Mark & Tracy

“We initially met at school in 1978 and were first boyfriend and girlfriend. In 1980 we went our separate ways and on to new lives and careers. In 2016 we reacquainted as friends online and when we finally met in person it felt like all those intervening years had not passed since we were sweethearts. Nothing had changed and we knew that our special bond had never broken.

“2018 was an exceptional year because Tracy moved down south to live with me, just as I finally became a member of the Goodwood Road Racing Club. The Festival of Speed was one of the very first events we went to together as a couple. Naturally, since then, we have taken every opportunity to attend a host of different Goodwood experiences and have always been so impressed by the quality of the service no matter where on the estate that has been.

“Goodwood has a very special place in our hearts. Being together, creating wonderful, new memories after so long apart has been very important to us and Goodwood has very much been the focus of our journey towards married life. In March 2019, I proposed to Tracy on her birthday while we were having dinner at The Kennels. Everyone was exceptionally congratulatory and the staff brought us both a glass of champagne and a little celebration cake with congratulations written in chocolate. This was a lovely, impromptu gesture, as no one knew what Mark was going to do.

“When it came to choosing our wedding venue, there was no other place we wanted or considered but The Kennels. We wanted to be in the place that felt special to us, to share it with people we loved and to be among kind staff and beautiful surroundings.

“We wanted our wedding to be personal, stylish and above all relaxed. We’d had one cancellation due to Covid and numerous disruptions, so a day just filled with joy and love, without stress, was so important. The intimate setting of the Kennels made everything so comfortable, as if in our own home. We had privacy to change, our own terrace and dining room, indeed everything was just as we would have wanted it and the whole day exceeded our expectations. At every stage we were consulted and nothing was too much trouble. The atmosphere felt just like a warm, family gathering and the staff felt very much part of that family.

“The menu and wine tasting evening was so helpful, because it really enabled us to make clear decisions about what would work for a summer wedding. Kevin never fails to amaze us with his knowledge and is always so right when making suggestions as to what goes together. His help and support on the day was priceless and he must be one of the estate’s most valuable assets. We simply can’t thank him enough.

“Immediately after the service, we had canapes and champagne on the terrace. The canapes were chosen from a wide selection available and were prepared to accommodate individual, dietary requirements.

“It was a difficult time from when we chose our original date back in February 2020 to finally getting married in June 2021. At the outset, no one would have believed what was going to happen, lockdowns and illness all took their toll and we had to cancel our original choice for August 2020. At times, we felt that our wedding would never happen, but most frightening of all, that some of the people we wanted to be with us may not be here.

“The Goodwood team allowed us to reschedule the date and when lockdown finally came to an end, it was all systems go. Everything had been put on standby for so long and when it became a reality in April everyone had to move at top speed to ensure the day went perfectly. It is without doubt that Rhiannon, our dedicated wedding planner, was central to ensuring everything went smoothly. Her patience and professionalism was outstanding. She was always kind and friendly, she arranged meetings to suit our time schedules and responded promptly and constructively to queries and questions, no matter how trivial.

“When it came to the day of our wedding everything went to time and was organised perfectly. Using the library to change and prepare while our guests arrived was wonderful. Having that time together to relax, talk to the registrars, go through the music and be reassured was so helpful. Kevin and the team were so supportive and made the whole day special.

“For both of us it was just such a blessing to have all our family together, on a beautiful summer’s day, enjoying the wonderful food and simply being happy. The Covid pandemic had touched all of us over the past year, some had been seriously ill in hospital, others had lost jobs, and yet for one day we were able to put all that aside and come together to celebrate love. We all had a fabulous time and really did have our dream wedding in the end."

James Wadey of Occasions of West Street, Fareham, was absolutely wonderful in helping us select the right dress for Tracy. We wanted to do everything together, which isn’t traditional, but James accommodated that by welcoming Mark to all the fittings.

Elena Molchan of Occasions of West Street, Fareham, who ensured Tracy’s dress was altered and ready on time. We understand there was a lot of demand once lockdown eased and she must have been working so many additional hours in order to prevent disappointment.

Ros Summers of Ros Summers Cakes, Fareham, who made the most exquisite wedding cake at relatively short notice. Nothing was too much trouble, she crafted the rose decorations from photographs, in order to match them exactly with Tracy’s bouquet and made one of our guests a separate gluten free cupcake incorporating the same rose.