• Can't wait to see you!

    26th & 27th August, 2023 — Kent, England

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Hello & Welcome

We're getting married!

We absolutely can't wait to celebrate our wedding with all of our friends and family, over the long weekend in August.

Our ceremony will be on Saturday at Canterbury Cathedral and our reception will be on both Saturday and Sunday at Leeds Castle, which is definitely not in Leeds.

We really hope you can join us to make the weekend extremely special.

Wedding Events

The Weekend

The ceremony will be in the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral, followed by drinks and (substantial) canapés in the Chapter House. Guests will then be transported to Leeds Castle for the rest of the weekend. There will be a Chinese tea ceremony at the castle, followed by drinks, dinner, and dancing. Sunday will be the most epic of game days, with a BBQ, formal dinner, and diversions in the castle. Rooms are booked through to Monday morning. We know some of you are coming from far away, so to make a full event of it we are also organising a day of punting in Cambridge on Tuesday Aug 29th; we'd love for you to stay and hang out.
A simple itinerary can be downloaded here, or a more detailed schedule here.

26

Aug 2023

Wedding Ceremony

26

Aug 2023

Cathedral Reception

26

Aug 2023

Routemaster Bus to Leeds Castle

26

Aug 2023

Chinese Tea Ceremony

26

Aug 2023

Castle Reception

27

Aug 2023

BBQ & Lawn Games

27

Aug 2023

Castle Drinks, Dinner & Diversions

29

Aug 2023

Punting

Important Information

*Leeds Castle is NOT in Leeds!* The Postcode is ME17 1PL, it is here near Broomfield in Kent.

Download WhatsApp on your phone to receive important messages about the wedding, and to text internationally.

If you are not driving, please bring your luggage to the cathedral before the ceremony, tag it, and put it in the luggage van. It will be taken to the castle and put into your room in advance of your arrival. If you need access to something (e.g. medication, baby formula) between the ceremony and the castle, please keep it with you.

No stiletto heels are allowed at any of the venues due to the very old floors.

There is no phone signal in Canterbury. Like, at all. So please download any information you need (tickets, directions, maps, this website) before you get to Canterbury.

There is no parking at the cathedral, so plan to park nearby and walk a short distance. There is parking at the castle.

We are taking a group photo with all of the guests in front of the Castle at 4pm on Saturday, please go straight to the castle door after you get your room key.

Check out is 9:45am sharp on Monday (£1,000 fine per late room).

Travel Information



Canterbury

BY PLANE

Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports all have easy and direct trains into London. Luton airport sucks; don't do it. Download the Citymapper app to get accurate train times. You can use contactless payment (i.e. Apple pay, Google wallet, contactless cards) to get Heathrow and Gatwick-London airport trains, so you don't need to buy a ticket. Stansted airport train requires purchasing a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at all airport train stations if needed. There are no direct trains from airports to Canterbury, you need to go via London. Let us know if you get to town a few days early!
Here are more detailed instructions for getting into London from the airport.

BY TRAIN

Trains to Canterbury West leave from St. Pancras station (connected to Heathrow airport), and Stratford International.
Trains to Canterbury East leave from London Victoria station (connected to Gatwick airport).
Both Canterbury stations are a 10 minute walk to the cathedral. Or, you can book a taxi for a 3-5 minute drive, they accept card payment. https://canterburytaxis.co.uk/, https://cabcocanterbury.co.uk/

BY CAR

Put CT1 2PY into your GPS and drive there. You will lose signal when you get close. Download your map.
You can't park at the cathedral. The nearest parking structure is the Castle Street lot, which is a 7 minute walk to the cathedral.
Castle Street Car Park, 40A Castle St, Canterbury CT1 2PY

BY BOAT

Attach your boat to a trailer. See 'by car'.


Leeds Castle

WE WILL TAKE YOU BY BUS

We will provide transportation for you and your luggage (unless you're driving) from the cathedral to the castle. PLEASE DROP YOUR LUGGAGE OFF AT THE LUGGAGE VAN INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL GATES BEFORE THE CEREMONY. Your luggage will be driven to the castle and put into your rooms. If you need access to anything before 5pm (like medication) please keep it with you.
You will be ferried from reception to reception in a red, double-decker, vintage Routemaster bus.

