Christopher & Nicola's Wedding in Culham

It was a blustery day for Christopher and Nicola's wedding at Culham Church in Oxfordshire this weekend. The church is situated in a pretty location up a narrow track near the village green. Opposite the church is old Culham Manor that looks very grand behind it's high old stone walls.

The reception was held at Steventon House Hotel, near Abingdon. Our Silver Grey Jaguar MK2 was booked for the journey during which the newly weds enjoyed a much needed glass of Champagne.

Christopher & Nicola at the Hotel

Culham Manor peers over what was the service entrance gate, now the main gate.

Motorcycle Escort for Dermot & Sue's Wedding

Dermot and Sue booked our Daimler for their 1960's themed wedding in High Wycombe yesterday. They are both keen bikers and heavily into vintage style, as well as owning a classic motor bike Dermot is restoring a classic American car to hot rod spec in his spare time.

The ceremony was held at Beaconsfield registry office and members of the couple's bikers club provided an 8 strong classic motor bike escort for the drive to the reception at Bledlow Ridge. It was quite a sight with 3 bikes up front and 5 behind making the kind of exhaust sound only classic bikes can for the 40 minute drive.

To cater for their guests in true vintage British style Dermot and Sue hired a mobile fish and chip wagon.

Dermot & Sue on his Norton

And with the Daimler

On a bike? in that skirt? really?

One of our Jaguars Makes a Cameo Appearance in Endeavour Episode

The first episode of the new series of Endeavour set in the 1960s and the prequal to the much loved Inspector Morse series aired this Sunday on ITV. 

In the first scene, which is an aerial shot of Broad Street in Oxford, our Morse look-a-like Jaguar MK2 can be spotted as one of two Jaguar MK2s resembling the original Morse Jaguar that were used in the scene. These little teasers are dropped in by the producers from time to time. For example the original Morse Jaguar made an appearance in the pilot episode of Endeavour, it was for sale in a second hand car lot visited by the young Morse as part of his investigation. Another regular is author of the Morse books, Colin Dextor. He often makes cameo appearances in the Morse, Lewis (the spin off series after Morse died) and Endeavour series.

One of the Jags can be seen bottom left the other is just out of shot bottom right

This car belongs to a musician friend of ours and is available for weddings through Henley Classic Car Hire. George the owner of the car was approached via the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club by the production company who were looking for cars similar to the original Morse Jaguar. In the original Morse series the Jag was driven by John Thaw who played Inspector Morse.

Available for your wedding

If you would like a Jaguar MK2 for your wedding please get in touch.

5 Star Review and some more photos from the Oxford Wedding at the Randolph

Thanks to Daniel and Suzie, who on return from their honeymoon left us a 5 Star review on Freeindex and sent us some photos taken of the Jag on the day. We always love to see photos from our weddings.

White Wedding in Henley

I thought last week's weather was depressing enough but this week freezing temperatures and persistent light snow moved us to a new level for a late March wedding.

Our Daimler was in service for Mark and Catherine's wedding in Henley this weekend. Luckily we didn't have to travel far to collect Catherine's Bridesmaids before returning to take Catherine and her parents to Phyllis Court for her wedding to Mark. The heater in the Daimler was turned up to full power to ensure all traveled in comfort.

The ceremony and reception were both held at Phyllis Court so the car waited until after the ceremony for photos with the car outside the main entrance. Thankfully a glass canopy covers the entrance which kept the couple dry.

Lets hope things improve in April.

Catherine & Mark at Phyllis Court

The Daimler waits in the snow

Loren & Luke's Wedding

Weather wise it was like being transported back to last Summer, very annoying rain, rain, rain. However it didn't dampen the mood at Loren and Luke's wedding in Tilehurst. 

It's worth noting when planning your wedding car that we can always make an additional trip to the church if it is within a 10 minute or so drive of the collection address. On this occasion we first drove the Bride's mum, bridesmaids and flower girl to the church before returning to collect Loren and her Father for a bang on time arrival. 

