Wow, can't believe it's so close now. As we write this, it is less than five weeks to go!

Thank you to everyone who sent back a formal RSVP to our invitation - so beautifully written.

Just one person has said that they require vegetarian food.

We have been plenty busy, arranging the details of the wedding reception and we hope you enjoy being there with us on the day.

Much love to you all,

Charlie and Ed.

Our Honeymoon (& gift list info)

In days gone by, when a couple wed, they were setting up home for the first time and gifts for the home were just what was needed.

Well, it's true that times have changed. We bought our little house last year and have everything we need. In fact, in some cases we have two sets of things - luckily, we have a good-sized attic!

We recognise that many of you have come from far and away to get here and we know that it costs plenty just to get over here. Please remember that we do not need you to give us anything: you could say that the only presents we need is your presence! (groan)

But for those of you that would like to give us something, let us stress again that we don't need anything for the house! We would, however, love your contributions to our honeymoon. We have booked our honeymoon with a company called Turquoise and they kindly have set up a honeymoon gift list for us so that you can make our honeymoon extra special.

If you want to contribute, you will need to know our gift list number, which is 32791.

We are so excited to be going to the Maldives for our honeymoon. We are looking forward to enjoying the sunshine and sea.

The resort is called Vivante by Taj Coral Reef and it is 5-star. We feel sure that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will always hold special memories for us. We have written a bit more about it on the gift list itself.

Getting There

View Charlie and Ed's wedding venues in a larger map

We know it's a long journey for some of our guests, some of whom will be travelling halfway around the globe just to come and see us tie the knot.

We hope that the following information helps to make your travel as smooth and as pleasant as possible.

The official SE Cornwall website http://www.visit-southeastcornwall.co.uk/


Not sure what is the best way to get there? Try the BBC Routeplanner. It can help you with finding flights, trains, buses/ coaches, car routes or even get you there using a combination of different modes of transport. Select the door-to-door journey planner to see if you can get there quicker/ cheaper/ easier!


"Taxi!"

Tower Cabs Plymouth(01752) 25 25 25
Crownhill Taxis, Plymouth (01752) 77 55 77
Taxisfirst, Plymouth (01752) 22 22 22

Cottons Taxi Service, Saltash (01752) 84 84 84

Tamar Bridge Tolls

The River Tamar divides Devon and Cornwall. If you are travelling by car, you will, more than likely, go over the 1961 Tamar Bridge.

As you cross, you may notice the Royal Albert Bridge designed by the engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This wrought iron bridge was opened by Prince Albert in 1859 and is still used by trains today.

The toll operates in one direction - those who wish to leave Cornwall! You will need to have your money ready after you have crossed the bridge and are on the Devon side. It is £1.50 for a car/ small van at the time of writing. And £3 for a caravan, I believe.

For further details, please view the Tamar Crossings website:

http://www.tamarcrossings.org.uk/

Calling All Vegetarians

We will be offering a good range of fresh, local meat, fish, bread and vegetables on the day which we believe will cover most tastes, including some lacto-free desserts. Therefore, most people will not need to contact us about food.

However, please can you let us know if you or any of your party will need a vegetarian meal or otherwise follow a restricted diet that will not be covered by a decent choice. The caterers are happy to provide a delicious vegetarian alternative, but they will need to know how many are required. Therefore, would you be so kind as to let us know when you RSVP.

If you have a food allergy, it may also be useful to let us know in advance, especially if it is severe. However, you are still advised to check with the servers on the day about anything you would need to avoid.

Accommodation

Wondering where to stay?

We will provide a 35 seater coach from two hotels, so you might prefer to stay at one of these. These are:
St Mellion International Resort Hotel (where the ceremony will take place) and The Holland Inn. All prices are correct at the time of writing.

St Mellion Hotel

The location is perfect at this 4* hotel. If you are staying here, getting to the ceremony will be a piece of cake. Just along the corridor, and you're there!

Because we are holding our ceremony there, St. Mellion have a special rate to offer our guests, but these are in very limited numbers due to golfing event happening at the same time. A double or twin room, which at full price is a substantial £170-190, will cost only £80 not including breakfast or £96 including breakfast. (Breakfast is normally £12.50 per person. We will be having breakfast and will be delighted to see you there if you can make it! Even those who are staying elsewhere would be very welcome to join us for breakfast.)

When booking, you will need to speak to Annmarie James, who is the Events Co-ordinator. You will need to pay a flat rate deposit of £50 to secure the booking. This will be subtracted from your total bill that you pay the morning you check out. Annmarie can also advise you as to the prices of other rooms available including suites. I am not sure that you can get the discount we have agreed using the internet booking system.

