Bigger isn’t always better—especially when it comes to love.

In a world where weddings can feel more like performances than celebrations, more and more couples are choosing to step away from tradition. They’re embracing intimacy, simplicity, and meaning—and finding the experience to be richer for it.

At The Lost Village of Dode, we’ve seen firsthand the beauty of smaller weddings. Tucked away in the rolling Kent countryside, our ancient chapel and timeless landscape offer the perfect setting for couples seeking something more personal, more heartfelt, and more “them.”

Here’s why an intimate wedding might be the perfect fit for your big day:

1. Deepen the Moments That Matter
With a smaller guest list, you’re able to fully experience each moment. No rushed greetings, no endless table visits—just real connection with those who mean the most.

2. Make it Meaningful, Not Just Memorable
Intimate weddings allow space for ceremony and storytelling. Personal vows, meaningful rituals, or even a quiet moment to reflect—it’s your day, your way.

3. Create a Truly Personal Atmosphere
From handwritten notes at place settings to handpicked florals and music, smaller celebrations offer the freedom to infuse every detail with your personalities.

4. Reduce the Stress
Less logistics, fewer suppliers, a shorter to-do list. An intimate wedding is often simpler to plan—leaving you more time to savour the journey, not just the destination.

5. Focus Your Budget Where It Counts
Instead of spreading your budget thin, an intimate celebration lets you invest in what really matters to you—whether that’s a stunning photographer, a candlelit banquet or a stay in our cosy onsite retreats.

6. Let the Setting Tell Your Story
At Dode, you don’t need excessive decoration—the 900-year-old chapel and peaceful landscape do the talking. The setting itself becomes part of your love story, timeless and rooted in meaning.

7. Enjoy the Luxury of Time
Smaller weddings are less rushed. From slow mornings getting ready to relaxed evening celebrations, you can move through your day with ease and presence.

8. Host a Celebration That Feels Like You
At Dode, every celebration is shaped by the couple at its heart. Whether it’s exchanging vows in the candlelit hush of our ancient chapel, heart felt blessing within the stone circle, or gathering your loved ones for a twilight ceremony warmed by flickering lanterns and mulled wine—this is a place where your story can unfold just as you imagine it. Here, intimacy allows freedom, and tradition walks hand in hand with personal meaning.

9. Make Space for Quiet Joy
Big weddings can be overwhelming. With fewer people and less fanfare, there’s room for quiet, gentle joy—the kind that lingers long after the last guest has left.

10. Begin Your Marriage in the Right Spirit
Ultimately, a wedding isn’t about entertaining a crowd. It’s about celebrating a promise. An intimate wedding lets you honour that moment with care, intention, and presence.

Why Choose The Lost Village of Dode?

At Dode, we understand the power of small, beautiful things. Our ancient stone chapel offers a setting like no other—peaceful, private, and utterly timeless. When you book your wedding with us, you have exclusive use of the venue, time to breathe, and the freedom to create something entirely your own.

Couples often tell us how relaxed and “held” they feel here. That’s no coincidence. The spirit of Dode invites a slower pace, a deeper connection, and a return to what really matters: love, community, and meaning.

Your Wedding, Your Way

Whether you’re planning a romantic elopement for two or a gathering with your closest family and friends, an intimate wedding at The Lost Village of Dode will stay with you forever.

Because sometimes, the smallest celebrations make the biggest memories.

📍 Learn more about our weddings at www.dodevillage.com
📞 Or get in touch to begin planning your perfect day