My wedding will take place in two primary locations in England: York and Hull. All activity before the wedding until the Friday before will be in York. All events afterward, like the wedding, will be in Hull. Fly into the cheapest airport, and we will get to to whichever location we're at. Despite what you may have heard, I am not getting married in Scotland, though I MAY move there.
The wedding will take place on the night of Saturday, June 12th, 2010 at the Deep in Hull.
England is so confusing already! Can I just have a visualization of everywhere we are going to be?
Of course! Marvel at the adorable smallness of the UK by clicking here. It's really small. Zoom in for more detail. Hopefully this will give you a better impression of the places we are talking about. In addition I have included other notable locations; London, a city you may have heard of (the only city you may have heard of), Nottingham, where Matt and I live, and Manchester which has a huge airport.
Wasn't there something about Sherwood Forest before? I could swear I read something about Nottingham once. I am not crazy, you mentioned Sherwood to me, I promise.
As time progresses and the wedding comes closer, plans are being reworked. We were once going to stay at Sherwood Forest which was cheap and could easily fit all of us with acceptable level of quality. However, in order to give you a more varied, more authentic English, and more easily transportationable trip, we have decided to move the pre-wedding festivities to York, the city where Matt and I first met. This has the bonus of being where lots of my friends live still, and where Matt's brother and LARPing crew live. It is also a way better party city than Nottingham or Hull, with over 370 pubs, a handful of museums, the beautiful and imposing York Minster, my old uni and amazing shopping. You could spend weeks there and still find things to do. If I could share any town on this island with you, it would be York, so.. I'm going to. Tough. Take it.
Do I need a visa to go to England?
Almost certainly NO. The only times you need a visa are if you have a visa pending for the UK or plan to spend more than 6 months there. If you currently have a visa for the country you are in (studying abroad or the like) double check to make sure you can leave your country to visit the UK on your visa. I don't want anyone getting stranded or deported just to go to a (profoundly awesome once in a
What DO I need to visit the UK?
First, you will need a current passport. This is a good site to help first time passport holders. In addition to allowing you travel internationally--remember, Mexico and Canada require a US passport now--your passport is the ultimate in governmental identification. Nothing says you are you more than a passport.
Secondly, you passport must remain valid throughout the longest possible visaless stay in the UK. Since the UK allows you to go six months without a visa, your passport will need to remain valid at least until the 13th of December, 2010. This is so your visa doesn't expire on a routine traveller's stay, trapping you in the UK and not allowing you to return home.
Third, remember to bring your flight itinerary showing your exit date for the country. People who do not have flights leaving the country will likely be turned away on suspicion they may not be leaving. Even if you plan to go to another country, make sure you have a flight away from the UK. (This is a good idea for all international travel, in general).
Fourth, anything else you bring is unnecessary. You may want to consider bringing your invitation, your flight receipts, lodging information.. But considering you are coming for a brief vacation and wedding, this is an unneeded step. If you have a student ID, it may help you get a few deals on travel and drinks.
Fifth, and importantly, REMEMBER TO INFORM YOUR BANK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO ENGLAND. If they see activity across the pond and can't reach you at home, they may cancel your card. This happened to me, so remember to keep an eye out.
Sixth, if you need to know the exchange rate, just type it into Google. Really! "1 pound to dollars" will give you an exact amount. It's crazy!
What should I bring to the UK? What's the weather like?
In England, the summers are a little humid and relatively cool. Temperatures rarely go above 80F (26.6C). Despite what you may have heard, it really isn't a rainy, damp pit of gloom. You can expect to see a fair amount of sun, walk around in shorts and a T-shirt, and maybe even get away without being covered in thick fog. You should still bring a sweater or windbreaker, socks, sneakers, emergency umbrella, etc.
Some hotels have swimming pools, so bring swimwear if you want it. In addition to wedding togs and general relaxing attire, you may want to bring clothes for a few nice nights out. A pair of sandals may be a good idea. Other things you may want to bring are the stand trappings of any vacations; a camera, a bag, a hitchhiker's towel, etc.
What should I wear to the wedding?
The wedding will be taking place at night, in summer, inside an aquarium. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and sexy. Come in costume in you want. Business casual, evening wear, prom dresses.. Whatever you want. If you are going to come all the way to my wedding, you are commanded to wear something you enjoy, though the colors are blue and green, so feel free to match.
What do American's do about exchanging money? What should we do for cash?
Your brains are going to be BLOWN when you go to the UK. Not only does every Marks and Spencer's, bank, and major store do a cash exchange, but every ATM will take your card AND almost every single ATM in England is FREE, regardless of your bank. It's awesome. Though your bank may charge a fee for withdrawing, the English bank will not, and you can get a hefty hunk of change. However, as stated above, TELL YOUR BANK YOU WILL BE OVER IN THE UK. You should have no problems otherwise.