BY CAR

After the cathedral reception, drive to Leeds Castle using post code ME17 1PD. Here's a good route. . Leave the reception early if you want to go to your room before the 4pm photo. There is parking at the castle; drive through the main entrance and follow signs to the 'Castle Car Park' (about 2 mins drive beyond the main car park). A check-in table will be set up in the Castle Car Park. Directions can also be found on the Leeds Castle website.

If you're driving to Leeds Castle on Sunday, please use the Broomfield Rd Entrance and park at reception. You will need to check in at reception to get your room keys and/or entry wristband. Ignore the 'road closed' signs on Broomfield Road, the Leeds Castle entrance is still open and accessible.


Leaving Leeds Castle

After checking out promptly at 9:45am, you are welcome to stay in the grounds at Leeds Castle at your leisure. There are cafes, gardens, playgrounds, wildlife, and a golf course to enjoy. When you're ready to leave, Maidstone train station is a short taxi ride from Leeds Castle. There are direct trains to Charing Cross and London Victoria stations. Perhaps you've made friends during the weekend and you can share a lift :)

If you drove there, drive home (safely).

Check out this guide to car-free travel to/from Leeds Castle.

If you're booking a taxi from Leeds Castle to an airport please consider sharing with other guests (text Madeleine to find out who's going when, or check whatsapp groups you've been added to). We highly advise that you book these long journeys in advance. Google 'Kent airport transfer' or 'Maidstone taxi hire' for good results.


Cambridge

Trains to Cambridge leave from King's Cross and Liverpool St. stations. If you want to see platform 9 ¾ go to King's Cross early. There's a long line. You can buy tickets at the station or online at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Accommodation



FRIDAY NIGHT - Canterbury

If you would like to stay in Canterbury on Friday night, we have a hold on all rooms (and 10% off) at the Sun Hotel across the street from the cathedral. Please contact the hotel to book directly; tell them you are booking Friday Aug 25th for Madeleine's wedding.

If the Sun fills up, you can try booking at Abode, Greyfriars Lodge or the Cathedral Gate hotel; all under a 5 minute walk to the cathedral.

If you are family or in the bridal party, Friday accommodation has been booked for you already.


SATURDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHTS - Leeds Castle, Kent

On Saturday and Sunday nights we have reserved all the rooms at Leeds Castle. There are rooms in the castle, in the stable courtyard, and at River Lodge. If you need access to a kitchen, fridge, microwave, or washer during your stay, please let us know in your RSVP.

We are asking guests to please pay for their rooms. Rooms at the castle and stable courtyard are £300 per night, and can be shared between 2 (£150 per person per night). We will allocate guests to River Lodge based on specific accommodation needs. Breakfast is included with all accommodation. Payment details can be found on our payments page.

Visit the FAQ page to see things to do at Leeds Castle. Guests are welcome to stay through the day on Monday and have access to the grounds.


TUESDAY NIGHT - Cambridge

If you are joining us for punting in Cambridge on Tuesday, we are staying at the Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection. Madeleine can book you a room here (at Hilton Honours rates), or feel free to book anywhere yourself.

Gifts



Guest book - postcards

Please bring a postcard from home or your travels for our guestbook! You can write a message to the bride and groom and 'deliver' it on Sunday.



Please no physical gifts!

Shortly after the wedding we will be moving abroad; as such, we really really don't want any 'stuff'. Your presence at our wedding is most certainly enough. In lieu of gifts, we are accepting contributions to our future home and activities fund. We hope to welcome you to our next home soon! #Bali

Taxi Rides

Because no one wants to crash a moped

£10
Fund
Pool Toys

Something fun for when you come visit

£20
Fund
Phone Number Magic

So you don't need to update your contacts

£20
Fund
VPN Magic

For all the good TV

£20
Fund
Duty Free Bar Stock

For a proper welcome drink

£40
Fund
Surfing lessons

When in Bali...

£50
Fund
Storage Unit

#We'llBeBack

£75
Fund
Luxe Guestroom Bedding

For whatever size the beds are in Bali

£100
Fund
Local Art + Furniture

To look at and sit on during your visit!

£200
Fund
Flight Upgrades

For a good night's rest on the way to our new home.

£1000
Fund
Romantic Layover in Hawaii

A honeymoon stop off on the way to our new abode.

£5000
Fund
Custom Gift

A gift as unique as you are ;)

£???
Fund

Payments



Please Note

Your Leeds Castle accommodation has already been booked. Please send payment using the details below. Rooms at Leeds Castle are £150 per person per night (i.e. £600 for a couple for the weekend).
If you're family or the bridal party staying with us in Canterbury, please contact us for prices.


