Clare and Derren

“We chose Goodwood House as we are Festival of Speed fans. As soon as we stepped inside the House for our first meeting we knew it was the only venue for us. Right from that very first meeting the level of customer service was exceptional - we were warmly welcomed and made to feel like the only people getting married that year. We knew it would be the same on our special day.”

“The food was incredible. Even though we knew what to expect, due to the tasting opportunity beforehand, we were still amazed on the day. Our guests were so impressed - not only with the quality of the food but how it was so expertly served.

For me, as the bride, I look back with great satisfaction that everything ran to time on the day. We knew exactly what was happening and when, and when I needed a gentle reminder of where I needed to be and for what, David was there to guide me.”

“Felicity, our wedding planner, was incredible. She thought of absolutely everything to the point where I had no need to stress or worry about our wedding day. I loved that contact details of our suppliers were requested from us so that Felicity could contact them directly, without the need to trouble us. The team were also very happy to accommodate when I asked to visit the House with my florist.”

“The waiting staff were expertly trained and under the watchful eye of David - who doesn't miss a thing. Whenever a guest asked for something, they were there and very happy to assist. An example was when my elderly grandmother needed a wheelchair to get from the reception to the main hall - and when she asked for a glass of ale, instead of the fizz that was being served.

We loved that our guests were permitted to explore the House and if any of them had a question a member of staff was always on hand to offer information.

I remember David always being present - and always there to make sure I had a drink in my hand! Felicity was obviously there on the day in the background, and it was reassuring to see her at the start of the speeches.”

We later asked Clare and Derren to describe Goodwood House as a wedding venue:

“In one word 'spectacular'. It offers all the grandeur, sophistication and heritage to make a wedding day unforgettable - for you and your guests. A moment that still gives us goose-bumps is when we entered the Great Hall. The quartet were playing 'Skyfall' on the balcony and we entered the room for the first time to see it in all its glory - full of cherry blossom and all our loved ones.”

For every bride and groom, there are always little stories that make the day truly unique and one-off. For Clare and Derren, there were a couple of special moments they wished to share with us.

"My nephews were the only children at our wedding. The youngest were four at the time and they lasted till 9pm. My brother asked how they would get back to the hotel (the shuttle service was arranged for later), and within minutes Enda had arranged a lift back in the House car.

At the end of the evening some guests were waiting for the shuttle service. I came out and learned that one shuttle bus had broken down. Before I could do anything or even start to worry, Enda had called the shuttle bus company and reassured everyone that another was on its way. He then offered to drive Derren and I back to the hotel, a lovely touch and perfect end to the day.”

Photographs by Adrian Feltham

Florist: Luvshifting Flowers 

Music: Freestyle Funk Collective 

Quartet: The Bossard Quartet 

Cake: Racheal Lyons

Car: Mr Scott Younger