Rolling Romance

Miles is a lucky owner of a 1928 Delage DMS tourer, a rare and desirable motorcar with less than 400 others built and only ten known to exist today. As a musician, he has attended his fair share of weddings as part of the entertainment. With this timeless car in his possession, he saw a natural opportunity to loan it out to couples wanting a stylish and retro addition to their big day. As part of his services, he also has contacts for other supreme vehicles, including a 1924 Vauxhall tourer and a 1920 Star tourer, providing multiple avenues for cars of this time.

With the current market skewed towards cars from the latter half of the twentieth century, Miles’ services provide a unique niche in the wedding car industry. “In its day the Delage was the epitome of power, quality and elegance, and only the highest of society could afford such a machine. Most wedding cars for hire are much newer – these days it’s easy to book a car from the 60s or 70s. There are very few choices when it comes to pre war cars such as those from the 1920s, and none as elegant or well-built as the Delage,” he asserts.

Changing Gears

Like many industries, the vintage wedding car business has seen its share of evolving trends and shifts, and Miles has witnessed this turning of the tides. “Rolls Royces and Bentleys from the 1950s and 60s have always been popular but seem to be going out of fashion. American muscle cars from the 60s and 70s are becoming more common – as newer generations tastes differ from their parents,” he says.

It is rarer that couples consider cars built before this mid-century period, which Miles deems a shame. “A 1920s car is a distant and foreign thing to a young couple; they have probably only seen them in film and TV but never on the road and may not have considered them an option. However, I think the rare and stunning appearance of a pre-war car makes them an excellent choice for a wedding – it’s a unique experience to ride in one, and of course they look spectacular in the photos,” he claims.

Smooth Road Ahead

For many people, organising car hire for a wedding is a first. Without experience, it can be tricky to know how long you need it for, and for what purposes specifically. Miles assures you need to hire the car for “absolutely the whole day. Arrive in style, have the car on site for canapes and reception as a decorative piece, use it as a photo backdrop, and for transport at the end of the night.”

In terms of the time between the ceremony and the getaway, it’s usually suggested that this is kept short and to the point. When asked, Miles advised that it should take “simply as long as needed, but not too long. Time for registry signing, and whatever photos may want to be captured. The sooner after it’s all done the better, as the mingling should be left to the reception.” The same goes for the getaway in general, make it romantic but don’t drag it out. “A scenic route is definitely an option; however, make sure the drive does not take too long as you will want to get to your destination sooner rather than later,” he says.