Best Wedding Venues in Kent
I have photographed at some of the best wedding venues in Kent, and I have decided to share my extensive venue knowledge with those of you searching for a local venue. I will categorise them based on the type of venue, for example Barn Wedding venues, Manor House Wedding venues and Quirky Wedding venues.
Barn Wedding Venues in Kent
So there are quite a few Barn venues in Kent, and lets be honest I think Barns are probably going to make up a big chunk of my recommendations. All of these venues I have photographed at multiple times and I would happily photograph at again, so I imagine this is a pretty accurate review!
The Barn at Botley Hill Wedding Venue
The Barn at Botley Hill is a fantastic unique venue, and in my opinion is the most up-to-date in terms of what’s in fashion and style at the moment. It has huge Crittal windows which let in so much light into the reception area. It also has a dreamy ceremony area. I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this venue, it has ample parking, a beautiful indoor ceremony area (as we all know you can’t guarantee the English weather.) It also has a cute bridal prep room.
You don’t need to decorate this venue much, as it truly is stunning and the food is great. I have tried it myself! For group photos you can use the cool windows as a background for an industrial vibe, or you can use the great scenery.
Click Here to see Katie & Jason’s Botley Hill Barn wedding.
Preston Court Wedding Venue
Preston Court is yet another ‘cool’ venue. It’s located near Canterbury and it is a great find. It has a beautiful house on a lake for the backdrop, you can even hold your ceremony in the middle of the lake – accessed by a white bridge.
Preston Court also has a quirky Carousel which is a photographers dream, peacocks and old musical organs decorating the inside of the rustic barn. If it rains you can have your ceremony inside with the organs as a background. I have photographed both options and they’re both beautiful. There’s the option to have the organs playing as you come into your meal and I absolutely love it, so unique and memorable and I highly recommend adding that option on. There’s also a church on site if you wanted to have a religious ceremony. You can also Glamp on site which is a great option for those wanting to party late into the night.
Click Here to see a recent Preston Court wedding.
Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding Venue
An absolute gem of a venue, Elmley Nature Reserve is amazing. The barn is black and really unique with giant windows at one end. It has a fantastic outdoor ceremony area in the courtyard area, outdoor drinks reception in front of the house (with a view), and probably the best preparation areas I have seen in Kent. You can have the house for the weekend, meaning you can have a huge pre-wedding dinner. There’s also ample space for people to stay whether that’s in the houses on site or glamping. A really good venue if you want to make a weekend of your wedding.
The Cherry Barn Wedding Venue
The Cherry Barn is located in a working farm with gorgeous apple trees surrounding it. It feels really personal and it feels as though you’re the only one that’s found the venue. It’s a family run business and a lovely old rustic barn. With everything in one room you can ensure your guests won’t wonder off – which is great for keeping the party going. There’s a beautiful outdoor ceremony area overlooking the apple trees, and a great indoor option if the weather fails you. I have photographed here a number of times and it always feels really personal.
Jacks Barn Kent Wedding Venue
Jacks barn is a relatively new wedding venue in Kent. And as with The Cherry Barn it feels personal and not like your typical wedding venue.
Old Kent Barn Wedding Venue
I have photographed at The Old Kent Barn more times than I can count. If you want a wedding that’s guaranteed to run smoothly these guys are your team. Organisation is key here. They have a great outdoor ceremony area that can even be used if its raining slightly as the guests are covered. This venue holds a lot of guests and has a team of lovely staff.
Winters Barns Wedding Venue
If you’re looking at The Old Kent Barn then you’re probably comparing it to Winters Barns. These two are similar venues with the biggest difference being the separate dance floor area at the Winters Barns. If you’re booking Winters Barns, I would recommend booking one of their recommended bands in order to ensure the best sound quality in the evening. I love the outdoor drinks receptions at Winters, it feels really enclosed and the light is always lovely.
Unique Wedding Venues in Kent
Marleybrook House Wedding Venue
I don’t think you can get much more unique than a fairground at your wedding. If you book Marleybrook House you have to book the fairground and pray for dry weather. It’s beautiful and its unique, it also has a couple of outdoor areas to hold your ceremony. The new undercover drinks reception area is also great in any weather. I have photographed a lot of weddings at Marleybrook, and can honestly say people still have fun in the rain. Just make sure you’re prepared with coats as it can get chilly! You can get epic photos at Marleybrook and I love the sparkler exit from the fairground they offer. To maximise fun at Marleybrook I recommend 100+ guests for the fairground. (Don’t book Marleybrook if you don’t know anyone that will get on the rides!.) Have a sparkler exit, and book the funfair snacks like candy floss and waffles as they go down a treat.
Click here to see a recent Marleybrook House wedding that I have photographed
Oad Street Wedding Venue
A new venue but a great one, Oad Street is classy! I photographed their first ever wedding and I was pleasantly surprised. If you’re after a cool, chilled wedding that you can visit yearly for lunch for your anniversary this is a great option. By day it serves amazing food, and at the weekends its a wedding venue. It’s really fashionable and always improving, I love it and I’m sure you will too!
Click here to see a recent wedding I have photographed at Oad Street.
Secret Gardens Ashford
If you’re after a smaller personal wedding then The Secret Gardens in Ashford is the one. With a beautiful romantic outdoor ceremony area (or the greenhouse indoor ceremony) your guaranteed to get beautiful photos. Not only is it beautiful but the staff are lovely and the food is incredible- it’s one of the only venues that have their own in house catering team. There’s also a roof over the patio meaning you can still stand outside if rain makes an appearance.
Click here to see a recent wedding I have photographed at The Secret Gardens.
Marquee Wedding Venues in Kent
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens
Riverhill Himalayan Gardens is located is Sevenoaks, here you can have a small wedding or a large wedding as you can build your marquee on their grounds. You’re also allowed to supply your own alcohol with no corkage which is a bonus. The scenery is beautiful and they limit the number of weddings they do a year so it feels really personal.
Nursed Court Wedding
This is another venue with a beautiful house and marquee although the marquee at Nurstead court is permanent. The house is truly stunning so the drinks reception always looks classy. Don’t leave food out (biscuit wedding favours) in any marquee the night before the wedding as Foxes will break in and gobble it all up like they did at Hayley & Ben’s wedding. Lovely venue and can’t wait to photograph here again.
Kentfield Estate Wedding
I visited Kentfield Estate for the first time last year and was amazed by the beautiful ceremony location on the lake, it also has a really unique marquee.
Sprivers Mansion Wedding Venue
Sprivers Mansion is another pretty house and marquee much like the few above but also beautiful so had to be included in my list. The house interior is a tad dated but the outside is beautiful
I hope you’ve enjoyed me overview of the best wedding venues in Kent. This is certainly not all of the venues in Kent but these are the ones I have photographed at multiple times and would happily book for my own wedding.