The Lost Village Of Dode

(99)
£2,280 - £4,220 for Venue Hire
Up to 42
3 Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
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Late Availability
Last Minute Dates Available
2024 Last Minute Availability
The Lost Village Of Dode Full Description
Located in an almost forgotten valley between Luddesdown and Holly Hill in the heart of the Kent countryside, there stood, sadly unloved, and decaying, a former Norman church built over 900 years ago – the only trace of the now ‘lost’ village of Dode. Now having been lovingly restored by the current owners, this beautiful, charming, privately owned medieval church is known as The Lost Village of Dode and is available for hire. We can now offer you a magical, relaxed, romantic, unique wedding venue for up to 40 of your closest family and friends, with some on-site Self-catering accommodation. The Lost Village of Dode is perfect for couples who want to begin their tale of love, romance and desire, either inside or outside. You can choose from an intimate indoor Civil Ceremony, Partnership or Renewal of Vows. For an outdoor Blessing or Pagan Handfasting Ceremony, you can hold your event within the ancient Stone Circle followed by a Wedding Reception with dancing, and then stay overnight on-site, in one of the two superb award-winning cottages. We offer bespoke weddings tailored to each couple or package weddings, so you can have your perfect day exactly the way you want it. After your ceremony guests can spend time in the stunning grounds, enabling you to have your group photos and enjoy a glass of bubbles and perhaps a selection of canapés. For your evening reception, we work alongside a number of fantastic professional caterers who can provide a Medieval Style Banquet Wedding Breakfast Reception with all the trimmings. Your Wedding Breakfast can include a hog roast or a roast lamb (catering for various dietary requirements), grazing tables or an afternoon tea. We also offer a number of unique additions to your day including an Owl to deliver your rings, cuddly alpacas or bubbles as you leave the church. Dog friendly so you'll be welcome to bring your furry friends with you. No hidden charges and no corkage charge either!

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: Becky Bosman
We look forward to your email or call to make an appointment to come and visit us - you will not be disappointed.

Experience

Year Business Was Established
1999
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
3
The Lost Village Of Dode Features & Capacity

Overview

Venue Type
Historic intimate
Dining Capacity
42
Reception Capacity
42
No. of Bedrooms
3
Sleeps No. of People
6
Bridal Suite
Standard Room
Usual Access Time
11:00 AM
Usual Finish Time
10:00 PM

Ceremony & Reception

Sound System Available
Confetti Permitted
Wedding Licence
Outdoor Ceremony Available
We also offer the unique opportunity of having a handfasting ceremony alongside a civil ceremony

Venue

Landscaped Gardens
Exclusive Use
Pet Friendly
Disabled Access
On-Site Parking
Outdoor Reception Space
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Bridal Changing Facilities

Food and Drink

External Catering Permitted
In-house Catering
No Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol

Cultural Specialists

Other
The Lost Village Of Dode Pricing & Costs

Venue Hire Only

Prices Start At
£2,280
Maximum Price
£4,220
Venue hire can be for ceremony only or the full day to include reception time. Special prices available for Micro Weddings of 15 people or less.
What is included in this pricing:
Furniture included
Exclusive use
Guest accommodation included

Packages
(total price)

Prices Start At
£5,865
Maximum Price
£10,142
Number of Guests Included
42
Our packages include a superb two-course hog roast banquet with more than enough food for over 40 people, flowers for the church and also our in-house photographer who will be there to capture your special day. We work with only the best suppliers who have worked with Dode for a number of years so we pride ourselves on being able to provide a seamless and stress-free day for you. Custom packages can be catered for on request.
What is included in this pricing:
Exclusive use
Canapés included
Furniture included
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Non consumables (e.g. linen, lights etc.)
Multiple course wedding breakfast
Reviews
(99)
Aly & Johnny
Happy couple married in August
September 2024
Truly the best day….

The day was truly amazing and we couldn’t have asked for it to have gone better ~ even the weather was just perfect! A huge thank you goes out to us both to you and your amazing team who all went the extra mile to make it the happiest day of our lives. Thanks so much again Becky for everything. Very best wishes Aly & Johnny X

Alexa & Simon
Happy couple married in August
September 2024
We had the perfect day…

We also wanted to say a big, big thank you to everyone - especially yourself, Charlotte and Paul who made our big day so special and run like clockwork - please do pass on our gratitude. We really did have a perfect day! Dode is a very special place.(And the weather behaved!)

Simon & Nikki
Happy couple married in July
August 2024
It was magical…

We had an absolutely amazing day, it was magical!! Your supplier recommendations were fantastic, all of them the food was delicious, the vintage games were fun, spot travel got every one there safely and as for Jo’s flowers they were stunning!!!! If you want to add a singer to your list Victoria Bass was brilliant, so classy and a stunning voice. We are so grateful to the Dode the day was better than we could dream of!! X

Claire & Brendan
Happy couple married in July
August 2024
Best day of our lives

I wanted to say how absolutely incredible our wedding was. Unreal. It was literally the best day of our lives. Our guests all commented on how it was the most magical wedding they have ever been to. I cannot thank you enough. I wanted to comment on how this was in no small part thanks to Paul, Matt, Sally and Rob in particular. They were absolutely exceptional and I’m forever grateful.