You can also use your credit or debit card in restaurants and stores like we do, here. It's important to realize that the English exist in a different and beautiful world of plastic cash. All of their credit cards have a "chip and pin" security system, and they very seldom swipe cards; they normally slide them in and out, like with an ATM, even in stores. There were times during my stays in the UK where a cashier straight up didn't know how to swipe my card because it had no chip. Sometimes it was easier to pay in cash, but eventually a senior attendant/waiter/owner would show the youthful 20 something the archaic ways of credit card swipe. Another interesting card story is that when you pay with a card in a restaurant, the server will come up to your table with a personal credit card reader. The card never leaves your sight as your server sticks your card into the machine in front of your eyes, hands you the machine so you can enter your pin while he or she discreetly looks away, and waits while the machine prints out your receipt for you to sign. The process is simple, and you never have to worry about your card being taken away where you can't see it. Good for the paranoid.
What else is different? Will I die of culture shock?
England and America are like ghastly, confusing mirrors of each other. An accurate recreation of a Brit in the USA can be found here. (It's really true, Matt's complaints were pretty much verbatim.) However, just remember to be easily amused and remember this; English strangers are a chilly lot. They like to think they are friendly, and it's true, they will talk to you about the weather or trains at the drop of a hat. However, for most other things they are a bit wary of us, and for good reason. Americans are weird.
English people love lining up, which they refer to as queueing. They react strongly when one breaks the laws of queue, but it's an easy system to figure out. If people are lining up, ask them where you should stand. Bound by the laws of queue, they will tell you, though scoff at your obvious Yankery.
Everything is more expensive in England. For example, consider that "petrol" is over a pound to the litre. Not gallon, but a Backwards-R-E-Less-Than-Half-A-Gallon-Litre. It blows, and it blows for me too. Also, England will feel like a story book land. Everything is eye wateringly beautiful and green. Tiny butchers and bakeries line the streets. You'll also notice that supermarkets lack a bit in their variety, with more dismal produce sections. England is more homogeneous, and that means less variety everywhere... Though you just can't beat the Indian food. Oh my gracious it it delicious.
Also, beer. There are lots and lots of beer and pubs.
Most of the other changes are superficial and uncanny. Take candy, for example. In England, mounds bars are called bounty, and almond joy does not exist. Milky ways are three musketeers, over there, mars bars are milky ways and taste five times more deliciously heavy and rich, and Cadbury creme eggs are sold year round. The purple flavor in English fruit candy is black currant, not grape, and everything is required to have real fruit flavors. Try some skittles and have your mind blown. I recommend that during a quiet time, you nip off to the nearest corner shop and tuck in to some candy. Oh, and get used to the turns of phrase, bitches; you goin' ta Yorkshire and it sounds nothing like the movies.
Will you be having a traditional English wedding?
No, to the extent I even know what one is. I will not be having a traditional American wedding either. It's just not how we do.
What's the theme?
Our theme is, predictably, the aquarium. Guests are encouraged but not required to dress in blue or green, our wedding colors. You can expect a few sharks, a few jelly fish, a few glow sticks, etc.
Will your wedding be affiliated with any church?
No, Matthew and I don't practice in any church as he is an atheist and I am a Discordian.
Who is officiating your wedding?
The Honorable Uber-Reverend Mary Malarkey-Dzioba will be officiating our wedding ceremony. She is an American and a long time beloved friend of the bride.
Will your heart be broken if I can't attend?
No. Really, it's fine. Sad, but fine. This is just how it has to go. I will always love you.
Will you move back to the US? Will you have a party here?
In the fullness of time, Matt and I hope to move back to the US in five or ten years. I have school to finish and hope to practice my hard earned PhD in sociology over there. When we move back, we will be throwing a second "wedding" reception party for people who didn't get to go, need more, or enjoyed it so much they want to come again. The second one will be bigger and better, possibly steampunk themed, and will be just as if not more awesome. The answer to this questions is yes, someday, we hope.
Do you have a dress/cake/etc ready yet?
The problem with immigration is that I have very little time to plan. However, most of the major decisions have been made already. Yes, I have my dress. Yes, the bridesmaid's have their instructions, such as it is. They will be in mismatched gowns of bright blues and greens. Yes, the cake design has been decided and godsdamnit it will be delicious.
Do you need my help? Do you want my help?
This is a very stressful time for me; I have a wedding to plan, a country to immigrate to, a family to join and a family whom I desperately wish to join me at my wedding, and a future going back to school to plan for. I would love and welcome any advice (though I can't promise I'll take it) and would especially love and welcome any support. You can email me at trinaluciano AT gmail.com, just squish it all together and make the AT an @ sign. I promise I will get back to you as soon as I can, and know that all this stress is made worthwhile knowing that you love me and love me being with the one I love.
What if I have a question you didn't answer?
Ask it in the comments and I will respond there. Check the comment thread, if one exists, for additional information.
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