Schedule
A full printed schedule will be shared the evening before. Here's the shape of the day.
2:00 pm
Gates Open · Outdoor Activities Begin
Arrive, get settled, grab a drink. Outdoor games open — bouncy castle, oversized board games, football, kites, badminton. Kids' area set up. Video interview studio opens in the small gazebo.
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Video Interviews — "The Elders Speak"
Children as interviewers, elders and guests as subjects. Prompt cards provided. This will be edited into a keepsake film — please take part. The kids have been briefed. They have follow-up questions.
2:15 – 2:50 pm
Photo Booth Open
Dressing-up props, silly hats, feather boas — the works. White backdrop. Get in early before the queue.
15:00
Ceremony Begins
Please be seated by 14:50. Bilingual ceremony (English and Polish). Ring warming, vow reading, bread, salt & wine blessing. Approximately 45 minutes.
15:45
Speeches
Short and heartfelt — approximately 15 minutes. We know you're hungry. Bilingual translator on standby for Polish speeches. Floor open for contributions.
16:30
Buffet Opens
Full hot buffet served. Dietary options: Vegan, Meat (Halal), and Fish. If you have specific dietary requirements, please note them in your RSVP. For those joining us just for the reception — welcome, the food starts here!
17:00 onwards
Photo Booth Reopens · Outdoor Games Continue
The sun is still up (in theory). Garden stays open. Kids: go wild. Adults: you too. The BBQ may also make a second appearance.
18:30
First Dance · DJ Set Begins
Dance floor opens. DJ on rotation through the evening, or we may switch to Spotify — either way it'll move you. Caribbean vibes, Polish classics, R&B, afrobeats. Request list open all night.
21:00
Final Hour — Last Dances
Wind down or ramp up. Last drinks, last songs. Make them count.
22:00
Venue Closes
Centre Parcs guests: ~25 min drive. Premier Inn: ~10 min. Everyone else: travel safe. See you on the other side. 💛
The Ceremony
A bilingual celebration of two cultures joining as one. 3:00 pm — please be seated by 14:50.
1
Processional
Music plays, we walk in. Try not to cry before we even get to the vows. (No promises.)
2
Ring Warming
The rings are passed around every guest in a small pouch while music plays. A moment for your personal wishes before they go on our fingers. Bilingual narration.
3
Vow Reading
Personal vows — written and spoken by us. English and Polish. Heartfelt and mercifully concise. (Alex's first draft had footnotes. It has been edited.)
4
Bread, Salt & Wine Blessing
A Polish wedding tradition. Bread represents never going hungry. Salt for life's challenges. Wine for shared joy. Gosia's family leads this moment.
5
Exchange of Rings & Pronouncement
The part where we officially become the Smiths. Bilingual. You may now take photographs.
Outdoor Activities
All free, all day, all ages. Running from 2:00 pm — in the garden and outdoor area.
Bouncy Castle
Kids — and adults after enough jerk chicken
Football
All ages
Badminton
All ages
Netball (casual)
All ages
Kites
All ages
Giant Chess
All ages
Giant Draughts
All ages
Giant Connect 4
All ages
Cards & Dominoes
All ages
Video Interviews
Children interview the elders
Photo Booth
All ages · props provided
Kids' Corner
Under 5s · sandpit & play-doh
BBQ
Afternoon · halal options
Food & Drink
🍽️ Buffet
From 4:30 pm
Full hot buffet from 4:30 pm. Dietary options: Vegan · Meat (Halal) · Fish. Please make sure dietary requirements are noted in your RSVP — helps enormously with planning. If you have any other requirements, use the free-text field.
🍷 Drinks
Welcome drinks + evening bar
Welcome drinks on arrival. Wine, Champagne, beer, spirits and soft drinks through the evening. Wine sourced from France because we're not savages. Beer from Booker because we're also not made of money. If you have a particular request, mention it in the RSVP.
🥩 BBQ
Outdoor grill, afternoon
Lighter grazing food running alongside the afternoon activities. Halal options available. The unofficial sport of the day: standing near whoever has the tongs.
🎂 Something Sweet
Details coming soon
Watch this space. There will be cake. There will be dessert. There may be something Polish and something Jamaican competing for your loyalty at the same table. Choose wisely. Or don't — just have both.
Just coming Saturday?
Saturday is a full, free day. Here's every cost involved and how to keep them down.
✓ THE DAY ITSELF
£0
Food, drinks, activities, entertainment — all included. There is no ticket price, no bar tab, no hidden cost on the day. Just show up.
