The order of the day

Saturday 12 June 2027. Arrive from two; nothing before then is organised, and the pub in the village does not open until twelve.

14.00
Doors, and a drink The yard
14.30
The ceremony The yard, or the grain floor if wet
15.15
Photographs, briefly By the pond
16.00
Tea, beer and a cake stall The long barn
18.00
Dinner The grain floor
20.30
Speeches The grain floor
21.15
The band, then the playlist The long barn
00.30
Bacon rolls The yard
01.00
Carriages The lane
Harriet and Ivo reaching for each other on open ground in the late sun.

A few things worth knowing

The ceremony is thirty-five minutes and there is no processional music you need to stand for. If you are running late, come in at the back; the registrar will not mind and neither will we.

Dinner is served, not a buffet, so tell us in your reply if there is something you cannot eat. Between the ceremony and dinner there is a long gap on purpose — that is the part everyone remembers.

The bar takes cards. The last train from Chippenham goes before the band does, so see travel and stay first.