Nestled in a secluded valley between Luddesdown and Holly Hill, The Lost Village of Dode is a unique and enchanting wedding venue steeped in history. Once an unloved Norman church built over 900 years ago, this beautifully restored medieval treasure is the only remnant of the now 'lost' village of Dode—a setting like no other for your special day. Perfect for couples seeking an intimate and romantic celebration, Dode accommodates up to 40 of your closest family and friends. Whether you envision an indoor Civil Ceremony, Partnership, or Renewal of Vows in the candlelit church or an outdoor Blessing or Pagan Handfasting Ceremony in the ancient Stone Circle, Dode is a place where love stories truly come to life. After your ceremony, enjoy the stunning grounds for your photos, drinks, and canapés before hosting a memorable reception. We work with expert caterers to offer options from medieval banquets to hog roasts, grazing tables, or afternoon teas—all tailored to your preferences and dietary needs. Add a magical touch to your day with unique extras like an owl delivering your rings, cuddly alpacas, or a bubble send-off. For couples seeking a multi-day experience, on-site award-winning self-catering cottages are available, making Dode the perfect retreat for your wedding celebration. We’re dog-friendly too, so your furry friends are welcome to join the festivities. At The Lost Village of Dode, we offer both bespoke weddings and thoughtfully designed packages, ensuring your day is exactly as you’ve imagined. With no hidden charges or corkage fees, you can relax and enjoy every moment. Discover a magical, relaxed, and truly unique wedding venue in the heart of the Kent countryside—contact us to begin your journey today. 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

Overview of The Lost Village Of Dode

Wedding Venue Type

Historic intimate

Wedding Venue Capacity

Dining Capacity

Reception Capacity

Wedding Venue Accommodation

No. of Bedrooms

Sleeps No. of People

Bridal Suite

Standard Room

Wedding 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

Wedding Venue Details

Landscaped Gardens

Exclusive Use

Pet Friendly

Disabled Access

On-Site Parking

Outdoor Reception Space

In-House Wedding Coordinator

Bridal Changing Facilities

Wedding Catering

External Catering Permitted

In-house Catering

No Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol

Cultural Specialists

Other

Pricing for The Lost Village Of Dode

Wedding Venue Hire Only

£1,950 - £4,220

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What's Included?

Furniture included

Exclusive use

Guest accommodation included

Non consumables (e.g. linen, lights etc.)

Choice of preferred caterers

Wedding coordinator available on the day

Say ‘I do’ in the way that’s perfect for you, with either a marriage, civil ceremony or a blessing, all available either within the Church or Stone Circle outside. Ceremonies available Monday-Saturday. pet-friendly ~ customised packages to suit your needs ~ live streaming available - Exclusive use & allocated parking for wedding party & suppliers - Ceremony Coordinator plus on the day support with Dode staff - If you are holding a Civil Ceremony with us we will book your wedding date with Kent County Council - The venue lit and set off by natural flames and candles, use of tables, benches - An opportunity to book our superb on-site Cottages (subject to availability). - A planning meeting booked in with you 1 month prior to you wedding date - Cake table - Use of catering area for caterers - Power & Water - Heating

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In-house Catering (price per head)

£35 - £85

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What's Included?

Menu tasting included

Cutlery included

Bespoke menu available

No corkage fee

Table linen included

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Packages (total price)

£7,000 - £11,400

Number of guests included: 42

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What's Included?

Exclusive use

Canapés included

Furniture included

Wedding coordinator available on the day

Non consumables (e.g. linen, lights etc.)

Multiple course wedding breakfast

Here at Dode, save on the stress and opt for a full day inclusive package including flowers, photography and food. We can offer a selection of 3 different catering packages by our superb team of in-house caterers (vegetarian/vegan options available) although specific requirements in terms of your banquet can of course be catered for. High Tea ~ Grazing Buffet ~ 2 Course Banquet/Hogroast Drinks packages are available although couples are free to provide their own drinks free of corkage charge, alternatively and proving very popular vintage drinks vans provide a talking point which can be tailored to your specific requirements. - Exclusive use & allocated parking for bridal party & suppliers - Ceremony Coordinator plus on the day support with Dode staff - If you are holding a Civil Ceremony with us we will book your wedding date with Kent County Council - Your choice of reception meal from the options above, banquet includes a tasting session with the caterers - The venue lit and set off by natural flames and candles, use of tables, benches -Two superb floral arrangements designed to enhance the breathtaking backdrop; in colours chosen by you - Option to include additional ‘Bridal Party’ packages such as bouquet, table decor - Our in-house photographer to produce stunning and memorable images of your ceremony plus a small printed album - An opportunity to book our superb on-site Cottages (subject to availability). - A planning meeting booked in with you 1 month prior to you wedding date - Cake table - Use of catering area for caterers - Power & Water - Heating

