in case of rain. If the stables are not in close proximity to the ceremony venue an area such as a driveway or garden will have to be provided for parking the horses!

A pink Cadillac is a great possibility for those who don't want to be tied down with tradition. And for those who want something really different, there are now companies who provide helicopters, trains and boats for weddings. If the idea sounds great but the cost doesn't, there are cheaper alternatives. Maybe you have a friend who would lend you their vintage car, or motorbike and sidecar. Or even simply arriving at the wedding on a bus would make it a great day to remember.