During the wait for the ceremony as well as preparing the Champagne, our team like to get busy with a camera as you will see below.

When the wedding guests emerged from the church the rain stopped for long enough to allow for photos outside the church.  Once the photos were completed it was Champagne time as we drove the newly weds to their reception at Trunkwell House, Beech Hill. This is the first time we have worked on a wedding at this venue, it's located just outside Reading in a pretty rural setting. 

Loren & Luke outside St Michael's Tilehurst

A Wet Jag

The Jag outside Trunkwell House

Wedding Car Inspired by Hotel Brochure

Our first wedding of the 2013 season was in Oxford City. We were recently contacted by the Senior Concierge at the Randolph Hotel in Oxford on behalf of a couple getting married at the hotel this month. They had seen the picture below in the hotel brochure and wanted to recreate it on their wedding day, particularly as a friend of Bride Suzie had a wedding photo in pride of place featuring a beautiful wedding car.

The Jaguar in the picture is not ours but is almost identical and after much web searching they came across our website where our Silver Grey Jaguar MK2 is featured.

Not easy to recreate on a Saturday afternoon amongst the traffic, tourists and shoppers.
I'm sure the official photographer did a better job

Suzie and Dan were holding their ceremony and reception at the Randolph so didn't really need a car but to ensure they had that special photo of the day they booked our MK2. After photos outside the hotel we took them for a drive around the city while they chilled with a glass of Champagne. As we neared the Randolph we stopped at Park Town for some photos before Suzie and Dan rejoined their guests at the Randolph.

Suzie & Dan at the photo stop in Park Town

Want That Wedding Directory

The internet is bulging with wedding directory sites to assist Brides, Grooms and even Mothers of the Bride to find suppliers and service providors to assist in making their big day a success. We are listed on a number of directories, the latest being Want That Wedding. Some are better than others and we don't endorse any particular directory, if you have had good experiences with any wedding directory please let us know.

Last Wedding of the Season in Hurley

This weekend saw our final wedding of the year when Lyn and Adam tied the knot at the Olde Bell Hurley. Apologies for the misty quality of the picture, a new camera is due I think.

Adam & Lyn after the ceremony

Despite the rotten weather we have had a great year and met lots of happy couples. Thank you to all who booked with us in 2012 especially those who took the time to leave a testimonial on Freeindex. 

We start the 2013 season in March and will be here throughout the winter to provide quotes and take bookings for 2013 and 2014. In the meantime the Jaguar will be going into the workshop for a little remedial body work and paint before both cars are prep'd and serviced ready for another season in the new year. 

Cotswold Wedding as the Season Nears It's End

Our penultimate wedding this year saw the Daimler travelling over to Burford in the beautiful Cotswolds.

Keith and Alexandra were married in the pretty village of Swinbrook, about 10 minutes drive through the countryside from their home in Field Assarts, near Witney. The close proximity to the church meant we could make two trips taking family members before returning for the Bride and her Father.

The church is a popular stop on the Cotswold tourist trail and a number of people waited outside for the ceremony to finish so they could look around it.

St Mary's Swinbrook

After the formalities we took another short drive to Burford. To allow guests time to get to the venue, we took a drive around the town before arriving at the Bay Tree Hotel for the reception.

Alexandra & Keith outside the Bay Tree, Burford

Autumnal Sonning Wedding

The Daimler and Jaguar were both booked for Victoria and Neil's wedding this weekend. The Jag was chosen as the Bridal car and went straight to Oakley Court Hotel to collect Victoria. Not to be outdone Groom Neil, the Best Man and the Ushers also wanted to travel to the church in style so the Daimler picked them up from Twyford to take them to St Andrew's church in Sonning. It then drove over to Oakley Court to collect the Bridesmaids and Mother.

The churchyard at Sonning was awash in Autumn colours on a very chilly day. The garden of the pub next door is normally buzzing with customers when we are at this location but today it was deserted with the punters very wisely staying in the bars.

