Note: Please don’t forget – the accommodation at Walcot is all self-catering so for breakfast/lunch you might want to cook your own or pop into Bishop’s Castle (the local village).

There will also be a drone floating about getting video and photo footage throughout the day. As hard as it may be, please try to ignore it (unless prompted) as we’d like the footage to be as natural as possible. Thank you!

1.45pm – Photos with Bride and Bridesmaids and Groom and Groomsmen separately.

2.00pm – Guests to arrive.

2.45pm – Guests to be seated in the fountain garden.

3.00pm – Wedding ceremony in the fountain garden (weather permitting).

3.50pm – Group photograph of all guests in front of the main entrance.

4.00pm –

• Photographs with both sides of the family in gardens/forest/courtyard
• Photographs of Bride & Groom
• For all other guests canapés will be served in the Anteroom; plus drinks on the Sunken Lawn and available at the bar.

5.30pm – Guests to be seated in Ballroom. Top table first, then immediate family of Bride and Groom, followed by Bridesmaids and Groomsmen plus family, before all other guests. There is no seating plan apart from a few reserved seats.

6.00pm – Speeches from Father of the Bride, Groom and Best-man.

6.45pm – Food served

8.00pm – Tea, coffee and desserts.

8.30pm – Cutting of the cake in the Anteroom

8.40pm – Entertainment on the Sunken Lawn. Photo Booth opens in the Anteroom.

9.45pm – Picture with all guests

10.00pm – Entertainment in Ballroom and on Sunken Lawn.

10.45pm – Cheeseboard and Wedding Cake available.

1.00am – Official entertainment ends but we’ll continue the party…

 

 

There are many people that have helped out during the process of organising our special day and we are extremely grateful to each and every one of you.

We must say special thanks to Sally and Mark (Mother & Father of the bride) for making such a significant financial contribution, which has enabled us to have the wedding of our dreams.

We would also like to thank Sandra and Tony (Mother & Father of the groom) for generously paying for the food and organising the bridesmaids’ and flower girls’ dresses.

A huge thank you must also go to Di (Aunty of the groom) for providing and arranging the flowers for the day.

To Natalie Hands, thank you for putting up with Pip’s perfectionism and  making the wedding cake.

Thank you Olga & Bert (Nan & Grandad of the groom) for helping with costs towards the entertainment.

Thank you to Maggie and Jon (Aunty & Uncle of the bride), Becky, Michaela and Aimee for helping with the making of the invitations and other wedding crafts.

Thanks again to Michaela who will be performing her beautiful music on the day.

And of course, a huge thank you to Amber, Nick, Jason and Tom for organising the Hen and Stag Dos.

As many of you will be staying for two nights, we thought it would be nice if we had a little gathering, the night before the wedding, to celebrate our last night of freedom!

If you are joining us the evening before the wedding, it’s pretty casual. Come and join us anytime from 7pm, near the fountain. Bring a bottle, some meat for the BBQ or a dish to share. You may want to bring a blanket/chair to sit on and some cutlery/plates if you are eating- it’s just a chance to chill out and see each other before the big day.

 

As we cannot predict the weather, and we’re hoping some of the event will be outside, it may be a good idea to bring wellies and an umbrella.

Walcot Hall is a self-catering venue so make sure you bring food supplies for the evening before and the morning of the wedding, unless you’re planning on eating out in Bishop’s Castle (the local town).

On the day of the wedding, of course there’ll be a tipple for you all, however, if you like a bit more than a tipple (as most of us do) then you are welcome to bring your own booze, as there’s no corkage charge! How awesome is that?

We do have the option of having a pay bar, however, you’ll need to let us know if this is a facility you would like when you RSVP.

 

Some of you may prefer to stay offsite and out of the way of the rambunctious mob partying the night away and there are plenty of places to do so. We’ve compiled a list of B&Bs and hotels nearby for you to peruse…

Click the venue names to link to their websites. The descriptions are taken directly from their websites so they might be a bit ‘pitchy’.

Staddlestones B&B – Lydbury North

“Staddlestones Bed & Breakfast is a 4 bedroom cottage in the picturesque village of Lydbury North, South Shropshire. Situated in the Welsh Marches, near the historic towns of Bishop’s Castle and Ludlow – this accommodation is located within a place of outstanding beauty and tranquility.”

Powis Arms Country Inn – Lydbury North

“The Powis Arms is a 17th Century traditional Country Inn set in the deepest unspoiled Shropshire countryside. The Inn is situated at the gateway to the magnificent Walcot Hall and is one of the finest examples of  a Coach Inn still in use today.”

There are several en-suite rooms that can be booked.

The Castle Hotel – Bishop’s Castle

“The Castle Hotel in Bishops Castle, Shropshire, has twelve delightful en-suite bedrooms, three bustling bars, a fine oak panelled restaurant and one of the finest hotel gardens in Shropshire. Situated in a quiet little edge-of-town square too, so no passing traffic!”

The Boars Head Hotel – Bishop’s Castle

“We offer comfortable AA 4 Star Inn accommodation with your own entrance, Our 3 rooms are adjacent to the pub, and sleep a total of 7/8.  We have a triple room which can also take an extra bed this is an additional charge for this of £15.00, 2 twin or doubles.  All rooms have TV, DVD, Freeview, Digital Radio Alarm Clock and ipod docking station, Tea & Coffee making facilities, Iron & Board,   Hairdryer and toiletries. Wifi available in the rooms charged @ £2.00 per day.”

The Coach House – Bishop’s Castle

“Formerly the Sun Inn, our ancient building has been providing travellers with hospitality, warmth and comfort since the early 1700s. Come to Norbury, near Bishop’s Castle in the South Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and experience our unique bed and breakfast.

