Our Story
We met at the University of Birmingham Catholic Society in 2017 and spent the next two years largely unaware of each other.
However, in 2019 a small group bible study allowed a completely inappropriate student-teacher relationship to form, and we soon realised that there's no one we'd rather be bickering with than each other.
From our first date at a coffee shop to virtual movie nights in lockdown, we've been surprised by how easy it is to love one another. It was a joy to realize the depth of affection we both feel for the other's family, and it hasn't hurt to be on good terms with the dogs either.
After three years together, we could not be more thrilled to announce our engagement and invite our wonderful friends and family to be with us on the first day of our forever.
Travel and Parking
By Car - Please be aware there is notoriously scarce parking in Oxford, and there will not be car parks at either the church or reception venue. Visitors by car to oxford park at one of the Park and Rides just outside the city, which can be prebooked or payed for on arrival. There is a bus every 15 minutes into the centre of Oxford from these sites.
By Train- Trains to Oxford depart from London Padington; London Marylebone; Birmingham; Reading; Manchester; Bournemouth; Hereford and Worcester. The train station is a 15 minute walk from the Church
By Bike- Oxford has a multitude of cyclists and an extensive network of bicycle lanes. Please be forewarned, however, that bike theft is a local pastime and sport. Anything not locked in place by a strong D-lock will be stolen. Bike bags; front wheels; bike lights; bike seats - If it can be unscrewed, it will be, so do take extra care to keep your possessions safe. There are bike racks outside the church and the Town Hall
By Coach- The most economic way to travel to Oxford from London is the Oxford Tube coach. Other coaches to Oxford depart from Birmingham and all London airports. The coach terminal is a 10 minute walk from the church.
Charles Purle
Helena lost her daddy in 2018
To those of you who knew him, you might spot the references throughout the day - in the choice of wine, of music, and in the empty place on the top table. His meal will be donated to Oxford rough sleepers.
Hopefully you will see him most in the gathering of people who loved him dearly, and in the smile of a bride who knows her daddy loves her.
His favorite charitable cause was ProBono, providing free legal representation. In his honour, we have included a donation for ProBono work as an option for those of you who wish to bless our marriage with a gift of charity.
House Rules
There are various guidelines that the church, venue, and we ask you to follow to help the day run smoothly
At the Church - We invite you to kindly dress modestly for mass and maintain a respect for the site and priests throughout the service. Please do not throw confetti or rice and refrain from eating or drinking in the church. 'I object' would not be at all amusing - this halts the service while the objection is investigated, and often results in a wedding not going ahead that day due to ceremony schedules. If you are not Catholic, we ask that you do not receive communion. Anyone is welcome to receive a blessing instead, by presenting yourself at the communion rail with arms crossed.
At the Reception - Please don't go onto the stage or into any rooms apart from those we have booked (see schedule), and don't take glassware out of the first floor of the venue. Smoking is not permitted indoors, including e-cigarettes. Animals (excluding assistance dogs), confetti, and glitter are prohibited on the premises. The venue may refuse admittance or re-admittance past 10pm, and may refuse further service of alcohol to any guest who is extremely inebriated. Please be understanding of the venue's obligations in their licensing agreement, and be respectful to your servers. The venue reserves the right to remove guests for behaving poorly.
