Trip Report: Four Trains and Wedding.
- Introduction, Birmingham New Street to London Euston, London Liverpool Street to Norwich
- The Holiday Inn Norwich and a Wedding
- Norwich to London Liverpool Street, a quick lunch and London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill
After leaving the train station, I decided rather than spending the morning wandering around Norwich, it would be best for me to go to the Hotel and see if there was anything to be done.
I therefore jumped a cab outside the station, which delivered me to the Holiday Inn Norwich in a reasonable time… and at a reasonable cost of £8 or so.
Holiday Inn Norwich – Ipswich Road
Price paid: £59 (Group Rate)
I was a tad early, so I went to reception to say hello – and lo and behold after a minute I arrived, the bride to be appeared. After a quick chat, I was put to work, helping out with the final preparations – as well as setting up for the ceremony.
Reception
Public Area at night
Bar Area
So firstly, I went to set up a tripod for the camera to record the ceremony.
The top table
Lined up seats
Flowers on the top table
Some of my handiwork (although who in their right mind likes fruitcake?)
As the bridal party got ready, I took the excuse to freshen up and check in. I was given my room key, no credit card imprint, and the option of a snack from the bar or 500 points. No guesses which I went for.
Even the check-in agent noted it was one of the quickest check-in’s she ever did.
I rolled the case and bag to my room – down some stairs, past the fitness club and finally to my room.
The room itself is what i would call a typical Holiday Inn room – not exciting, but very functional. The aircon in the system was doing a wonderful job allowing me to cool a bit before the madness commenced.
Room
Tea/Coffee facilities
Bathroom
The room was a reasonable size, and the TV did a great job. The internet option however… is a different matter. Whilst IHG Members get free Internet, it isn’t exactly fast – limited to 256kb down and paid options for anything faster. That would be annoying, as I wanted to get the pictures to the bride and groom as soon as possible.
Oh well – a minor annoyance, but still an annoyance.
Soon enough it was time for the small ceremony, so I put my tie on, looked smart of a change, and headed upstairs.
The Ceremony
Bucks Fizz (Or what the Americans would call “Orange Mimosa”)
Cream Tea and Pimms
Of course, being semi photo-literate, I was dragged in to help with the with the professional taking photos. What is that about “the more things change?”
Anyhoo. There was time to relax before dinner as the room that the wedding was taken in was expanded into a larger room
Wedding Cake
Tables
Placing
Reception Book
Starter – Pate and Garlic Bread
Norfolk Turkey (what else really in this part of the world) with potatoes and vegetables.
Yes, there was trifle – but I didn’t take a picture of it 😉
Toasting the happy couple
It was an informal day – which suited this couple very well. The legal side was done well, and the Holiday Inn put a good show in terms of service and speed of service to serve 40 people. The food was delivered hot, fresh and tasted good – with the friends and family enjoying the day.
And that’s an important thing about weddings – as little stress as possible, people enjoying themselves and the happy couple being… wed and happy.
The beast at rest (Canon 6D).
As the evening went on, people went off to relax and everyone else did too. A nice relaxing day mostly. I took the opportunity to work on my photos and video (I’m liking this Canon 6D I think)
End of the day – a fascinator at rest.
Eventually, the day wound down, and I baid by goodnight to the couple, with another day of travel ahead the next day.
To the hotel room!
Yup. Holiday Inn does weddings
The bed did the job – wasn’t overly soft, wasn’t overly hard – just how I like it for a good night. I missed breakfast the next day (mainly as I was cream crackered from the night before – and saw the couple off at reception the next day).
I checked out, my bill of £59 confirmed, and taxi was called.
Soon enough – I was back in a cab and on my way back to Norwich Railway station
Overall: I’d say the Holiday Inn itself was a very regional hotel – not too flashy, but not too bad. The staff outdid themselves with the wedding and did a great job meeting the requirements – and hosting the guests.
Next up: Norwich to London, a Gerard Street Diversion and London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill.