Arriving In
Style
Whether your theme is rustic country or spring garden, boho beach or art deco, the best statements are made when they’re incorporated into every aspect of the day. Here, Kirrily Ireland discusses the various ways to thematically decorate your wedding vehicle of choice, ensuring you can travel to your wedding in style and make an entrance to remember.
Image Credit: Jonathan Borba, via Unsplash
The most important day of your life starts well before the ceremony. Dressed in your beautiful white gown and all made up, you should slide into that limo or hop onto that carriage feeling like the celebrations have already begun. Here, Western Australia Wedding & Bride explores a range of adornments and travel modes and how you can tweak them to suit your wonderful wedding theme, whatever it may be.
Sash-ay Your Way
When it comes to decorating a wedding vehicle, the first thing you probably envisage is the classic silky V-shaped sash on the front of a limousine or town car. This an elegant and simple way to elevate the look of a formal automobile, or even an informal one, and pairs beautifully with a traditional wedding. Sashes work flexibly too, whether your ride is a stretch limo or an old antique buggy.
The custom of having a white sash dates back many centuries. Just like the customary white dress, the white ribbon was once representative of a bride’s purity. Nowadays, couples have creative freedom to stray from these outdated symbols. You don’t have to stick to a white sash – choose a ribbon that matches the overarching colours of your theme, go with a different fabric for a distinctive texture, or find a place that prints messages and names onto ribbon for a personalised touch. Either way, your vehicle will feel that little bit more special and will signify to others on the road that today you are precious cargo. You might even get a couple of honks for good luck on the way to your destination.
Get The Show On The Road
Ribbon isn’t your thing but you still want a stylish entrance? Why not take inspiration from the beautiful floral arrangements you’ve put so much thought into and adorn your automobile with the same beautiful blooms.
It is one of the easiest methods to complement the rest of your wedding decorations, by mirroring them exactly. There are many ways to achieve this and adapt to your vehicle-of-choice, through garlands hanging from the bumpers, bunches tied to the side mirrors, or bouquets popped in the front basket of a vintage push bike if you and your significant other are riding to the event.
The options don’t end there. If you’re crafty, make your own pompom garlands to drape off the back of the car. You’ll have complete liberty over the colours and materials, and the result is a fun and romantic aesthetic. Pompoms work especially great with a quirky- or Bohemian-themed wedding and, if done right, look really pretty. Balloons are another easy and cost-effective embellishment. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, either – feature flowers in your pompom garlands, tie balloons next to the wreaths, this is your day and you can style it however you deem fit.
Extreme For The Theme
If you’re feeling up to it and budget allows, choose an uncommon mode of transportation and let it do all the talking. Couples might go with a vehicle that specifically relates to their theme or venue, or one that reflects something more personal. A golf buggy would be perfect for the sporty couple marrying at a driving range. An old-fashioned tram or double-decker bus is the answer for an inner-city ceremony. More daring couples could disembark a sleek helicopter for an epic grand entrance. Think beyond the typical and wow your guests with something unique and imaginative.
Couples can still decorate their ‘extreme’ transportation to keep it thematic. Imagine a lovely vintage tractor covered in blossoms and daisies in a picturesque farm, or colourful streamers swaying from a hot air balloon.
The best part is, beautiful and interesting vehicles can be worked into the photos, helping to parade the theme and providing the wedding party a prop on which they can pose.
Just Married
The most important day of your life continues well after the ceremony too. Your transportation of choice also serves as the getaway vehicle, moving you from the ceremony to the photos, through to the reception before you and your new husband or wife can finally drive off into the sunset. As custom would have it, newlyweds would leave together in a car trailing tin cans and ‘Just Married’ written on the back window. This is an age-old tradition that applauds the couple through noisy cacophony, excitedly announcing their marriage, which many couples still choose to do today.
Again, the way you accomplish this is entirely up to you. Paint the cans in bright colours that match your wedding palette. Print labels with pictures of family and friends. Tie the cans to the rear bumper with an assortment of strings, twines and ribbons in varying lengths. As for the Just Married sign, head to Etsy for something custom, such as a personalised licence plate, car decals in your favourite font or, if you want to be a little more out there, a neon sign. Individual balloon letters and bunting flags also look sweet and simple. If you’re ever stuck for ideas, social media is a wealth of inspiration and clever concepts.
Remember, there’s no right or wrong here. The day is meant to be all about you and your significant other, so arrive in whatever style feels best and you’ll be sure to make an unforgettable entrance.