If you’re new to classic cars, it’s completely natural to ask whether you can drive the car yourself. After all — in most parts of life, renting a vehicle means you’re behind the wheel.

Weddings are different. And vintage cars are different. For your comfort and safety, all Coats Classic Cars reservations are chauffeur-driven only.

Wedding days already ask a lot of you

Your wedding day is full of small transitions — between venues, between photo locations, between moments. The value of a chauffeur isn’t just driving from Point A to Point B. It’s that you can stay present while someone else quietly manages the details.

Your chauffeur handles staging, curb positioning, timing, doors, and communication with the vendor team — so you can step into the car, settle, and breathe. That’s why couples often describe the car as a private moment of calm in the middle of a busy day.

Classic cars handle differently — especially under wedding-day conditions

Vintage vehicles behave differently than modern cars: larger turning radiuses, different braking feel, heavier steering, unique visibility, and quirks that are normal for their era. Add formal attire, traffic, photographers, and tight arrival windows — and driving becomes one more variable.

Our chauffeurs are trained specifically for these cars and for wedding-day pacing. They know how to drive smoothly for photography, how to avoid sudden stops, how to stage without rushing, and how to keep the experience composed — even when timelines inevitably shift.

Commercial insurance and liability are not “just paperwork”

Wedding transportation is a professional service, and it carries real liability. We operate with Commercial Public Auto Insurance for client protection. Personal insurance policies do not cover for-hire use — even when a vehicle owner believes they are “covered.”

Keeping the service chauffeur-driven helps maintain clear responsibility and consistent standards, which is exactly what planners and venues need when coordinating a complex day.

If you’d like a deeper breakdown of how insurance, preparation, and contingency planning shape professional service, you may also find this helpful: Why Some Classic Car Wedding Providers Cost More.

It protects your timeline — and your photography

Your photographer isn’t only capturing a car. They’re capturing you — how you look, how you feel, and how the day unfolds. A chauffeur helps protect that flow.

We accept one wedding per car, per day — yours — so the car can arrive early, be staged calmly, and be ready for photos without a rush. Our team coordinates with your planner and photographer ahead of time so the car supports your shot list, rather than competing with it.

Comfort matters more than most couples expect

Many classics were not built with air conditioning, but many of ours are air conditioned and maintained for comfort. Either way, having a professional chauffeur means you aren’t juggling doors, positioning, traffic, or anything else that can pull you out of the moment — especially in formalwear.

If part of your vision involves a “sporty” look, we also recommend reading: Why We Don’t Recommend Small Roadsters or Sports Cars for Weddings. That page explains how you can create the imagery you want while still choosing cars that work smoothly on real wedding days.

A gentle note about end-of-night responsibility

Weddings are joyful occasions, and for many couples that includes a champagne toast or a drink during the reception.

Chauffeur-driven service allows you to relax and enjoy your celebration without turning the end of the night into a logistics decision — and without shifting responsibility onto a friend or family member. The goal isn’t restriction. It’s ease.

If you’re weighing whether to use a personal vehicle offered by someone you love, we also walk through the real-world implications here: Should We Use a Friend or Family Member’s Classic Car for Our Wedding?

The takeaway

A chauffeur isn’t an “add-on.” It’s part of what makes a classic car feel effortless — calm, safe, and well-supported by professionals who understand weddings.

If you’d like help choosing a car that fits your vision and your venue, we’re always happy to talk.

"Coats Classic Cars made our wedding day extraordinary. Our classic car was a hit, but the team made the experience even better. James was not only a kind and wonderful driver, but he held umbrellas, escorted us down hills, and made sure we were comfortable and taken care of all evening. Coats is the best!" -Emily W., married at Cliffs at Glassy near Greenville, SC

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