Travel without Stress

Why the journey matters more than you think

“The sat nav says it’s only fifteen minutes…” I hear this on almost every wedding morning where the bride isn’t getting married at the same place she’s getting ready. And my answer is always the same: on a wedding day, I’d allow thirty.

It’s one of those things that’s easy to overlook when you’re putting your timetable together. You’ve spent months choosing the dress, the flowers, the music, and the car that will take you there. The journey itself feels like the simple bit. But from experience, it’s often the part of the day where the clock quietly slips away from you.

Whether you’re leaving your childhood home for the village church or heading from a hotel to your venue, a little planning now means you arrive calm, on time and ready to enjoy the moment you walk in.

bride being helped into a classic car by her grandfather

Why travel always takes longer

The journey doesn’t start when the car pulls away. It starts the moment everyone thinks you’re nearly ready, and that’s where the minutes begin to disappear.

Hair delays – a curl that won’t sit right or a veil that needs pinning one more time. Your hair and make up team will do a wonderful job. However the finishing touches can run over, especially if they’re looking after your mum and bridesmaids too.
Getting into the dress – buttons, lacing and bustles take longer than you’d think, and nobody wants to rush it. This is one of my favourite moments to capture, so give it the time it deserves.
Family saying goodbye – your dad seeing you in your dress for the first time, your gran wanting a hug, a quiet word with your mum. These are precious moments and you shouldn’t have to hurry them.
Photographs before leaving – a few portraits with your bridesmaids, your dad, or by the front door of the family home. If I’m with you, I’ll want ten minutes or so for these before you go.
Guests asking questions – if guests are staying in the same hotel, someone will inevitably knock on the door asking where to park or whether they’ve got the right time.
Unexpected traffic – a tractor on a country lane, roadworks that weren’t there last week, a Saturday market in the town centre. You simply can’t plan for all of it.

None of these on their own is a problem. Put three or four of them together, though, and suddenly your fifteen minute drive has become a nervous dash.

Different journeys, different timings

Every wedding day has its own map, and each leg of the journey brings something different to think about.

Home to church – this is often the most emotional journey of the day, and the one with the least flexibility. The vicar will have other commitments, and your guests will already be seated waiting for you. Country lanes and village parking can slow things down. Allow plenty of time and check whether there are any other events that weekend.

Hotel to venue – hotels feel convenient, but leaving one can take longer than leaving home. There are lifts, corridors, a lobby full of people and often a car park that isn’t right by the entrance. Getting a full wedding dress through a revolving door is an adventure in itself!

Church to reception – once you’re married, there’s a little more breathing space, but this journey still matters. Confetti, congratulations and group photographs outside the church all take time, and your caterers will be working to a timetable. If we’re planning some couple portraits on the way, build that into the plan too.

Reception to evening venue – less common, but if you’re moving on for the evening, remember your guests are travelling as well. Think about how they’ll get there, whether anyone has been drinking, and whether your evening band or DJ needs you there for a set start time.

It’s worth driving each route beforehand, ideally on the same day of the week and at the same time of day as your wedding. That tells you far more than any sat nav.

Groom and his best men standing in front of a bus with a pint of beer in their hands before going to church

Backup plans

I’m a great believer in hoping for the best and planning for everything else.

Rain – have umbrellas ready by the door (I always carry a couple of white ones for photographs) and think about where the car can pull up closest to the entrance. A wet hem is easily avoided with a little forward thinking.
Road closures – check local council websites in the weeks before for planned roadworks, events or closures, and have a second route in mind. Your driver should know both.
Broken transport – vintage cars are beautiful, but they’re vintage for a reason. Ask your supplier what their contingency is if the car won’t start, and keep a family member’s car clean and fuelled as a just in case.
Late taxis – if you’re relying on taxis for the bridal party or guests, book them well in advance, confirm the day before and ask them to arrive early. Keep a couple of local numbers saved in your phone, or better still, in your maid of honour’s.

Appoint someone you trust, perhaps your maid of honour or a calm friend, to be in charge of travel on the day. If something goes wrong, they sort it, and you don’t need to know a thing.

Buffer time – the secret to a calm arrival

This is the part I’d underline twice if I could. Arriving early is always better than arriving on time.

A few spare minutes means you can sit in the car, take a breath and let your bridesmaids straighten your train. It gives me time to get into position so I don’t miss you stepping out of the car. It means your dad can walk you in without a rush, and you can actually take in the faces of everyone who has come to see you.

Yes, the tradition of the bride being a few minutes late is a lovely one, but there’s a big difference between choosing to make an entrance and arriving flustered because you’ve been stuck behind a tractor. If you’re early, you can always wait around the corner. If you’re late, there’s no getting that time back.

My simple rule: work out how long the journey should take, then double it. If everything goes perfectly, you’ll have a few quiet minutes to yourself. And on a wedding day, those are worth their weight in gold.