Yes, we're tying the knot
... on the 20th of June 2020
Oliver Peter Wilkins proposed to Josephine Jane Hayes on 3 August 2019 on the beach at Salthouse, near Cley Next the Sea, Norfolk, UK. They had a picnic of fizz, plus strawberries and cream. Then Ollie produced the ring...
20 June 2020
St Mary's Church, Whissonsett, Norfolk
Venues & timings
Where?
The nuptuals will be performed by the Rev Robin Stapleford at St Mary The Virgin's Church in Whissonsett, Norfolk, with the reception and wedding breakfast taking place a few miles away at the Village Hall in Castle Acre, overlooking the amazing ruins of the 11th Century motte-and-bailey castle. Built around 1250, St Mary's is a lovely little church in a beautiful setting.
The reception & wedding breakfast (PE32 2XB)
When?
20 June 2020
Approximate timings...
Arrival: 1.15pm
Wedding service (St Mary's Church, Whissonsett): 1.30pm
Champagne reception (Village Hall, Castle Acre): 3.30pm
Wedding breakfast: 4.30pm
Speeches: 6.00pm
Photographs at the castle: 7.00pm
First dance: 7.30pm
Food truck from: 8.30pm
Carriages: 11.00pm
Note: As we won't be eating until late afternoon, please brace yourself on the day with a hearty breakfast!
Dress
This is an informal wedding, and the dress code is smartly casual. Frankly we don't mind what you wear.Those wishing to explore the castle grounds are advised to bring a pair of flat shoes (or Wellington boots!).
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
— Mignon McLaughlin.
Accommodation
There are lots of hotels of all descriptions within a few miles of Whissonsett and Castle Acre, along with a large number of Airbnb bed-and-breakfasts, but here are a few that we'd recommend... We'd advise an early booking as the quantity of rooms available is limited.
Don't be put off by the name or the 'cheap & cheerful' epithet, this is an attractive, newly built motel with 10 great value rooms. It's located immediately behind the George & Dragon pub on the A1065, just a couple of minutes drive from Castle Acre. Do not try to book online, but telephone the motel instead and mention 'Jo & Ollie's wedding' for an exclusive discounted rate of £75 a night.
A great pub and an even better restaurant – set on the green in a lovely, unspoilt village less than five miles north of Castle Acre – the Dabbling Duck has eight guest rooms for bed-and-breakfast. Double-room rates start at £110 a night. On Friday and Saturday evenings amazing pizzas are produced in a wood-fired oven.
Located in the centre of Swaffham about five miles south of Castle Acre, Strattons is a boutique hotel with 14 highly distinctive bedrooms. It also offers separate self-catering accommodation, and has an excellent restaurant plus a café-deli (CoCoes). Prices for a double room range from £99 to over £200 a night.
The Ostrich is a 16th Century coaching inn in the middle of the beatiful village of Castle Acre. Parts of the hotel are a little 'tired' and recent reviews have been mixed, but it is very close to the reception venue. It has six double/twin rooms in a neighbouring building, at prices from £70 a night.
Located in the very heart of Swaffham, the three-star George Hotel was originally a 16th Century coaching inn. Now owned by Best Western, it offers 28 non-smoking en-suite bedrooms, at bed-and-breakfast rates from £69 for a double room per night. There's also a restaurant offering cheap and cheerful fare.
The Bull Inn is a village pub, located less than five miles south of Whissonsett. There are seven simple en-suite bedrooms (you can even sleep in 'Castle Acre'!), and the restaurant serves very good value home-cooked meals (fish and chips is a speciality). Room rates are from £70 a night.
The Crown offers six modern bedrooms, at rates from £115 a night for single occupancy and £135 for double (including breakfast). There's also a lively pub with Real Ales, and a well-regarded restaurant. The inn is on the main road between Fakenham and Kings Lynn (A148), and the bedrooms are therefore said to be not ideal for those who like a quiet night.
Set in 30-acres of parkland, Congham Hall is the most up-market establishment in our list, with 15 contemporary bedrooms in the main house, plus another 11 around the Spa Garden. There's also a very good restaurant. Rates per room based on two people sharing (including breakfast and dinner) start at £235 a night.
Transport
There are dozens of taxi companies and mini-cab firms in the area. Here are a few we have heard good things about (but we can offer no guarantees)...
Matts Cabs Swaffham – 01760 722230 or 07882 025209
Al's Cabs Swaffham* – 01760 720002
Martin's Private Hire, Swaffham – 07519 821852
Platinum Cars Swaffham* – 01760 725366
Swaffham Taxis – 0800 6129063
* Bigger companies with more drivers and a wider choice of vehicles.
Parking
Parking in the area of St Mary's Whissonsett shouldn't be a problem, but parking very close to the Village Hall in Castle Acre may be difficult. For one thing, Pye's Lane is narrow – just one car's width with passing places. Please do not park in the space directly beside the Village Hall, as this will be required for the food truck. There is a car park near the bend in Pye's Lane, but it only has room for about 10 cars, and will also be open to the public. The Village Hall is just a short walk from the centre of Castle Acre, however, and we recommend that you leave your car there.
Our story in pictures
Ollie met Jo in 2015, while he was working as Head Gardener at Houghton Hall in Norfolk, and she was retailing fine art in Norwich. They have been an item ever since.
Gifts
Your presence is presents enough! But if you really want to give us a gift, then we'd love a contribution towards the cost of our honeymoon – we're both passionate about travelling.
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
— Friedrich Nietzsche.
Email address
Mobile phone numbers
Jo: 07944 180979 | Ollie: 07500 845019
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