WHY EVERY WEDDING NEEDS A CLASSIC GETAWAY CAR (Hot Take From a Photographer)
WHY EVERY WEDDING NEEDS A CLASSIC GETAWAY CAR (Hot Take From a Photographer)
Here’s my hot take as a wedding photographer: if you want your wedding to look expensive, cinematic, and intentional in photos, a classic getaway car is one of the fastest ways to get there.
Most couples obsess over flowers, linens, and stationery, but then leave transport as an afterthought. The problem? A basic Uber or generic hotel shuttle doesn’t photograph well. A classic car, on the other hand, becomes a moving set piece that ties your whole story together.
In this guide, I’ll break down why a vintage car works so well on camera, how to choose the right one, and how to build it into your timeline so it actually shows up in your gallery—not just in your receipt.
Why a Classic Wedding Car Changes Your Photos Completely
From a photographer’s perspective, a classic car isn’t a “nice extra.” It’s a visual anchor that shows up again and again across the day.
1. It instantly makes your photos feel cinematic
A vintage Mercedes, Rolls, Jaguar, or Alfa Romeo has shape. Curves, chrome, reflections, leather, interesting windows. Those details photograph beautifully and instantly make your photos feel like stills from a film, not just documentation of events.
2. It creates continuity in your gallery
Think of the car as a thread that runs through the day:
You're stepping out in your dress
The two of you sliding into the back seat
Just-married portraits sitting on the back of the car
A night-time “just married” exit
Instead of random, disconnected moments, your gallery has a recurring visual motif that ties everything together.
3. It gives you built-in locations without needing to travel far
Even if you never leave the venue, you suddenly have:
A place for portraits (leaning on the car, sitting inside, framed by windows)
A natural spot for candid hugs and greetings
A defined “exit” moment
You’re not scrambling to find new backdrops every ten minutes. The car is the backdrop.
Even the quiet drive between locations feels cinematic when you have a classic car.
How to Choose the Right Classic Car for Your Wedding Photos
You don’t need “the most expensive” car. You need the one that fits your aesthetic and photographs cleanly.
1. Match the vibe, not the price tag
Black-tie glam? Think classic Rolls/Bentley, a sleek black or cream car.
Coastal or countryside? A cream, light blue, or soft green car feels softer and more romantic.
Fashion-forward city? A sharp black car or something with bold lines can feel editorial.
Ask yourself: Would this car make sense in a fashion editorial of our day? If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.
2. Think about the color against your venue
You want contrast, not camouflage.
Light-colored car against darker architecture or greenery
Dark car against lighter stone, villas, soft-toned venues
Avoid matching the car exactly to the building or driveway—it disappears in photos.
3. Consider the roof situation
Convertible: Incredible for photos, but think about wind, hair, and weather. Great for short drives and portraits.
Closed roof: Better for very hot, rainy, or windy locations. Still beautiful at the door, windows, and interior.
4. Don’t forget the interior
You will see the seats and interior in photos. Tan, camel, or cream leather usually photographs beautifully. Bright red or very dark interiors can work, but they’ll change the mood significantly.
A vintage Mercedes isn’t just transport—it becomes part of the portrait and the design of your day.
When to Use the Car in Your Timeline (So It Actually Shows Up)
Booking the car is step one. Step two is putting it into the timeline so you don’t end up with two rushed photos in bad light.
Here are four anchor moments where the car works best:
1. Arrival at the ceremony or first look
One partner arriving with a parent, friend, or alone
A photographer can capture door-opening moments, the dress as you step out, and reactions
This sets the tone for the story right away.
2. Just-married moment after the ceremony
This is the sweet spot:
Quick confetti or hugs
Straight to the car for a short drive or a “pretend” drive
Shots of you getting in, laughing, kissing, then stepping out again
These images often become save-the-dates or thank-you cards.
3. Portrait window (10–20 minutes)
You don’t need an hour. Use the car for one portrait block:
Leaning on the back of the car
Sitting in the open door
One partner inside, the other outside
A walking shot past the car, using it as a frame
The key is planning this in a softer light if possible.
4. Night exit (even if it’s staged)
It doesn’t matter if you’re actually leaving or just looping around the block. A sparkler-free, phone-free exit with a classic car looks timeless:
Guests around but slightly back
No phones in front of faces
Simple, clean frame of the two of you getting in and driving away
A classic car exit gives you cinematic detail shots like this—heels, dress, and vintage door frame all in one timeless frame.
Logistics & Budget: Making the Classic Car Work in Real Life
A beautiful idea can fall apart if the logistics are messy. Here’s what to think about before you sign anything.
Questions for the rental company or owner
How many hours are included, and how far can we drive?
Is a driver included, or can someone we know drive?
Are there restrictions on where the car can go (gravel roads, steep hills, etc.)?
What happens if it rains?
Are we allowed to sit in the car / stand in the doorway for photos?
Timeline principles
Don’t book the car for 2 hours and schedule all the moments in 15-minute intervals. Build in small pockets across the day.
Cluster car moments around natural transitions: arrival, post-ceremony, moving from venue A → venue B.
Allow a 5–10 minute buffer every time it appears. Rushing kills the mood in photos.
Budget reality
You don’t need the rarest car on earth. Most couples will only use 1–2 hours effectively. It’s better to:
Book a slightly simpler car with enough time
thanBook the “craziest” vintage car and end up with no time to photograph it properly.
What to Tell Your Photographer (So They Can Plan Around the Car)
If you’re booking a classic car, tell your photographer early. It changes how we plan locations, angles, and light.
Share:
A photo of the exact car (front + side view if possible)
When it arrives and leaves
Where it will be parked at key moments
Whether you’re comfortable sitting/leaning on it
This allows us to:
Choose lenses and angles that flatter the car’s shape
Avoid cluttered backgrounds (trash cans, traffic, parking lots)
Protect your outfits from dirt/grease while still getting the shot
You’ll get far stronger photos if the car is a planned character in the story, not a surprise extra.
The simplest frames are often the strongest—clean lines, iconic detail, zero clutter.
Can’t Get a Classic Car? Editorial Alternatives That Still Work
If a vintage car isn’t available or doesn’t fit your location, you can still get that “intentional” feeling with other choices:
A vintage taxi or tuk-tuk in your city
A wooden boat or small yacht for coastal venues
A vintage scooter or bike (for a short, safe distance)
A beautifully styled golf cart at a large venue
The principle is the same: one visually interesting vehicle that appears in multiple parts of your story.
Final Thoughts: Why I’m So Strong About This Hot Take
I’ve photographed weddings with and without classic cars in multiple countries. The decor, the florals, the styling can be almost identical—but the galleries with a classic getaway car always feel more cinematic, cohesive, and iconic.
You deserve photos that feel as good as the day did. A classic car isn’t about showing off; it’s about giving your photographer one more tool to tell your story with style.
If you’re planning a wedding and thinking about adding a classic car, save this guide and send it to your planner or partner so you can plan it properly.
And if you’d like your day photographed in an editorial, cinematic way—whether or not there’s a vintage Mercedes involved—we’d love to talk.
We’re The Lopes Photography, an editorial wedding photography duo working across Europe and beyond. If you’re planning a destination wedding and want intentional, fashion-forward imagery (digital, film and Super 8), you can get in touch with us here → Contact Page
The Lopes Photography
Editorial wedding photography + film & Super 8 in Portugal, Italy & France (and beyond).