How we met...
We met on a discipleship course at our church, and a spark grew from there!
The Proposal...
Our engagement was beautiful. We went to Thorpe Hill in the Peaks—the place where we first met during a weekend walk—and at the top of the hill, Sam proposed! We then enjoyed a fun-filled weekend with friends and family.
Why we chose Dodmoor House for our special day...
We chose Dodmoor House because we loved the rustic feel! We appreciated all the benefits that came with it: a room to stay in for the night, and how beautifully it was already decorated. We loved the stunning outdoor spaces as well as the variety of indoor areas. The no-corkage fee throughout the day and the freedom to choose our own food without being limited to a set menu really drew us in!
The vision and theme for the day...
We wouldn’t say we had a particular vision or theme; we opted for a Christian ceremony and a rustic approach, which created a lovely setting.
The Outfits!
Sam chose a grey suit and a burgundy tie that matched the bridesmaids' dresses.
Lucy opted for a decorated top and a frilly, princess-style dress with a tiara and sparkly veil!
Food...
Food-wise, we opted for a BBQ theme! It’s cheap, filling, and great for allergies, as we only had one meal. In the evening, we offered an array of desserts, including a sweet stand, popcorn, and a crisp wall, along with the wedding cake.
Our favourite part of the day...
Lucy’s favourite part: I loved so many aspects! For me personally, walking into the meal and seeing everyone we loved in one room felt incredibly warm and family-oriented! I loved being able to chat with everyone! Another favourite was the beautiful ceremony—it was profound and so lovely to have so many people we love be a part of it, accompanied by some incredible worship!
Sam’s favourite part: I would have to say the ceremony was the best part, especially the worship, as it included songs we loved and was led by one of my groomsmen. Also, the whole day made you feel like a celebrity, as everyone wanted to chat with you and take photos, which was a really cool and unique experience.
How Dodmoor House as a venue stood out to us...
We loved Dodmoor as a venue—the surroundings and environment were incredible! We have previously mentioned a few things that stood out to us, but other aspects that impressed us were how welcomed and loved we felt from the moment we stepped in. It had a very different atmosphere compared to the other venues we viewed. We felt truly cared for and valued throughout our journey! The communication was outstanding; they got back to us quickly and were thorough in everything they said and did. The team really stood out, creating a family atmosphere that made us feel part of it! They checked in with us and supported us in every way they could. We never felt alone, and one last thing to note is how adaptable Dodmoor was. No matter how strange our requests were, they wouldn’t shut us down—they would do anything they could to accommodate us!
One plan or idea that really worked...
We think our day overall panned out perfectly! One aspect we were apprehensive about was some games our friends were planning. However, they turned out to be amazing! We didn’t know much about them until the day arrived. They sold raffle tickets to contribute to our honeymoon, and they had to decide whether Lucy or Samuel would win a selection of eight games later that night. Whoever won a game pulled a raffle ticket out, and the name on the ticket won a prize, such as chocolate, drinks, or a candle. The games included a staring contest, an arm wrestle, and a challenge to see who could make the longest strip of A4 paper from one sheet—just to name a few! We felt most like ourselves, being competitive, having fun, and joking around. It brought everyone together and created a really lovely atmosphere! This was a fantastic idea that made the day feel very special!
The entertainment...
Entertainment-wise, we used Dodmoor's outdoor games, which were great! We set up an area similar to a book signing but with paper for anniversary ideas, encouragements/advice, and memories. In the evening, we had a DJ. We also played the games mentioned above, as well as a little game of Mr and Mrs!
Where we felt our budget was well spent...
To be honest, budget-wise, we did pretty well overall; we were just under the £12k mark! The venue was the most expensive, but that covered our whole day, which also meant we didn’t need much decoration. I think everything we paid for was reasonable; we didn't go crazy on anything! We loved the venue as it was adaptable, allowing us to do a lot of our own things, like bringing our own drinks and making a sweet stand and crisp wall ourselves. We were also massively blessed by friends who generously offered their creative talents, as well as having our cake made by a family member. Whenever we needed help, people were very open to stepping forward in the most incredible ways!
Personal touches that reflected us as a couple...
For us, the games in the evening were a personal touch! Lucy did a speech and we didn’t stick to the traditional order of who gives speeches. One thing that felt really lovely was being able to greet every individual who attended the ceremony afterwards, which led into a confetti tunnel! It helped us appreciate and acknowledge everyone who came. This felt like a very nice touch!
Suppliers we used and would recommend:
We used two suppliers that Dodmoor House recommended: GJ Catering and Chelsea Hire. They were both excellent; Chelsea Hire had really good communication! One thing that was incredible about the venue was that they had a lot of contact with our suppliers, which took a lot of the weight off our shoulders. I would recommend a local DJ called Rustic Fusion; we found him on Facebook. He has recently started out, but he did a quality job, was very adaptable to our wants, and communicated brilliantly with us.
Our tips to other couples
Lucy’s advice: I think you should make the day as personal as you can! Be strong in what you want; don't let others' judgments or views change your special day. This is meant to be the best and most memorable day of your life. Do the things you love and that bring you joy. One final thing: yes, it’s a lot of planning and organisation, which can be stressful. However, enjoy every aspect; if things don't go to plan, it’s only one day in the end. You have the rest of your lives to adventure together. Make it the most positive day to remember, and don't hold onto the things that don't go to plan. Have the best time!
Sam’s advice: Some good life advice I was given, which I found helpful, is to remember to KISS, which stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. Whether you're stressing about measurements for bunting or making sure the leaves on your invitations match the ones used on the day, remember that none of that will really matter, and nobody will notice the little details you are stressing over. Your day won't be great because of the colour of the flowers or the seating arrangements of family members; your day will be great because you are great for each other, and that is the most important thing, as that is what everyone is coming to celebrate with you!
Thank you, Lucy and Sam, for sharing your incredible journey with us! It was such an honour to be part of your day, and getting to know your beautiful families—who added so much warmth, joy, and creativity to every moment—was truly special. Seeing everyone come together, from family-made treats to heartfelt words, made your celebration feel uniquely personal and deeply meaningful. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness surrounded by the wonderful people who made your day unforgettable!
Special thanks to Chloe Spence Photography and Lucy and Sam for these incredibly beautiful pictures!
With our warmest wishes,
The Dodmoor House Family x
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