Monday House Party

Tuesday Wedding Put Together

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Sore heads and Surfing

Accomodation at Ash Barton Estate

Our Wedding

"If I had to describe James in a nutshell it would be that he is full of innovative ideas, compassion and has a great sense of humour"-Alex James was born in Somerset and studied Drama at the University of Winchester, where he graduated with a First Class BA (Hons). After moving to London, he built a creative career in the arts and now works at the National Theatre as the Access Manager. Although he has lived in London for 13 years, he still misses the countryside. Three fun facts about James: When he was 16 a tree fell on him, he recently passed his Level 1 British Sign Language exam, and he is a licensed narrowboat skipper.

"If I had to sum up who Alex was, it would be his kindness, intuition, and fills a room with good energy."-James Alex is proudly born and raised in Hackney. He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and worked as an actor before moving into youth work, where he now supports young people at The King’s Trust. Three fun facts about Alex: he's been skydiving with his mum, has performed in three different productions of The Mousetrap in three separate countries, and was part of the first youth kayaking descent of the Zanskar Gorge in India when he was 16.

In a very small unknown town just inside the M25 called Tin Der.

Where did we meet?

The Smoking Goat in Shoreditch. James said he wasn’t fussy, but really just wanted to impress Alex, even if the food wasn’t quite his thing. When we went back there for an anniversary, James didn't hold back on letting Alex know his true feelings of the food.

Where was our first date?

You can't go wrong with a bit of RuPaul's Drag Race!

What’s our guilty pleasure TV show?

We went to Tenerife. I know, a cliche for two homosexuals, but James wanted some sunny weather during the winter months. With a stand out highlight being Siam Waterpark.

What was our first holiday together?

We love WINGSTOP!!! So unhealthy but it's soo good! We love bold flavours.

What’s our go-to takeaway?

The Tasmania trip. Alex wasn’t too keen on travelling all the way to the other side of the world for a tour around the small island just off Australia with a bunch of strangers. But with a passionate guide, one breath taking landscape after another, and some wonderful characters met along the way, a little travel bug slowly started to grow inside Alex. Since then, we’ve travelled a lot and our adventures have become some of the things we value most.

What’s the most memorable adventure we’ve been on?

Alex. He goes to the toilet more than James and comes back suddenly remembering one of the answers.

Who’s more likely to win at a pub quiz?

What’s in the travel bag for every single trip?

Alex usually loves taking the lead, but James is amazing too! Alex is in an instinctive cook, and James is top tier with a recipe.

Who does the cooking?

We hardly ever argue, BUT we do have long and in-depth heated conversations! We're usually laughing at the end by how silly the trigger was. For example when Alex spoilt who won Australia's Drag Race.

What do we argue about most often (but laugh about later)?

It depends who sees something shiny first. Alex will be drawn to a reduced price tag whereas James will be drawn to a cool contraption.

Who spends more time in Lidl/Aldi looking for “bargains”?

Alex likes to wait for prawn crackers or rice cakes to go stale whereas James loves hot peanut butter and jam wraps toasted in the frying pan.

What’s our weirdest snack?

Probably for our Honeymoon in Mexico!!! As you know us, we love our food, and can't wait to learn more about the culture and gorge ourselves on local dishes and margaritas!

Where are we most excited to travel next?

Having a baby is right at the top of it.

What’s on our couple bucket list?

Sharing. And try something first, if you don't like it at least you tried it.

What’s the first thing we want to teach our child?

A Victorian house with a big garden, two children and a dog.

What’s our dream home like?

It has to be both of us supporting each other through our solo travels, and surviving it as a couple. Before James met Alex he applied for an Australian working holiday visa, but due to covid and maybe fate, this was delayed and was only granted in 2022. Faced with the tough decision and knowing how strong we were as a couple; James went solo traveling for 7 months. Alex came out to visit James for a month half way through. With a new love for travel ignited, in 2024 Alex knew he had to have his own solo travel experience, and went to New Zealand, and then Australia. With James coming to visit half way through. It was incredibly tough for us both, but we spoke every day and night, and evidently it's made us 100 times stronger.

What's your biggest achievement together?

Everything. Alex likes to take James' silk flowy shirts and James likes to take Alex's jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, socks, basically most things.

What item do you constantly steal from each other’s wardrobe?

On our very last day in New Zealand, our camper van was lifted onto a tow truck, with all our bags and passports still inside. Luckily, after some frantic convincing and begging, the tow truck driver took pity on us and set it back down. James has never seen Alex run so fast.

