Creating Magical Memories: How Dodmoor is the perfect child-friendly wedding venue

Weddings are joyful celebrations that bring families together, including the little ones who often add extra sparkle to the day! Finding a venue that welcomes children and keeps them happily engaged can sometimes be a challenge, but many couples feel it's important to have the little people in their life present on their big day. Here’s why Dodmoor House could be the venue for just that, and how we can create magical memories for the adults and children celebrating your wedding!

Plenty of Space for Outdoor Fun

Dodmoor boasts lovely outdoor grounds, including the large lawn area which is perfect for children to run, explore, and play freely. During warmer months, we set up our garden games that include croquet, giant Jenga, giant connect 4, ring toss, corn hole and tug of war! These activities will encourage kids to be active and social while parents can relax nearby! The open space also means children can play and enjoy the day, making it feel less formal and more fun for everyone involved.

Indoor Games for Cooler Weather

When the weather turns chilly or rainy, we transform the Courtyard Barn for the drinks reception and early evening periods. Some of our summer garden games can quite easily be set up inside too, which ensures children stay entertained regardless of the season! The barn’s cosy but spacious atmosphere makes it a welcoming place for the kids to enjoy themselves without feeling confined. Our Dodmoor House 'table football' and 'air hockey' are also great for indoor entertainment, and you can see more about hiring those here! (These can almost certainly be enjoyed by the adults too!)

Other Entertainment Options

Couples can also choose to hire in additional entertainment tailored for children. Popular choices have included soft play areas, bouncy castles, and magicians who perform close-up magic tricks. You can find some of these on our suppliers page. There is nothing stopping you from bringing in your own toys or games from home too if you wish, and we can set up a children's games area either inside or out! Dodmoor also have our own little 'I Spy' photo hunt game, in which the children will be given sheets with photos of things around Dodmoor which they can then go and find - entertainment for hours!

Regarding bouncy castles, these can be set up on the main lawn or the back lawn behind the Catesby Barn, and are best used during the drinks reception (main lawn) or early evening (Catesby Barn lawn) in the summer months. These do need to be supervised by the bouncy castle company staff or adults from the wedding at all times they are being used, and we ask that the couple sign a health and safety form ahead of the wedding if a bouncy castle is being hired for the day. Please contact us if you are thinking of hiring a bouncy castle and need more details about this!

A Quiet Room for Younger Children

Not all children thrive in busy, noisy environments. Dodmoor House includes the Dodford Room which can always be used as a quiet room designed for younger children or those who need a break from the excitement. This calm space allows little ones to rest, nap, or play quietly with toys and books. It also provides a comfortable spot for parents or nannies to care for children away from the main celebration if needed.

This room can also be quite helpful during the evening if babies/toddlers need to go to sleep, meaning parents don't need to leave early if the kids run out of steam! Close family can rota checking in on them (we can also lock the room), OR you could hire in nannies to stay with them (see more below!).

Professional Nannies

To make the day easier for families, couples can hire professional nannies through our recommended supplier Sweetheart Nannies, if they wish to. These experienced caregivers can provide attentive supervision, allowing parents to enjoy certain parts of the wedding without worry. Most often this has been during the meal and/or speeches (as these can of course be the "boring" times for the children!), and then the nannies have stayed on into the evening, providing entertainment in the Dodford Room so the adults can enjoy the music and dancing know that the children are safely playing nearby.

Mealtimes

We know that little ones can get hungry, so we would always recommend having some snacks available for the children where possible! They might not be keen on the fancy canapes being served, so a basket of crisps and popcorn would work perfectly, or you could even hire our Dodmoor House Crisp Wall! For the wedding breakfast, we can provide highchairs and booster seats, as well as plastic cups for the younger ones! Most caterers will supply lovely children's meals, and we find that having little gifts of fun activity packs (stickers and colouring etc) in the children's seats will keep them happy for a while!

While children and babies are classed as a 'seat' at the dining tables and therefore take up a place on the table plan, it can be easy to fit them in (especially being small)! On round tables you can make tables 11 rather than 10 if needed, with the 11th being a child, and with the straight tables on the mezzanine you can easily squeeze highchairs onto the end (which can maximise numbers if needed!). Pushchairs can also be safely stored in the undercover route between the Courtyard and Catesby Barn.

The Dodmoor House Staff

While we are certainly not trained nannies(!), we all love children (many of us have our own!) and are always very happy for them to be involved in the wedding day. We have seen lots of beautiful ceremonies that have included Flower Girls and Page Boys and are always on hand to help little ones during the aisle walk if they're nervous! We love to see children making the most of the garden games and enjoying the outdoor space, and all agree that they bring an extra level of love and laughter to a wedding day.

Overall, Dodmoor's child-friendly features create a welcoming environment where children feel included, and a valued part of the day! The combination of spacious grounds, indoor areas if it's cold, quiet areas when needed, and the option to bring in their own games makes it easier for families to celebrate all together. Children’s joy will add smiles and warmth to the day, making your wedding truly memorable!

If you have any worries or queries about children attending your wedding, please email weddings@dodmoorhouse.co.uk and we will be happy to answer any questions!