Some useful info...

What to expect! 

Not a traditional wedding. There won’t be speeches or a sit-down meal—think of it more like a mini festival/country fair.

The day will go something like this (although check back as there will be changes):

11.30am-12.30pm Jack in the Green parade, handfasting ceremony for Hannah & Tom, naming ceremony for Rowan 

1-3pm Big BBQ (veggie options included), floral/foliage head crown making, live music  

3-5pm Cake, live music, archery, village fete-type fun, woodland walks, awarding of the best Jack in the Green costume and cake competition

5-7pm Open mic (bring an instrument, a poem, a story, a song, a joke, anything you’d like to share), hot food from The Red Pig food truck

7-11pm Bonfire, marshmallows, stars, Bedfordshire Clangers, more music, dancing 

What is a civil partnership anyway?

Legally, it’s similar to marriage. But because it’s new for opposite-sex couples it doesn't have the same traditions associated with it, leaving us free to celebrate however we please!  

If you want to know more, this BBC article gives some background.

Accommodation

You're welcome to bring a tent and camp in the field… there will be toilets, water, and a big campfire. Plus you won’t have to worry about transport at the end of the night. 

However, if you'd rather a sturdier roof over your head, we recommend first having a look at Airbnb and searching Catsfield, Crowhurst, Battle, Ashburnham, Ninfield, Hooe… all a short taxi ride away. 

Otherwise, there are various pubs with rooms in Battle (either a short cab ride or a scenic 40-minute walk through fields and woods):

Chequers 

The George

The Abbey Hotel 

Further afield (20-30 min drive), there are some lovely guest houses in Hastings, Bexhill and Rye. 

We suggest booking asap as it's a popular weekend and we hear quite a few places have already booked up. 

If you plan to camp at ours, just let us know when you RSVP so we can have an idea of numbers. 

Taxis

Sorry city folk, there's no Uber here! You need to call a person and book a taxi—preferably quite far in advance. 

Here are some local cab companies: 

Battle Taxis - 01424 777 222

Abbey Taxis - 01424 777 776

Dave's Taxi - 07919 666 646

Town & Country Taxis - 01424 772 222

247 247 - 01424 247 247 

Dress code 

Our theme is Jack in the Green, to coincide with Hastings Jack in the Green parade on the Sunday—well worth sticking around for if you can. The English folk custom, very successfully revived in Hastings, celebrates May Day and releases the spirit of summer through the symbolic slaying of the Jack. 

Wear whatever you bloody well feel like. But of course, we'd love it if you want to dress up in full Green Man/May Day Morris Dancer/Beltane regalia (think floaty milkmaid dresses, folky waistcoats, leaves, flowers, fur, feathers, ribbons, hankies and horns). A quick Google image search for 'Jack in the Green' should offer suitable inspiration.  

To help you add the finishing touch to your costume there'll be a stand where you can make fresh floral/foliage head crowns on the day.

And there'll be prizes for the best costume—one for adults and one for kids. 

Don't fall down the rabbit hole(s)

The field is full of rabbit holes, so flat shoes—boots, wellies, sandals—highly recommended. 

And bring a warm coat/cloak for the evening. There will be a marquee, but this is predominantly an outdoor event so come prepared for all English spring weather possibilities!

Food & drink 

There'll be a big BBQ for lunch, something warm and yummy for dinner and other tasty treats to nibble on throughout the day. Please let us know about any dietary requests so we have an idea of how many veggie options are needed etc (and feel free to bring anything else you fancy, too). 

There will also be some booze provided, but bring along whatever you want to drink once that runs out—a bottle of fizz, a six pack or if you're coming from the West Country, some disgustingly strong farm cider. There's lots of merrymaking to be done…

In true country fair style, we'll also be having a cake competition. So if you're up for it, bake your favourite cake and place it on our cake table when you arrive. Everyone at the wedding will be asked to vote for their favourite, and the winner will be awarded a prize.

More trees, please

Our priority on the 2nd of May is to have a party at our new place with all our family and friends. But if you do feel like giving us a gift, how about buying us some trees? 

We want to plant the field our party is taking place in with native woodland—English Oak, Hazel, Rowan, Silver Birch, Blackthorn, Hawthorn—to help support the local wildlife. Any contributions towards that will hopefully be there for future generations to enjoy.