Young couple win £8k dream wedding at The Daffodil Hotel & Spa

A young couple from Ulverston are celebrating an unforgettable stroke of luck after winning an £8,000 wedding package at The Daffodil Hotel & Spa in Grasmere.

Eve Whalley, 24, entered the competition – without telling her fiancé, Lewis Westhead, 25, – after her grandad spotted the opportunity and encouraged her to apply. 

The competition from the popular hotel, which is part of Crerar Hotel Group, was created to celebrate the relaunch of the four-star hotel’s wedding offerings on the shores of Grasmere Lake in the heart of the Lake District. 

At the time, the couple had been carefully planning a much smaller wedding for just 20 guests however, everything changed when they received the life-changing news on Good Friday.

“I couldn’t believe it when I first saw the email,” Eve said. “It felt completely surreal – and even more special because Lewis had no idea I’d entered.”

Thanks to the prize, which is worth more than £8,300, they are now able to have a larger guest list of up to 65 day guests and share their special day with many more friends and family than they ever thought possible. 

The young couple who has been together for almost four years have booked their wedding for September this year after having a successful planning meeting with the hotel’s wedding and events planner, Becca Foran.

The win comes after a particularly challenging few years for Lewis and Eve. Lewis sadly lost his father shortly before meeting Eve four years ago, and the pair have also experienced the loss of their beloved dog, Daphne.  

Lewis added: “Unfortunately my dad and Eve never got the chance to meet but I just know they would have got on so well. We’ll definitely pay tribute to my dad on the day, there will be a reserved seat at the table for him. 

“It’s fair to say we’ve had a tough couple of years, but we’ve got through it together and winning our wedding has taken a great deal of pressure off of us. We’re now able to spend the money we saved on additional items for the wedding that we didn’t think we’d be able to afford. 

“It’s opened up so many possibilities,” Eve continued. “We can now make the day even more special in ways we couldn’t before. In fact, our dog Elkie, who became part of the family a couple of years ago, will be able to join the celebrations.”

The couple only stay an hour away from The Daffodil Hotel & Spa and have visited many times since the wedding was confirmed. For Lewis, an English teacher at a local school with a passion for poetry, the location holds a deep personal meaning.

“I studied William Wordsworth at university so always enjoyed his poetry, and my dad and I visited Grasmere a couple of times when I was younger so it’s lovely to be getting married in the Lake District, it holds really special childhood memories for me,’ he said.

The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, nestled in the heart of Grasmere, is known for its breathtaking scenery and elegant setting, making it the perfect backdrop for the couple’s celebration.

As Lewis and Eve prepare for their big day, they say they are overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. 

They said: “We’re just so excited to spend the day with both our families, we’re also delighted that the hotel is dog-friendly, so we’ll have our dog Elkie as a ring-bearer too, we couldn’t not have her as part of our big day.” 

The prize includes a three-course wedding meal for 65 guests, as well as drinks and evening snacks, plus Lewis and Eve will stay in a Junior suite on the night of their wedding. 

Becca Foran at The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, said: “To relaunch our wedding offerings, we wanted to make an impact and what better way than helping a couple make their dream wedding come true. 

“We are really happy for Lewis and Eve; it’s a pleasure to help them plan their special day, we’ll be on hand to ensure everything goes smoothly and they enjoy every minute.”

The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, located just a short drive from Ambleside in the Lake District, provides the perfect backdrop for weddings. With a variety of different event spaces from the Prince of Wales room for intimate gatherings to The Waterside Room for larger celebrations or the Lakeside Terrace with stunning views, there is something for every couple. 

For more information on weddings at The Daffodil Hotel & Spa, visit www.crerarhotels.com/collection/daffodil-hotel-and-spa/experiences/weddings.