But leaving aside vintage fire engines, pink Cadillacs and other eccentric and individualistic options, what are the differences between the principal alternatives, and what are the pros and cons of hiring a genuine classic car from Summer Wine Classics?

Manufactured in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, our classic cars are now between 32 and 60 years old and one of the main reasons people choose them for their weddings is their timeless good looks and photogenic qualities. Classic cars have effortless style and great charm and character, and they are also a part of our national heritage and hold an important place in many of our lives. Very often the Rolls Royce or the Bentley is dad's favourite car, or perhaps grandpa had a Jaguar Mark Two just like ours.

On duty at wedding and reception venues they attract comments from guests and passers-by on the lines of "They don't make them like that any more,", "Now that's what I call a 'proper' Jaguar," or simply "When cars were cars!"

What is a classic car?
In general terms, a 'classic car' is any motor vehicle no longer in production that is still popular and the term is usually used to describe cars from the 1940s to the 1980s. When Summer Wine Classics offered cars for self drive hire, we were members of the Historic and Classic Car Hirers' Guild. The guild's vehicle age eligibility cut off is set at 25 years.

The definition of a 'veteran' car is a vehicle made before the end of 1918 and, strictly speaking, a car has to have been manufactured between 1919 and 1930 to be called 'vintage', although cars built before the Second World War are often described as such.

Vintage cars make wonderful wedding cars and if they are fastidiously maintained they can be reliable machines, but veteran vehicles are perhaps a little too old and rickety to be practical for more than occasional local use.

Cars described as 1920s or 1930s 'style' are relatively new cars made from kits to look like period vehicles. But although they appear to be old fashioned, these cars have body panels made from reinforced plastic and are usually based on Ford Sierras.

Technically, a limousine is an enclosed vehicle with a partition behind the driver although traditionally chauffeur driven classic saloons such as our 1957 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud are also often described as such. Splendidly grand and spacious, they are a quite glorious wedding vehicles!

A modern prestige car gives a contemporary look and stretched limos are highly effective people carriers that offer a completely different and sometimes quite extraordinary experience involving laser displays and sophisticated sound and lighting systems. It's all a matter of personal taste!