Your London Wedding - May/Jun 2019 (Issue 65)

If you don’t have enough guests to fill a coach or Routemaster then how about a classic single-decker? For intimate parties of up to 39 guests, an old-school single-decker is the perfect solution. The Vintage Red Bus Company offers this, and more with classic Routemasters seating up to 72 loved ones. “Providing transport between venues can be a helpful ‘thank you’ to guests, taking away the expense and hassle of navigating from A to B,” says James Thorpe, managing director at The Vintage Red Bus Company. “Parking in London can be limited and often prohibitively expensive so your nearest and dearest will appreciate the gesture.” On the clock: five minutes with… James Thorpe, The Vintage Red Bus Company Talk us through a typical day. No two days at The Vintage Red Bus Company are alike! But insofar as there’s a typical pattern of work, our day is usually spent answering queries from wedding couples – we’ll often discuss their detailed requirements, help them plan a route so guests can enjoy a scenic journey (or simply to avoid low bridges!) and arrange bespoke destination blinds and bus tickets for that personal touch. We’ll also need to check that our driver and conductor crews are scheduled and briefed. How can couples make the most of the journey between venues? We can help wedding couples transform what some might see as a purely logistical exercise and turn it into something that becomes a magical and integral part of the day’s celebrations. Think flowers, decorations, serving nibbles and bubbles on board and music to set the scene. What’s your favourite vehicle in the fleet? All our buses are superbly restored and maintained so it’s difficult to choose one, but possibly for me it’s our Routemaster ‘Long’, as it’s just that tiny bit closer to its original 1966 condition. Contact: The Vintage Red Bus Company | 03332 407 508 thevintageredbuscompany.co.uk THE 39 GUESTS If you want to transport your entire wedding party between venues then you can’t go wrong with a traditional Routemaster; not only do they look great in the photos but they’re also a practical option for larger parties – book a set and you can carry up to 200 guests. “A vintage Routemaster is without rival when it comes to dedicated wedding transport,” says Expeditional’s Barry Hails. “In most cases, one bus can take care of everything better than Uber, Lyft or public transport – the less vehicles involved, the less stress.” On the clock: five minutes with… Barry Hails, Expeditional What’s your favourite London venue and why? The Orangery at Kensington Palace is very picturesque and tops the list here at Expeditional. How can couples transform their wedding transport from a mere logistic into a magical part of their wedding? A Routemaster creates a personal, exclusive experience. With your names on the destination box at the front of the bus and your special playlist on our on-board PA system, the journey will feel like part of the fun. Driving in the capital – what challenges do you face? The biggest challenge for us in London is dropping guests off without causing an obstruction or, in the case of Soho, locating a suitable drop-off within easy walking distance of the venue. What’s your favourite vehicle in the fleet? All our buses have a special place in our hearts from Elizabeth, who’s been with us since the very beginning and Nicole, who has carried some very famous passengers on her travels. Contact: Expeditional | 020 8123 2697 | expeditional.co.uk ALL ABOARD! TRANSPORT 77