Quick Answer
Why do British wedding cars have ribbons on them?
A British wedding car is traditionally decorated with ribbons — usually tied in a bow across the bonnet or wing mirrors — in white or the wedding's colour scheme, marking the vehicle carrying the bride (and often the groom or wedding party) as distinct from ordinary traffic. Hiring a decorated vintage or luxury car is a long-standing part of British wedding-day logistics.
Last updated:
Last updated:
Why do British wedding cars have ribbons on them?
Also called: wedding car decoration, ribboned wedding car.
The white-ribboned wedding car pulling up outside a church is one of the most photographed British wedding images, and it's more than decoration — it signals to everyone on the street which car belongs to the wedding. UK wedding car hire is its own small industry: vintage Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and classic cars are hired specifically for the bride's arrival and the couple's departure, dressed with ribbons that usually match the wedding's colour palette rather than defaulting to plain white.
What the tradition covers in practice
Most British wedding car hire packages include the ribbon decoration as standard, tied across the bonnet, sometimes looped through the door handles or wing mirrors too. The car typically makes two trips: bringing the bride (and her father, if he's giving her away) to the ceremony, then carrying the newly married couple away afterward, often via a scenic route for photos before heading to the reception. Some couples add a second car for the bridesmaids or groom's party, decorated to match. The colour of the ribbon is one of the small but visible ways couples extend their wedding colour scheme beyond the venue.
Planning notes
- •Confirm ribbon colour with the hire company well ahead of time — many will match your wedding palette on request rather than defaulting to white.
- •Check whether the driver waits on-site through the ceremony or returns later — this affects the timing plan for departure.
- •If there's a second car for the wedding party, decide in advance who rides in which car to avoid a last-minute scramble outside the venue.
- •Factor extra time for photos with the car itself — it's a common request and easy to under-budget in the day's schedule.
Keep vendor bookings like car hire on one timeline
Weddingkart's wedding checklist helps you track vendor deposits and booking deadlines — car hire included — well ahead of the day.
Try the wedding checklist →Frequently Asked Questions
Do wedding car ribbons have to be white?
No — white is traditional, but most UK wedding car hire companies will match ribbons to a couple's chosen wedding colour scheme on request.
Does the wedding car do more than one trip?
Typically two — bringing the bride to the ceremony, then carrying the couple away afterward, sometimes via a scenic route for photographs.
How far ahead should a decorated wedding car be booked?
Several months ahead for popular vintage or classic cars, especially during peak UK wedding season, since specialist hire companies book out well in advance.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated