Wendy and Sheldon

We are both members of The Kennels and truly love it there. Bryony, my daughter also worked at Goodwood Hotel for a while. One evening shortly after Sheldon proposed to me, we went to the outdoor movie showing of Grease at The Kennels and took two close friends. We looked at each other and said, 'this is it, this is the place'. We talked it through with Bryony who said Rhiannon was amazing and it would be fantastic...then COVID hit.

Our wedding was very personal to both of us, and we made sure it celebrated our heritages, love of the outdoors, live music and sense of occasion surrounded by our close friend and family. We wanted to give them a day they would never forget too, in a location they would not normally have the opportunity to go to. We could not have written it when the Spitfire flew over. The entertainment was also personal – we have followed Amy for some time and her virtual shows during COVID got us through long nights doing jigsaws. Rockit, the band we had playing for us in the evening, were also known to us as we had seen them perform twice before. Born to Swing was also chosen because Andrew covers some amazing songs, and his voice is incredible. 

Planning our wedding began sitting in our pub garden on a warm sunny day with my sister and our spaniel Bonnie (she is also a member at The Kennels of course) in South Harting looking at the village church. There was a wedding taking place and the bells where church bells were ringing. The three of us had the same thought at the same time. Our wedding would be at St Mary and St Gabriel Church South Harting followed by our reception at The Kennels. But we had to get through the COVID lockdown first.

Our wedding finally took place on 13 August 2022 – one of the hottest days of the year. We had worked with Rhiannon to put contingency in place in case of rain - not in a million years did we expect to be discussing other options with Rhiannon due to a heat wave! However, the week before the wedding, we were.

When our guests arrived, they were ushered through The Kennels and onto the terrace at the side bar in the 34-degree heat, overlooking Goodwood. Amy Baker, an amazing local jazz singer who has performed at the Goodwood Revival, was working her magic whilst guests were treated to English sparkling wine and canapés of steak tartare, lamb meatballs, mushrooms, Welsh rarebit, and honey mustard sausages.

We had chosen goats cheese, salmon or duck followed by either steak, sole or ricotta cheese dumplings. For dessert, our guests were treated to dark chocolate torte, almond tart or pavlova. The service and food did not disappoint, neither did the wine. Kevin is simply a star. Our guests also loved the sausage and fish finger baps in the evening – it was funny to see beautifully dressed guests on the dance floor, bap in one hand and wine in the other!

Rhiannon was amazing. She talked us through options throughout the planning process and understood the importance of making the wedding personal. She was fantastic from the beginning of our planning, all the way through to meeting us as we arrived at The Kennels on our wedding day. Her support, her smile and professionalism will not go forgotten.

Was there a highlight for each of you, which stood out as a particularly memorable part of your day?

It is hard to choose one memorable moment because the day was fantastic from start to finish. So many wonderful memories. Everything was perfect. A girls night dinner the night before at the Farmer, Butcher, Chef restaurant. Getting ready at the Goodwood Hotel with my bridesmaids, mum, sister and sister-in-law. Dancing the night away in the Putting Green. Peoples laughter and reactions to the day and of course, our first dance – we did a Saturday night fever medley. The Spitfire, the vintage golf carts, the staff, the entertainment the list goes on...it was all perfect and we didn't want it to end.

Photographer – Outside and Instant Photography
Flowers – Hedge Rose Chichester
Hair – Halo Petersfield
Entertainment – Amy Baker (canapes), Born to Swing (after the wedding breakfast) and Rockit (band in the evening)