On a wedding day, nobody notices the transport unless something goes wrong: guests waiting outside the church, a photo shoot running late while the car has to move on. Planned well, it goes unnoticed. This guide covers what transport a wedding usually needs, how to work out the number of vehicles, a sample wedding day schedule and the questions to ask a transport company before you book.
What transport a wedding usually needs
- A car for the couple: from where they get ready to the ceremony, the photo shoot and the reception venue. Most often an executive saloon such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or the roomier Mercedes-Benz V-Class if the best man and maid of honour ride along.
- Guest transport: from the ceremony to the reception venue and, at the end of the evening, back to Riga or the hotel. Capacity matters most here: the minibus has 7 seats, the V-Class 6 and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 19.
- Guests from abroad: transfers from the airport to the hotel a day or two before the wedding, and back again afterwards.
- Parents and grandparents: a separate car is often more comfortable, so they don’t have to wait with everyone else.
How many vehicles you need: a simple calculation
Count how many guests will travel from the ceremony to the reception venue, and subtract those who are driving their own cars. Split the rest between vehicles by the number of seats. For example, if 15 of 40 guests drive themselves, you need seats for 25 people: one Sprinter (19 seats) and one minibus (7 seats).
If the reception venue is more than an hour from Riga, think about the journey back in the evening too. Two return runs, for example around midnight and around two in the morning, let guests choose when to head home, and nobody is left without a ride.
Sample wedding day schedule
This is what a transport schedule might look like for a day with the ceremony in Riga and the reception at a countryside venue about an hour’s drive away:
| Time | What happens | Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30 | The couple leave where they got ready and head to the photo shoot | S-Class |
| 14:30 | Guests are picked up at a hotel in central Riga | Sprinter and minibus |
| 15:00 | Ceremony | vehicles wait |
| 16:30 | Everyone travels to the reception venue | all vehicles |
| 00:30 | First run back to Riga | Sprinter |
| 02:30 | Second run back to Riga | minibus |
Allow 15-20 minutes of buffer for each journey: ceremonies and photo shoots almost always run late. If the vehicle is hired by the hour, it simply waits, and the schedule can change as the day goes on.
How much wedding transport costs
For weddings, vehicles are usually hired by the hour. AFA Transfer prices are for the whole vehicle with a driver, not per person:
| Vehicle | Class | Passengers | Price per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Zafira Life | Standard Van | 7 | €50 |
| Mercedes-Benz V-Class | Premium Van | 6 | €55 |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter book at least 3 days ahead | Large Van | 19 | €75 |
| Mercedes-Benz S400 AMG Line book at least 1 day ahead | Premium Car | 3 | €80 |
Hired by the hour, from 2 to 24 hours, with up to 250 km per day included. The price is for the whole vehicle with its chauffeur, not per person, and includes VAT. Book online in the booking form (By the Hour), or send a request below.
For more about wedding cars, our vehicles and how we work, see Wedding car with a chauffeur.
What to ask the transport company before you book
- Is the price for the whole vehicle or per person, and what does it include: kilometres, waiting time, VAT?
- Which exact vehicle will come, and how many seats does it have?
- What happens if the ceremony runs late and you need the vehicle for longer?
- Can you get an invoice made out to a company?
- Will the same vehicles do the evening runs, and where will they wait?
- What if the number of guests or the reception venue changes?
When to book
Summer Saturdays are the busiest, so it is best to book the car for the couple and the larger minibuses as soon as you know the date and venue. With us, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (19 seats) has to be booked at least 3 days in advance, but for a wedding it is better to book several months ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding car with a chauffeur cost?
With us, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class costs €80 an hour and the V-Class €55 an hour. The price is for the whole vehicle with a driver, not per person.
Can we hire a minibus for the guests?
Yes: a minibus with up to 7 seats, a Mercedes-Benz V-Class with up to 6 seats or a Sprinter with up to 19 seats. For a larger group, several vehicles can be combined.
How far in advance should we book?
As soon as you know the date and venue, especially for summer Saturdays. The Sprinter has to be booked at least 3 days in advance.
Can we hire a car for just a few hours?
Yes, hourly hire runs from 2 to 24 hours.
Request a quote
Tell us the date, times, addresses and number of guests, and we will send you a quote.