Funniest travel mishap?

Miriam Margolyes, Alison Hammond, and David Attenborough.

Dream dinner guest list (3 people, living or not).

Our Story

Both of us had plans to propose but James got there first, just.Alex had originally thought he’d pop the question before heading off on his solo adventure to New Zealand. But knowing we'd be apart for months, we decided to wait. James, meanwhile, quietly chose a ring and kept it close, ready for the right moment when he would later join Alex in New Zealand.That moment arrived on our very first day together at Lake Tekapo. After sharing a meal with fellow travellers, the sun dipped below the horizon and the full moon rose bright, casting a white glow across the lake and the mountains beyond. The world felt still, almost magical.As we walked down towards the water, James noticed a single tear run down Alex’s face. Alex had absolutely no idea what was coming. After our earlier conversation about engagement, he wasn’t expecting it at all.But everything seemed to fall perfectly into place: the scenery, the timing, the quiet, and the magic of the moment. That’s when James popped the question, in the most unexpected and beautiful way.

Who proposed?

The Proposal

Tucked into the rolling hills of North Devon, Ash Barton sits within 25 acres of woodland, gardens, wildflower meadows, and lakes. At its heart is a beautiful walled garden, a wide open courtyard, and a characterful event barn where most of our celebrations will take place. Parts of the Grade II listed manor house date back to the 15th century, adding a sense of history and charm to the setting. Click the <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=2866X1544542&amp;isjs=1&amp;jv=15.9.1&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theknot.com%2Fus%2Falex-matten-and-james-york-2026-09-23-f19cd57f-7ae4-4bf2-8404-509df4d25bfb%2Fthings-to-do%3Fpreview%3Dtrue&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaps.app.goo.gl%2FAaDjqWtWKLFRUCZn7&amp;xs=1&amp;xtz=-60&amp;xuuid=dd6b81ed024e7057cbc0a6856a4ff48a&amp;abp=1&amp;xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'Website'</a> button for Google Maps location:

Ash Barton Estate

It's roughly a 5 hour drive from London and roughly 2.5 hour drive from Frome. There's free parking onsite. <a href="https://www.theknot.com/gs/dashboard/preview/pages/94187773/transportation-items/[Open%20Car%20Directions%20Google%20Maps]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Car Directions on Google Maps</a> Venue Address: Ash Barton Estate, Ash Rd, Braunton EX33 2NP

By Car

The nearest station is Barnstaple. It is roughly 4 hours from London and roughly 2.5 hours from Westbury via train. From Barnstaple we highly recommend getting a taxi to the venue.

By train

There are a selection of taxi firms in the area. Please note: Uber is not available in the area.

By Taxi

Coastline Taxis

Reliable taxi services to and from Tiverton and Barnstaple stations as well as late night pick ups for wedding guests. 07861363600<a href="mailto: emily@gooddaytaxi.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">emily@gooddaytaxi.co.uk</a><a href="www.coastlinetaxisbarnstaple.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.coastlinetaxisbarnstaple.co.uk</a>

Braunton & Croyde Taxis

Braunton &amp; Croyde Taxis is a local, family run Taxi firm. Covering Braunton, Saunton and Croyde. 01271 440450<a href="mailto: graeme@brauntonandcroydetaxis.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">graeme@brauntonandcroydetaxis.co.uk</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brauntontaxis/?locale=en_GB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/brauntontaxis/?locale=en_GB</a>

Shoreline Taxis

Serving Braunton, Croyde, Georgeham and the North Devon area. 07812104034<a href="mailto: andersonrobert66@hotmail.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">andersonrobert66@hotmail.co.uk</a>

Surf Side Taxis

07894242096<a href="mailto: surfsidetaxis@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">surfsidetaxis@gmail.com</a>

The Venue

Arrivals &amp; Welcome Drinks12:30 Take Your Seats12:45 Ceremony 13:00 Confetti &amp; Celebrations13:30 Canapés &amp; Drinks Reception13:45 Guests Seated for Dinner15:30 Wedding Breakfast 16:00 Speeches18:00 Cake Cutting, Tea and Coffee18:45 Live Band 19:30 DJ &amp; Dancing 20:30 Evening Food21:30 Last Orders at the Bar22:30 Goodnight &amp; Farewells 23:00

The Schedule

Our meal will be prepared by&nbsp;Terra Trattoria, known for their rustic, handmade food that bursts with flavour and makes you feel at home. Founded by Alex and Hannah, a couple who met under a full moon and fell in love over food. Terra Trattoria started as a small market stall before growing into a much-loved restaurant and travelling kitchen. Their ethos is simple: everything is lovingly homemade, sourced from the earth, and designed to bring people together around the table.

