About Us
Naomi and Alex met when she first turned up at Hertfordshire Chorus back in the summer of 2009, where Alex had been singing since 2006. They quickly fell in love and became inseparable.
In April 2012, on a holiday to the Cabo de Gata national park in Spain, Alex popped the question on top of a cliff overlooking the sunset (near a nudist beach, accidentally) and Naomi made his day (year, decade, life) by saying "yes" (while blubbing somewhat).
In June of that year, they bought their first house together in York (an experimental eco-home), where they now live.
Quick facts
| Naomi | Alex | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5'4" | 5'8" |
| Occupation | Arts manager in training | Something to do with electronics... Nobody's quite sure (least of all him) |
| Organisational skills | Lots | Minimal |
| Cooking skills | Desserts, baking, pretty things | Meat, veg, sauce |
| Singing skills | Much | A little |
| Is a gnome | Yes | No |
| Loves | Music, travelling, elephants, things that quack or honk, Alex | Music, travelling, gadgets, photography, things that quack or honk, Naomi |
Naomi
Referred to by many as "Gnome" (or variations around that theme), Naomi was born in Hertfordshire (Stevenage, although she likes to keep that quiet) and lived there until she left for university in 2010. After a year out in the middle of her studies, during which she lived with Alex in St Albans, she is now finishing off her final year and will graduate in July 2014 with a degree in music (she hopes!).
During her time at York, she has developed a reputation as an incredible organiser of concerts, choirs and music festivals, both her own (Great Britten and Britain in Song) and, from 2014, the Ryedale festival, with more than 40 events happening over a 3 week period.
Alex
Born in Hertfordshire, where his parents met as teachers, Alex spent his childhood years first in Northumberland (specifically, the middle of nowhere) before moving to Sevenoaks in Kent, where his parents still live today. He moved to St Albans in 2006 where he lived until moving to York with Naomi in 2012.
He graduated from Cambridge in 2003 as an engineer and now works for EE, the mobile phone network, often in London (very conveniently located for his commute) doing technology analysis and working out how to get smartphones and tablets into the hands of as many people as possible. In 2005 he started a computer-making company with some friends from his first employer and is working out what entrepreneurial concept he will pursue next.
The Theme
Music, Ducks & Geese
The music part is hopefully fairly self-explanatory given that Alex and Naomi met at choir and still sing together today. The other theme of the wedding perhaps needs a little explanation.
Alex has always had a slightly bizarre love of geese and ducks, in fact any water-based wildfowl and the noises they make. Whether this obsession was formed during his many years messing about on rivers or not, nobody knows.
Nevertheless, Naomi inevitably became caught up in this madness, and one of Alex's reassuring comments when she found herself heading up to York for the first time was that she would now be surrounded by the thousands of geese that inhabit the university's many ponds and lakes and, as such, would always have something to remind her of him when she was feeling lonely.
Indeed, ducks and geese (and, to an extent, chickens) have appeared at many prominent moments in their relationship so far: from Naomi's early discovery of obscure goose-related children's literature hidden away on Alex's bookshelves, to fine dining at "The Drunken Duck" in the Lake District on their first trip away together, the result seems to be the unintentional acquisition of an ever-growing army of avian figurines which can be seen on almost every available surface throughout their home.
It seemed only natural, therefore, that our feathered friends should appear in some form for their wedding. The inspiration for the stationery design is a family of Indian Runner Ducks that was first spotted in a shop in Harrogate. The wooden figurines later appeared as a gift from Alex to Naomi on an anniversary of their first date (the very same day Naomi almost burned down the St Albans flat in her attempt to be spontaneous and romantic, but that's a story for another time) and now occupy pride of place in the living room. Keep your eyes peeled for other appearances throughout the wedding
The Wedding Day
Overview
The whole day takes place in one venue: St Michael's Manor Hotel, St. Albans. There will be a civil ceremony, followed by a drinks reception, then a wedding breakfast. Evening guests will join us for a reception and buffet with entertainment later in the day.
Ceremony
Please note updated times! The Ceremony will start at 12pm. We ask that you are seated by 11.30am.
Wedding Breakfast
The Wedding Breakfast will begin at around 3pm. A full three-course meal and coffee will be served, preceded by canapés at the champagne reception after the ceremony.
Evening Reception
The Evening Reception will start at 7pm. We ask that evening guests arrive by 6.30pm in time for the entrance of the Bride and Groom at 7pm.
A buffet will be served during the evening reception, and there will be a cash bar.
Carriages
Carriages at midnight although the bar will remain open for hotel residents (of which we hope there will be many!)
Confetti
Sadly, confetti is not permitted by the venue.
Wedding Attire
Formal or National Dress is requested. Swimming in the duck pond is not recommended.
Children and Partners
Unfortunately, due to severe number restrictions, we are only able to invite the children of family members and members of the wedding party. We also regret that we cannot extend our invitation to partners not named on invitations. We're really sorry and would love to be able to invite everybody, but it's a small venue.
