Riding a vintage wedding bus is an integral part of being a London wedding photographer. Over the years, I’ve learnt a thing or two that will help you and your guests have a great experience.
Planning to hire a wedding Routemaster for your big day? Already booked it?
Read on.
Is it a good idea to hire a wedding bus?
Yes!
Hiring a red Routemaster for your wedding might have become a cliché for London weddings but it is still the best way to transport your guests from your ceremony venue to your reception venue.
Why hire a wedding bus?
Four main reasons:
- No time wasted chasing/re-booking cabs/Ubers
- Everyone will arrive at the same time at the reception venue.
- The whole wedding party stays together so the celebration can carry on during the journey.
- It’s a fun experience being on board an iconic 1960’s Routemaster. Open platform wedding Routemasters are quite an attraction for many guests. Whether your guests are too young to have known them, or old enough to remember riding them, or if they come from other parts of the country or even from abroad, it’s exciting riding a vintage red London bus.
How much does it cost to hire a London bus for a wedding?
According to my online research, starting prices for hiring a wedding bus vary between £500 and £800.
Wedding bus hire prices depend on many factors: the number of passengers, the full itinerary, optional extras.
In order to get an accurate price, you’ll have to request a quote for your personal needs.
Pick your wedding bus!
Going for a classic red London Routemaster bus? Remember that you have the option to hire a bus with an open top. How cool is that?
In case red is not your colour…
You can hire a cream double decker wedding bus from London Retro Bus Hire or even “The Golden Wonder” – a 39 passenger 1953 London Transport single deck bus from Gold Wedding Cars.
Personalise your wedding bus
You can have your own sign with your names in the route window (i.e. destination blind) or even personalised bus tickets – a memento of your special day for guests to takeaway.
Decorations
Friendly warning
Most wedding routemasters come decorated. A white bonnet ribbon and mirror bows are standard.
However, if you’re like me – i.e. allergic to bad taste, make sure no fake flowers and pull bows inside the bus ruin your wedding photos.
Arrive at your ceremony venue in style
Yes, really! Your driver can pick you up at home and drive you to your ceremony venue!
Having a tour of the city
Sounds like a good idea?
When there’s a long break between the end of the wedding ceremony and the beginning of the reception, planning to have a tour of the city might sound like a good idea to entertain your guests.
Well, it’s not!
Anyone living in London knows that traffic in the capital can be hell, even on a Saturday. And, no one enjoys being stuck on a bus – even a vintage one – for too long.
If your journey to the reception venue includes driving past some of the city landmarks, great. If not, think twice before going out of your way to catch a glance of Big Ben or Tower Bridge. You could waste a serious amount of time on your special day.
Why not, organise some kind of quiz if you’re worried that your guests might get bored by the long journey?
Photos around the city?
Again, you might think that it would be great to stop in front of a landmark for portraits or even group shots.
Just forget it.
Firstly, it might be very tricky for the bus to be able to stop close enough to the actual monument. Secondly, you are likely to have tourists on your photos. Thirdly, the whole experience will probably take a lot more time than expected.
Fun onboard your wedding bus
Drinks
The journey to your reception venue is the perfect excuse to kick-start the celebration with a first toast. I’ve been on a couple of miserable journeys, where guests couldn’t wait to arrive at the pub and get a drink. Surely, you want your guests to relax, enjoy the journey and get in the mood for the party!
So, check out the alcohol and beverage policy with the bus company.
Music
As well, you might want to get your favourite music played out. Some buses actually come equipped with a sound system and even some cool lighting!
Wedding Bus Hire in London – Recommendations
Here are the three most popular bus companies used by the couples I have shot:
Looking for a relaxed wedding photographer to capture your wedding bus journey and everything else?
If you like my style, then get in touch! I’d love to hear your plans.
