20 Best Wedding Car Decorations

Bride and groom kissing while sitting on the hood of their floral-embellished vintage car — Photo by Davy Whitener Photography

One of our favorite ways for any couple to close out their wedding day is by climbing into an embellished car and driving off into the night. Not only does your getaway car exit afford you one last opportunity for incredible photos, but it also means you're guaranteed at least some alone time with your new spouse. Whether you choose to ride off in a vintage car, a cool convertible, a local trolley, your very own motorcycle, or something else entirely, you'll want to make sure that your set of wheels has been appropriately decked out for the occasion. While a trail of tin cans and a “just married” sign are traditional getaway card accents, you can personalize your automobile with ornaments that reflect your relationship and wedding aesthetic. Colorful streamers, greenery wreaths, floral garlands, and custom signage are all great options.

The groomsmen are traditionally responsible for overseeing car decorating duties, but many modern couples take matters into their own hands or even ask their wedding planner to handle the details. Regardless of who’s in charge of sprucing up your ride, it’s important to ensure that the process happens well in advance of your departure to avoid an ill-timed moment. While most decorative additions are fair game, it's important to avoid any materials that could ruin the paint or cause a potential hazard, such as spray paint, whipped cream, or masking tape. If you’re renting your vehicle, check with the company or driver ahead of time to get permission and inquire about any restrictions or additional fees you’ll need to foot.

With that being said, there are plenty of fun ways to enhance your getaway car for a movie-worthy moment. To help inspire your own post-nuptial ride, we rounded up 20 wedding car decorations that will help announce your marriage in style.

01 of 20

Suspend a Banner

Bride and groom kissing while standing behind their Volkswagen convertible with a just married sign — Photo by Stephanie Sunderland

As far as getaway car signage goes, you can't get more traditional than a banner draped across your bumper. Black block letters printed on white linen flags—a look that made an appearance at one couple’s coastal wedding on Long Island—work for any type of celebration, but they're especially apt if your nuptial style leans more classic. The red heart in the middle is a romantic touch that really captures the theme of a wedding day.

02 of 20

Wrap It in Ribbon

A white getaway car with a wreath of greenery and flowers, white silk ribbon, and a just married banner — Photo by Stephanie Vegliante

Streamers are often featured on getaway cars, but if you're planning a more formal, classic wedding, we love the idea of using silk ribbons in their place. When paired with a floral wreath and a scripted “just married” banner, the final look is just right for elevated celebrations.

03 of 20

Match Your Surroundings

A getaway car convertible with a garland of greenery in a desert setting — Photo by Koman Photography

If you want to take a more understated approach to dressing up your getaway car, look to your venue's natural surroundings for inspiration. The garland of greenery that’s draped across this automobile features cattails and succulents that blend in with the desert landscape.

04 of 20

Incorporate Dried Florals

A vintage convertible with a garland of greenery, fresh flowers, and dried flowers — Photo by Davy Whitener Photography

To create an ultra-lush getaway car display that will also hold up until the end of the reception, consider using a mix of both fresh and dried florals. The décor on this getaway car includes real roses with hints of dehydrated buds on a bed of greenery, which would complement bohemian bashes, rustic venues, or fall nuptials. If wilting is a major risk, stick with just dried flowers. You’ll create a setup brimming with texture, and you’ll be able to keep the installation after you’ve tied the knot.

05 of 20

Focus on a Front Design

A white Rolls-Royce with white flowers and greenery on the front hood — Photo by Karli & David Photography

Most couples decorate the backs of their cars, but why not revamp the front? Stick with a front-focused design for a unique option, or go all out by decorating the back, too. An arrangement of light and airy flowers and verdant greenery resting on the hood of your vehicle will bring a degree of elegance to your wheels.

06 of 20

Feature Elegant Calligraphy

A hunter green convertible with greenery and a just married banner on the back — Photo by Anna Delores Photography

Your getaway car also presents countless opportunities to play with lettering. Commemorate your updated relationship status by displaying intricate calligraphy on a white banner with a notched edge, like this one from HoneyFitz Events. The refined script seems to evoke a vintage vibe while the backdrop of greenery keeps things natural and relaxed.

07 of 20

Announce It on Wood

White car with a just married sign on wood and painted Mr. and Mrs. in the windows — Photo by Clay Austin Photography

A banner is a classic choice for wedding car signage, but you can also think outside of the box and bring in a different medium. A wooden plaque with the words “just married,” like the one pictured above, befits rustic weddings on a farm, in the forest, or at a vineyard. You can even write the same message on the windows with washable car markers to get your point across.

08 of 20

Integrate Elegant Drapery

A black vintage car with a just married sign on silk drapery — Photo by K.R. Moreno Photography

If you’re throwing an upscale celebration, look to lavish materials for your wedding car decorations. We love sleek silk drapery with ornate calligraphy to accentuate your getaway car. Without any additional accents, this sign is all you need to highlight your vehicle.

