How we met...
We met online originally but weren’t interested in one another. We spoke casually as friends, and then two years later, we reconnected and started chatting. We realised we liked each other, but this was during COVID, so our first date was a videocall and our second was a distanced walk!
The proposal...
The proposal was incredible. We had gone to a friend’s wedding in Scotland. Shane had never been to Scotland, yet my mum’s side of the family is from there, and I went there for university and stayed for ten years. I left due to personal reasons, so the day after the wedding, we were driving through the rolling Scottish hills and saw a loch on the side of the road. I asked Shane to stop as I thought it was beautiful (and literally in the middle of nowhere). After I took a few pictures, Shane got out and stood awkwardly next to me. Whenever he did this, it became a running joke where I would say, “Is this it? Is this where you propose?” Normally, we would both laugh it off. However, this time he said, “Yes, yes it is,” and then got down on one knee.
After I said yes and we shared many hugs and tears, he explained he wanted to propose to me in Scotland as he knew what it meant to me and wanted to make it magical for me again.
Why we chose Dodmoor for our special day...
To be honest, our viewing was an accident (turns out I was emailing the wrong place that Shane wanted), but the second we arrived for the open evening, we felt like it was made for us. I imagine wedding venues are a lot like buying a house—you just sort of know.
We were also greeted by a Wedding Coordinator of Dodmoor House, who showed us around and made us feel very welcome and excited.
The vision and theme for the day...
Our vision for the day was for it to feel like a wedding but also very much like a celebration. We didn’t want anything too formal or structured, so other than the ceremony and speeches, we tried to keep everything relaxed. We wanted our guests at the wedding to feel how they do when they come and stay with us at home. We didn’t have a specific theme, but we did have nods to Scotland throughout.
The outfits!
Our suits were simple and from Next. We had a day out in Milton Keynes to get them, and my green suit was to link into the Scottish theme.
Food...
Shane is the food man in the relationship, so on our first visit, he said we should have BBQ food. In his words, “Why not? It’s summer and everyone loves a BBQ.” He wasn’t wrong. We used an outside catering company called Lazy Pig, and they were great—all our guests said how wonderful the food was.
My good friend also made us three different wedding cakes:
Red Velvet
Victoria Sponge
Coffee and Walnut
In the evening, we had toasties, which were a highlight as so many of our guests loved them (including Shane and me).
Our favourite parts of the day...
I couldn’t begin to tell you! I loved it all. I think for me, the ending was special—we had a traditional Scottish ending to our wedding where the guests formed a circle around us and sang "Loch Lomond." Although, personally (and I think Shane would agree), the most special moment was reaching the ceremony aisle and seeing him standing there.
One plan or idea that really worked...
All of it? Is that a cop-out answer? I would say the pacing probably. Everyone told me the wedding would fly by and I’d blink and miss it, but that wasn’t the case for us. I think part of it was me being present and loving each moment, but also the pacing between certain moments meant I never felt like we were cattle moving through an itinerary.
The entertainment...
We initially had lawn games, which was Shane’s wish. I wasn’t so sure, but it actually worked out really well—all the guests said it was a nice touch. It was great for keeping the children occupied and entertained and gave them something to return to.
We then had Terry from Smooth Moves, who was fantastic. His choice of setups meant we had a great backdrop for photos, and he was excellent at keeping the tunes going while perfectly timing our different requests.
Where we felt our budget was well spent...
The Dodmoor House venue was obviously our biggest expense but honestly worth every single penny. The choice of hire options and drinks packages meant we could have everything we wanted, and as it was all in-house, it was easy to navigate and arrange. I know Dodmoor House is very popular, but for the service and quality of staff, it deserves to be.
Personal touches that reflected us as a couple...
The CROC INVASION!
Ironically, the best personal touch had nothing to do with us. Shane and I each had a best man and best woman.
Tori, Shane’s best woman, early on asked what she could wear. We replied, “Anything you like, really” (meaning we weren’t forcing her to wear a fancy dress).
“Great, dungarees and Crocs it is!”
“No, no, no.”
For the rest of the year leading up to the wedding, we never lived down the fact she wasn’t allowed to wear Crocs. So, as an act of rebellion, she organised a large part of the wedding guests to sneak Crocs into the venue. They all changed into them and revealed the surprise to us (even the wedding photographer Hannah Hall was in on it). It was a highlight!
We were then handed our own pair during the evening, so it turns out she very much got her own way with Crocs.
Suppliers we used and would recommend:
We genuinely loved everyone we picked, and they all worked really hard to make our day special.
Terry from Smooth Moves - Incredible! Loved his vibe and demeanour and again, his talent of his craft was amazing
Hannah Hall Photography - Simply wonderful. She became such a part of our day and her ability to encapsulate a feeling and emotion through a lens is incredible
Chelsea Hire - Great to talk to, communicate with and we were able to have the linen and crockery we needed
Lazy Pig Catering - this was suggested by another Wedding Coordinator of Dodmoor House. The food was incredible and arranging everything with Adam was so easy
How Dodmoor as a venue stood out to us...
Everything!I think the staff and the support throughout the entire process really stood out. It felt like we had a team behind us every step of the way, and even when it was stressful, I had someone I could email who would support or reassure me at the appropriate times. We were made to feel our day was so special and not just one of many.
We are so grateful to you all for making our day so special. The thing about a venue is that for you, it's a job, and another day means another wedding. This, however, never ever came across, from all the staff we met to the Cleaners, Bar Staff, Waiters, Coordinators and Mark (one of the founders of Dodmoor House), they all acted as if our day was special, as if our wedding was the most important event.
That's because they truly understand that for us, it wasn't just another day, and that for us, it was our moment and something we would cherish forever, and with that understanding, they really made us feel welcomed and special. Weddings have so many different facets to them and no email, no suggestion, no phone call (and there were many) was ever too much. We felt like during our planning that we were part of the Dodmoor House Family.
We will never be able to thank our Wedding Coordinator Beth-Rai and the Team enough for everything they did, I wish I could list everything they all did individually, but what it comes down to is the artistry, professionalism and genuine empathy of the Dodmoor House Team that helped create something so beautiful. We are so humbled and privileged to have shared our day with Dodmoor House and more importantly, we will be eternally grateful.
Our tip to other couples:
My top tip would be to talk to your suppliers, get to know them, and don’t be afraid to ask as many “stupid” questions as possible. Feeling comfortable with the DJ, photographer, and Dodmoor staff genuinely made the experience so much easier and more fun on the day.
Dear Ryan and Shane,
Thank you ever so much for sharing your enchanting story with us. From your delightful proposal in the Scottish hills to the heart-warming Crocs invasion, every detail of your special day was truly magical.
We are thrilled that Dodmoor House felt like the perfect fit for you and that our Team made you feel so welcome. Your vision of a relaxed celebration with touches of Scotland was so beautifully captured.
Special thanks to Hannah, our talented recommended photographer, for her incredible work.
We are honoured to have been part of your special day and wish you both a lifetime of happiness.
Warmest regards from your Dodmoor House Family!
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