A GUIDE TO PLANNING
Every wedding at Dodmoor is different, but this guide gives you an idea of how a typical day flows. Think of it as a starting point rather than a strict timetable, there is plenty of flexibility to make the day your own.
THE DAY BEFORE
We'll usually invite you over for a short drop-off meeting the day before your wedding, typically around 10am (subject to change). This is your chance to bring everything you've been collecting - decorations, drinks, dresses and all the little finishing touches.
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We'll also run through the final details together and answer any last-minute questions before the big day.
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Your suppliers are welcome to arrive from 9.30am on the wedding morning, so it's worth making sure they know this when booking.
GETTING READY
You are welcome to arrive at the Farmhouse Suite from 9.30am to start getting ready. Your Honeymoon Suite and adjoining Dodford Room are guaranteed from 12pm, giving you your own private space to relax and freshen up throughout the day.
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Of course, many couples also choose to get ready at home or in a local hotel before arriving to meet the registrars.
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Guests usually begin arriving around an hour before the ceremony, and our bar will be open for drinks before everyone takes their seats.
YOUR CEREMONY
Most ceremonies take place in the Courtyard Barn, where your aisle walk begins outside across the courtyard before entering through the barn doors.
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The Catesby Barn can also be used for smaller ceremonies of up to 58 guests, and there are several beautiful outdoor ceremony locations available too. Whether it's the Courtyard, the Drive, the Front Lawn or the more secluded Catesby Lawn beneath the trees, there are plenty of options for saying "I do".
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Before the ceremony, you'll each have a separate interview with the registrars. Please remember that booking the registrars (or organising your church service) is one of the few things you'll arrange directly yourselves.
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And don't worry, if the weather changes, we always have a wet weather plan.
DRINKS & PHOTOS
After the ceremony, we'll welcome everyone into the drinks reception. In the summer, many couples enjoy drinks and garden games on the lawn beneath the oak tree, while the courtyard offers plenty of seating and the Courtyard Barn provides warmth and shelter during colder months.
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Drinks receptions usually last around 90 minutes, giving plenty of time for photos, canapés and catching up with guests.
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Confetti can be thrown either on the courtyard steps or inside the Courtyard Barn. We simply ask that only dried petals or real petals are used.
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If you're on our Classic or Signature package, you'll enjoy 90 minutes of drinks from the Ruby or Sapphire packages before moving on to meal drinks. Deluxe packages include drinks throughout the reception and meal, including a toast drink.
YOUR WEDDING BREAKFAST
Guests are invited into the Catesby Barn for the wedding breakfast. There are lots of table layouts available, and smaller weddings may swap barns depending on where the ceremony takes place.
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We provide the tables and chairs, while your caterer supplies the linen, crockery, cutlery and staffing. We work closely with Lemon Zest and Portfolio Events, although you're welcome to choose your own caterer, there would just be an additional outside catering fee of £60.
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Daytime music can be played throughout the barns and courtyard, or you may choose to have live musicians during the drinks reception.
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We also have lots of decorative items available for you to use, including candle holders, candelabras, cake stands and easels.
SPEECHES
Most couples choose speeches after the meal, although they can easily be moved before dinner if preferred. We provide a cordless microphone for your speakers.
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Tea and coffee work particularly well when served buffet style in the Courtyard Barn, encouraging guests to move through while we transform the Catesby Barn for the evening celebrations.
EARLY EVENING
Tea and coffee work particularly well when served buffet style in the Courtyard Barn, encouraging guests to move through while we transform the Catesby Barn for the evening celebrations.
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Other entertainment could include: magicians, acoustic musicians, quizzes, fun casinos and photobooths.
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Our pay bars will be open and your guests can relax and mingle before the evening party, with card payments, tabs and waitress service all available.
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The Courtyard Barn becomes a relaxed space with seating for guests wanting a quieter moment, while evening food is often served here too.
THE EVENING PARTY
Once evening guests have arrived, the Catesby Barn transforms into your party space. Many couples begin with cake cutting followed by their first dance before the celebrations really begin.
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Live music finishes at 11pm, with DJs continuing until midnight. We ask all performers to work within our sound limit and provide their own equipment. Bands not on our recommended list should use electronic drums.
EVENING FOOD
Your daytime caterers are welcome to stay for the evening, or you might prefer something a little more informal.
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Popular choices include our own burger bar, toastie packages and hog roasts, alongside pizza vans, fish and chip vans and street food suppliers that can park outside the courtyard.
There is no charge for changing caterers, although evening suppliers must provide enough staff and remove all rubbish at the end of service.
THE END OF THE NIGHT
Music and the bar finish at midnight, although earlier ceremonies often choose to finish slightly sooner.
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Guests head home or back to their hotels, while you simply take the short walk across the courtyard to your Honeymoon Suite.
YOUR FIRST MORNING TOGETHER
Your Honeymoon Suite is included within your venue hire, and the following morning a continental breakfast is delivered to your room.
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We'll have gathered together your gifts, cards and decorations so that checkout feels easy and stress-free before waving you off as newlyweds.
HOTELS & TRANSPORT
We have fantastic relationships with Staverton Park Hotel and Daventry Court Hotel, allowing couples to arrange guest room allocations with complimentary transport included at the end of the evening.
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If you'd like to know more, have a look at our Accommodation & Transport guide.
THROUGHOUT YOUR PLANNING
We'll be here every step of the way.
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We host regular Open Evenings throughout the year, where you can revisit Dodmoor, meet suppliers and sample drinks packages.
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Around two to three months before your wedding, you'll have your Day in Detail meeting with your dedicated coordinator. This is where everything comes together, and we'll finalise timings, suppliers and all those little details that make your day uniquely yours.
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And, of course, if you ever have a question before then, we're only ever an email or phone call away.
