CONTACT OUR WEDDING TEAM

I've worked at Holdsworth House for 25 years. In that time I've helped arrange over 3000 weddings. We ‘re exclusive – we only allow one wedding per day, but we average around 120 weddings per year.

I love dogs, so when I'm not working, I'm walking my dog.

25 years ago, I found the role really suited me. I'm a people person and stickler for detail. My colleagues joke that I have a photographic memory as I do tend to retain facts, figures, couples' names and all their wedding details!

Today, I can't imagine doing anything else. After 25 years arranging weddings, there's very little that catches me out, and no problem we can't resolve.  Weddings provide a convivial working environment too – people come to Holdsworth House to celebrate. It’s not just an office job, I’m often on my feet meeting people and showing guests round the venue.

There's no denying that Holdsworth House is a beautiful, historic building and I think the gardens are the best of any wedding venue. But I don't think you can put a price on experience. It's not just me that's been here a long time, many of us in the wedding team have built our careers at Holdsworth House. Tracy, our Master of Wedding Ceremonies, has been here over 30 years, our General Manager around 10 years. When you have such a consistent, experienced team the confidence rubs off on guests and couples – they can relax fully and enjoy their day knowing they're in safe hands.

I also believe that because Holdsworth House is independent (owned by the same family since 1962), there's a level of care, love and attention that we all feel compelled to give, you truly go out of your way because its personal. We really are a family at the hotel.

First, we have an initial meeting and we discuss lots of ideas. Essentially at this stage I'm here to listen. I need to understand the couple's needs, expectations and their individual requests. I'll show the couple round the hotel, give them any advice and answer anything they want to know. Once a date has been booked, we'll schedule catch-ups and a wedding menu tasting. By the time the wedding comes, it feels like we're good friends!

I'm really proud that many couples are happy to open up to me. Many people look to me for clear, detailed advice or reassurance. In many cases I’m the holder of secrets too! Whether that's a surprise element of the day or something personal. I'm always professional, completely discreet and fully supportive.

In the run-up to their big day, our couples will meet all the teams within Holdsworth House. When they come for their wedding tasting they’ll get to know the kitchen and restaurant team. When they select their accommodation they’ll bump into our fantastic housekeepers. And, of course, everyone is warmly greeted by our reception staff who have incredible knowledge and a can-do attitude.

By the day of the wedding, our operations team has already been fully briefed and is ready to spring into action – it's like watching all the cogs of a well-oiled machine working together.

For the couple it's when you can completely let go and be in the moment. Inevitably things will change because people – like the weather – are unpredictable. But when you can truly trust the team around you to deliver, and you can look back on your wedding day with multiple 'wow' moments, then that's when you've had the perfect wedding. It's not about quantity, it’s 100% about quality.