Wedding programme for Tess & Roger
Saturday 11 April 2026
Ventnor Botanic Garden,
Isle of Wight
Timetable (we hope!)
At VBG:
2.30 Arrival of guests
2.30 Arrival of Roger: Canna Room
2.45 Arrival of Tess: Canna Room
In the Olive Grove:
2.45 Arrival of Roger
3.00 Arrival of Tess
3.00 Legal ceremony and then hand fasting
In Fountain Courtyard:
3.30 Group photographs
In the Echium Room:
4.00 Toast to the bride & groom and responses
4.30 Cutting of the cake and light refreshments
6.00 Farewell
Roles
Registrars: Katie Green & Mike Ackrill
Giver away: Monica Edwards
Witnesses: Gail Mathie & Silvia Holden
Hand fasting: Emily Darlington
Bride’s dress: Julie Sharp
Car for bride: Andy & Sue Richards
Ring bearer: Catrin Darlington
Chief bridesmaid: Kara Darlington assisted by Doreen Hippsley & Penny Smith
Best man: Ralph Darlington
Chief usher: David Waller assisted by Nigel Hartley & Peter Martin
Flowers: Tom Travitsky
Cake: Gail Mathie
Photographs: Richard Darlington
Video: Francesca Mongelli
VBG wedding coordinator: Lera Cooke
Weather: Mark Czuchnecki
Rings
Engagement ring for bride: Sophie Honeybourne
Wedding ring for bride: wedding ring of Tess’s mother
Wedding ring for groom: Sophie Honeybourne
Tartan theme:
Weathered hunting Fraser
Music
Arrival: Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony (Second Movement)
Signing: “Magic Still Exists” by Agnes (Carlsson)
Leaving: Faure’s Pavane (piano version)
Provider: Saskia Darlington
Refreshments
Fish: island brown crab mayonnaise sandwich with lobster and ‘caviar’
Meat: fillet of island beef wrapped in cucumber with carrot, watercress and wasabi
Vegetarian: gallybagger shortbread with whipped rosary goats cheese and vegetable crisp
Sweets: baby meringues with raspberries and cream plus dark chocolate and rum truffles
Notices
Ventnor Botanic Garden is set in a unique microclimate that is around 5°C warmer than the rest of the UK. Spread across 22 stunning acres, the garden is home to over 30,000 rare and exotic plants from around the world, thriving in natural outdoor settings.
There is free parking.
The gardens are open to all the guests all day – enjoy.
The Botanic has a cafe and shop which can be visited before the ceremony.
No confetti please.
No gifts please – if you wish, we advise a donation to:
Mountbatten Hospice, Isle of Wight through their website
https://www.mountbatten.org.uk/donate/donate-to-mountbatten/30/credit-card