UK payments

Paypal: m.kasson@cantab.net
Monzo: Madeleine Claire Kasson, 04-00-04, 03450639


US payments

Paypal US: mkasson@gmail.com
US Bank transfer: using Zelle or USAA checking, Account Number 0110385705, Routing Number 314074269


Crypto payments

USDC ERC20 deposit address 0x748e187b4fad4af0210196022e32a952b91c8092
USDC Solana deposit address 97CqLg83KudxJMCgifqZetAPnjQsSjnsWK9yvFXAkAvM

Questions!



I heard there were drinks on Friday night?

  • You heard correctly! For anyone in Canterbury on Friday Aug 25th we will have an area booked at The Old Buttermarket from 7pm.

What shall I wear?

  • Saturday - Semi-formal to formal. Americans - please note that in the UK black is only for funerals!
  • Sunday BBQ - garden party attire (summer cocktail).
  • Sunday evening - Semi-formal, to colourful and creative black tie!
  • Hats - ladies' formal hats and fascinators are permitted in the cathedral.
  • Shoes - NO STILETTO HEELS, these are not permitted in the venues due to the very old floors. Wedges and block heels are ok.
  • Here is a helpful guide that we drew up. It's got pictures and everything.

Do I need a visa/covid tests to enter the UK?


How can I get to the cathedral from the train station?


What do I do with my luggage?

  • There will be a van at the cathedral parking lot. Please tag your luggage with your name, and put it in the van. The luggage will be driven to the castle. Please arrive early to drop off your luggage.

Can we see Canterbury Cathedral as tourists?

  • Yes, we recommend it! The cathedral opens at 9am and you can buy tickets online or at the gate. If you visit before the wedding, please make your way down to the crypt at 12:15pm and tell the Vergers you're there for our wedding.

What if I can't afford the accommodation?

  • We look forward to celebrating with everyone and understand that costs can be prohibitive.
  • Please get in touch with us to arrange alternatives, we can sort something out.

Can we visit Leeds Castle?

  • Yes, you will get a wristband when you check in. This wristband gives you access to the castle and grounds on both Sunday and Monday. Leeds Castle has loads to do! The wristband gives you access to:
    • The castle
    • The gardens
    • The maze and grotto
    • The falconry displays
    • The children's playground and obstacle course
    • The 'adventure' (mini) golf course for a surcharge of £4
  • In addition, you can book and pay for these activities (including Monday):
    • GoApe
    • Segway
    • Golf - get a discounted rate if you tell the clubhouse you're a wedding guest.

I have children, what do I do?

  • Unfortunately we can't have any kids over the age of 2. If this means you really can't come, please talk to us and we can figure out some kind of creative solution.
  • If they are under 2, then you are welcome to bring them!
  • If you want to bring a babysitter, we can accommodate them at the River Lodge (where there are fridges and kettles etc) but you will need to pay for more accommodation.
  • We will provide a crèche/nursery service with 2 registered childcare professionals during the Sunday BBQ and dinner to help look after infants.

Will there be breakfast?

  • Yes, breakfast is included on both Sunday and Monday

How do I use my phone in the UK?


Can I play golf at Leeds Castle?

  • Yes! Let Madeleine know if you'd like a tee time, if you need rental clubs, if you want to be added to a group, and if you prefer to play on Sunday or Monday.

Do I need to buy food and drink?

  • We will provide food and drink from Saturday lunch through to Monday breakfast. If you'd like something extra, Leeds castle has a restaurant and café, and a paid bar will be available at all events. The bar is cashless and contactless (aka 'tap to pay'), so please have a contactless card, ApplePay or GooglePay.

What is ‘contactless’ payment?

  • Contactless payment is sometimes called 'Tap to Pay' or 'Tap and Go'. It means paying with a debit/credit card without using a chip or magstripe. You can do this with contactless bank cards, or on your smartphone with apps like GooglePay, ApplePay, FitBitPay etc. You should set this up before arriving in the UK as you can use it to take public transportation in London, and pay for anything anywhere. You must use it to pay for anything at Leeds Castle. Don't forget to notify your bank of your travel plans.

Proof of Attendance Protocol



Yes, our wedding will have a POAP

  • Download the POAP app to mint your NFT on the day.