Chapter 3: The Wedding

In summary, we are having a service at Durham Cathedral followed by a reception at Durham School with a sit-down meal and then ceilidh lasting until about midnight.

The Service

The service will be at 11am in the quire of Durham Cathedral and should last just over an hour. We are looking forward to lots of lovely organ music from our friend, Richard Scothon.

There will be communion as part of the service. Anyone is welcome to receive communion or a blessing. We won't be remotely offended if you don't want to do either. Just stay in your seat. Gluten free wafers are available. Please respect this religious space and do not take any photographs, use your mobile or post on social media while inside the cathedral.

After the service there will be photographs outside.

We will leave the cathedral through the cloisters, take the path down onto the riverbank, across Prebend's Bridge and up to Durham School. This is about a ten minute walk, but we may stop for more photographs en route. If it rains, we will still be walking. Guests are invited to join us for the walk or go by car and meet us at the reception. For those who don't know Durham well, this is a very picturesque and peaceful route. However if you are planning on wearing stillettos, you might want to pack a pair of pumps.

The Reception

There will be a drinks reception in the orangery overlooking the lawns of Durham School, followed by a sit-down wedding breakfast in the main hall. Please remind us if you have any dietary requirements.

Alcoholic and soft drinks will be provided on arrival and with the meal. Afterwards there will be a pay bar (with reasonable prices). You will need to bring cash for drinks with you as there is no cash machine on site.

In the evening Blackbeard's Tea Party will be playing a ceilidh in the Main Hall. This will be followed by a disco from about 9pm. For the less enegertic, the adjoining Orangery is a quieter space with comfortable seating overlooking the lawns. Hog Roast sandwiches and wedding cake will be served at a break in the dancing. The evening will close at 11.30pm.

Children

We have some goody bags with colouring and other quiet entertainment for children during the service. There is a ramp into the quire for pushchairs. There are also side exits so you can make a discreet escape during the service if you need. Toilets are sign-posted from the cloisters.

The reception venue has good pushchair access. The venue will be providing a child-friendly meal for our small guests, and unlimited supplies of free squash. We have also have some goody bags to help keep them entertained at the table. There is a large lawn area where they can run around outside safely.