Our aim is to make sure you have the most perfect and memorable celebration with as little stress as possible.
With three of us on the team, we have a multitude of expertise and experience to contribute. We offer a personable service and will work closely with you so that you can relax and enjoy the journey from the moment you enquire to waving your guests off after your special day.
The best part of our job is getting to know you as a couple, helping to plan each detail of your special day and then being the team to make it all happen.
Nicolle Mackenzie
Role: Wedding and Events Manager
How long have you worked at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa? 7 years.
Something about Nicolle…
I love living in the Lake District – having moved here 7 years ago I feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place. With a young family, we try to be outside as much as possible, either on two feet or two wheels, and we are looking forward to lots of family adventures as the boys get older. My guilty pleasures are Maltesers and a cheesy rom-com…oh and Christmas – I love everything Christmassy!
Michaela O'brien
Role: Wedding and Events Planner
How long have you worked at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa? 6 years.
Something about Michaela…
Family is at the centre of my life; my two children occupy about 90% of my spare time! I thoroughly enjoy playing the role of host and cherish moments spent with my family. In my free time, I find pleasure in reading romance novels, indulging in spa sessions, and taking leisurely walks with my Jack Russel Terrier, Alfie. I love all foods but if I had to choose a favourite, it would have to be Mexican!
Monique Penwarden
Role: Operations Manager
How long have you worked at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa? 3 years.
Something about Monique…
I originally hail from South Africa. With almost two decades of experience in the wonderful world of weddings, I have witnessed many love stories unfold. Beyond my busy career, I also hold the role as a mother to my beautiful 10-year-old son and two lively black Labradors. You will often find me immersed in the pages of a captivating book, traversing scenic hiking trails, or embarking on spontaneous drives through the Lakes. Another hobby close to my heart is cooking and my favourite food has got to be pasta!
We asked the team their top tips for a stree-free wedding…
Wedding Planning Top Tips
Keep it personal – don’t worry too much about what you’ve seen at other weddings! Keep your day personal and reflective of you as a couple – your stories, your interests, and your personal styles.
Take Your Time – you don’t need to decide everything straight away. Once you have your date and key suppliers booked, take your time to choose colours, flowers, music. If you jump on decisions too quickly, you may find yourself wondering if you made the best choices as you move along in the planning process.
Trust the wedding team at your venue – they are trained professionals who witness weddings every week, their experience is invaluable and they want you to achieve the best possible outcome.
Pause and reflect – stop and really feel the moments you are experiencing, take in your surroundings and register what your senses are feeling; what you can see, hear, touch and smell. Unfortunately, your wedding is only one day, so make sure you live it to its fullest potential and engrave those memories within your mind.
Remember what your wedding day is really about…the love you share with your partner. Try to take some time alone to let everything sink in, this day is for the two of you. After all, you’ve just got married!
What do you think makes Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa a unique venue?
Photo Opportunities: there are amazing photo opportunities here at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa – there aren’t many places you can be standing on the lakeshore one moment, then in the forest admiring a beautiful waterfall the next. We always advise couples to invest in their photographer – they become part of your day and will help capture these memories forever.
Food and drink: there is so much choice in our wedding menus and you can really personalise your options from adding delicious canapes to including your favourite cocktail on your private bar.
Pure indulgence at the Falls Spa: Be it a pamper session before the big day or simply taking the time to relax as Mr and Mrs – it’s a must!!
Family run: the hotel is part of a family-owned and run hotel group, and we try to make every guest feel like they are part of that family this sets our venue apart.
Favourite moments during a wedding...
Nicolle: The moment the music starts, and the bridal party make their entrance. Watching the faces of family and friends as they turn to see the bride for the first time is such a pure moment. And then the reaction of the Groom…so much joy and happiness in one look.
Monique: Before the wedding breakfast takes place, we take the Bride and Groom into the function room to check everything is perfect. Seeing their faces light up as they see all their ideas and planning come into fruition particularly warms my heart.
Michaela: I love the atmosphere in the bridal suite the morning of a wedding – so much activity with hair and makeup and the room is buzzing with excitement.
Has there been a wedding that has particularly stood out for you?
Nicolle: There have been too many fabulous weddings to choose just one!
I will make one comment, there have been some great first dance routines and one ‘dirty dancing lift’ I won’t forget! We also did a gender reveal at one wedding that was a really special moment to be part of.
Michaela: We’ve had some great entertainment at weddings and I can remember one wedding where the surprise singing waiters got all the guests going on a particularly energetic conga line – a conga line that got a little close to the wedding cake but luckily a quick catch from the ops manager meant no cakes were harmed in the process…
Live music is always a great party starter!!
