Our experience with the Dockyard, when you consider how difficult this year has been was amazing from beginning to end. When we first visited the Dockyard in November 2018 as a potential venue, we were very impressed. Chloe was just so nice and helpful and I think the thought of getting married on a ship won my husband over. When news of the pandemic hit, we had just posted our day invitations and quickly realised we were probably going to have to send out follow up cancellations. Although Chloe had the awful task of informing us that the Dockyard was closing and so our May wedding couldn’t go ahead, she just continued to be helpful in making alternative suggestions and generally being very accommodating. We actually cancelled altogether, intending to have a very small ceremony at the registry office when weddings were allowed again. This didn’t last long, as when weddings were given the green light to go ahead we knew we were in love with the Dockyard so arranged with Olivia to hold it on the 2nd anniversary of our engagement. The build up to that day was pretty tense, as the Government postponed receptions going ahead so we didn’t actually know until about 5 days before the wedding whether we could have any sort of reception. Once again, Olivia was just fantastic and was happy to organise whatever we wanted with whatever notice we could give. Same as the caterers who were prepared to cancel or deliver with 24 hours notice!!!
The day was the best day ever. Apart from the fact I married the love of my life (and him his), the highlight was seeing our families together for what was going to be the last time in a number of months and getting married on the ship. Our guest list went down from about 80 to well under 30 but it just didn’t matter. From the moment I arrived in the morning, Olivia and her team were on hand, making sure everyone had a great (and safe) time. We were really worried that the several previous days of rain would continue, but the sun came out before the ceremony and stayed out for the duration. We’ll be forever grateful to everyone at the Dockyard for making our wedding day happen, and for making it so special too.