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Original poster

Easiest way for my grandad to attend my wedding?

10 replies

weddingwaiting · 26/07/2023 09:13

Looking for the easiest way for my grandad to attend my wedding with minimal faff!

It is potentially outing but I am going to use the real place names in the hopes I get more useful responses.

My Grandad will be nearly 91 at the time of my wedding. Although he is in reasonable health, he lives alone, can only walk short distances, cannot manage stairs and has not driven for years.

Here is the situation:

  • My grandad lives in East Hertfordshire and will be nearly 91 by the time of my wedding.
  • My wedding is in Colchester which is near where I live so about an 1hr30m drive away from my grandad.
  • My parents live on the Essex/Suffolk Border and will doing other jobs the morning of my wedding.
  • My auntie and uncle (grandad’s son and DIL) live in Mid Essex, about an hour from my grandad and 35mins from my wedding venue. They do not have a downstairs bathroom or anywhere to sleep downstairs so he can’t really stay there comfortably.
  • He could potentially stay at my parents house the night of the wedding but would not be able to stay the night before because I will be staying in the spare room. It would also be a lot for him with the bridesmaids etc the next morning and in any case i’m not sure how happy he is to stay away from home nowadays.
  • My grandad could probably manage a taxi but we are concerned about him getting into his house after being dropped off - when family drop him off we normally wait and check that he has got down the path and inside okay and I don’t think a taxi driver would do this.

If really is no other way, my uncle will drive to pick up up, take him to the wedding, take him home and drive back home again but we would like to avoid this as it is a huge faff and will impact on enjoyment of the event.

Does anyone know of any (preferably local) services that might help my grandad attend independently? Or have any other solutions?

OP posts:
Original poster
weddingwaiting · 26/07/2023 09:13

Sorry that turned out to be a really long post in the end!

OP posts:
trulyunruly01 · 26/07/2023 09:19

I'd be inclined to book a short stay in a nice lodge for grandad, auntie and uncle, locally to Colchester. Most lodge sites will have an accessible lodge with ramp and walk in shower.
If the booking ran from the day before the wedding, you could have a nice family meal the night before, do the wedding and unless you are leaving on honeymoon directly, have a nice visit with grandad et al the day after the wedding.

DelphiniumBlue · 26/07/2023 09:20

Either someone collects grandad and puts him in a hotel close to aunt and uncle, for the night before and the night after, or aunt and uncle pick him up on the morning,( or taxi) and he can go home in a taxi. Speak to the taxi company beforehand and tell them grandad will need to be watched getting in. It's not a big ask.
Have you spoken to grandad ? He may have a taxi company he uses regularly.

inpolzeathwetrust · 26/07/2023 09:30

Limo service to collect and deliver home, chauffeur will carry all bags, and help him. Book a disabled ground floor room in a Premier Inn (or similar) near the wedding venue. Family member or local taxi to and from the wedding.

YellowJoggers · 26/07/2023 09:34

Book a driver rather than a taxi.

nicknamehelp · 26/07/2023 09:35

When we had this issue Grandad was collected day before and given a room in hotel which was accessible, was on 1st floor but there was a lift. On day was arranged for him to be driven to and from church and brides Uncle/Auntie made sure he was OK all day and taken back to room when he'd had enough he was then driven home day after.
We also made sure he had help with packing to make sure he had all he needed.

Sewingdufus · 26/07/2023 09:52

If you really want him there then I would suggest you stay elsewhere the night before your wedding. I know leaving from hoe, being with your parents the night before is important, but is it more important than having Grandad at your wedding? Or find suitable accommodation local to the wedding for Grandad and your aunt and uncle.

Madamecastafiore · 26/07/2023 10:37

There's a very good private hire company based in Hatfield Peveral who I can point you in the direction of who would help him get into his house upon his return I'm sure.

AnotherThingToThinkAbout · 26/07/2023 10:56

Book him a room for two or three nights at one of these accessible places? https://www.visitcolchester.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility/accessible-accommodation

Or somewhere near aunt and uncle's so he can travel with them?

What is your venue? Are there options there?

Accessible Accommodation

Accessible Accommodation in and around Colchester

https://www.visitcolchester.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility/accessible-accommodation

eatdrinkandbemerry · 26/07/2023 11:02

I'd hire someone to drive him there and back home.
Make him feel special and put your mind at rest that's he's in good hands.

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