The best classic and vintage wedding cars in Sacramento are Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds and Bentleys for the bride’s arrival, and convertibles like a Rolls-Royce Corniche, a 1967 Mustang or a 1957 Thunderbird for the getaway. Here are ten you can book, plus the best photo spots and nearby towns from Roseville to Lodi.
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Sacramento has a soft spot for old cars. The California Automobile Museum has shown vintage cars near Old Sacramento since 1987, and the city’s wedding photos are full of them: a white Rolls-Royce under the gold Tower Bridge, a convertible on the cobblestones of Old Sacramento, a bride stepping out of a Silver Cloud at the State Capitol. If you’re a bride or groom planning a classic or vintage wedding car, these are the ten we love most around Sacramento, from stately Rolls-Royces for the arrival to convertibles for the getaway. Every one is a real car you can book through our classic car rental in Sacramento.
The ten at a glance
| Car | Best for |
|---|---|
| 1. 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, white | The bride’s grand arrival |
| 2. 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, long wheelbase | A big gown and extra room in the back |
| 3. 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I, silver | Silver-and-white weddings |
| 4. 1957 Bentley S1, two-tone | Old-world elegance |
| 5. 1960s Bentley, white | A classic look with a quieter badge |
| 6. 1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible | The top-down getaway |
| 7. 1957 Ford Thunderbird, pink | Retro and romantic, just the two of you |
| 8. 1967 Ford Mustang convertible | The groom’s favorite getaway |
| 9. 1977 Volkswagen Beetle convertible | Boho, garden and vineyard weddings |
| 10. 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible | A bold, red send-off |
The 10 best classic and vintage wedding cars in Sacramento
1. 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud: the bride’s arrival
If one car says “vintage wedding”, it’s the Silver Cloud. Rolls-Royce built it from 1955 to 1966, with long sweeping fenders, a tall chrome grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood. In white with whitewall tires, it matches the dress, and the back seat is made for a bride and her father on the way to the ceremony.
Best for: the bride’s arrival at the church, the Capitol or a downtown ballroom.
2. 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, long wheelbase
The long-wheelbase Silver Cloud II is a few inches longer than the standard car, and all of it goes into the back seat. That extra legroom matters on a wedding day: a full gown and train fit without crushing, and a bridesmaid can ride along to help.
Best for: ball gowns, long trains and a bride who wants company in the back.
3. 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I: silver
Silver Clouds were often painted in two tones or soft metallic silver, and a silver car photographs beautifully against Sacramento’s greenery and stone. It suits a silver-and-white color scheme, a winter wedding or a vow renewal on a 25th, silver, anniversary.
Best for: silver-and-white weddings and anniversary vow renewals.
4. 1957 Bentley S1: two-tone
The Bentley S1 is the Silver Cloud’s twin, built in the same years with the same body, and a Bentley grille in place of the Rolls-Royce one. This one wears a dark roof over a silver body, the kind of two-tone look that feels straight out of an old film.
Best for: vintage-themed weddings and couples who love old Hollywood.
5. 1960s Bentley: white
A white Bentley from the 1960s gives you all the classic lines of the era with a quieter badge than a Rolls-Royce. Long, low and elegant, it looks just as good at a garden ceremony as it does outside a hotel ballroom.
Best for: garden ceremonies and hotel ballroom weddings.
6. 1983 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible: the getaway
For the getaway, put the top down. The Corniche is the convertible Rolls-Royce of its era, with a long hood, cream leather and room for the newlyweds to wave goodbye. This one is a deep green, a lovely change from white in the photos.
Best for: the getaway and couple’s portraits with the top down.
7. 1957 Ford Thunderbird: pink and retro
The 1957 Thunderbird is a two-seater, so it’s just the bride and groom, which is the point. In pink, with chrome and fins, it’s pure 1950s romance, and it makes playful, colorful photos.
Best for: retro weddings and the getaway for two.
