Hi, I'm planning my wedding for 2018 and would really love to have a horse and carriage however both my Dad and H2B are against the idea, some advice on the situation would be really helpful as I don't know what to do?
I have always loved carriages and would go on them when on a family holiday. I have received several quotes from 700 - 1000 + for a 5 mile trip to the church and return journey.
Is it an unnecessary cost or should I go with it?
CommentAuthorNicolaB7220
It's your wedding and you should have what you want, as long as your OH agrees of course as it's his wedding too. Why are your H2B and dad against it though? Is there a genuine reason or it is the cost they don't approve of?
CommentAuthorFutureMrsW
Stacey it's always a tough one when you have your heart set on something but it turns out to cost more than you anticipated - I had that issue with wanting canapés :)
One of the things I would urge you to consider is the weather, we all hope for sunny days but just in case it would be important to go for a carriage with a roof that can be lifted if needed. Also although 5 miles seems like a piddly non-journey in a car, a horse and carriage goes at a rate of about 4 miles an hour, so could take over an hour for that 5 mile journey, similarly would take as long for you and hubbie on the way back too.
Perhaps you could get a car to an arranged spot only a mile or so from the church, would hopefully be cheaper as it's much less travel time for the horses, you'd still have a nice 20 min journey each way but not 2 hours! :D x
CommentAuthorStephanieM158
Why are they against it??
Met 2004
Engaged 2014
Getting Married 2016
CommentAuthorStaceyH989
They are both against the cost, we have been talking about a pick up point a mile or two from the church and they think that for that amount of time it is a waste of money.
As a horse person I can see numerous draw backs to having one and hence I am not having any animals at my wedding.
Not least is that they are slow not as slow as MrsW says though, a wedding carriage will be able to do about 5 miles in around 30 to 40 mins provided you go for a good quality firm where the horses are fit and well a 5 mile trot is nothing to them.
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
where abouts in the country are you Stacey? I know a couple of people who do wedding carriages.
CommentAuthorStaceyH989
We live in Hilton, Derby and will be getting married in the local church
CommentAuthorFayeJ67
Sorry the ladies I know are in north Wales.
The Ostler do the entire country and come highly recommended but i suspect they will be pricey (you do get what you pay for when it comes to horse and carriage).
I would say make sure that what ever company you use is fully qualified with either the British horse society or the British Driving Society. That they have public liability insurance and that they have enough horses to fulfil the order should one go lame (a regular occurrence with horses believe me). They should also have a minimum of 2 of thier people with the carriage and horses at all times.
Get photos of the horses they intend to use before booking and check that they look a good weight, thier coats are sleak and shiney (white horses dont shine much but the coat will still look healthy) and that the horses look fit not fat as there are lots and lots of firms out there with only a modicum of knowlege and horses that are not fit enough or trained well enough to be pulling a wedding carriage for any distance at all.
CommentAuthorStaceyH989
Thanks Faye, that company are the best one I've found so far and all their carriages are convertible so will be suitable no matter the weather.
CommentAuthorDanielleG93
Sorry i can't help you, i didn't want to read and run either. I would sugegst sitting down with your oh and trying to work out a compromise