➡ TRAVEL — FROM LONDON
~£10–£30 return
🏛 OVERNIGHT — IF YOU NEED IT
From ~£91/night (Sep prices)
Premier Inn Dunstable North (A5) — ~10 min from venue. From £55–80/night if you book now. premierinn.com →
Premier Inn Dunstable South A5 — only a few minutes further. From £91/night (12 Sep). premierinn.com →
Premier Inn Dunstable/Luton — 1.88 miles · From £103/night. Slightly closer but pricier — premierinn.com →
AirBnB / shared room — Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable have good options for groups splitting a property from ~£30–40pp.
Prices rise fast — September weekend rates are already up since April. Book now.
Premier Inn Dunstable South A5 — only a few minutes further. From £91/night (12 Sep). premierinn.com →
Premier Inn Dunstable/Luton — 1.88 miles · From £103/night. Slightly closer but pricier — premierinn.com →
AirBnB / shared room — Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable have good options for groups splitting a property from ~£30–40pp.
Prices rise fast — September weekend rates are already up since April. Book now.
➡ SAME-DAY RETURN
Totally doable
The venue closes at 10 pm. Last trains from Leighton Buzzard to Euston run until around 23:58 — giving you plenty of time. Check National Rail for your exact return.
💡 TIPS FOR KEEPING COSTS DOWN
- Book your train ticket as early as possible — advance fares from Euston can be under £10 each way
- Travel in a group: a 4-person Uber from London often works out cheaper than the train once split
- If staying overnight, shared AirBnB rooms in Leighton Buzzard or Dunstable start from ~£30–40pp
- Dress casually, travel light, and just show up. That's honestly all we want.
Questions about travel, lifts, or logistics? Get in touch — we'll help where we can.
Travel Cost Guide
Advance tickets open 12 weeks before — for 12 Sep that's 19 June 2026. All figures per adult, return, advance booking.
| Origin | Route | Day Only | + Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (central) | Euston → Leighton Buzzard, ~35 min direct. Last return 23:58. | £25–35 | £80–105 |
| Outer London / Home Counties | Train or 30–60 min drive. Often free parking near venue. | £10–25 | £65–85 |
| Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry) | Direct Birmingham New St → LBZ, ~1h 32min. | £25–40 | £80–105 |
| South / South Coast (Bristol, Southampton) | 1–2 changes, 2.5–3.5 hrs total. | £40–65 | £95–125 |
| North (Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield) | 1 change via MK or Euston. Manchester ~1h 56min fastest. | £40–65 | £95–130 |
Day only = return train + local taxi (~£10 each way from Leighton Buzzard station). Overnight adds Premier Inn Dunstable from ~£55/night. GroupSave (3+ passengers) gives ⅓ off. Any railcard saves ⅓. Advance tickets open 19 June 2026 — mark your calendar.
Practicalities
👗 Dress Code
Formal · Smart · Smart Casual
Saturday: Your choice — dress up or keep it smart casual. Suits welcome. Flat or low shoes strongly recommended (outdoor grass). Pack a layer for the evening.
Sunday at Centre Parcs: Casual — outdoor walks, forest activities. Totally relaxed.
Sunday at Centre Parcs: Casual — outdoor walks, forest activities. Totally relaxed.
🚗 Parking
Free on-site
Free parking at the venue. Sat nav: LU7 9PN. If driving home after drinks, please plan ahead — local taxi numbers will be displayed at the venue and shared in the final schedule.
♿ Accessibility
Fully Accessible
The venue is single-level throughout — every area is accessible. There is a fully equipped accessible toilet on-site. If you have specific access requirements, please note them in your RSVP or contact us directly and we'll make sure you're looked after.
🚕 Taxis
Pre-book for Saturday Night
Saturday nights in September book up fast — we strongly recommend pre-booking. Here are local firms:
Sterling Cabs · 01525 45 25 25 · sterlingcabs.com
Dialacar Taxis · dialacartaxis.co.uk · 40+ years local
Globe Taxis · globetaxis.com · has an app
Burgins Taxis · burginstaxis.co.uk · minibuses available
Or use Uber — generally available in the area. Local taxi numbers will also be displayed at the venue on the day. A list of pre-vetted local taxi firms will also be in the final schedule. Saturday nights in September book up — we'd recommend pre-booking your return journey.
Sterling Cabs · 01525 45 25 25 · sterlingcabs.com
Dialacar Taxis · dialacartaxis.co.uk · 40+ years local
Globe Taxis · globetaxis.com · has an app
Burgins Taxis · burginstaxis.co.uk · minibuses available
Or use Uber — generally available in the area. Local taxi numbers will also be displayed at the venue on the day. A list of pre-vetted local taxi firms will also be in the final schedule. Saturday nights in September book up — we'd recommend pre-booking your return journey.
Sunday morning: We'll be at Centre Parcs Woburn Forest from Sunday — about 25 minutes from the venue. Several ways to join us, from booking a lodge to a day pass or spa visit. Head to the Centre Parcs Guide for full details.