When is the best time to have an ice cream van at a wedding?

The drinks reception and the gap between the wedding breakfast and the evening party are the two most popular slots. Guests are standing, mingling and waiting for something to happen, so the van gets used well. Late-evening service can also work on a warm night, especially if you have plenty of guests arriving only for the reception.

Will the van be noisy during the speeches?

No. Our vans are fully electric while serving, so there is no engine running to keep the freezers cold. They are close to silent while serving. If speeches are taking place nearby, we stop serving, close the hatch and wait until they finish, then carry on once your coordinator gives us the nod.

Can the van park on the grass next to our marquee?

Often, yes, but it depends on the ground and the venue. A van needs firm, reasonably level ground and a clear route in. After heavy rain a lawn can be too soft. We will ask your venue about access and hardstanding, and suggest the closest sensible spot to the marquee.

Do you play the chimes at weddings?

Only if you want us to. Some couples love a quick burst of the chimes as the van arrives or as a signal that ice cream is open. Others prefer silence. Tell us your preference and we will follow it, and we always keep it brief out of respect for the venue and neighbours.

Ice cream van hire · London & Home Counties

Ice cream van hire for weddings

A battery-powered ice cream van, silent while serving, that can park close to your guests without an engine humming through the speeches.

Get a quote 020 8088 5431

A wedding day runs on a timetable, and the best moments for ice cream are the gaps in it. The drinks reception, while the photographer takes the family groups, is the obvious one. Guests have been standing for a while, the sun is often at its strongest, and a cone in hand gives people who have never met something to talk about. The other good slot is the lull between the wedding breakfast and the first dance, when the room is being turned round.

Our vans are fully electric while serving. Once we are parked the engine goes off, and the freezers and the soft serve machine run from the batteries, so there is no engine ticking over to keep things cold. That matters at a wedding more than almost anywhere else. We can park beside a marquee, on a courtyard or near the terrace without fumes drifting into the tent and without a diesel drone underneath the best man's speech. If the speeches happen outdoors, we simply pause and wait.

The vans themselves are classic Mr. Whippy and Wall's livery, one red and one cream, and they photograph well. Couples often use the van as a backdrop for a few relaxed shots, and the Knickerbocker Glories and Nutella Waffles tend to end up on guests' phones. We work with your planner or venue coordinator on arrival times and parking, and we keep a low profile until it is our turn.

Why our vans suit it

Quiet enough for the speechesWith no engine running, the van makes very little noise. We can serve within sight of the top table, and when the toasts begin we stop and stand back. Nobody has to shout over a generator.
No fumes near the marqueeVans that idle by a marquee can push exhaust into the tent on a still day. Ours has no engine or generator running while we serve, so there are no fumes at the van around guests in their best clothes and around the food.
A van that suits the photographsThe red and cream vans carry traditional livery that looks right in a country garden or a city courtyard. Ask us where to park for the best light and we will work around your photographer.
Paperwork your venue will ask forMany wedding venues want public liability insurance, a food hygiene rating and a risk assessment before a supplier arrives. We hold £5M public liability cover and a 5 Star Food Hygiene rating, and we can send documents ahead.

Planning ice cream for weddingsPractical tips

Pick the serving window

Most couples choose the drinks reception or the gap between the meal and the dancing. Serving during the wedding breakfast rarely works, because guests are seated. Tell us your running order and we will suggest the slot where the van gets used most.

Check access to the lawn or courtyard

An ice cream van needs a firm route in and a reasonably level spot to park. Soft lawns after rain can be a problem. Ask your venue where suppliers can drive, whether there are gates or low branches, and whether hardstanding is available near the marquee.

Decide who pays

Almost every couple chooses to host the van so guests simply walk up and order. If you would like to limit the menu or the serving time, we can agree that in advance. It keeps things simple for guests and avoids anyone reaching for a wallet.

Brief your coordinator on the speeches

If speeches are outdoors or near where we park, let us know when they are due. We pause service, close the hatch and wait. Your coordinator can give us a nod when it is time to open again.

Plan for the weather

British summers are unpredictable. With nothing running while we serve, some venues will let us serve under cover, in a barn doorway or close to a marquee entrance, subject to their own access and safety rules. It is worth asking your venue about a wet-weather position when you book.

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Questions people ask

When is the best time to have an ice cream van at a wedding?: The drinks reception and the gap between the wedding breakfast and the evening party are the two most popular slots. Guests are standing, mingling and waiting for something to happen, so the van gets used well. Late-evening service can also work on a warm night, especially if you have plenty of guests arriving only for the reception.
Will the van be noisy during the speeches?: No. Our vans are fully electric while serving, so there is no engine running to keep the freezers cold. They are close to silent while serving. If speeches are taking place nearby, we stop serving, close the hatch and wait until they finish, then carry on once your coordinator gives us the nod.
Can the van park on the grass next to our marquee?: Often, yes, but it depends on the ground and the venue. A van needs firm, reasonably level ground and a clear route in. After heavy rain a lawn can be too soft. We will ask your venue about access and hardstanding, and suggest the closest sensible spot to the marquee.
Do you play the chimes at weddings?: Only if you want us to. Some couples love a quick burst of the chimes as the van arrives or as a signal that ice cream is open. Others prefer silence. Tell us your preference and we will follow it, and we always keep it brief out of respect for the venue and neighbours.

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