Travel
Map
Address
St. Michael's Manor Hotel
Fishpool Street
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL3 4RY
Travel by car
St Albans Traffic can be pretty bad at the weekend. You may wish to allow a little more time than Google Maps suggests!
Parking: There is parking available at St Michael's Manor, just next to the Manor house off Fishpool Street. In the event this fills up, there is a car park at the Verulamium museum, located about 5 minutes' walk away from St Michael's, and is £3.20 for 24 hours (no charge after 18:30). Otherwise, there are car parks in St. Albans town centre and it is about a 10 minute walk down the hill (Fishpool Street) to the hotel. It may be easier to park at your hotel and get a taxi in.
From the M25 westbound (coming from the M11 / Dartford Tunnel side): Take exit 22 and follow signs for St. Albans town centre along the A1081 (London Road). At the top of the hill in St. Albans town centre, go straight across the crossroads next to the Peahen pub (on your left) into the High Street, then take the first left which effectively carries on into George Street (where the road otherwise turns right). Follow George Street down the hill, where it becomes Fishpool Street; St. Michael's Manor is on your left and the entrance to the car park is just after the hotel.
From the M25 eastbound (coming from the M4 / Heathrow side): Take exit 21A and take the first exit at the roundabout. At the next roundabout, turn right, following the signs to St Albans. Go straight across the next roundabout, then stay left and take the second exit (A5183 Watling Road) at the major roundabout. At the mini roundabout, turn right. Follow the road up Holywell Hill then, at the top, next to the Peahen pub (on your right), turn left into the High Street, then take the first left which effectively carries on into George Street (where the road otherwise turns right). Follow George Street down the hill, where it becomes Fishpool Street; St. Michael's Manor is on your left and the entrance to the car park is just after the hotel.
From the North via M1 southbound: Take exit 9 of the M1 and turn left, following signs for St. Albans. Follow the A5183 straight across one roundabout, then left at the next. As you approach St Albans, go straight across the roundabout then take the first right into Branch Road (it's quite small). At the end of Branch Road, turn left into Fishpool Street. St. Michael's Manor is on your right and the entrance to the car park is just before the hotel.
From the A1(M) southbound: Take exit 3, just past Hatfield, and turn right at the roundabout, following signs for St. Albans. Follow the A414 dual carriageway over two mini roundabouts (the dogbone) until you arrive at the next major roundabout. Get into the right-hand lane and turn right onto the A1081 (London Road). At the top of the hill in St. Albans town centre, go straight across the crossroads next to the Peahen pub (on your left) into the High Street, then take the first left which effectively carries on into George Street (where the road otherwise turns right). Follow George Street down the hill, where it becomes Fishpool Street; St. Michael's Manor is on your left and the entrance to the car park is just after the hotel.
Travel by Public Transport
St Albans is on the Thameslink (First Capital Connect) line between London St. Pancras (right next door to King's Cross) and Luton. Fast trains take around 20 minutes from St. Pancras and run regularly. The last train back to London runs at around 00:21am. Luton Airport parkway is a short bus ride from the airport and trains also go to St Albans regularly.
From St Albans City train station, either take a taxi or it's around a 20-30 minute walk up the hill (Victoria Street), left along St Peter's Street, right along High Street, then down George Street / Fishpool Street.
Accommodation
St Michael's Manor
This hotel is now fully booked; many thanks for all your interest!
Other Accommodation
There are plenty of options available around St. Albans. Here are a few we know about:
Clarion Collection, St Albans:. From £86 a night (typ.) 0.5 miles (15 mins walk) from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £4.00
White Hart Hotel, St Albans:. From £99 a night (typ.) 0.5 miles (15 mins walk) from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £4.00
Quality Hotel, St Albans:. From £80 a night (typ.) 1.5 miles (35 mins walk) from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £5.00
Sopwell House, St Albans:. From £99 a night (typ.) 2 miles from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £6.00
Thistle Hotel, St Albans:. From £95 a night (typ.) 3 miles from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £9.00
Ardmore House Hotel, St Albans:. From £75 a night (typ.) 2 miles from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £6.00
178 London Road B&B, St Albans:. From £60 a night (typ.) 1.5 miles from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £5.00
Hatfield Central Travelodge, Hatfield:. From £40 a night (typ.) 7 miles from St Michael's. Approximate taxi fare from St Michael's (one way): £17.00
Taxis
St Albans Taxis: 01727 240006
Gold Line Taxis: 01727 833333
Yellow Line Taxis: 01727 899999
A1 Taxis: 01727 866666
Gifts & Honeymoon
We are delighted to have you coming to celebrate our wedding with us and that is gift enough, but if you would like to offer us something as we start our life together, we have two registered online gift lists: one asking guests to contribute to our honeymoon and the other for contributions to our homeware collections. Should you wish to contribute to either one of these lists, you can find the details below.
Gift List
John Lewis Gift List Number 599158
Honeymoon
We are both passionate about travelling! For our honeymoon, we are going to two places we've never been to before and can't wait to visit: South Africa, for two weeks around Cape Town, and one week in the Maldives. If you would like to help us offer us some help towards some experiences on this holiday, it would be most gratefully appreciated!