Check out Terra Trattoria's website and Instagram: <a href="https://www.terratrattoria.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.terratrattoria.co.uk/</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/terra_trattoria" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>

If you have any dietary requirements, just let us know in your RSVP so Terra can prepare something delicious for you.

The Food

We’re doing things a little differently. Our bar will be BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze). We’ll get you started: reception drinks after the “I do”, wine at dinner, and bubbly for the toasts. Then the bar goes BYOB. Bring along anything you like: a bottle of spirits to share, your favourite bubbly, your go-to wine, a box of beers you love, or even a selection of cocktail tinnies. We’ll have a staff member behind the bar to help serve. We’ll label, chill and serve it for you throughout the evening. Feel free to bring whatever you like.

Shops Nearby

Forgot something? No worries, here are the links to the nearby shops: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pbByVULKogW9jAt9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Co-op Food</a>Open 7am - 10pm(7min Drive) <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/FGmek3cNTE1PCBZh9?g_st=ipc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tesco Superstore </a>Open 7am – 11pm(10min drive) <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/jpFK9GoGok4x6zca6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lidl</a>Open 7am - 10pm(20min drive)

The Drinks

Accommodation near the venue is a little limited, but don’t worry we’ve pulled together options for every style and budget. Whether you’re up for glamping under the stars, rolling up with your campervan, or booking into a cosy inn, you’ll find something that works.

Fancy staying on site? You can stay in a cosy glamourous bell-tent very close to the manor house and wake up surrounded by the countryside.&nbsp; You can choose between: Option 1: The Blank Canvas, a budget-friendly tent you can dress in your own style. Option 2: The Comfort Package, with styled bells featuring soft furnishings, quality single or double airbeds, throws and cushions, gentle lighting, a low coffee table or vintage trunk, and optional fairy lights and bunting. Option 3: If you have your own tent or campervan, you can pitch up yourself, free of charge. No need to get a bell-tent. Please note:&nbsp;glamping using the bell-tents is booked directly with the bell-tent company (not through us). <a href="https://www.nativebelltents.co.uk/prices-1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bell-Tent Booking &amp; Prices Link</a>

Glamping Onsite

On site you’ll find&nbsp;luxury loos and showers&nbsp;beside the camping field. Six loos (including baby-change) and four showers (including an accessible cubicle) with plenty of hot water day and night.

Next door, there's a&nbsp;camper pamper room&nbsp;with a huge mirror, loads of sockets for hairdryers/tongs/straighteners/shavers, phone-charging, and space to dry clothes, with hooks for wetsuits, cossies and towels. Both the loos and the pamper room have&nbsp;underfloor heating, so they’re toasty even late at night.

Please note:&nbsp;glamping using the bell-tents is booked directly with the bell-tent company (not through us). If you want to rock up with your own tent or caravan you can. There’s plenty of space if you’d like to bring your own tent or campervan, and you’ll still have full access to the loos and pamper room.

Book Glamping

If you’d like a bit more choice (and room to spread out),&nbsp;Airbnb&nbsp;has plenty of lovely places close to the venue.

Airbnb

The closest pub B&amp;B to the venue, only a 7 minute drive away. Guest OfferThey’ve kindly offered special rates for our guests if you mention you’re booking for the Matten/York Wedding: Double Room • £110 for 1 night • £200 for 2 nights • £255 for 3 nights Family Room (2 adults + 2 children) • £125 for 1 night • £220 for 2 nights • £280 for 3 nights All rates include breakfast. Get there quick! Rooms are provisionally held until 1st June 2026 for the nights of 22nd, 23rd, and 24th September 2026. Please call 01271 814903 to book before 1st June 2026 to secure these prices.

The George Inn

We stayed here when we came to visit the venue, it's really cosy, cheap and cheerful, It's in the neighbouring town about 20min drive away from the venue.

The Royal and Fortescue Hotel

You know what you get with a Premier Inn and this is the closest one in the next town along in Barnstaple. It's a 23min drive to the venue from here.

Premier Inn Barnstaple hotel

Places to Stay

Our dress code is wedding smart-casual. We’d love for our guests to join us in an autumnal colour palette. Think navies, burnt oranges, burgundies, green hues, or rich browns. We’ll be wearing ivory, so it would mean a lot if you could save that shade (and anything close to it) just for us. To help, we’ve included a colour palette picture below for inspiration. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything in those shades, wear whatever makes you feel great, you’ll look amazing either way!

