Ben and Lucy

One year on from their special day, we took 5 minutes to catch up with the happy couple and to find out what made 13th April 2017 so special to them. From the perspective of the groom, their Goodwood wedding was something Ben had always dreamed of.

"Having lived in the local area for over 30 years and attended all of Goodwood’s major events, I can understand and appreciate how lucky we are to have this world-famous Estate on our doorstep. I first came horseracing here in 1990 at the age of 12 – shortly after the new Sussex Stand was unveiled – and absolutely loved the whole experience. I have returned many times since and enjoyed every trip.

We looked at a variety of venues within the Hampshire/West Sussex area and were blown away by the sheer beauty and magnificence of Goodwood House; it really is a truly stunning venue and nothing else compared to it. It was a bonus that every part of our wedding could take place at a single location, from the ceremony and drinks reception to the wedding breakfast and evening reception – this made it so easy plan our dream day. Everyone we came into contact to along our ‘journey’ was incredibly helpful, friendly and professional, which made us feel instantly at ease."

"Getting married at Goodwood made us feel like royalty for the day. From the breathtaking setting and Estate grounds to the delicious food and exceptional service, the day was special in every possible way. We never had to remind the staff to do anything – each part of our wedding just magically ‘happened’ on time and the day flowed seamlessly from start to finish. We took advantage of the opportunity to have two tour guides on hand to undertake House tours, which our guests really appreciated as it gave them a fascinating insight into the history and heritage of Goodwood House. The Ballroom was our favourite room, offering a grand and unforgettable experience for the wedding breakfast. As a private Estate, it made it easy for Lucy to fulfil her dream of arriving by horse & carriage as she was taken from the nearby Goodwood Hotel to the unmistakable front of Goodwood House."  

We asked both the Bride and Groom what their favourite moment was:

Ben said, "It’s so difficult to pinpoint one specific moment as the day was full of fantastic experiences. Obviously the first time I laid eyes on my beautiful bride was something I will never forget – she looked stunning beyond words. Then having our complete group photo taken against the stunning backdrop of Goodwood House with the sun shining down and my banner flying past overhead was just magical.”

For Lucy: “Seeing all of our family and close friends together in the same venue, looking fabulous and having a great time meant so much. Ben arranged for our beloved Burmese cat, Matilda, to make a surprise appearance and the staff were very kind to facilitate this. Everyone managed to keep quiet until she ‘appeared’ in her carrier – I was speechless and so delighted that she didn’t miss out!”

"Emily, our wedding co-ordinator, was excellent from day one and took great care in ensuring we had everything precisely as we wanted it. She was always available – often at very short notice! – to discuss our individual requirements, and made us feel completely at ease.

We cannot speak highly enough of David the Head Butler; he took incredible care of us and our 90 guests. He really made the difference and went the extra mile to make our day that little bit more special. So many guests commented on his exemplary manner and consummate professionalism. The waiting staff were extremely polite, courteous and efficient, with a genuine warmth and passion for their job.

The entire planning process was made a real pleasure, taking care of every conceivable detail in order to make our experience perfect. Nothing was too much trouble and communication was regular throughout the process to keep us informed about progress. The staff could literally not have been more helpful and efficient – we completely trusted them to deliver… and they most certainly did!"

And lastly, we love to think of a Goodwood wedding as more than just a one day event. Ben and Lucy have since returned to Goodwood for the Goodwood Revival, dressing up in 1950s outfits to embrace the nostalgic theme.

Congratulations to Ben and Lucy, and happy anniversary!

Photography - Purson Photography

Flowers - Full Bloom

Magician - Caley Page

Harpist - Danielle Clarke

Wedding Stationery - Fineprint

You can watch Ben and Lucy's wedding video, here. Created by UW Productions.