If you are wondering which car is better, the answer is neither. It comes down to personal taste. Do you prefer a car with distinctive, flamboyant style? Go for the Rolls-Royce. Do you prefer a car with a more understated design that is just as luxurious? Go for the Bentley. If you are the type to make a grand entrance and want to pull up to the door on a red carpet, the Rolls-Royce might be for you. Its distinctive grille is its calling card, and those who see you pulling up will take notice. Most who follow luxury cars will recognize a Rolls-Royce immediately, even if they’re not car people. On the other hand, if you want to roll up quietly without making too much of a fuss, the Bentley is probably for you. It will have an air of quiet confidence. Those who know cars will take notice but in a more subtle way.
Whenever a Rolls-Royce pulls up, there is an air of expectation, a pause in the conversation, a look of awe from people who are not car enthusiasts at all. The new Phantom, from its unmistakable upright front grille to its sleek tail, is nearly 5.8 metres long. It is also stately. It says something about you, not just in being a Rolls-Royce but also that you’ve picked this classic, iconic vehicle.
The Ghost is a more understated take on a luxury car. Still, the car has a presence; the same grille and Spirit of Ecstasy make it distinguishable as a Rolls-Royce immediately. Like a good suit, it looks stylish but not ostentatious.
The Bentley Flying Spur is a comfortable, elegant vehicle. It rolls along in dignified fashion. However, unlike the Rolls-Royces, it is also sporty, with a lower centre of gravity. In contrast to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the Bentley Flying Spur is the car to have if you don’t mind being noticed but don’t want to be the centre of attention.
Rolls-Royce cars, from the Ghost to the Phantom, offer something unique in their rear-hinged doors. These doors are designed to allow you to get in and out with elegance and grace. They also offer an air of dignity when getting into or out of the car, much as if you were entering or leaving a carriage. You will look as good when getting out of the car as you did when getting in.
For your photographer, the back doors make a fantastic frame for those getting into and out of the car. It is easy to get in and out of the Bentley too. It has front-hinged doors like most modern cars. However, you won’t have the cinematic quality of a Rolls-Royce.
If you want to arrive at your destination calm and stress-free, both are excellent options. Rolls-Royce aims to create a sense of comfort and quiet in its cars. It is for you if you want to feel like you are floating along in a cloud. The Starlight Headliner looks like a starry night sky and adds to the cosiness and intimacy of the interior. The carpet is deep and plush, and the seats are a comfortable place to be. The Phantom’s rear doors even hide umbrellas in case of rain, to make sure you stay dry when you get out.
The Bentleys also have comfortable seats. However, they have an air of sportiness. The interior has a sense of quiet confidence to it. The Bentley’s cabin also has a stitched-diamond pattern in the leather. It is distinctive and sets Bentley apart.
Sometimes, the venue you choose will guide you in your choice of car. In general, the Rolls-Royce lends itself well to formal weddings, where you are going for a sense of stately grandeur. If you are going for a more informal affair, the Bentley might suit it better. The Flying Spur’s sporty feel could suit an outdoors wedding, such as a garden or coastal celebration. The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a sizeable car. Check with your venue first to make sure it will fit at the place where you will be arriving.
The Licences
All cars with hired drivers in New York City have to be booked through a TLC-licensed base; that’s a Taxi and Limousine Commission base, in case you’re wondering. The car itself and the driver who takes you to your wedding must also be TLC-licensed. If you’re talking to someone on the phone, and they get sketchy about the licences, find someone else to book with.
In the Hamptons, as in Suffolk County as a whole, limo drivers generally need a county for-hire licence, unless they are NYC-licensed and driving between the city and Suffolk.
For-hire limousines in Miami-Dade all need a current county for-hire licence, and drivers have to be county chauffeur registrants. So ask whoever is booking your wedding limousine about both the company licence and the person who is driving that day. A reputable company will show you both when you ask.
If you are offered a Mulsanne, note that Bentley stopped making it in June 2020, leaving the Flying Spur as its flagship car. That means any Mulsanne on offer will be at least six years old, so make sure the person you’re talking to is open about the car’s condition. If you’re planning a May-to-October Saturday wedding in New York City, one operator says book at least four months ahead to get your hands on a Rolls-Royce.
What Sort of Statement You Want to Make
Your choice depends on what sort of statement you want to make when you arrive, and what you want to say to your guests and wedding party. If you want to make a grand entrance, go with the Phantom. It will make everyone turn their heads. If you want a more understated arrival, the Ghost will meet your needs. It is still an elegant vehicle but doesn’t scream for attention. It is a question of where you want your wedding to be on the formality spectrum. The Bentley is slightly sportier. So, if you want something more of the moment, the Flying Spur is a perfect choice. It will stand out in an understated way.
Think about the formality of the event. Is it something grand, dignified and classic, or is it more of a laid-back affair? Consider whether you want a quiet entrance or a more dramatic one. Think about how important the doors are for the look you want to create when you step out of the car. Finally, check your venue to make sure the car will fit. When you’ve done all that, whichever choice you make will be the right one.
