Anyone use their jag as a Wedding car?

[richard300]

I have a lovely Jaguar XJ8 (X308) that i just cant justify keeping anymore, I have driven 48 miles in her since she was serviced in April (and that's just to make sure she keeps in fine fettle and to run the aircon etc).....

However, whilst my personal circumstances (Baby due after Christmas/getting Married next year/lost use of my garage and have 2 other cars)make it increasingly hard to justify to my partner (and myself)keeping this car. The fact is selling her will be a real wrench!!!!

SO.... I have been toying with the idea of doing a little local advertising, utilising Facebook and my Works intranet site, and taking some bookings (deposits) for Wedding car hire (and if i can make the Jag pay her way, I can keep her.....

Anyone do this with their car? If so, what kind of insurances etc, to i need to think about??

Here are some pics (think she would look great with some Ivory coloured ribbons, and flowers in the back!!

[ARAF]

Great sneaky advert. Do you think the moderators will notice?

As to your question, is there enough rear legroom for bride and father in a standard car?

[groomi]

I used my XJR as our wedding car and it also helped out with ferrying Bridesmaids around at friends weddings, as did my old XJ40 Sov. Legroom in the back is fine unless the bride is into looking like a large meringue...

I did briefly look into doing a similar thing to your plan but found that the costs of insurance etc. outweighed the benefit unless it was something I was prepared to give up my weekends regularly for. I also had difficulty with accepting the risk of ruining someones day if the car broke down - for the days I did for friends, I always had a mate on standby with a susbstitute BMW or the like which would just about be suitable if necessary.

[richard300]

I genuinly wasnt trying to pull off a sneaky advert, lol.... I'd use PH Classifieds if/when i decide to sell anyway, and i dontcurrently have a wedding car hire business to advertise.
(So hopefully the mods wont be miffed by this post)

I used my old XJ40 for a couple of weddings as favours a few years ago and never had any complaints with regards rear leg room....

I do have the back up of a Mercedes E55 AMG (BUT, if it were me, i wouldnt be interested in turning upto the church in that, so i am aware of how important it would always be to have the car in full health..... As mentioned, its just a thought at the moment.....

Thanks for your imput though guys....

[drummerboyXJR]

I should think a blue one would only appeal to brides on a budget who only wanted to pay £50 or so, and also would need to a LWB. Just my opinion.

[NormanD]

richard300 said:

If so, what kind of insurances etc, to I need to think about??

You will need other insurances as the car will be for Hire and Reward.

[Simpo Two]

NormanD said:

You will need other insurances as the car will be for Hire and Reward.

That's the one.

You might also consider what you'll do if you go to set off for your wedding booking, turn the key and nothing happens...

[ARAF]

Simpo Two said:

NormanD said:

You will need other insurances as the car will be for Hire and Reward.

That's the one.

You might also consider what you'll do if you go to set off for your wedding booking, turn the key and nothing happens...

Post on here "Jag needed as a wedding car needed urgently" ?

[steve-p]

drummerboyXJR said:

I should think a blue one would only appeal to brides on a budget who only wanted to pay £50 or so, and also would need to a LWB. Just my opinion.

True, but often wedding parties want other cars as well as the one the bride uses, and they don't have to be white. My father did wedding business for many years with his 1933 Talbot. What he didn't have was additional cars to offer, so that business went to other people. One thing to consider is if it's worth contacting some of the established small wedding hire businesses in the area to see if some sort of arrangement could be come to with them, so they can offer the car as part of their existing package with whatever Rolls/etc they already have.

[TheD]

I've done it as a favour for a couple of friends. It looks the part all done up and shiny but the room in the back is tight. I think it would need to be the LWB if going down the business route

[Simpo Two]

steve-p said:

One thing to consider is if it's worth contacting some of the established small wedding hire businesses in the area to see if some sort of arrangement could be come to with them, so they can offer the car as part of their existing package with whatever Rolls/etc they already have.

Or so they can call you as back-up for when their own car goes phut

I've seen wedding cars in all shapes and sizes from black cabs, white cabs, various vintage cars with Rolls & Bentley at the top end, silver Mercedes are popular, a Lamborgini Countach (that was a PH wedding!) and quite often, parent's/friend's cars, if decent, as favours.

Wedding cars seem to one area of weddings where even the bride thinks 'That's a lot of money' so there could certainly be a niche for your Jaguar if priced favourably IMHO. But you are taking on a LOT of responsibility.

[rswift]

I used my own LWB Sovereign for my own wedding, and a few friends...I was amazed to learn people will pay £200 or £300 for a 'taxi' ride in a luxury car marque.

I have noticed that on many classic car policies you can add wedding cover for not too much more, so this could be the way forward with your Jag..especially as you can put it on low mileage policy.

[TurricanII]

If I were you I'd ask my missus if she is OK with me leaving her all day on a Saturday to look after the baby that wakes us both up all the time - results may vary! Ideally ask her when the baby is a few weeks old.

[jas xjr]

Knew a guy that used to advertise a device whereby he drove home new mums and their babies from hospital in his s class merc. Did ok out of it iirc

[Scrimper]

I used my wedding as an excuse to buy my white mk2 3.8. The other half saw through my romantic gesture though, but she loved the car. I was also toying with the idea of getting it to pay it's way but do not have the time and didn't want the hassle / responsibility at the moment. I think the colour of yours is probably not the best for the main wedding car but as the support car or if you priced competitively would work. Check out the details of classic car policies. I'm quite sure I can do up to 10 weddings a year on mine if I notify them and pay an extra small charge (maybe 20 quid or so). I have had good service from adrian flux and footman james insurance, a quick phone call to them or your current insurer could give you an idea what you can do on a normal classic policy before going down the official business route. Good luck!

[Scrimper]

I used my wedding as an excuse to buy my white mk2 3.8. The other half saw through my romantic gesture though, but she loved the car. I was also toying with the idea of getting it to pay it's way but do not have the time and didn't want the hassle / responsibility at the moment. I think the colour of yours is probably not the best for the main wedding car but as the support car or if you priced competitively would work. Check out the details of classic car policies. I'm quite sure I can do up to 10 weddings a year on mine if I notify them and pay an extra small charge (maybe 20 quid or so). I have had good service from adrian flux and footman james insurance, a quick phone call to them or your current insurer could give you an idea what you can do on a normal classic policy before going down the official business route. Good luck!

[andye30m3]

A friend of mine used to do weddings in his XJ, He generally worked with a guy who used a SS saloon so the SS took the bride and bridesmaids and the XJ took anyone else.

It might be worth speaking to other people in the area and see if you could come to a similar arrangement.