Every wedding has a beginning and an end, but for a while the end got a little lost. Couples drifted off after the last song, or slipped into a rideshare while guests were still finding their coats. Now the exit is having a moment again. A classic car at the kerb, a few cans rattling behind it, the two of you waving from the front seat as everyone you love cheers you off into the night.
The Bridal Journey named the return of the bridal car moment in its 2026 to 2027 trend forecast, describing couples bringing back the arrival and getaway in vintage convertibles, small Italian cars and sleek sports cars. Rock n Roll Bride published a guide this July with a title that says it all: your wedding exit deserves better than an Uber. It fits neatly with the wider mood in weddings right now, where couples want moments that feel cinematic but unscripted.
Why the exit matters
The getaway is one of the few parts of a wedding that belongs only to the two of you. You have spent the day surrounded by people, and suddenly, for a few minutes, it is quiet. Many couples say the drive away was where it finally sank in that they were married.
It is also a gift for your photographer. A car pulling away in golden light or under the glow of sparklers gives an ending to the story told by your album. Candid frames of you laughing in a convertible or reaching out of the window to wave are the kind of images that feel like stills from a film rather than posed portraits.
Choosing the car
Start with the feel of your wedding rather than the make of the car. An open-top classic suits a coastal or vineyard celebration and gives your photographer a clear view of you both. A vintage sedan in a soft colour feels romantic and a little old-world. Something sleek and modern can suit a city wedding with a pared-back aesthetic.
When you speak to hire companies, ask practical questions as well as aesthetic ones. Check whether the car comes with a driver, how long the booking runs, what happens if it rains with an open-top vehicle, and whether there are restrictions on decorating it. Older cars can be temperamental in heat, so if you are marrying in an Australian summer, ask about air conditioning and what back-up the company has if a car is unwell on the day. Read reviews and confirm everything in writing.
Think too about whether you want the car for both the arrival and the exit, or only one. Some couples arrive separately and leave together, which gives the car a real sense of occasion when it reappears at the end of the night.
Timing it right
There are two main approaches. A sunset exit, planned between the formalities and the dancing, lets you drive a short loop for photographs while the light is soft, then return to the party. It gives you the images without ending your night early. A true send-off at the end of the reception is more traditional and emotional, but it is darker, so talk to your photographer about how they will light it.
If you choose a late exit, give your guests something to do. Sparklers are a classic but check your venue’s rules and local fire restrictions, as many Australian venues limit them, particularly in bushfire season. Dried petals, ribbons or simply a guard of honour with everyone cheering all work well and are kinder to the venue clean-up.
The second look
A getaway car is the perfect excuse for an outfit change. The Bridal Journey suggested packing a second look, such as a white mini or an oversized shirt dress, for the drive away. A short dress, a sharp suit or a silk slip with a cropped jacket is easier to climb into a small car with, and it gives your exit photos a completely different energy from your ceremony portraits. Think about your hair too. A veil streaming in the wind of an open car looks wonderful, but have a plan for keeping it secure.
Making it your own
The details are where a getaway becomes personal. A hand-painted sign on the back of the car, a playlist chosen for the first drive as a married couple, a bottle of something good waiting in the back seat. Some couples drive to a favourite lookout for ten minutes alone before returning to the party. Others head straight to their accommodation and leave the guests to dance on.
However you plan it, give your exit the same care you gave your entrance. It is the last image your guests will have of the day, and often the first memory you will reach for when you look back.
Photo: Claudia Lam / Unsplash
