The Courtyard at Dodmoor

Dodmoor House

6 days ago

6 min read

The three grade II listed barns that form Dodmoor House are all stunning in their own ways (and each serve very special purposes on the wedding day!), but what's especially beautiful is how they surround the central courtyard of the venue - The Heart of Dodmoor House.

This is the space that quietly connects the whole celebration. It brings movement, atmosphere and practicality to the wedding day. Guests will gather here on arrival, sip a spritz during the drinks reception, the setting will be used for many, many photos, and everyone will take it all in without feeling hurried from one room to the next.

From the aisle walk to the ceremony, from group photos to speeches, bouquet throws and sparklers, the courtyard is the area of Dodmoor that can accommodate it all. It's one of those spaces that can be used again and again, for many different occasions throughout the day.

Here are our favourite ways that the courtyard can come alive for your Dodmoor wedding...

The Arrival...

A central courtyard makes the guest arrival feel calm and clear. Instead of stepping straight into a formal room (and not knowing where to go!), guests are welcomed into an open space by a Dodmoor House team member!

There is a lovely social ease arriving into a courtyard. Guests don't feel tucked away in separate rooms of a large building, and they can move freely, spot a friend or relative as they arrive, and start the day with a relaxed feeling.

You can always find a comfortable spot to sit, and children can roam around in the safety of the enclosed courtyard.

The Aisle Walk...

Something that we find incredibly special (& unique), is the use of the courtyard for aisle walks. Couples are offered the option to use this central space as the place to start the most important walk of their lives!

These moments before entering the ceremony room allow for the Bride or Groom to take a breath and take it all in, before seeing their husband or wife to-be waiting at the end of the aisle (and all of their loved one's smiling faces!).

This creates an exciting build up for your entrance, as well as allowing for some really magical photos. Sometimes a whole procession might be involved!

The courtyard is also a lovely and useful space for same-sex couples to have their aisle walk moment, either walking from each side of the courtyard and meeting in the middle, or simply walking across together.

The Ceremony...

Set up on the top level of the courtyard, under the sun, the rustic wooden chairs perfectly complement the natural outdoor space and the beautiful oak tree provides a stunning backdrop to the vows.

The Group Photo...

Immediately after the ceremony, guests can group together on the steps, capturing the perfect photo of everyone in attendance. The intimate setting of the courtyard allows for family and friends to gather easily, and make that "big group photo of everyone" all the easier to get!

The Drinks Reception...

After the group photo, guests can naturally spill out into the courtyard and begin the drinks reception. Everyone wants to talk at once, congratulate the couple, grab a drink, and snap photos together. It's also the first real chance for the couple to see their guests properly, and the open courtyard space gives room for all of that to happen smoothly.

Dodmoor staff will set up a cute 'drinks station' in the courtyard, which is a lovely focal point to the reception, as well as floating around guests and ensuring that glasses are always topped up, creating a great atmosphere!

Live musicians can also set up and play outside in the courtyard, which creates a great buzz. Alternatively couples can always plug their favourite playlists into our speakers, which gives an atmosphere both outside and in.

The Quiet Moments...

After the energy of the drinks reception, guests will make their way into the dining barn for the meal, leaving the couple alone for a few quiet minutes. There is no denying that the courtyard is a romantic space, so we find it really lovely when we catch these beautiful moments between the couple taking place here.

The courtyard works especially well for candid photos, and these are often the photos that couples will look back on and love the most. When it's quiet and empty, the courtyard lends itself as a very serene and beautiful setting to share a peaceful moment together, amidst the excitement of a very busy and special day.

The Wedding Breakfast...

We are all for flexibility at Dodmoor, and if the couple would like a more informal outdoor wedding breakfast, then this can be easily accommodated in the courtyard. Dining tables can be set up on the top level, while outdoor seating is already provided on the lower level.

Buffets, BBQs and food vans then have the space to set themselves up either within the courtyard (if they fit!) or in the parking space just outside, so guests can naturally flow from the tables to the food service zone. This provides a very relaxed vibe to the day, working especially well in the warmer summer months!

The Speeches...

In similar fashion to the wedding breakfast, you could have your speeches outside in the courtyard and therefore feeling a little more relaxed! The steps are great for the speakers to stand on if they wish, and the lower level becomes a natural area for guests to gather to listen (we can also provide a wireless mic).

The Early Evening...

After sitting for the meal and speeches, guests can mingle in the courtyard again during the early evening, as the day turns to night. Festoon and fairy lights are switched on, an outdoor pop up bar is opened up, additional evening guests might be welcomed, and sometimes guests will even have a little early evening dance in the courtyard too.

There is a slight change in pace in the atmosphere as guests are feeling ready for the party, while the courtyard also feels cosy, inviting and intimate as it gets duskier. It's a lovely balance!

The Cake Cut, Bouquet Throw and even First Dance...

In the summer months, couples can really make the most of the courtyard by having their cake cut, bouquet throw and first dance outside. If it's still light (and warm!), guests are unlikely to want to make their way inside just yet, so it's lovely to use the space to it's advantage and enjoy these special moments outside, before the party really starts.

The Evening Food...

There are so many choices for evening food, and many of the options can be served from the courtyard (or just outside!). Hog roasts, BBQ's, Burger Bars, paella pans, ice cream stands, food vans and more - all of which have been set up and served in the courtyard before!

Not every guest wants to dance all night, and the evening food creates a nice little break just across from the dance floor. The courtyard gives guests somewhere to sit and eat without leaving the party entirely, where they can cool down, get some fresh air, chat, and then return to the party when they're ready.

The Sparklers...

Sparkler arches create a magic moment, and work best in the winter months when it gets darker earlier! You can walk through the 'tunnel' of sparklers, having your photo moment and then leading the guests inside to start the party.

The Night Time Magic...

Last but certainly not least... there is some real magic in the air much later, when it's completely dark, the courtyard is totally empty of guests (as they're all partying inside), the air is crisp, and the lights are twinkling.

Late-night photos catch a softer and more reflective mood of the courtyard, looking across the area that has held so many memories throughout the day - from the very start to the very finish.

Guests might head out for a final night cap in the fresh air, before everyone gathers for one last time as they make their way out of the courtyard, while saying their goodbyes to the happy couple.

By that point, the courtyard has played several roles throughout the day and evening - the centre of the celebrations.

See For Yourself!

The perfect wedding venue isn't just about one impressive room or view. It's about how the whole day (and the flow of the day) feels from start to finish, and the courtyard effortlessly helps create that feeling with ease and charm.

Because the courtyard sits at the centre of the venue, it acts as a natural link between the main parts, guests don't have to wonder where they should be, the space just gently gathers people and moves them on.

It has the ability to look beautiful while making the day easier. It's the natural gathering spot, it helps the schedule flow, offers beautiful photo backdrops, creates fun moments, and adds atmosphere from arrival through to departure.

We could swoon about the courtyard all day (we might be bias!), but if you've not been to Dodmoor before then book your viewing with us now, so you can come and see the magic of the courtyard (and venue!) for yourself.