The Details
The Bridal Party
Hosts
Martin Neild & Tessa Kerwood Tessa's family have lived in the village of Hampton Poyle for generations with Tessa and Martin making it there home in the 1980s. They love to host friends and family at the cottage with dinners and parties throughout the year. Their generousity is somewhat legendary and you may well have heard of their infamous Fireworks party which recently celebrated it's 30th year. Martin and Tessa have been strong guiding forces for Barney and always offered love and support through difficult times. Tessa is a talented gardener, which explains why Martin insists on eating outside whenever possible, she is curating the garden specially for Jess and Barney's wedding and has been planting wildflowers for the big day.
Best Man
Arthur Neild Arthur is Barney's older brother, although they weren't always so close Arthur has always supported Barney and been there when needed. Post the awkward school years of teenager life, they have grown much closer sharing bonds through TV, Podcasts and short fairly pointless gameplay. Potato.
Best Woman
Kat Rogers Kat and Barney met in 2016 whilst making the kids TV game show, Horrible Histories: Gory Games. Bonding straight away, Kat quickly telling Barney to stop being a miserable git and have some wine. Since then they have grown into best friends meeting for regular wines to exchange stories from each others lives and rely on each other as sounding boards and support networks for the harder bits of life. She is also Grace's Godmother.
Bridesmaids
Caroline 'Binks' Tester Jess met Caroline, (known to most as Binks) through Nat at University. They quickly went from aquaintences to friends and by final year, housemates. Jess has always looked up to Binks and loved her fantastic sense of humour and brilliant laugh. Although they both have busy jobs, they like to meet for dinner and download what's been going on.
Laura Humphry Even though Laura attended Bath University at the same time, her and Jess' paths didn't properly cross until years later. In 2016 they were both set to travel New Zealand, and linking through mutual friends, they decided to rent a car and see where adventure took them. Long after their joint trip, and Jess' time living in Sydney, Laura's wanderlust has drawn her back to Australasia where she currently resides in Sydney. Laura and her partner Paymon have regular adventures that Jess looks forward to receiving voicenotes about.
Wedding Witch
Penny Whaley
Maid of Honour
Natalie Doyle Jess met Nat at Bath University where they both played in the Lacrosse team. From the days of partying together, to texting late at night as new mothers, Nat's always been there for Jess. They've both had stints of living in Australi, but they are now lucky enough to live very close to each other so are always popping around to say hello and drink tea together.
Groomsmen
Aleks Stojakovic Aleks is extended family, his Mother and Barney's Uncle were business colleagues come friends meaning Aleks and Barney would often spend family parties hanging out. Barney fondly remembers so many memories with Aleks including playing ping-pong without rackets and the 'face in the cake' party.
Alex Freshe Alex is Grace's Godfather and lived with Barney during the early stages of Jess and Barney's relationship. Jess, Barney, Alex and Jenny (Alex's partner) spent many nights drinking at 'Table 60' in Streatham, for a time, the staff knew us by name and would chill a bottle of Cafe Patron as we arrived.
Alan Thatcher Alan and Barney met behind the scenes at Saturday Kitchen, they quicky became friends when Barney kept the 'Chef's wine' topped up on a particularly difficult Saturday Morning. Alan and Barney lived together for a while in Winchmore Hill. They spent a lot of time ordering chinese food and sitting up late putting the world to rights. Jess and Barney now celebrate New Years with Alan and his Partner Roxy.
James Williams James, (or Jimbo to most), lived with Barney for 2 years of University. There were a lot of great moments through that time and besides the indoor waterfalls, cupcake fights and a series of drunken voice mails at 3am, Barney's favourite memory was the prank war which abruptly ended with Jimbo jumping on the bonet of Barney's Taxi whilst it was driving, and had passengers on-board.
Flower Girls
Grace Neild, Romy Carter, Daisy Doyle & Zelda (the dog)
Getting There
Getting there
By train:
Oxford Parkway Station (10 min drive)
Oxford Station (25 min drive)
Limited parking will be available at the venue
Where to stay
Premier Inn Oxford Kidlington Airport, Unit 1 - 4, Oxford Technology Park, Oxford, Kidlington OX5 1GN
(12 min drive)
Malmaison
3, Oxford Castle, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1AY, United Kingdom
(25 min drive)
