For most Indian weddings you need three kinds of transport: one special car for the groom's arrival and the doli, a few vehicles for the baraat and close family, and shuttles for guests between hotels, stations and the venue. Book the groom's or doli car 2 to 3 months ahead in the November to February season, and the guest vehicles about 2 months ahead. Before paying an advance, get the hours included, the kilometre limit, waiting charges and decoration costs in writing.
The groom's car and the doli car
In a Punjabi wedding the same car often does two jobs: it brings the groom for the baraat and later carries the couple away at the doli. Book the car for both trips, because the gap between them can be eight hours or more, and that waiting time is exactly where extra charges add up.
Choose the car for comfort as well as looks. The bride's lehenga, the dupatta and the kaleeras take space, so a car with a wide rear door and enough legroom matters more than a famous badge. Sedans with a spacious back seat and large SUVs both work well. Convertibles and low sports cars look dramatic in photos but are awkward in heavy bridal wear.
Flower decoration is part of the tradition. A few practical points:
- Ask the decorator to use suction cups, ribbons and frames rather than adhesive tape directly on the paint; tape can leave marks, and the car owner may hold you responsible.
- Fresh flowers wilt, so time the decoration for an hour or two before departure, not the night before.
- Keep the windscreen and the driver's side mirrors completely clear.
- Agree who removes the decoration afterwards and whether the decorator takes the frame back.
Luxury and vintage options and rough prices
Luxury and vintage cars are popular for the groom's entry and the doli. As a rough guide from 2025-26 Indian rental listings, a decorated German luxury sedan typically rents for around Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 a day, while ultra-luxury models and sought-after vintage cars can cost Rs 25,000 a day or much more. Simpler classics, such as an old Ambassador, are usually cheaper. Prices vary a lot by city, model, season and how many hours and kilometres are included, so get quotes from a few operators.
Vintage cars need extra care. They are slower, often have no air-conditioning, and may not be allowed to travel long distances. Ask whether the operator brings a backup vehicle, and keep the route short. Many operators also ask for a refundable security deposit on high-end and vintage cars; confirm the amount and when it will be returned.
Baraat and guest transport
For the baraat, tempo travellers and mini buses are the usual choice for moving relatives from the groom's house or hotel to the venue. Some come decorated, with a sound system, so the dancing can start on board. Indicative 2025-26 rates are roughly Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 a day for a tempo traveller, depending on seats, AC, decoration and the city. For larger groups, 35 to 50 seater buses are more efficient.
Plan guest transport around three movements:
- Arrivals: airport and railway station pickups for outstation guests, usually spread over a day or two before the wedding.
- Function shuttles: hotel to venue and back for each event, including late-night returns after the sangeet or reception.
- Departures: drops for the morning after the wedding, when everyone is tired and running late.
For pickups, share the guest's name, phone number, train or flight number and arrival time with the transport coordinator, and ask drivers to carry a name card. One person in the family should track all arrivals on the day so that nobody waits on a platform at midnight.
Charges to understand before booking
Wedding transport quotes look simple but rarely are. Ask each operator to spell out:
- Package hours and kilometres included, and the rate for each extra hour and kilometre.
- Waiting charges, especially for the doli car, which may wait several hours.
- Fuel: included or charged separately.
- Tolls, parking and state entry permits for outstation trips, usually charged at actuals.
- Driver allowance and night charges if the driver works late or stays overnight.
- Decoration: included, or charged separately, and which flowers.
- Advance, balance payment date and cancellation terms.
Compare quotes on the same basis, for example the total for one car from 2 pm to 11 pm with 80 kilometres.
Driver details and paperwork
A few days before the wedding, collect each driver's name, phone number and vehicle number. Check that the vehicle has a valid commercial (taxi) registration, insurance and, for trips into other states, the necessary permits. This matters if you are travelling, say, from Jalandhar to a venue in Himachal. Ask the operator for a backup driver's number, and make sure drivers know they should not drink at any point during the duty, however much the baraat insists.
Make a transport schedule sheet
Above all, make a schedule sheet and share it with every driver and your transport coordinator. Make one row per trip:
1. Date and function, for example "Saturday, sangeet".
2. Vehicle and driver, with phone and vehicle number.
3. Pickup point and time.
4. Drop point and expected arrival time.
5. Passengers, or the group name, with one contact person on board.
6. Notes, such as "decorate by 3 pm", "wait for doli" or "elders, needs a low step".
Send it in a WhatsApp group the day before and pin it. When something changes, update the sheet rather than calling drivers one by one.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book a wedding car? Book the groom's or doli car 2 to 3 months ahead for peak-season dates between November and February, and vintage or rare cars even earlier.
What is the price of a luxury car for a wedding? Roughly Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 a day for a decorated luxury sedan in most cities, with sought-after vintage and ultra-luxury cars costing more. Always confirm hours, kilometres and waiting charges.
Can we decorate a rented car ourselves? Check with the operator first. Many allow it if you avoid tape and anything that can scratch, but some include decoration in their package and prefer their own decorator.
How many vehicles do we need for guests? Count guests per trip, not total guests. Work out the largest group moving at one time, usually the baraat, and plan vehicles for that, with one spare.
When you're ready to book, you can compare verified wedding transport providers on Set My Event and ask each for an itemised quote.
