Why Dodmoor is the Perfect Child-Friendly 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 the kids to be active and social while parents can relax nearby! The open space also means children can play freely, 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 children to enjoy themselves without feeling confined. Our Dodmoor House table football and air hockey are also great for indoor entertainment!

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.

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!

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 a health and safety form would need to be signed ahead of the wedding day. Please contact us if you are thinking of hiring a bouncy castle and need more details about this!

A quiet area

Not all children thrive in busy, noisy environments, therefore The Dodford Room can be used as a quiet room for younger children or those who need a break from the chaos and 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 celebrations if needed.

Professionals!

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, knowing that the children are in safe hands.

Meal times

We know that little ones can get hungry often, 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 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 too.

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 enjoying the day and making the most of the gardens and games, and all agree that they bring an extra level of love and laughter to a wedding day.

Overall, Dodmoor's child-friendly features will 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 games (and the option to bring in their own games!) makes it easier for families to celebrate all together as one.

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!