the.wedding
The service will take place at 1:30pm at Hawkesyard Hall, with the reception to follow at the adjacent Manhattan Suite from about 3:00pm onwards, with the "evening" starting around 7pm.
The hall has limited capacity and so unfortunately we have had to restrict the number of people we can invite to the
wedding, which means that there are some guests have sadly only been able to invite to the evening reception. For this
reason, we would really appreciate early RSVP's from guests to allow us to make best use of the space available to us.
Following the service, photographs will be taken in the hall and gardens.
the.reception
Mr and (the.new) Mrs Rogers will take pleasure in receiving our guests at the Manhattan Suite, located above Bar 19 (and overlooking the 18th Green) at St Thomas Priory Golf Course, which is a short walk from the hall through an ancient Monk's Cemetry, giving an opportunity for a moment's contemplation (if you're into such things).
Bar 19 will be open for guests (and also for the golf club members) who get there before we're ready to welcome them into the Manhattan Suite. When we've had chance to say hello to everyone (and send the boys round to anyone who said they were coming and clearly haven't turned up, tut tut), much feasting shall occur at our expense (anyone who doesn't like baked beans or toast should let us know). Speeches will follow, which we'll keep as brief as we can, or not (can't make the sweepstake too easy now, can we?). More toast will follow, of the sparkly alcohol variety this time, and then we'll turf everyone out into the autumn rain1 so that the room can be set up for dancing.
As the eagerly awaited evening guests start to arrive, much dancing and merriment shall occur into the night, punctuated by the evening food which will be available from far.too.soon.after.we.finished.the.wedding.breakfast until oops.we.forgot.to.have.some.food.and.it's.being.cleared.up.now o'clock.
1 We're told this will almost definitely not happen :-)
the.aftermath
Lots of taxis will no doubt be arriving as people drift off to their hotels - we'll do some shopping around for you and try and get some good rates. Anyone who wishes to drive to the event and leave cars there overnight (to be collected in the morning) is welcome to do so, as far as we know - we'll update this if not.
the.golf
For those gentlemen arriving on the Friday night (or very early Saturday), Mark is planning to start the day of the wedding with 9 holes of golf at the St Thomas Priory Golf Course. The club only allows members to play from 9am, so we have arranged to start around 8:30-8:45am on the morning of the wedding, weather permitting. That means tee-off by those times, not arrive, put on shoes, ....
It should be possible to complete the 9 holes by around 11am, and be back at the hotel getting changed shortly afterwards. I have made it clear that if Mark plays slowly then he has to stop before reaching the 9th green; delaying the wedding is not an option!
The golf club have agreed a rate of £10/player for the 9 holes, subject to a maxium of around 12 players to clear the course in time. Club dress code will apply (basically no denim and no bright colours).
Please let us know if you are interest in playing.
Be aware that the groom is a terrible golfer, as are most of those who have so far expressed an interest.