I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Fiona for all the help she gave, honestly she is a super star!! It was truly one amazing experience to be part of my best friends wedding at Knockerdown and having Fiona there was perfect! It really is a beautiful place and I can’t wait to go back!! Thanks again xxx July 17

To all at Knockerdown Cottages, your team is amazing thank you so much for making our special day run so smoothly, we made so many great memories at Knockerdown thank you! Mr & Mrs Hopkins September 2017

Amanda Unwin Would recommend this venue to any couples looking to hold their wedding there, amazing weekend x April 2018

Fiona & the Knockerdown Team

Thank you for making our day so Special, you`ve helped so much and made this weekend a weekend to remember.
Looking forward to coming back in future years to relive it all again!!!
Love
Kay & Andy
x
22-25th June 2018

Thank you so much for all your help & support for our wedding. We have been blown away by your willingness & nothing is too much trouble approach. We’ll be back to visit again!!
love Mel & James

On the 17th September 2016…

A very early start for us! Driving through Derbyshire , round skinny country lanes, through tiny little towns, and finally arriving at Knockerdown Cottages in Ashbourne. And wow- what a venue! The perfect little holiday retreat – our Couple had the whole venue to themselves and their guests, for the entire weekend. It’s made up of many tiny cottages, an indoor swimming pool, playground, and a huge room for the wedding ceremony and meal. Within walking distance to Carsington Water Resivoir too, so theres plenty to do!
We were greeted by Fiona who is the Events Coordinator, who assured us that both the bride and groom were cool as cucumbers that morning. As we both went off in our separate ways to the bride and groom, we knew this day was going to be so much fun… The large courtyard area was arranged with blue and white, polka dot and patterned bunting, and a chalkboard with a welcome sign complete with an alpaca drawing, a sign of things to come…

As I entered the Brides cottage at the very end of the accommodation, I was welcomed with a super excited giddy Jo in the middle of having her makeup done by Sophie, rollers in!
The prep was well underway, and as they chatted amongst themselves I snuck off to take some dress and shoe shots – not your average wedding shoes! We just loved Jo’s quirky twist to her outfit with her pencil shoes, so cute!

All the while Ed was still chilling out – taking his time getting ready and chatting with his best man, Eoghainn, who was also practicing his speech while Ed was nipping out.

Back with the bride, hair was being curled and parts put up into braids. After the most beautiful coloured wildflowers were delivered, a few were added to Jo’s hair which complimented her gorgeous hairpiece perfectly.
I got a sneaky peek at their absolutely stunning custom made weddings rings by Rhona Mccallum too, what a beautiful style.

It would be soon time for the Bride to get into her dress – but first a quick play on the slides and swings out side was in order with her bridesmaids of course.

Her mother helped her get into her dress, and her Bridesmaids helped her down the stairs to meet her very proud Dad, and the veil was on – and a few excited squeals later, she was ready!

The guests and Groom awaited in the Ceremony room as Jo, her Father, and two Bridesmaids made their way over.
Once Ed saw his beautiful bride the happiness beamed from him – and Jo the same when she saw her groom, greeting him with a quick kiss and a giggle.

After the elegant ceremony followed, (with the couple exchanging their personal vows, there were sniffles and sobs all around), it was on to the longest confetti line ever! And then… The alpaca’s and Mens Choir! Guests listened to the lovely singing of the Choir, Ed’s Father being among the voices, and mingled while feeding the alpacas, I’m not sure who was more excited at all this, the guests or us! ?

Of course a few couple shots with the alpacas were a must – including a highly requested photoboming picture, so much fun!

The tables for the meal had been decorated with with movie themes – each one a custom made terrarium with figures made by Jo and Ed themselves. Such a lovely idea and a great personal touch, it was obvious so much time and effort went into the planning of this wedding from start to finish with such fine details. (Even the cake toppers were hand made – a little fox and robot , the same for Jo’s bouquet with tiny figurines in resin!)

It was then time for the speeches, with a guest appearance from Jo’s old teddies, and a heartfelt speech from the Best man and Groom.

Later on while the guests ate, it was time to set up our photobooth! With lots of silly props, and glittery tinsel background.

The cake was, quite literally, a cheese mountain! With block of cheese stacked on top of each other, decorated with grapes and crackers, and was cut using a custom made cheese knife engraved with the words “we brie-long together”.

A quick rush back out while we took some couple shots and candid photos in the sunset – our absolute favourite time of day. After a quick change of dress from the Bride, it was on to the first dance to the live band, which the couple had been taking dancing lessons for, and performed perfectly.

Knockerdown Cottages at Gainsborough Retreats is such a beautiful venue – the large open areas are perfect for groups images and for the guests to mingle , which is the best for candid shots (our favourite!). Throughout the day was filled with a calm, professional but relaxed atmosphere. It really seemed like your own private land where you can fully focus on your guests without disturbance – the perfect day ?

Thank you to Jo & Ed once more for making us such a huge part of your special day – see you soon!

Hue Of Two x

Love to Justeen and all Knockerdown Family for making our weekend become a fairytale, thank you so so very much.❤❤❤?

I can highly recommend this venue and I’m sure my family and friends would too – we got married here on Saturday and had the most perfect weekend! My only regret is that we can’t do it all over again ?amazing venue and staff – Fiona is THE BEST wedding planner – absolute star! Adam Shepherd ?

And a huge thank you to Justeen & the whole team at Knockerdown for making sure that everything ran so smoothly behind the scenes! It was a real pleasure working with you all…Sue

Thank you so much for all your help at the weekend. I don’t think there was a single thing that Sarah was disappointed with and you really made a huge contribution towards that.

We Had dinner at the pub on Friday, Curry for our wedding Breakfast (and left overs on Sunday evening) and BBQ on Sunday Afternoon. WE loved every minute. Fiona and the Knockerdown staff we AMAZING! Can`t recommend you all enough. Now just need to find an excuse to do it all again.

Hi Justeen, thank you for you warm welcome and brews etc last Saturday (30 June). Knockerdown cottages is a lovely place and setting and you and your team run it well. All went well with the hog roast, Jade and Chris were pleased with it. Thank you again Lizzy.☺

To Justeen, Dave and the team at Knockerdown Cottages

Thank you for all your help throughout Wedding Planning and during our special day. We have loved this weekend.
All our love
Mr & Mrs Angell-Jones
29th – 02nd July 2018

We just want to say a massive thank you again to you and everybody who helped on Saturday! We couldn’t have done it without your help and you’ve been brilliant right from the start! 🙂
Thanks again for everything!
Many Thanks,
Amy and Cameron 20-23 April 18

Congratulations to my best friend Claire and her hubby Andrew. It has been an amazing weekend Fiona was lovely and helped Claire and Andrew out every step of the way especially on there big day. I would definitely recommend knockerdown cottages for a wedding weekend. It as been truly magical. You couldn’t wish for better. We will be all returning again and I know we all can’t wait ? . Thanks for helping there big day got without an inch xxx”A wonderful and enjoyable stay – THANK YOU! July 17