Following the ceremony and photos we took the wedding party on to Lillibrooke Manor in Maidenhead.

Victoria & Keith at Lillibrooke Manor

Autumn arrives at St Andrew's Sonning

More Photos from Michelle & Richard's Wedding

In an earlier post we told you about Michelle and Richard's wedding in Oxford. Their photographer, Simon Murdoch, was kind enough to send me some of the pictures he took of the couple with the car. They are so good I thought I should add them to a supplementary post.

Outside Hawkwell House Hotel, Iffley

Our Jaguar MK2, taken before we picked Michelle up

Simon & Maria's Wedding in Maidenhead

After several weddings "off the patch" we were a bit more local this week for Simon and Maria who were married at St Josephs in Maidenhead. We made three trips to the church, picking Simon and his Best Man up from The Olde Bell, Hurley to take them to the church. The Olde Bell is one of the oldest Inns in the country and oozes charm and character.  Next we were off to a local address in Maidenhead to collect Mum and Bridesmaids before returning for Maria and her Father. Unfortunately the rain started just as the ceremony finished limiting the opportunity for photos at the church. Thankfully when we reached Hurley the sun was out for a photo session at the Olde bell which was the location for the reception.

Simon & Maria at The Olde Bell

After Reception Car Service

In addition to our traditional wedding car services we also offer an Evening Service. This service provides a classic Jaguar or Daimler to collect the Bride & Groom from the reception to take them to their Hotel. It is available even if you didn't use one of our cars for the wedding transport earlier in the day. 

At the weekend Tom and Melanie booked this service to take them from their reception in Monks Risborough to their Hotel in Amersham. The cars gleam in the lights of the evening and the interior lights pick out the luxurious red leather giving the cars a really glamorous feel. They are a stylish way to end the evening.

The Daimler in Monks Risborough this weekend...

We price this service based on mileage/time taken so let us know your itinerary and we will provide you with a quote. One point that  should be noted is that these cars have relatively small boots which are fine for overnight bags but means they are not suitable for airport runs where you have luggage for a week or two.

and at the Bull & Butcher, Turville last year

One for the Road

We have just completed our most distant wedding, near Chippenham, Wiltshire. The reason? Our Silver Grey Jaguar MK2. Groom Chris had two criteria, he needed a Grey car to fit with the Grey/Cerise/Cream colour theme of the wedding, plus he loves old Jags so ideally it had to be a Jaguar. So after much hunting he asked if we would be willing to journey across to Bromham where his marriage to Laura took place. Normally this would be too far for us to economically serve but we were happy to help a fellow Jaguar enthusiast. 

The Jag outside the George Inn near Bromham

We picked Laura and her Father up from the family home in Chippenham. On the way to the Church they wanted one last drink together so we stopped at a local pub for a quick "snifter". We then drove on to the village of Bromham for the ceremony at the village Church. After the ceremony we took the newly weds to their reception at Wellington Barn near Calne which is in a lovely remote rural location. Unfortunately the rain started just after the ceremony which meant some soggy photos at the venue and a long wet drive home for the Jag.

Laura and Mike shelter under our umbrella at Wellington Barn

Jaguar in Oxford for Michelle and Richard's Wedding

The MK2 was in Oxford this weekend for Michelle and Richard's wedding at Hawkwell House Hotel in Iffley. The hotel is located in a residential part of the town, having once been a private residence and has had an interesting history. We took Michelle from the family home in Kidlington to Hawkwell House where they were married and had the reception.

Michelle and Richard after the ceremony

Meanwhile over at Tylers Green the Daimler conveyed Sally to St Margret's church for her marriage to Hamish. Sadly there wasn't an opportunity to snap the happy couple, but as may be guessed it was a very Scottish affair complete with piper. Drinkers at the pub opposite also took time out to view the proceedings.

After the formalities we drove the couple to Monkton Barn for the reception.

