Their Story
James and Katie, who first met online, got engaged in November 2019 in front of the people who matter most to them. The couple had gone for dinner with their close circle of friends at a restaurant with beautiful gardens and a water feature that Katie had always loved. At the end of the night, the group headed out for photos, first altogether, then couple by couple. James and Katie went last, and as they posed for their photo, James got down on one knee in front of all twelve friends. Only two of them had known it was coming. It was, Katie says, amazing.
Wedding planning began in February 2024, with a clear goal of having everything organised by February 2026. Katie loved the process from start to finish, and James, by her own account, a brilliant groom, was heavily involved every step of the way. Their advice to other couples echoes how they approached it themselves: set a budget, keep an Excel sheet to track every cost, and don’t let any of it become overwhelming, because it all works out in the end.
The Wedding Day
The couple were married on May 1st, 2026, with a colour palette of pinks and purples running through the day rather than a single set theme. DIY played a big part throughout. Katie designed and made all their invitations herself, saving a good amount of money in the process, and the couple added their own signage, light-up letters, and an audio guestbook to make the day feel personal.
James wore a suit quite different from his usual style, while Katie described her own dress simply as “princess vibes”, dramatic, in the best way. Their bridesmaids wore pink, and the groomsmen were suited in navy.
Choosing the Woodford Dolmen Hotel was easy once they walked through the doors and met the team. Their coordinator, Lucia, made the entire experience feel effortless. Supportive of every request, endlessly kind, and always close by to check that the couple were okay throughout the day.
The ballroom was beautifully decorated, with centrepieces provided by the hotel and extra personal touches added by the couple themselves. The food and cocktails were a hit with guests, many of whom are still talking about the meal.
James and Katie say it was clear how much care Lucia and her team put into every detail, leaving them with nothing to worry about and a day they’ll cherish forever. They would highly recommend the venue to any couple planning their wedding.
Capturing the Memories
Their photographers, Marcin and Marta of M&M Photography, were a husband-and-wife team the couple had heard about through friends. Their approach felt completely natural, with no forced or overwhelming posing, and out of more than 1,600 photos delivered, the couple say there isn’t a single one they don’t love.
Eugene of East Coast Video Productions filmed the day, delivering a two-hour film that captured moments the couple hadn’t even realised were happening. Their advice to future couples is simple: get a videographer, it’s worth it.
For entertainment, the couple skipped the band in favour of DJ Karl Ruffley, and the dancefloor was full all night. Rather than a photo booth, they opted for a candy cart, an audio guestbook, and light-up letters to keep guests entertained.
Décor was kept thoughtful throughout. An unplugged ceremony sign, flowers, lanterns, and birdcages featured at the church, while at the hotel, a memory table with a lit candle and a love story sign created a particularly meaningful detail that mattered a great deal to them both.
Favourite Moments & Advice
Two memories stand out above all the rest. The first is Katie reaching the top of the aisle and seeing James’s face, falling in love with him all over again.
The second is the couple’s entrance to dinner, dancing and skipping to their table as everyone they loved stood, clapped, and smiled, all there to celebrate their day together.
Their advice to other couples? Don’t get pulled into the big extras companies try to sell you, and if you’re ever unsure about anything, just ask. Your hotel or your suppliers are there to help.