Jess and Ollie

How we met…

It was freshers week at uni. Our first conversation was actually on the way to a club. But really we got to know each other through mutual friends; Jess’ flatmate was Ollie’s best mate, so Ollie was always around! It was a few months after this, on April 1st in fact, that we became “official”.

The proposal…

During a valentine’s dinner, Ollie reached into his jacket pocket and with a cheeky look on his face pulled out the… letter? Not just any letter, a cryptic letter which Jess had to decipher. Over the coming weeks, as clues were solved and more letters were received, Jess worked out they were hinting at a surprise trip away to Italy.

Sure enough, in late March, Jess and Ollie travelled to Venice. It was here on a private Venetian balcony overlooking the Grand Canal at sunset, that Ollie gave Jess the final letter, asking her to read it aloud. As she approached the final line, Ollie dropped to one knee, finishing the letter and the best proposal ever.

(His meticulous planning over the months also meant he proposed on April 1st, just to make sure the April Fool’s anniversary was well and truly official!)

Why we chose Dodmoor for our special day…

In all honesty, it was a feeling. As soon as we visited Dodmoor House to look around, we felt so special. The whole Dodmoor team made us feel welcome and they truly cared about our day. The venue itself was stunning, with the perfect mix of charm and elegance.

From the moment we left that viewing, we both knew we had found our wedding venue and had already started picturing our big day there. We had other venue viewings booked but, honestly, we didn’t get that feeling anywhere else.

The vision and theme for the day…

An explosion of flowers! As a self-proclaimed flower lover, Jess made sure flowers were at the heart of the day (apart from the marriage, of course!). From the mezzanine balcony and candelabras, to flower boxes on every windowsill, milk churn arrangements outside the barn doors, and delicate bud vases lining the tables - flowers were everywhere!

Jess spent hours carefully selecting blooms to complement the barns and the autumn season. She chose vibrant yellow sunflowers, rich pinks with alliums, chrysanthemums and lisianthus, with pops of deep purple liatris and veronica (to name a few!) Each of the tables were even named after a flower which featured in Jess's bouquet. None of this would have been possible without the incredible Helen’s Flower Room, who brought the vision to life.

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Food…

Portfolio Events (one of Dodmoor’s recommended suppliers) did an incredible job catering for our day. So many guests commented on how delicious everything was!

We wanted the food to feel warm and autumnal so we served canapés like pork belly with crackling, chicken terrine, Italian meatballs, blinis with smoked salmon and sweet potato frittatas. For the main, guests enjoyed apple and parsnip velouté, followed by pan-fried chicken with roasted potatoes, or a vegan risotto option. Dessert was a chocolate mousse, in memory of Ollie’s mum.

Jess’ mum made the wedding cakes, with three tiers - carrot and raisin, vanilla and raspberry, and apple and cinnamon - beautifully decorated by Jess' sister. We displayed these on Dodmoor’s wooden stand.

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The outfits...

Jess found her perfect dress at Serendipity Brides in Weedon. It was a stunning Stella York dress which ticked all the boxes - beautiful blouson sleeves, delicate floral embroidery, a flattering square neckline, dainty buttons extending the length of the ample train.

For alterations, Jess went to Adriana’s Bridal in Milton Keynes, where Adriana crafted a bespoke overskirt with matching floral lace detailing. This added the perfect wow factor for walking down the aisle, yet it was also detachable for late-night dancing. It felt like two dresses in one!

To maintain a cohesive look, the six bridesmaids wore dresses with square necklines and long, flouncy sleeves to match Jess’ dress. These were in a dark green to beautifully offset the vibrant flower bouquets whilst also reflecting the rich colours of the autumnal season.

Ollie wears a suit most days for work so he wanted something a bit different for his wedding day. He opted for a classic black morning suit, with pinstripe trousers and grey double-breasted waistcoat for both him and the groomsmen.

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Our favourite part of the day…

Our favourite part of the day is honestly so hard to pick but there were a few standout moments that made the day unforgettable! First, seeing the Catesby Barn all set up - it was amazing to watch Jess' vision come to life after hours of planning. The Dodmoor team did such a fantastic job and you can really see how blown away Jess was in the photos!

Another moment that stands out was walking into the wedding breakfast once all our friends and family were seated. Coming down from the mezzanine as the new Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, walking between the long trestle tables whilst everyone was cheering was such a special moment. And finally, our first dance to Dancing in the Moonlight - again in the Catesby Barn, which had been spectacularly transformed for the evening celebrations.

