On the Friday before the wedding we're having an informal party at our house, 13 East Arbour Street London E1 0PU. It's a chance to see our new house and for friends and family to meet each other. We're going to arrange for ladies to have mehndi - henna designs drawn on your hands (either at the house or at the beauty parlour around the corner).

Feel free to drop in any time from the afternoon onwards, but please RSVP so we can make sure there's enough food (and let us know if you're interested in having mehndi).

Click here for a map showing the various locations  

Not long now... see you soon,

Rish and Helen

Getting to and from the venue

Charlton House is fairly easy to get to by car - it is visible from Charlton Road so it is difficult to miss. The postcode is SE7 8RE. Free parking is available at the venue and, worst case, in the surrounding streets.

By public transport the best way is by train. The venue is only 5 mins walk (uphill I'm afraid) from Charlton station (british rail not underground). Trains go regularly from Charing Cross and London Bridge and only take 15 - 20 mins

On Sunday 12th August there is no problem getting a train early enough to arrive at the venue on time.  

In the evening the last train leaves Charlton BR station at 22.48

If you are coming by train it's worth double-checking train times closer to the date as they do occasionally change.

Staying the night

Please contact us if you need any help to stay overnight

Timings

Timings are as per the post below

Wedding list

We've added our wedding lists - click here

We're getting married on 12th August... after much planning, replanning and worrying we've decided to have a Hindu wedding ceremony, a civil wedding ceremony and a reception on the same day, in the same place (Charlton House).

It will be a mixture of Indian and English styles which will make it a lively day incorporating the best of both worlds - it's an early start but we hope people can come for the whole day to make the most of it.

For those of you wondering what an Indian ceremony is like... I can't find a wholly accurate guide on the internet (ceremonies vary): but basically -

• It's performed by a Hindu priest who will talk in Sanskrit (but we are planning to give out translation sheets so everyone can follow)
• It will be held oudoors in the beautiful park behind Charton House. Bride and groom will be on a raised plaform with four pillars (a mandap) with the priest and a ceremonial fire.
• It's fine to take pictures / video etc.
• There's no need to wory about wearing anything special just what you feel comfortable with. 

This link gives some good guides to what happens in the ceremony

Here are rough timings:

9.30 - 10.00 Bride's family arrive at Charlton House

10.00 Groom's party arrives at Charton House

11.00 Hindu ceremony (this will be held outside in the park behind Charlton House)

12.00 Refreshments

14.00 Civil ceremony (in the long room at Charlton House)

15.30 Reception (we have to be out by 22.30)

We're going to issue a wedding list and more details here witin the next three weeks or so...

Thanks,

Rishi and Helen