Molly & Jodie reminisce:

Can you tell me about your theme if you had one, the inspiration behind it and how you incorporated it into your wedding?

“We wanted a sage green and rustic theme as we had seen a similar wedding theme online and fell in love with it. We also wanted to match the lovely greenery around the venue and ceremony area where we were getting married. We found simple and elegant bridesmaids dresses in a lovely sage, matched our father’s ties with the same colour, and used soft sage table runners and flowers on the centre pieces of the tables, along with floating candles. It was a simple but effective theme that was perfect for a summer wedding.”

What first drew you to your wedding venue?

“We were aware of Cottesmore as a wedding venue as it’s very close to where we live.

We got in touch about booking a viewing and the events team were incredible. They booked us in quickly, showed us around the venue and answered all the questions we had. We instantly knew it was the venue for us when we saw the outdoor ceremony lawn tucked away on the golf course; it was the perfect setting and everything we could have hoped for. We knew we wanted to get married in the summer and Cottesmore had everything we needed – including our preferred date!”

What was the atmosphere like on the big day?

“The atmosphere on the day was incredible. The sun was out, everything ran smoothly, and there wasn’t a single moment of stress. Our guests enjoyed drinks in the courtyard before and after the ceremony, and so many of them commented on how brilliant the staff were and how good the food was. We chose a BBQ menu instead of a traditional wedding breakfast, and it went down a treat! Seeing our closest family and friends genuinely enjoying themselves made the whole day feel even more special.”

How did your chosen venue go above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect?

“The service at Cottesmore was genuinely outstanding - better than anything we’ve experienced before. We had a few special food requests for some of our guests, and nothing was ever too much trouble. Even the small touches, like staff lighting the candles on the tables so we didn’t have to think about it, really stood out. Every member of the team was professional, calm, and incredibly organised, which made the whole day run smoothly. It meant we could properly relax and enjoy ourselves, and we were so grateful for how well they looked after us.”

Who was your chosen Photographer and why did you choose them?

“We chose Dominic Smith as our photographer, and we’re so glad we did. Cottesmore recommended him, and from the moment we met him we knew he was going to do an incredible job. He knows the venue inside out, so he immediately understood where to take us and what shots would work best. He also brought an assistant, which was really important for us as two brides getting ready separately. It meant we could both have those ‘getting ready’ moments captured. Dominic ended up being such a key part of the day; it honestly wouldn’t have been the same without him.”

What was the most memorable part of your day?

“The most memorable part of the day was the ceremony on the outdoor lawn. The staff had everything set up beautifully that morning, and one of our vendors added the decorations we’d hired, making the whole space look stunning and exactly how we’d imagined it. Walking down the aisle in the sunshine, surrounded by our closest family and friends, was perfect. It’s a moment we’ll treasure and look back on for the rest of our lives.”

Photography by www.dominicsmithphotography.co.uk

For more information about holding your wedding at Cottesmore Hotel, Golf & Country Club, please call 01293 528 256 or visit www.cottesmoregolf.co.uk

Buchan Hill, Pease Pottage, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9AT