What should I wear?

Please RSVP by 30th April 2026 so we can plan food, drinks, and seating. It really helps us make sure everyone’s well fed and watered!

When is the RSVP deadline?

Ash Barton has free on-site parking for all guests. Just follow the signs when you arrive.

Where can I park?

Yes, children are welcome to join us. While we won’t be providing childcare or a separate kids’ menu, there will be some games and outdoor space for them to enjoy. Parents, we just ask you to keep an eye on your little ones throughout the day.

Are kids welcome?

Yes, but we’re doing it a little differently! After welcome drinks, dinner wine, and bubbles for the toasts, the bar will switch to BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze).Bring along whatever you love; wine, beers, bubbles, or even a few cocktail tins. We’ll have a bartender to chill, label, and serve your drinks all evening.

Will there be a bar at the wedding party?

We’d love for everyone to be fully present during our ceremony, so we kindly ask that you put phones and cameras away at that time. Don’t worry, we’ll have a professional photographer and videographer capturing everything.For the rest of the day, please snap away! In fact, we’ll be handing out camcorders to guests who’d like to help film the fun. All the footage will be edited together into our wedding video. So your shots could become part of the final film!So pocket it away for the vows, but cameras ready for the dancefloor!

Can we take photos?

Your invitation will show if you have a +1. We’d love to have everyone there, but we’re keeping the guest list close and sadly can’t accommodate extra guests.

Can I bring a guest?

Late September in Devon can be a mixed bag; sunshine, showers, or both in one day. Temperatures are usually 14–18°C in the daytime, dropping cooler in the evening.Pack a jacket or wrap so you can stay comfy outdoors once the sun goes down. Luckily most events will be inside and Ash Barton has loads of indoor and cosy spaces, so whatever the weather we’ll be celebrating in comfort.

What will the weather be like?

There are no Hair Dryers or Clothes Steamer onsite so please make sure you bring yours with you.

Hair Dryer / Clothes Steamers

The party will go on until late, but local taxis can be limited. So if you’re staying off-site, we recommend booking your return trip in advance.

End time / transport home

If you’re staying over at Ash Barton, we kindly ask that everyone is packed up and ready to leave by 9am on Thursday morning. We know that’s going to feel a little early after a night of celebrating, so we’ll be keeping the fun going… just in a more relaxed way.We’ll be heading to the nearest beach to unwind together, swap stories, and stretch out the goodbyes. For anyone feeling brave (or just wanting to ride out the hangover in style), we’ll also be organising surfing lessons. Whether you want to chill on the sand or hit the waves, it’ll be the perfect way to round off the celebrations. Let us know in your RSVP if you’re daring enough to join us on the waves!

WHAT HAPPENS THE NEXT MORNING?

Before the wedding, feel free to drop James or Alex a message. On the day itself, we’ll be pretty tied up, so if you need anything please contact our amazing coordinator Katie on 07971 663818.

Who should I call with questions?

Things to Know

A few photo's of our journey together so far...

Our Photos

We are so grateful you are coming to celebrate with us. Your presence is enough. Although, if your love language is presents, we won't stop you...

Nearly a year in, our surrogacy journey has officially begun! It’s one of the biggest adventures of our lives. We’re already preparing ourselves for plenty of tears and being realistic about the lows, but we’re as ready as we can be to throw ourselves into the world of parenthood. The biggest challenge is getting there: surrogacy can take anywhere between 3 to 7 years, with the average journey in the UK costing upwards of £50,000 (WHY did we have a wedding too?).We’re soon approaching the IVF stage of creating our embryos, which makes everything feel even more real and exciting. Any bit of support, big or small. Help us become fathers. It’s a gift that will last a lifetime.&nbsp;

Surrogacy

How to Gift

Bank Transfer

The simplest way to send a gift is by direct bank transfer into our joint Monzo account. It’s fee-free and has no limits. Name: Alex MattenSort code: 04-00-03Account number: 99489664 For international transfers:IBAN : GB74 MONZ 0400 0399 4896 64

PayPal

For those who prefer to use PayPal, here’s our link: <a href="https://paypal.me/mattenyork" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open PayPal Link </a>(PayPal is flexible, but may charge a small fee if you use a card.)

Monzo

We also have a Monzo link for quick small gifts as there are limits on these transactions:<a href="https://monzo.me/jamesyork8?h=x_hmFX" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Monzo Link</a>(Limited to £100 per-transaction and £1,000 overall cap)

Alex & James