We are nestled between the dramatic Stiperstones ridge, with its 480 million year old tors of quartzite, and the magnificent Long Mynd which is topped with brooding heathland.”

Middle Woodbatch Farm – Bishop’s Castle

This site has both B&B and camping facilities and has feature in Countryfile Magazine.

Oakely Mynd Loft Self-catering Apartment – Bishop’s Castle

“Oakeley Mynd Loft is a spacious, first-floor studio apartment set in beautiful gardens with stunning views over the surrounding hills, 1.5 miles from Bishop’s Castle and 1 mile from Lydbury North.The apartment is in a chalet-style building in the grounds of the owners’ home, on a quiet country lane and is an ideal base to explore Shropshire, Herefordshire and Mid Wales.”

The Forge Self-catering – Lydbury North

“Situated in the village of Lydbury North, just a short drive from historic Bishop’s Castle, this charming detached cottage is perfect for those wanting to enjoy the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the nearby Welsh Marches.

 Can accommodate up to 5 ( 1 x King Sized bed, 1 x Double Sofa bed and 1 x Single Z Bed)”

Bishop’s Castle Luxury Barn – Bishop’s Castle

“A superb, detached stone cottage with a hot tub, in a rural location next to the owners’ home less than two miles from the popular market town of Bishop’s Castle in the heart of Shropshire. This delightful cottage offers stunning unspoilt views across the valley and access onto the Shropshire Way, and it provides excellent accommodation for families and friends to enjoy the area.”

Dick Turpin Cottage – Clun, Craven Arms

“The cottage is spacious and comfortable with hall, cloakroom, utility, large sitting room, bedroom with giant double or two single beds, dressing area. Large bathroom with separate power shower, fully fitted kitchen.”

For those of you those of you that like to wake up in the great outdoors, you might consider pitching a tent or pulling up in a caravan. Walcot Hall has enough room for 12 touring caravan pitches with electric hook up, plus room for additional tents. Facilities include a heated amenity block with showers, toilets, washing machine, dryer and chemical disposal point.

Camping costs £5 per person per night and the cost of an electric hook-up is £10 per night. The tariff for touring caravans is £20 per pitch per night for two guests, including electric hook up and use of amenities. Additional guests are charged £5 per person per night, children under 5 are free and accompanied children between 5 and 16 years old are half price. Well behaved dogs are allowed on site.

If you just need a place to get your head down then perhaps the Hidden Gems are perfect for you.  They’re very different and suited to the ‘Glampers’ and more adventurous folk among us! You’re not going to have loads of space and, in some cases electricity, but who cares? You’ll be too drunk to know where you are anyway. Bring a torch and some wellies…and maybe a compass.

For more detailed information about the Hidden Gems and their amenities please visit the Walcot Hall website.

Here’s an overview of the Hidden Gems available for booking:

After The Gold Rush Yurt – One double bedroom

Buffalo Spring Yurt – One double bedroom

Crazy Horse Yurt – One double bedroom

Whim Cottage – Double sofa bed, no running water or electricity

Fire Truck – One double bed

Gypsy Caravan – One double bed and one child’s cabin bed

Shepherd’s Hut –  One Kingsize bed and two fold-out single bunks

Green Glory – One double bedroom, sofa and living room with log burner

Red Showman’s Caravan – One double bedroom, sofa and living room with log burner

PLEASE NOTE: Deposits for accommodation at Walcot Hall need to be paid by 31 Jan 2016. Also, on the Walcot Hall website, all accommodation is shown in red on the calendar as it is reserved for our guests. You can still book even though it appears to already be reserved. Just contact the venue and let them know you are attending our wedding and all will be rosy.

Walcot Hall plays host to some seriously stylish and quirky accommodation, which you are able to book now.

All accommodation must be booked for a minimum of two nights. We’re staying on Friday 5th and Saturday the 6th so that we can have a bit of a shindig the night before the shit hits the fan (the wedding).

Please click on the tabs beneath ‘Accommodation’ for more information about the various types of accommodation available. If accommodation has already been booked then it will be visibly struck through (Accommodation X) to avoid you wasting your time trying to book somewhere that is unavailable.

If you have booked some accommodation please keep us informed by completing the short form below so that we can keep the website up-to-date and strike it off for the benefit of other guests.

The apartments at Walcot Hall must be booked for a minimum of 2 nights. Obviously you’ll need to book Saturday 6th August 2016 but it’s up to you whether you stay the night before the wedding or for another night after. We are staying on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th – it’s our intention to have a few drinks and a BBQ on the Friday evening. You’re welcome to join us – just make sure you bring something to stick on the Barbie.

For more detail and pictures on the accommodation please visit Walcot Hall‘s website. If any accommodation has already been booked it will show up as Accommodation X

,The Garden House – Four double bedrooms, a twin room and four bathrooms.

The Chapel – Quirky converted chapel with two double bedrooms and large open plan community rooms

The Dipping Shed – Two large double bedrooms with a spacious open plan kitchen and dining area

Berkley – Two twin bedrooms, a double bedroom and a double sofa bed

Garden Flat – Two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and traditional Aga and log burner

Plassey – One double bedroom, one twin room, a double sofa and large kitchen

Harold – One double bed, two twin beds, private garden area

Clive – One Double bedroom, two single beds, one double sofa bed

Quinton – Two double bedrooms, secluded within arboretum

Styche – Sleeps up to 14 guests, 3 double beds, 8 single beds

Montfort – Sleeps 6, One double bedroom, two twin rooms

Arcot – One double bedroom within clock tower

Arni – Two double bedrooms (No pic available at the moment)