Lee, all 6' 7" of him, is in the Metropolitan Police Force and so the ceremony took place there. This was our first experience of staying in the city, having only ever visited for single days in the past. The happy couple, quite by chance, chose the same weekend as the London Marathon to get married so we were quite apprehensive about prices, crowds, hotel availability etc. We chose what we thought was a reasonably priced hotel (for London) and arranged two nights in the Southwark Travel Lodge. Whadda mistaker to maker! Kathie's brothers chose the Docklands Hilton. We paid £60 for the first night, but £120 for the second night (eve of Marathon). Add on breakfasts, early check-in etc. and our total bill was around £240. Meanwhile the luxurious Hilton (which we never even considered) were charging an all-in price of £120 per night per room including breakfast. If we ever go to The Smoke again we will check and double check room prices.
After some investigation on the Net we found that the cheapest way to get around London was with an Oyster Card. You just have to remember to swipe in and out on the Tube and each journey is clocked and charged to your card. The beauty of it is that you don't pay any more in a single day than a Rover Ticket so a full day's travel on the Tube, bus, or local train will cost no more than about 8 quid.
Friday afternoon was rainy and windy but Saturday dawned bright and sunny ready for the big day.
The wedding was delightful. Southwark Registry Office laid on a great and friendly service with no hang-ups about photography or anything. They managed to squeeze everybody into the ceremony room and afterwards opened up the doors on to their excellent garden where numerous photographs were taken and greetings and congratulations were exchanged.
We repaired to the Old Salt Quay pub and restaurant afterwards for the reception which went on until the early hours. The pub is right by the River Thames in what would have been a very busy industrial area in the Docklands heydey. Now the area is clean and landscaped and provides great views of the river and new buildings and hotels.
A few words in favour of London.
Everybody we came across in official capacities were very helpful and most polite. The cynical told us that everybody was under orders from above and once the Jubilee and Olympics were over they would return to their normal manners. If this is so, more's the pity. It was quite refreshing to be helped and informed wherever we asked.