A Godwick Love Story – the chance for one of our couples to share their love story, why they chose Godwick and how their wedding experience was… Here’s Tess and Zak’s love story!
How did they meet?
Tess and Zak met back in 2013 while studying History and Politics at Warwick University. It was a small course where everyone knew each other, but their close friendship didn’t really begin until the end of their second year. Tess was taking part in a firewalk to raise money for charity, and Zak kindly donated. From there, their friendship deepened, and when they moved to London, along with mutual friends, they all lived together. Years later, they finally realised that perhaps their connection went beyond friendship.
The Proposal
Only six months into their relationship, they came across a stunning Airbnb on the Scottish coast. It was so popular, the earliest they could book was 18 months in advance — so they did. The trip was magical. They travelled up on a sleeper train and drove through rainy Scotland to reach the beautiful, secluded house. After a day of exploring and a cosy dinner, Zak proposed — and Tess, of course, said yes.
Why Godwick?
Norfolk held a special place in both of their hearts, so they knew straight away that’s where they wanted to get married. With the unpredictability of English weather, they were also set on having a venue with a proper roof — just in case! Even before visiting, there was a warmth and positive energy. Once they walked through the barn and saw the beautiful historic features beneath which they’d exchange vows, the decision felt effortless. Among the many barn venues in Norfolk, Godwick stood out with its rich history and character, and of course, the breathtaking view across the grounds sealed the deal.
Describe the wedding day in three words:
Joyous, fun, and full.
Overall vibe or theme:
Their wedding was a celebration of the people they love. Surrounded by wonderful friends and family, they wanted the day to feel personal, meaningful, and joyful. With plenty of DIY details contributed by themselves and loved ones, it was a day when everyone could truly be themselves.
Most special or memorable moments:
The vows and speeches were unforgettable, a rare opportunity to say everything they truly felt. But beyond that, dancing, chats around the firepit, and a quiet moment alone just after the ceremony were all treasured. Tess especially loved the tractor rides to the venue before the ceremony – full of laughter, it completely eased her nerves.
Personal and unique touches:
They included so many! Tess hand-embroidered personalised napkins for each guest, and together they wrote and hand-painted thank-you notes for everyone to open during the wedding breakfast. Tess’s sister and brother-in-law made limoncello, spicy tequila, and strawberry tequila for individual shot bottles. Tess’s dad built a bamboo frame for the entrance, from which they hung years’ worth of photos from Burnham Overy Staithe — their favourite place in the world.
They also collected table wine over two years, labelling each bottle with where and when they got it. One of the maids of honour, Helen, hand-painted the welcome sign and table plan. There were activity packs for the children, and Tess’s mum created all the stunning bouquets.
How Godwick made the day special:
The team at Godwick went above and beyond. From regular online calls to in-person meetings, the communication was outstanding. Tess and Zak said they wanted to give a particular thanks to the wonderful Hannah. She helped guide decisions and offered advice throughout, making Tess and Zak feel supported every step of the way. On the day itself, the Godwick team took care of everything, giving the couple space to enjoy the celebration stress-free. Having both the ceremony and reception on-site was incredibly convenient, and the team—including Hannah, Debbie-Lee, and James — felt genuinely invested in making the day feel personal and seamless. And yes, the tractor rides were a definite highlight!
What did they love most about getting married at Godwick?
Staying on-site for a long weekend made everything even more special. They hosted a big dinner on Friday night, which gave them precious time with guests they might not have had much chance to see on the wedding day itself. The pool was a big hit, and the accommodations – full of character and incredibly comfortable – made it easy for everyone to relax. Being able to walk a short distance back to bed after a long night of dancing was the icing on the cake. It was the perfect blend of freedom and support.
Other suppliers that brought their vision to life:
Tess and Zak wanted to give a huge shout-out goes to Craig Goode (Silver and Light Photography). He was incredible, capturing the day beautifully in both digital and 35mm film, as well as creating a stunning video that included Super8 footage. The food was another highlight. Zak is vegan, so they wanted to showcase exceptional vegan food. Florentina designed a menu of elegant canapés, starters, and ‘family style’ mains. For the evening, Hogless Roast served up delicious plant-based food. Tess’s outfit was curated with care: her dress and shoes came from Andrea Hawkes and Harriet Wilde, both of whom made sure she felt completely comfortable and beautiful.
Favourite wedding photo?
So many were special, but the ones taken among the ruins stood out. They captured a quiet moment when it was just the two of them, completely relaxed. The setting was so unique and atmospheric—it made those images unforgettable.
What did guests love the most?
The tractor rides were a universal hit!
The firepits became a gathering spot—one group even invented a ‘Love Island’ nomination game.
Guests also appreciated how everything flowed seamlessly—from ceremony to drinks to dinner to dancing—all in one beautiful location, without any need to travel.
Advice for couples getting married at Godwick:
“The main piece of advice is everyone’s wedding is totally their own. We’ve been to so many and each one has been a completely different day but a beautiful representation of the people getting married.
“Trust your gut and listen to each other (even when others around you might be a little bit louder). Godwick is a beautiful space and canvas on which to add so much personality. Trust your intuition on suppliers, too. You want to be surrounded by people who you feel you trust and who feel invested in your day. That’s what we had, and it made the day so much easier!
“Finally, don’t rush it! We had such an impulse to get everything sorted but between getting engaged and married it was two years. Things like guest list etc take so much time to finesse, and we’re glad that we took a beat to decide things.”
Would they do anything differently?
There will always be small things to tweak, but overall, it was a truly wonderful day. They were especially glad they planned a full weekend rather than putting all the pressure on one day. That shift in mindset made everything more enjoyable.
Best advice for enjoying the day to the fullest:
“Have a plan, but expect that plan to go out of the window. We once spent an evening discussing all the things that could go wrong and what we’d do if that happened. Caterers cancel? Mass Papa Johns order for everyone. Dress doesn’t arrive? Friday night dress will be getting a second wear. It rains? Pictures in the house. You get the idea…
“We also kept reminding ourselves we weren’t the hosts, we were the guests of honour. Not in a grand way, but in the sense that we weren’t the ones that needed to be running around making sure people’s wine was topped up or that everyone knew what they were doing. That’s what the brilliant team at Godwick and our friends and family were there for.
“Finally, make sure you take moments just the two of you and try to stick together throughout the day as much as possible. It’s so easy to suddenly realise you haven’t seen your new wife/husband for ages at your own wedding!”
Tess and Zak’s wedding at Godwick was a joyful, personal, and deeply meaningful celebration of their journey together. With thoughtful DIY touches, the support of an incredible team, and a setting full of character, they created a weekend that truly reflected who they are as a couple.
It was a celebration not just of their love, but of the community of friends and family around them—filled with laughter, warmth, and unforgettable moments. Another truly unforgettable Godwick wedding.