Incorporating a car into your Southern California wedding day

There’s something iconic about a classic car on a wedding day. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, maybe it’s the chrome, maybe it’s that moment you step out of the car and instantly feel like the main character in a movie set.

As a Los Angeles and Southern California wedding photographer, I’ve seen classic cars completely transform the vibe of a wedding day. They add personality, aesthetic, and a cinematic edge that makes your photos look like they belong on an album cover. And of course, being a classic car enthusiast and owning a few myself, I know how personal they can be as well. It might be a car from the family, or someone you admire letting you roll with style on your big day… either way, they are a lot of fun and ad a lot to your images.

If you're planning an LA or SoCal wedding and thinking about adding a vintage ride, here’s how to do it right.

1. Arrive in Style: Pull Up to Your Ceremony in a Vintage Car

Rolling up in a classic Mustang, Cadillac, Porsche, or even a retro VW bus is the kind of entrance that people talk about for YEARS. LA weddings love a moment — and this is absolutely a moment. Extra bonus awesome points if it’s a car that has significance to you as a couple!

Remember too that these old rides have some milage on the, so they won’t always work like a new car! Making sure that the car has time to be there or wiggle room to be a little behind will make sure the flow of your wedding goes well. If you don’t have access to a friend or family, there are lots of companies that will provide the service and usually driver as well!

Bonus: arriving in a vintage ride sets an instant tone for the whole celebration. Before you even walk down the aisle, your wedding already feels like a whole cinematic experience.

2. Use the Car for Wedding Portraits!

This of course sounds obvious, since they aren’t just for picking you up and dropping you off! Classic cars photograph beautifully in Los Angeles light. Whether you’re getting married in Malibu, DTLA, Pasadena, or Palm Springs, a vintage ride gives your photographer unlimited creative options.

Some of my favorite shots:

• Using the car as a backdrop to your venue location,

• Cozy, intimate shots inside the car. Take a moment with each other!

• Moody cinematic reflections through the windows

• Golden hour portraits with the car’s silhouette

• Nighttime, headlights-on, rock-n-roll portraits

Classic cars turn your portraits into ART — and let’s be honest, Los Angeles weddings deserve that little extra drama.

3. Make It Your Newlywed Getaway Car

Nothing says “just married” like taking off in a vintage convertible or classic muscle car. Tie the cans, throw on sunglasses, and enjoy the ride to your venue. It really is a moment you just can’t replace when you do it!

Whether you’re cruising down the coast or heading into the city lights, it’s the perfect end-of-night moment and gives you those iconic candid photos everyone loves. You can snag shots in the car as you guys are driving, or get killer rolling images if you’re in something like a topless car or a roadster. Not to mention you’re gonna get a lot of thumbs up and folks yelling congratulations as you drive, so I’d say that’s a pretty fun little perk!

4. Add a Grand Reception Entrance

If your ceremony and reception are in different locations, arriving at the reception in a classic car gives you a SECOND entrance — and honestly, it’s such a power move.

Imagine arriving at your Malibu reception in a vintage Mercedes… or rolling into an industrial DTLA venue with a black muscle car growling behind you. It’s a VIBE and also I feel makes your images timeless. Some of the classic cars we grew up with will always be iconic and just be endlessly cool, no matter how much time as passed. It also sets a tone: Are you bringing a lowrider that’s adding culture and pride to your event, or are you bringing that droptop Mercedes to show class and high end style? You’ll be amazed how much a single car can add to the mood of your event!

5. Bring the Wedding Party Into It

Classic cars make wedding party photos so much more interesting than the normal “line up and smile” routine.

Think:

• Everyone leaning on the car

• Sitting inside or outside of the car, using the trunk, maybe even something creative with the hood open!

• The wedding party spontaneously piling in

• Fun, candid shots that feel like a road-trip movie poster

Plus, the guys always lose their minds over the car — guaranteed. Just… don’t let them start talking cars. We’ll never get anything done.

6. Match the Car to Your Wedding Aesthetic

There’s a classic car to fit every SoCal vibe:

• Rock ’n’ roll / alternative weddings: black muscle car, vintage truck

• Retro glam Hollywood weddings: Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, or Jaguar

• Boho / beach weddings: VW bus, Jeep, vintage station wagon

• Palm Springs / desert chic: 60s convertible or retro coupe

The ride becomes part of the design, tying everything together.

7. Use It as a Decor Feature

Yes, a classic car can be decor — and honestly, it looks incredible.

Ideas:

• Add floral installs across the hood

• Create a “Just Married” setup for photo ops

• Use the trunk for a champagne display or welcome gifts

• Style the interior with vintage blankets or signage

Guests LOVE this, especially at outdoor SoCal venues.

8. Let It Elevate the Entire Atmosphere

Whether it’s parked outside your venue or part of your entrance, a classic car gives your wedding a sense of story, nostalgia, and personality. It instantly makes everything feel less cookie-cutter and way more “you.”

And for photography? It’s magic.

Classic cars don’t just add style — they add story. They bring out the personality, mood, and energy of your day in a way few other details can. If you’re planning a wedding in Los Angeles, Malibu, Orange County, or anywhere in Southern California, incorporating a classic car is one of the easiest ways to create unforgettable, cinematic wedding photos.

If you’re dreaming up a creative, alternative, or editorial wedding day — or want photos that feel authentically you — reach out. I love working with couples who want to turn their wedding into art.

Are you planning a wedding and need help incorporating your car into your big day? Let’s chat!