One of the more important wedding arrangements is the transport. The bride's father traditionally pays for the vehicles to take his wife, the bridesmaids, himself and his daughter to the venue, and also provides the transport that takes himself, his wife and the principal participants in the wedding on to the reception.

The groom provides the transport to takes himself and his bride to the reception because, traditionally, she has now come under his charge.

In effect, the cost of transport is often shared by both families. But whoever pays, a certain number of vehicles will be required to get the principals to the ceremony and on to the reception, and the vehicle that carries the bride in either direction is usually the best, the most spectacular and frequently quite unusual.

The favoured mode of transport is a white Rolls Royce driven by a liveried chauffeur and decorated with white satin ribbons. There is a lot to be said for such a vehicle. It's large enough to accommodate the bride's gown without crushing it and give her plenty of space so she arrives looking (and feeling) cool, calm and collected. And the sheer dignity of a Rolls takes some beating.

Gaining popularity these days are the veteran and vintage vehicles that have been preserved in concourse condition. They may be less than comfortable and will probably lack what are considered essential modern amenities, but they are certainly spectacular.

Alternatively, the bride may choose a horse-drawn carriage This really does have impact, especially if it's drawn by four horses with outriders, flanked by a pair of well trained Dalmatian dogs for luck.

Carriages and old vehicles do have certain disadvantages. Their springing is hard, they don't have heating, they can be draughty and many have less room inside than the average family car, so dresses can become creased. The open ones can be extremely draughty, which is risky for a pretty headdress.

It's all a matter of preference. Some brides are content with something different and are prepared to put up with the discomforts. Others cannot see themselves in anything less than the aristocratic comfort of a huge, stately limousine.

All these possibilities can be hired in most areas but, whatever you decide to travel to your wedding in, do book it early. You would be surprised how popular your particular choice will prove if you leave it till the very last minute!

Finally, think twice before allowing a well-meaning friend or relative to provide the transport. So many things can go wrong between the enthusiastic offer and the big day itself. At least with a professional transport supplier, you can be sure that, whatever happens, neither bride nor groom will be marooned or forced to catch the bus.