Oxfordshire, the place to marry Oxfordshire 2019 | Page 49

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E S
Trusty transport
If you want to cut down on transport, choose
a venue that’s close to home. Why not arrive
at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage
for a more traditional feel or, alternatively,
why not use an electric car and make a real
statement?
Walking and cycling are also possibilities…
if you’re brave enough to try them! If the
ceremony and reception aren’t at the same
place, try to encourage guests to share cars
or look into providing a coach.
Gifts that go on giving
Why not use this opportunity to create a wish
list on a charity website, where friends and
families can donate gifts to charities instead?
Alternatively, you could choose a charity, or
charities, and simply ask guests to make a
small donation; wildlife and conservation
charities seem the obvious choice here.
If guests still insist on giving you something,
ask for plants, trees or wildlife products
for the garden, where you can make a
small, but important, impact on your local
environment.
Many couples nowadays either have been
living together for years or have already set
up home and don’t need toasters, kettles
and vases.
Top nosh
Many of Oxfordshire’s hotels and restaurants
place a big emphasis on sourcing locally
produced and seasonal ingredients, so do
enquire when you’re looking at reception
venues. A large number of local caterers also
incorporate this ethos into all their catering
by using ingredients from suppliers that are
local, organic and fair trade, and can cater for
dietary requirements such as vegetarian and
vegan.
If you are hosting your own event, buy
organic wine, spirits, beer and soft drinks
from such providers as Vinceremos, Vintage
Roots or Festival Wines. Try, wherever
possible, to support local, seasonal and
organic food production by buying from local
farmers or from shops that do so.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/registration
Although washing-up can be a pain, do try
to avoid using disposable cutlery, plates and
glasses and ensure that empty bottles and
containers are placed in recycling bins.
Honeymoon at home
A honeymoon is often the one chance
couples think they’ll have to travel
somewhere exotic; however, jetting off
to Thailand clocks up air miles and CO2
emissions. Think about all the romantic
destinations you can visit here in the UK by
train, without spending 12 hours on a plane.
Equally there are stunning places right on
your doorstep in Oxfordshire just waiting
to be explored: call in at a local tourist
information office for ideas. After all, you’re
starting a new life together: what better
opportunity to find out more about where
you live while you get to know one another?
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