A Sheffield-Rooted Peak District Wedding Weekend at Heathy Lea: Olivia & Tom’s Real Wedding
Some weddings feel like more than a single day, and Olivia and Tom’s celebration at Heathy Lea was exactly that. From their Sheffield roots and wedding ceremony in the city where they grew up, to a relaxed weekend of food, drinks, games and time with family and friends in the Peak District, every part of their celebration had a personal story behind it.
With on-site accommodation, beautiful outdoor spaces and views across the Chatsworth Estate, Heathy Lea gave Olivia and Tom the perfect base for bringing everyone together – not just for the wedding itself, but for the days surrounding it too.
About the Couple
Who are you?
"Olivia & Tom"
How did you meet, and what’s your story in a nutshell?
"We met when we were 16 at a party in Sheffield and were friends for a few years before getting together at 18 the summer before university. We did long distance at university before moving to London where we have been ever since!"
Choosing Heathy Lea
What made you choose Heathy Lea as your wedding venue?
"The view across the Chatsworth Estate was definitely a key selling point for us, but also the professionalism of Sally, James & Jess (who we met during our viewing), the finishing touches to the gardens and the fact our families, bridal and grooms parties could all stay on site together."
Did you always want a weekend-long celebration, and if so, why?
"Yes we did - we had previously done a Sunday event at another friend’s wedding. Given how quickly the day goes, we loved getting everyone back together the day after to debrief from the day, so wanted the same for ours."
The Wedding Weekend
Friday Night Welcome
How did you and your guests kick off the celebrations on Friday night?
"We got together with our closest friends and family on the Friday night in Sheffield, booking into one of our favourite restaurants Domo and their roof terrace for drinks first."
How did it feel to have everyone together the night before the wedding?
"We stayed at our own childhood homes for the night with our bridesmaids and groomsmen, however partners who weren’t from Sheffield were able to stay together on site the night before, get ready and travel to the church - which they all thoroughly enjoyed."
The Wedding Day
What was your favourite moment of the day?
"We absolutely loved every part of it, with each moment serving a different memory from the day. But the key memory from the day was seeing each other walking down the aisle and enjoying that moment together, not looking around at anyone else."
How did you use the accommodation and outdoor spaces at Heathy Lea?
"We had family, bridesmaids, groomsmen and partners stay over. we used the outdoor spaces for drinks and canapés, games, a pizza van and fire pits later into the evening when it got slightly cooler."
For Olivia and Tom, having everyone together at Heathy Lea meant the celebrations could naturally move between the accommodation, gardens and marquee throughout the weekend. The outdoor spaces provided plenty of opportunities for guests to relax, socialise and enjoy the setting, while the fire pits helped keep everyone outside as the evening cooled.
Sunday Celebrations
How did you spend the Sunday after the wedding?
"We had a BBQ at Heathy Lea, with lots of garden games for people to play on the grassland. We invited all guests and other close family friends to the Sunday.
Once everyone had left and it was just everyone who staying on site, we continued to drink rose in the sun and played kubb. Then by the time evening came we ordered a huge Chinese takeaway for everyone to eat at back in the marquee - which was the largest order they’d ever received!"
What was the atmosphere like compared to the wedding day?
"Very chilled and more relaxed!"
The Sunday sounds like the perfect example of why a wedding weekend can be so special. With the formalities over, there was nowhere to be and no schedule to follow – just another day to spend together, with good food, garden games and plenty of time to catch up.
The Wedding Style & Details
How did you decorate your wedding setting?
"We had trestle tables, with candles and meadow style flowers, and trees against the marquee piles, along with paper lanterns above the dance floor which we asked the band to shine their lights onto when it got dark."
Did you include any personal or DIY touches that made the day unique?
"We did all the flowers ourselves! The personal touches were that our table names were named after our favourite restaurants, and we put out Henderson’s relish as our favours, given we were both from Sheffield."
From the flowers to the table names, Olivia and Tom's styling was full of personal touches. The Sheffield-inspired details were a particularly lovely way to bring their shared history into the day, while creating the flowers themselves added another personal element to their wedding.
The Celebrations
Tell us about the ceremony – what made it special?
"Getting married in Sheffield, where we grew up. Having everyone that meant something to us there."
Advice and Inspiration
What advice would you give to couples planning a wedding at Heathy Lea?
"Enjoy the process - don’t stress over the smaller bits as the people and atmosphere make the day!"
Any tips for making the most of a full weekend wedding?
"Get everyone back together on the Sunday! The wedding day goes so quickly, it’s so nice to see everyone again the next day to properly catch up and enjoy it without any pressures of the main day."
For couples considering a weekend wedding, Olivia and Tom's experience is a great reminder that the extra days don't need to be complicated. Sometimes the best moments are the simplest ones – sitting in the sunshine, playing games, sharing food and having time to properly catch up with the people you love.
Which Suppliers Did You Work With?
Olivia and Tom chose:
Photographer: Red on Blonde Photography
Caterer: Greedy Pig Catering
Band: Marc & Abi band
Looking Back
How do you feel when you look back on your wedding now?
"That it was the most incredible weekend, and we’re so jealous of anyone who gets to do it as we want to do it all over again!!"
A wedding weekend at Heathy Lea is about giving you more time. More time with your family, more time with your friends, more time to enjoy the surroundings and, perhaps most importantly, more time to actually take everything in.
For Olivia and Tom, that meant bringing together their Sheffield story with a relaxed celebration in the Peak District, creating a weekend that extended well beyond the wedding day itself.
If you're looking for a wedding venue with accommodation in Derbyshire, discover more about weddings at Heathy Lea and see how you could make the venue your own for an unforgettable weekend celebration.