TERMS & CONDITIONS

Of Hire

1. We will carry out your wedding for an inclusive price which includes up to 50 miles of travel to and from our TA13 base. Weddings taking place outside the area can be carried out but may incur additional charges. Our charging rates are based on up to 4 hours of hire, included in which we allow 30 minutes travelling and preparation time.
2. Telephone bookings will be held for a maximum of 10 days. If at the end of this period the booking has not been confirmed by the receipt of a deposit and a completed booking form the car will be released. All bookings are subject to a minimum deposit of £75.00 per vehicle. If in the event of cancellation this deposit is not returnable.
3. You must notify us if any part of your journey is over an unmade road, track or narrow lane with growth protruding into the pathway of vehicles, or through fords or streams as prior assessment of suitability of the vehicle/s may be required, in all cases your chauffeur reserves the right on the day not to take vehicles along unmade road etc. By paying a securing booking deposit or full payment the client is confirming acceptance of these terms and conditions.
4. If the information given on the booking form/run schedule is different from that of the original enquiry/booking or if the journey undertaken is different than that originally advised and/or paid for then The Wedding Car Collection reserves the right to invoice the client after the event for any additional costs and the client accepts and agrees to this.
5. A vehicle Run Schedule will be sent to you approximately 5 weeks prior to the wedding date together with the Final Payment invoice. The Run Schedule should be checked at returned with the final balance no later than 3 weeks before the wedding date to The Wedding Car Collection (cheques to be made out to John Hawkins Ltd).
6. Cancellation of a wedding must be received in writing or by E-Mail two calendar months prior to the booking date. If it not received by this date then the full payment will be due. However, if a new date is set and your originally booked car/s are available for the revised date your booking will be transferred to the new date without loss.
7. Your chauffeur will offer assistance to those wearing flowing gowns and trains when entering and exiting the car, however it remains the ultimate responsibility of the wearer to ensure their clothing avoids contact with all areas that could accrue dirt or grime such as the underside, wheels, tyres etc. If sparkling wine or mineral water service is provided, The Wedding Car Collection will not be held liable for damage to clothing or persons caused by spillage, airborne corks, or glass breakage, howsoever caused. In the event of passenger illness in the car the cost of a valet and any other time lost will be charged. The driver retains the right to refuse to covey any passenger who in the opinion of the driver appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other substances and whose condition may put the driver, the vehicle or other passengers at risk. The hirer is responsible for any damage to the vehicle and fittings caused by their own or their guests actions and to ensure they collect their luggage and personal items when leaving the car. The Wedding Car Collection do not accept liability for items left in cars or for the responsibility for forwarding on such items.
8. Although we will endeavour to meet deadlines we accept no responsibility for the delays, however caused. Every effort will be made to provide alternative transporting event of such breakdowns or delay. Although unlikely, it is possible that circumstances beyond our control may prevent us from providing the exact car you requested - should that be necessary we will do all in our power to match it, however in some cases we may have to provide a similar type of vehicle. In the instance of last minute mechanical breakdown, exceptional traffic difficulties, incidents, acts of God or any events beyond our control, we will endeavour to supply another vehicle from our range of fleet vehicles and contact base. If a cheaper vehicle is supplied as a replacement, a suitable price adjustment will be made. If in the final instance we cannot provide our service or vehicle for any of the reasons mentioned, than a full refund will be made of your deposit and monies paid.
9. Please ask your guests not to use biodegradable confetti as this can damage both car paintwork and clothing when wet.

Child Car Seats

A new UK law came into force on 18th September 2006 for the protection of children that makes it compulsory for every child under 12 years of age to sit in a baby seat, a child seat, on a booster seat or on a booster cushion. Unlike taxis, wedding cars are NOT exempt from this new legislation. Regretfully this new law means all wedding car companies must make fundamental changes to the way we provide our service to young persons.

Vehicle Drivers are legally responsible for ensuring children under 14 years of age are properly restrained in the car. As part of our terms and conditions you must advise us when completing the reservation form if any child using our vehicles will be under 14 at the time of travel by giving the actual ages children will be on the travel date.

Our policy on the transportation of children is as follows:

Children under 12 years may only be carried when the correct 'Child Restraint' as required by law is used. 'Child Restraint' is the collective term in the seat belt legislation for, baby seats, child seats, booster seats and booster cushions. 'Child Restraints' can only be used in vehicles that have fitted seatbelts.

This new law regretfully means children up to the age of three requiring Baby Seats and Child Seats can no longer be carried in wedding vehicles that do not seatbelts fitted. As most Classic and Vintage wedding cars are legally exempt from having seat belts fitted because of their historical age, and as Baby Seats and Child Seats need to be strapped to the seat they are not permitted in these cars. However the law does allow children of 3 years and above to travel in the back of these Classic & Vintage Cars without using 'Child Restraints'. Modern Cars are equipped with seatbelts therefore children can be carried in these cars only if the correct 'Child Restraint' is used. Parents and/or guardians will be responsible for providing the appropriate type of 'Child Restraint' for each child travelling. As the ultimate responsibility for child safety lies with the driver of the wedding car they will be unable to transport any child in a vehicle that has seat belts fitted if the appropriate 'Child Restraint' has not been provided. As scuffing and indentation marks can be caused to expensive leather seating, some of our newest modern wedding cars may not be available for those requiring 'Child Restraints'.

Every car has an information box and most show the maximum passenger seats available and details of seat belt fitments in that vehicle, however if in doubt please ask. We understand this new law means changes may need to be made to travel plans but as a professional company we must adhere to the law and our priority must be for the comfort and safety of all our passengers. We have based the information given above on our understanding of this law, however the following website has full information on this legislation plus pictures of the different types of child restraint which if you are in any doubt we suggest you view. http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/