09 of 20

Make Orchids the Focal Point

Bride and groom riding in the back of a vintage vehicle with orchids and greenery lining the hood — Photo by Sotiris Tsakanikas

Touted as one of the most popular wedding flowers, orchids are a fitting option for your getaway car. These eye-catching blooms were the star of the show on this couple’s vintage convertible at their old Hollywood wedding in Athens. Smaller yellow flowers paired nicely with the center of the orchids. The car installation even matched the bride’s bouquet.

10 of 20

Rely on White Buds

Bride and groom riding along the streets of the Amalfi Coast in a car decorated with greenery and white flowers — Photo by Gianni Di Natale Photographers

Looking for timeless decorations for your getaway car? You can't beat a garland of white flowers and greenery. The classy color combination will accentuate your vehicle without overshadowing the main moment. After this couple traded vows at their intimate Italian wedding, their embellished vehicle elicited a lot of shouts and cheers from locals while they drove around the Amalfi Coast.

11 of 20

Include a Handwritten Sign

Bride and groom waving to their guests in the back of a Mercedes convertible with a DIY sign and tin cans — Photo by Kaley from Kansas

Whether you want a budget-friendly alternative or are hoping to flex your creative muscles, consider creating your own DIY sign. You can produce something as simple or as elaborate as you’d like: This couple used basic lettering to denote their newlywed status at their whimsical wedding in New York, or you can add custom illustrations and hand-calligraphy in vibrant colors for a work of art.

12 of 20

Select a Single Strand of Greenery

Bride and groom riding in a vintage convertible decorated with greenery garland — Photo by Jessica Burke Photography

A lush garland of greens is a gorgeous option for your aisle arrangements or table runner, so why not use it to decorate your getaway car? Since a strand of greenery is breathtaking on its own, you won’t need any other adornments to demand attention. Consider this option for summer nuptials in a garden or forest.

13 of 20

Hang a Floral Wreath

A vintage white car decorated with a floral wreath and a just married sign — Photo by Lauren Balingit

For a unique presentation, switch up the popular garland display with a wreath. A halo of greenery and brightly-colored flowers will bring a garden-like feel to the back of your vehicle. Place a “just married” sign in the center of the circle to highlight your marriage announcement.

14 of 20

Adorn With Pink Blooms

A vintage car decorated with pink flowers and a sign with floral illustrations — Photo by Ryan Ray

A spray of bright flowers is the perfect car adornment if you're the type of couple that's interested in a more dramatic design. A cluster of pink blooms on your wedding car is ideal for spring or summer fêtes in a garden. The retro sign even includes floral illustrations in the same pink tones. This entire setup will especially pop against a white car.

15 of 20

Celebrate With Colorful Streamers

Colorful streamers, roses, tin cans, and a just married sign suspended from a getaway car — Photo by Sara Beth Turner Photography

In addition to vibrant blooms, you can also add a splash of color with streamers. This couple enhanced their reception exit after their Alice in Wonderland-inspired wedding with strands of yellow, purple, green, and orange. This display works best for boisterous bashes with bold color schemes.

16 of 20

Garnish With a Halo of Eucalyptus

Bride and groom riding in a convertible decorated with a wreath of eucalyptus while guests cheer — Photo by Jonnie + Garrett

Infuse a rustic and organic touch into your getaway car with a wreath of silver dollar eucalyptus. A simple ring of greens will look even more beautiful with a sign that shouts your marital status. Add other seasonal plants if you’re interested in embracing texture.

17 of 20

Decorate the Interior

A vintage convertible with anthurium, branches, and roses on the interior — Photo by Blue Note Weddings

Most couples accentuate the exterior of their cars, but jaw-dropping decorations on the inside will only serve to enhance the overall look. This installation of anthurium, roses, branches, and greenery brings color, depth, and shape to vintage wheels. You can even repurpose a ceremony or reception arrangement for a sustainable option.

18 of 20

Go the Traditional Route

Vintage convertible in a field decorated with tin cans and streamers alternated with strands of greenery — Photo by Henry + Mac

When you think of a getaway car, you probably conjure up images of a vehicle suspended with streamers and tin cans. If you want your send-off to feel reminiscent of a romantic comedy, stick with this customary décor. For a botanical touch, pair with strands of greenery.

19 of 20

Beautify Your Trunk

Bride and groom riding in a black convertible with flowers and greenery on the trunk — Photo by Yessica Cruz

If you’re jetting off in a convertible, engulf the trunk with a large install of flowers. Creamy white flowers and lush greenery will stand out against a sleek black automobile. Introduce a sense of cohesion by using the same blooms to embellish your door handles.

20 of 20

Create a Bed of Greens

A rustic truck on a lawn decorated with a bed of greenery in the back — Photo by Henry + Mac

Riding off in a pickup truck is a fitting way to conclude a rustic or backyard event. To decorate your mode of transportation, fill the bed with greenery. Your arrangement will also match the surrounding scenery.

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