Please note that those staying at St. Mellion have free access to their leisure facilities (normally £10), so consider packing your swim gear/ gym kit! They have swimming pools, a gym, a sauna, a steam room and a jacuzzi.

(01759) 352 062 Annmarie James (Events Co-ordinator)
(01579) 351 351 St Mellion International Resort - All Enquiries
http://www.st-mellion.co.uk/rooms.asp


The Holland Inn

This motel built around an old pub is in a useful location for our wedding day plans. Easy to find and only 3.5 miles away from St. Mellion Hotel.

At the time of writing, it is £75 for a double room plus breakfast. Please see their website for up-to-date details and information about other rooms available. We asked if they might provide a discount for block bookings, but they said that they had no problem filling their 30 ensuite rooms during the tourist season. So if this is where you wish to stay, it is wise to book early.

Parking seems ample and rooms are on the ground level with own-door access from the car park.

If you do book with the Holland Inn, could you let us know in the comments box - this is just for the purposes of running the coach.

(01752) 844044
http://www.hollandinn.co.uk/



Other Options

Starting with the most expensive first...


Pentillie Estate B&B
If you want to stay in a grade II listed castle in acres of historic grounds, here's your chance.
9 Double/twin ensuite rooms- from £122 to £197 for B&B.
5.8 miles from Cotehele House.

Pentillie Castle was featured on Country House Rescue, shown on Channel 4 in 2009.

http://www.pentillie.co.uk/
01579 350 044





Cadson Manor 5* B&B

£96 for a double room.
7.2 miles from Cotehele House.
Adults only.

http://www.cadsonmanor.co.uk/
(01579) 383969


The Crooked Inn B&B

£85 for a double room.
8 miles from Cotehele House.

(01752) 843 203
http://www.crooked-inn.co.uk/


Updown Cottage B&B
Near Callington
Three rooms range from £39 for a single to £70-80 for a double to include breakfast
5.9 miles from Cotehele House.
Caroline and Peter Hammond
01579 370474
Updown Cottage

Hampton Manor B&B
£70 for a double room.
6 rooms all ensuite/private bathroom;
Garden Room has disabled access.
Log fire, summerhouses, on-site restaurant.
7 miles from Cotehele House.
http://www.hamptonmanor.co.uk/
01579 370494

Croft View B&B
in Metherell, only 1.8 miles from Cotehele House.
£68 for a kingsized double with en suite.
Janet and Mike keep hens, so you should get fresh eggs in the morning!
http://www.croftview.co.uk/
01579 350773




Lower House B&B
in Callington.
Georgian town house - local art on display
run by Peter and Tessa Sulston.
£35 for a single room; £65 for a double.
5 miles from Cotehele House.
01579 383491
Lower House


Grace View B&B
£29 single
£59 for twin/ double
£79 en suite double
6 bedrooms available + games room
Only 1.8 miles from Cotehele

http://www.graceview.hoktech.co.uk/
01579 351276


Green Pastures B & B
£21-25 pppn
4.3 miles from Cotehele House
They keep ducks, geese and chickens. Also Shetland ponies.
http://www.tamarvalleyview.co.uk/index.html
01579 382 566


Dolbeare Park
"5* Family Caravan and Camping in Cornwall"

£7 to pitch your small tent for the night.
£22.50 to hook up your caravan.
Or why not stay for longer - they have weekly rates available.
Again, do check the website for more up-to-date info.

10 miles from Cotehele, this is definitely not your closest option, but may be convenient for those who wish to stay in their own caravan or tent.

(01752) 851332

http://www.dolbeare.co.uk/

We advise that you book as soon as you can since early September is still the tourist season. We hope that even if some options are booked up, this list is comprehensive enough to give our guests a good choice and to save you some time looking around.

We have not personally stayed in any of these places. Ratings and reviews can sometimes be found at www.tripadvisor.com or www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Welcome!

Hello and a very warm welcome to Charlie and Ed's wedding blog!

Glad you found it!

These pages are to help our guests before the wedding - finding accommodation, finding your way there - and hopefully we will put up photos of the wedding/ honeymoon after it is all over.

This is a photo taken the evening that Ed proposed, in September 2010, at Ta' Frenc restaurant in Gozo, Malta's sister island. Charlie had just completed her PADI Open Water and thought the meal out was because she'd qualified as a diver. She was delighted when he got down on one knee and presented the solitaire diamond ring he'd had made for her. They celebrated with champagne followed by a lovely meal.