8. 1967 Ford Mustang convertible
The first-generation Mustang is the American classic many grooms have dreamed of since they were kids. A 1967 convertible with the top down is a joyful way to leave the reception, cans tied to the bumper.
Best for: the getaway car and the groom’s arrival.
9. 1977 Volkswagen Beetle convertible
Not every wedding wants a Rolls-Royce. For a boho, garden or vineyard wedding, a white Beetle convertible is relaxed, sweet and instantly recognizable, and it looks lovely with a few flowers tied to the back.
Best for: vineyard, garden and boho weddings.
10. 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible
For a bold send-off, red is the color. The Firebird launched in 1967, and this convertible has the long hood and muscle-car stance of its first year, made for a groom who wants to leave in style while the guests cheer.
Best for: the getaway and a groom who loves muscle cars.
Prefer something modern?
If you love the look but want air conditioning and a modern ride, a white 2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost gives you the same grille and Spirit of Ecstasy with today’s comfort. You’ll find more in our wedding car rental in Sacramento.
Sacramento’s best spots for wedding car photos
- Tower Bridge and Old Sacramento. The bridge opened in 1935 and has been painted gold since 2002. Cobblestones, wooden sidewalks and river views make Old Sacramento a natural backdrop for a vintage car.
- The State Capitol and Capitol Park. White columns, a dome and old trees, classic for a classic car.
- McKinley Park Rose Garden. Planted in 1928 and still a wedding favorite, with roses that peak in spring.
- Land Park and the tree-lined streets of East Sacramento. Shade and greenery for soft, romantic portraits.
Classic wedding cars beyond Sacramento
The same cars are booked for weddings all around the region. Here’s where to find them near you:
- Roseville and Rocklin: classic cars in Roseville and Rocklin. Our Roseville guide has more.
- Folsom, Granite Bay and El Dorado Hills: wedding cars in Folsom, Granite Bay and El Dorado Hills, for lake views and Historic Folsom.
- Elk Grove and West Sacramento: Elk Grove and West Sacramento, just across the river from Old Sacramento.
- Davis and Lodi: wedding cars in Davis, and classic cars in Lodi, whose vineyard weddings call for a convertible.
- Auburn, Loomis and Placerville: Auburn, Loomis and Placerville, Gold Country towns full of old-time charm.
- Citrus Heights: wedding cars in Citrus Heights.
Tips for booking a vintage wedding car in Sacramento
- Mind the summer heat. Sacramento’s July afternoons average in the 90s, and many vintage cars have no air conditioning. In summer, use the classic for arrivals and photos, and plan the top-down getaway for the cooler evening.
- Book early for spring and fall. April to June and September to October are peak wedding months, and each classic car can only be in one place at a time.
- Match the car to the dress. A big gown needs a big back seat: a Silver Cloud or a long-wheelbase car. A two-seat convertible is for the getaway, not the arrival.
- Plan the photo stop. Tell your chauffeur where you want photos, so there’s time for the bridge or the rose garden on the way.
More inspiration: our top 10 classic and vintage wedding cars, the top 10 classic Rolls-Royce wedding cars, the 1950s and 1960s car guides, and our getaway car ideas.
Questions people ask
Can we book a classic car just for the getaway?
Yes. Many couples book a stately car for the arrival and a convertible like the Corniche, the Mustang or the Thunderbird for the getaway.
Do classic wedding cars come with a driver?
Classic wedding cars usually come with a chauffeur who knows the car, so the bride and groom can sit back and enjoy the ride. Each car’s page says whether it’s chauffeur-driven.
Which vintage car fits a big wedding dress?
The Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds and Bentleys, especially the long-wheelbase Silver Cloud II, have the most room in the back. Two-seat convertibles are best kept for the getaway.
What if it’s very hot on our wedding day?
Plan short drives and keep the classic for the photos and the big moments. If you need a cool ride for longer trips, add a modern car, such as the Rolls-Royce Ghost.
Do you cover weddings outside Sacramento?
Yes: Roseville, Folsom, Granite Bay, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Davis, Lodi, Auburn and the rest of the region. See the list above.