Lucy
Happy couple married in June
July 2024
Exceptional venue, increidible team

The Lost Village of Dode provided the most magical setting for our wedding celebration. This unique, lovingly restored deconsecrated church exceeded all our expectations as an exclusive-use venue. Becky and Charlotte were incredibly attentive throughout the day, ensuring our guests felt relaxed and welcome in this stunning location. Their professionalism and dedication to making our day perfect were truly outstanding. The venue itself is breathtaking, with its Norman architecture and picturesque grounds creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Our guests were in awe of the beauty and history of the Lost Village of Dode, and many commented on how wonderful they found the location and service. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting to exchange our vows and celebrate our love. The Lost Village of Dode will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we highly recommend it to any couple seeking a truly unique and unforgettable wedding experience. Thank you to all the team at Dode for having us, and we look forward to visiting again in the future.

Trudi & Bill
Happy couple married in May
May 2024
Everything was perfect and magical

We just wanted to say a very massive thankyou to you all at Dode for all your help to organise our wedding day and also Paul for looking after us so well. Everything was perfect and magical. The guests were amazed at the venue and how different the day was to any other wedding they have been to before. The weather couldn't have been better and we loved staying in the Retreats and was able to have breakfast outside and watch the ducks and pheasants. We are really looking forward to next year.

Alex & Justin
Happy couple married in May
May 2024
Everybody was blown away by the beauty of Dode

We had the most magical day. Dode was as magical as we hoped. Everybody was blown away by the beauty of the setting. We cannot thank you enough for your kindness and smooth running of the day and how lovely Paul was. Thanks again Alex and Justin

Susan & Keith
Happy couple married in April
May 2024
Thank you for such a special day

We really want to thank you and everyone at Dode for making our day so special, Doug has made it such a magical place. The hand fasting with Paul was exactly what we hoped for, and luckily the rain waited haha. Everyone involved, Matt, such a nice guy, made everyone at ease, looking forward to seeing the photos, Jo made such beautiful flower displays and the food was amazing.

Lavinia & Chris
Happy couple married in December
February 2024
A totally wonderful and magical day...

Thank you so much Becky. We want to say a massive thank you to you, Paul and Charlotte. Everything has been wonderful from start to finish. We had a totally wonderful and magical day. Everyone loved it, it couldn’t have gone better. Thank you again, it was perfect. Best wishes, Lavinia and Chris x

Joe & Lucy
Happy couple married in December
January 2024
It was truly special...

Thanks so much for your well wishes and for your part in helping us have an amazing day. It was truly special. All of our guests were blown away by the venue. The cold only added to the ambience and the atmosphere was very cosy and warm even if the temperatures were the wrong side of zero. No doubt we'll call in on our next walk in the area, so we may bump into you again in the near future!

The Lost Village Of Dode Location & Contact Details

Address

The Lost Village Of Dode, Luddesdown, Kent, DA13 0XF, England, United Kingdom

Travel Notes

Turn off the A228 at Cuxton and proceed along Bush Road. At the junction take the left fork, signposted Luddesdown. Follow this lane and watch out for the signpost indicating Great Buckland. Before reaching Great Buckland there is a ‘no through road’ sign to the left. This is the lane leading to Dode, which is on the right after half a mile or so.

Nearest Town

Maidstone kent

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M2

Nearest Train Station

Sole Street

Nearest Airport

Gatwick, London
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Wedding Open Day

6th October 2024
We welcome you to come along to our Wedding Open Day on Sunday 6th October, your chance to meet the team, view the venue and meet some of our key suppliers. [email protected]
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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs

Describe the best wedding that happened at The Lost Village Of Dode?

Too many to pick one out.

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Just stay relaxed and enjoy your day, if things go wrong your guests don't know so don't panic.

What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?

A tattoo on the foot of one of our couples.

Describe The Lost Village Of Dode in 5 adjectives

Romantic, unique, Intimate, historic

Where’s the best photo spot at The Lost Village Of Dode?

So many, it's hard to choose....one of my favourites has to be the back wall of the building, the old stone and greenery​ climbing up really add a stunning backdrop to any photo.

Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at The Lost Village Of Dode?

N/A

What’s your favourite canapé?

Bloody Mary shots with king prawn and celery

What’s your favourite midnight treat?

Vintage Ice cream treats on a tricycle or I am a sucker for a sweet table!

What is The Lost Village Of Dode most unique feature?

Our stones in the grounds where we hold spiritual ceremonies and handfastings.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

We are a small family run business and are very personable dealing with all the couples directly, no big teams to have to worry about working around.
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