Hoidaymakers Jane and Tony Parker from East Sheen enjoyed a break with difference recently – a holiday at Langton House, the highlight of which was their daughter’s wedding at nearby Durlston Castle.
“Obviously we’d done the ‘hard yards’,” says Jane. “All the planning and preparation that goes into getting ready for a wedding. I think we all felt we needed a bit of a rest, somewhere quiet and countrified. And what could be better than a place in Dorset, with the added advantage of being just a stone’s throw from the wedding venue?”
The Parkers used Langton House not just as a place to relax, but as the place from which to depart for the ceremony, on what was a gloriously sunny day. “We all got togged-up there,” explains Tony. “I’ll admit I was a bit nervous – probably more so than the bride! But a morning walk to Dancing Ledge and back served its purpose. It’s less than an hour, all in; and 20 minutes stood surrounded by bucolic beauty, looking out to sea and breathing that fresh air, had the desired effect.”
A beautiful bride, a beautiful place: Mum, Dad and Bride-to-be, ready to depart
“I must say, the staff at Langton House were fantastic,” adds Jane. “They couldn’t do enough for us, either during the lead-up to the wedding or on the morning of the Big Day itself.”
Part of the Durlston Country Park & National Nature Reserve, Durlston Castle has become a popular place for weddings, and staff and facilities are there to ensure that this most Special of Days goes without a hitch. Further details of Durlston Castle’s weddings can be found by clicking here.
“We had about 100 guests,” says Jane, “and everything took place at the Castle. The wedding was outside on the lawn, with guests sitting on the steps, which created a semicircle around a grassy ‘stage’ below, where the ceremony was performed, with panoramic sea views behind the wedding party. We had champagne and canapés after the wedding, then the wedding breakfast and speeches, and then dancing until midnight. The Castle has various rooms which you can hire, depending on the size of the do and personal preferences; we used the Fossil Room and the Audio Visual Room – there is a further room at the top which we didn't hire. We used Seventh Wave for the catering [click here for further information] – they run the onsite restaurant, so it made sense. Our son-in-law organised sound systems, band and singers, our daughter organised flowers with a local florist – and she also made the cake herself. A lot of guests were staying in nearby Swanage, so we arranged transfers to and from the town with a local coach company, which worked very well. All in all, it was a brilliant day.”
“And so nice afterwards to be able to return to our own comfortable accommodation at Langton House,” says Tony. “A little footsore perhaps, but filled with happy memories. And with a little bit more holiday still ahead of us in which to wind down!”