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How Dodmoor as a venue stood out to us…

What really made Dodmoor stand out to us was the exceptional service. From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel so welcome and supported. Marleen and Louise, the wedding coordinators, were incredible - so attentive and organised, making sure every detail was perfect. They truly put us at ease during the whole process.

The wedding planning meeting was especially helpful in preparing us for the big day and it was clear how much effort they put into making everything run smoothly. Then, of course, Katie, the evening manager, was fantastic in making sure everything went seamlessly throughout the evening. The Dodmoor team really went above and beyond and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

The idea we felt really worked on the day...

One thing that really worked on the day was how we used both barns at Dodmoor. We carefully planned moments for our guests, making the movement between the barns feel purposeful and seamless. After our church ceremony, we used the Courtyard Barn for the canapés and drinks reception, which was the perfect space for guests to mingle while some photos were being taken. The final photo was the group shot on the steps before we all made our way into the Catesby Barn for the wedding breakfast, the transition between the two barns felt effortless.

After dinner and speeches, we moved back into the Courtyard Barn for the cake cutting and a final speech from the father of the groom, while the Dodmoor team quickly transformed the Catesby Barn for the evening. We then had a beautifully organised sparkler arch which led us and our guests back into the Catesby Barn for our first dance which kicked off the evening celebrations! It was the perfect way to make the most of the brilliant spaces!

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The entertainment…

We were so grateful for Dodmoor's recommended suppliers list which made our entertainment so easy. We went with Rob Lawes Entertainment and Scott, our DJ, was amazing - keeping the party going and surprising us all with his incredible singing!

We also used PicMe Photobooths which was a huge hit with our guests. Not only could they take home printed copies, but we also got an online gallery afterward, which was a good laugh to look through after the wedding!

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Personal touches that reflected us as a couple…

Along the path leading to Dodmoor House, we created a “Walk with Us Through the Years” display. We had a picture from each year we’ve been together hanging from shepherd’s crooks which was a lovely way for our guests to see our journey as a couple.

Another personal touch that really felt "us" was our canal boat stay. Since Dodmoor is right on the Grand Union Canal, we thought it would be fun to stay on a canal boat. We got in touch with Steve from Grand Union Narrowboats in Weedon who arranged one of their boats, Sally, to be moored nearby. We spent a few nights cruising along the canal before heading off on our honeymoon.

Where we felt our budget was well spent…

First, Dodmoor's unlimited daytime drinks package. It kept the drinks flowing throughout the day without any restrictions which made for a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere for all our guests. It was also great knowing the cost was capped helping us to manage our budget while still offering a variety of drinks options.

Second, our AMAZING photographer, Luke Hardy, was absolutely worth every penny. He captured the day perfectly and we’ll treasure those memories forever.

Suppliers we used and would recommend...

Portfolio Events (Catering): Delicious food, exceptional service, wedding tasting included, and great communication.

Luke Hardy Photography (Photographer): Incredible photographer, stunning photos, non-intrusive style, and made us feel at ease.

Rob Lawes Entertainment (DJ): Amazing energy, easy-to-use online portal, beautiful set-up, and personable DJ.

Hannah Rafferty / Sarah Evans (Makeup): Talented makeup artist, professional but fun vibes, great communication, and long-lasting makeup.

Elizabeth Jane Wedding Hair (Hair): Amazing hair stylist, complicated updo stayed in all day!

Helen’s Flower Room (Florist): Beautiful flowers, talented florist, knowledgeable and adaptable, and attention to detail.

Beetlebugs (Wedding Car): Cute VW beetle car, friendly and professional driver, great communication, and fantastic service.

Adriana’s Bridal (Alterations): Talented designer, exceptional seamstress, expert alterations, eye for detail, and clear communication.

PicMe Photobooths (Photobooth): Tonnes of fun, a hit with guests, easy set-up, real-time printed photos, and online gallery.

Grand Union Narrowboats (Canal Boat): Well-organised stay, cosy boat, and friendly staff.

Our tip to other couples…

Enjoy the planning process! It can be overwhelming at times, but it’s also part of the fun. Take the time to plan the details together and get creative! Make the day personal and reflect who you are as a couple - don’t feel pressured by traditions or expectations.

But, when it comes to the wedding day, don’t stress over the small stuff. You’ve done everything you can, so trust your suppliers and focus on what truly matters - marrying the love of your life and enjoying every moment.

With thanks to Luke Hardy Photography for the photos.