The Piper entertains guests and pub goers

The Saltire flutters over the church

Interesting shot of the pub

Gemma and Neil's Wedding in Pinner

We were a little off piste this weekend providing the Bridal car for Gemma and Neil. We took the Daimler over to Uxbridge to collect Gemma and her father after which we drove on to Pinner for the wedding in the parish church. While waiting for the ceremony I got talking to a resident living opposite the church, he was used to weddings and devised a barrier across his gateway to prevent confetti blowing onto his gravel drive. Apparently it not only stops the confetti, it collects it against the barrier making it easy for him to clean up. Ingenious. Unfortunately his efforts were wasted as there was no confetti thrown! The church was undergoing renovation which meant large parts of it were covered by scaffolding and sheeting so there weren't many photos taken after the wedding. So quite quickly we were on the way to the reception at  the Homestead Ruislip Common.

Photos at Homestead Ruislip Common

New Mobile Website

Following the update of our main website we have now launched a mobile compatible website. Mobile users will automatically be redirected to the mobile site when accessing www.henleyclassiccarhire.co.uk from their mobile device. This site is best viewed using popular mobile browsers such as Firefox, Opera and Safari.

Claire and Lee's Wedding in Wargrave

Another bright and sunny day for Claire and Lee's wedding. The Jaguar MK2 took the bridesmaids to St Mary's Church in Wargrave from their nearby home before returning to collect Claire and her father. We can  usually make a couple of trips to the church if it is less than 10 minutes from the pick up address.

After the ceremony the Jag created much interest from the male guests and even a few of the ladies. After the family photos we drove the couple to Hicknaham Farm near Burnham Beeches which was the venue for the reception. We haven't come across this venue before, its in a pleasant rural location and has a pond with more ducks on it than I have ever seen.

Final photo for Claire and her parents before leaving for the church

Claire and Lee at Hicknaham Farm

Andrew & Rebecca at Ruscombe

The Jaguar and Daimler were at Ruscombe this weekend for Andrew and Rebecca's wedding. We took the bride and her father as well as the bridesmaids for the short drive to the church on this hot and sunny day.  This church is in a lovely rural location well back from the road, driver Raffy took the opportunity to forage for blackberries while waiting for the ceremony to complete.

After the obligatory photos at the church we took the wedding party across Henley to Bix Manor, an excellent venue with adjoining manor house that can also be rented for the wedding.

Andrew and Rebecca at Bix Manor barn

St James' Ruscombe

Return to Richmond for Chantell and James' Wedding

For the second time in a month our Jaguar MK2 was back in Richmond. This time it was to take Chantell and her Father from Richmond Hill Hotel to St Thomas' in Ham for her wedding to James. The Bride's and Bridesmaid's dresses were stunning. Following the ceremony we drove the couple through Richmond Park to Pembroke Lodge for the reception.

Chantell with her parents and Bridesmaids on arrival at the church

James and Chantell at Pembroke Lodge (Shame about the shadow)

Riverside Reception for Jack and Eloise

The Jag was in the pretty village of Berrick Salome this weekend for Jack and Eloise's wedding. St Helen's Church is a short drive from Eloise's parents home and is located at the end of a track and surrounded by fields. Dating from the 12th century, this really is an attractive and unusual church in an idyllic setting. Following the ceremony and photos at the church we drove the newlyweds to their riverside retreat in Wargrave where they held the reception.

Eloise and Jack on arrival in Wargrave

Berrick Salome's 12th century church

The Bell Tower was a later addition

Kathryn and Tom's Wedding at Lains Barn

There was a purple theme to Kathryn and Tom's wedding and they requested purple ribbons and bows on our Daimler for their wedding at Lains Barn, Wantage. The Daimler made two trips from Milton Hill House Hotel to collect Kathryn and other members of the wedding party. After the ceremony and photos with the car the couple returned to the barn for the reception. There was an unusual building in the grounds, no idea what it is/was used for. Answers on a postcard........

Tom and Kathryn pose with the Daimler before returning to their guests

The Daimler adorned with purple

The mystery building