My partner and I got married at…
My partner and I got married at Engestofte Gods in July, and while the location is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of a wedding, I feel it’s just as important to share our full experience, both the wonderful and the challenging aspects of the venue and the staff.
When we first discovered Engestofte online, we instantly knew it was where we wanted to get married. After months of planning and negotiations, we made it happen, and the result was absolutely beautiful. Two things in particular stood out: the venue itself and the dedication of the staff.
The venue is breathtaking. We hosted a three-day wedding across the different buildings on the estate, and it felt truly magical. Brian, the wedding manager, was exceptional, working tirelessly from early mornings to late nights to ensure everything ran smoothly. His commitment and energy made a huge difference, and he’s without question a major asset to the company.
One initial concern was that we weren’t able to taste the food beforehand, which felt a little risky. However, based on the glowing reviews, we decided to trust the process. For the most part, the food was excellent - quality ingredients, thoughtful execution, and beautifully presented dishes. The only disappointment was the tiramisu on Saturday evening, which fell flat (though I admit my background as a pastry chef may make me extra critical).
That said, beyond the beauty of the venue and the celebration itself, there are important behind-the-scenes details couples should be aware of. At Engestofte, almost every (step you take) request comes with an additional charge, and negotiation is minimal to nonexistent. Even the smallest adjustments - such as substituting chicken for beef, removing pork for religious reasons, or opting for smørrebrød instead of tapas - incur extra fees. To our surprise, just two days before the wedding we also discovered that the €2,000 “two-hour G&T bar” was in fact a self-service setup. While we recognize that running a venue is a business, at times the pricing practices felt excessive and above industry standards.
Financially, we had already paid €50,000 before the wedding. Then, just two days prior, we were hit with an additional €1,300 charge for extra guests. We suggested deducting it from our €2,500 deposit, but this was firmly rejected. The timing, inflexibility, and lack of understanding caused an unnecessary amount of stress right before the big day. This was absolutely disgusting when we had always paid everything on time.
On top of that, our wedding unfortunately coincided with an air traffic controller strike, which meant 16 guests couldn’t attend. We had already paid in full for them, and while we understood this was no one’s fault, it was disheartening to hear that the leftover food would be served in their restaurant the following week while we still bore 100% of the cost - with no gesture of goodwill offered. It often felt like the venue prioritized their profit over fairness stating « we do everything to minimize our losses », doubling their gain while OUR losses were ignored.
Even small details became frustrating. After our Sunday brunch, we left behind some trash, as no one had told us where to dispose of it (we are not locales!!). Instead of clarifying, they billed us and deducted it from our security deposit. If you choose to host your own brunch and not use their services, be prepared to manage the setup and hosting while also clearing the wedding room and the rented accommodations before noon. Good luck!
And then there was the waiter. Throughout the weekend, she was visibly intoxicated, pouring drinks on our guests, and eventually collapsing during Saturday’s dinner service and requiring an ambulance. While Johan, the event manager, was quick to emphasize their professionalism in words, actions like this painted a somewhat different picture. Johan is very skilled with rhetoric and always had a counter-response to our concerns - we can only imagine what he’ll say in reply to this review.
Finally, while the estate offers accommodation, the quality doesn’t match the cost. Five double rooms share a single bathroom, at €160 per night whereas a nearby hotel offers private rooms with bathrooms for €120. The condition of the rooms was also far from ideal.
In the end, our wedding was beautiful and we don’t regret choosing Engestofte Gods. But couples should go in with eyes wide open: expect to spend a significant amount, prepare for little flexibility, and be ready to push back when necessary.