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Reviews for The Lost Village Of Dode
(105)

Charlie & Mike

Happy couple married in December

January 2025

Authentic and Natural Wedding Experience

We just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole team at The Lost Village of Dode for making our whole wedding experience so incredibly special and authentic as we had hoped. From start to finish, everything was perfect, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love and care you all put into our celebration. A special mention must go to Paul, who was absolutely amazing. He performed our handfasting ceremony, which was so meaningful to both of us and something we will treasure forever. His warmth and energy made the moment even more magical. We were also blown away by Matt, who went above and beyond in ways we could never have expected. He wasn’t just our photographer, but also our go-to person throughout the whole day. From the moment we arrived, Matt was there, calm and reassuring, especially before the ceremony. His support helped ease any nerves we had, and he ensured that everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Plus, his friendly, approachable manner made him a real joy to have around—our guests loved him, and we’ve already seen some incredible photos! And of course, we can’t thank Becky enough for all of her hard work and guidance throughout the entire year. From the moment we met her in January, she was a constant support, helping us navigate all the planning and making sure every detail was covered. She was the calm and steady hand we needed throughout the planning process and on the day itself. We truly felt that with Becky and the whole team, we were in the best possible hands. We’re so happy to have celebrated our wedding at The Dode, and we know it will always hold a special place in our hearts. We look forward to returning over the years as we grow older together. Best wishes, Charlie & Mike Strawson x

Helena and Andrew

Happy couple married in December

January 2025

Absolutely perfect

We got married here on 21st December 2024 and it could not have been more perfect. We had an elopement wedding with six guests and our 3 dogs and stayed in one of the on site cottages . The venue is just stunning and with just one wedding a day it is all yours and the surroundings are beautiful, with lots of wide open space. We worked closely with Becky and it was completely stress free and she guided us through everything we needed to do. We stayed in the two bedroom cottage which had two bathrooms with shower, a kitchen and its own hot tub! It was very clean, cosy and extremely private and the dogs were welcome too. We would highly recommend Dode and we look forward to coming back for a stay in one of the cottages. Without any doubt in my mind this is the perfect place to get married!

MRS T ALDRIDGE

Happy couple married in August

November 2024

beautiful building in wounder full setting for our special day

if want personal touch this is the place to have your special day so many options lots of choice suppliers in house. the building is stunning full of atmosphere in lovely setting in countryside. the staff go above and beyond we had great day.

Sally and chris

Happy couple married in June

November 2024

We were awestruck by this perfect venue

The venue with it's rich history is just a beautiful place, visually and spiritually perfect in every aspect The staff are amazing ... We can't recommend this place highly enough xxx

Rebecca & Gary

Happy couple married in September

November 2024

Thank you for making it a day to remember..

I'm struggling to find the words to express how grateful we are to you all at Dode. From our initial meeting with Paul, and the many emails between you and me to get things right. Your efforts were really appreciated. The retreat was lovely, just perfect. How to describe Dode to people? It has such an ethereal, spiritual and peaceful quality, long may it be so. This small email doesn't seem enough, but thankyou again to you and everyone for making our day one to definitely remember. X

Nicola & Thomas

Happy couple married in October

November 2024

The most perfect day…

We had the most perfect day, everything was completely seamless and stress free thanks to you and Paul. We couldn't have picked a better place to get married, I wish we could do it all over again!

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!)

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

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.

Location & Contact Details for The Lost Village Of Dode

Website

Phone

Wedding Venue 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, Dode Church. 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

Meopham Kent

Nearest Motorway & Junction

A2 Junc Shorne/Cobham

Nearest Train Station

Sole Street

Nearest Airport

Gatwick, London

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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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