Royal wedding fever is sweeping the country, and who are we to resist it?
With Prince Harry and Megan Markle set to tie the knot on Saturday 19th May, we’ve been thinking about Kent’s own royal connections and regal wedding venues, and where – if we’d had any say in the matter! – we’d have advised the young couple to exchange vows for truly magical ‘big day’.
So for all you brides and bridegrooms to be out there, or those who just want to dream of that fairytale wedding, here are some of the best wedding venues in Kent with regal links (because you deserve to feel like royalty!)
Not in the market to get married, but still want to enjoy the ‘big day’? Why not head to Quex Barn in Birchington to enjoy a live screening of the event with tea, cake and a glass of fizz? If you’re hosting your own party, head to Macknade farm shop to stock up on supplies (back in 1947, pears from their orchards were served at the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II to Phillip Mountbatten!)
Hever Castle
Once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle offers a wedding venue of true distinction. Whether it’s the stately grandeur of the castle itself, the classic, country house atmosphere of the Astor Wing or the stunning lakeside location of the Italian Garden, Hever Castle offers a wedding venue to suit all your wedding day dreams. Intimate gatherings, exuberant parties, outdoor weddings are all catered for, and there are few places in Kent with more of a wow factor than this historic site. Five star luxury accommodation is also available to book as part of your wedding. Can you image waking up the morning after with views over the lake and grounds, feeling like royalty?
Penshurst Place
Enclosed by acre upon acre of green hillside and nestled alongside a charming Tudor village, Penshurst Place is truly a unique wedding destination. Eleven acres of beautiful formal gardens surround the historic house creating a botanical crown befitting of the location. Lucky couples looking to marry here will find a venue unlike that of any other – if it was good enough for King Henry VIII, it might just be good enough for you and your special someone. Penshurst Place welcomes weddings throughout the year.
Leeds Castle
Rising majestically from its moat, Leeds Castle is certainly one of the most romantic settings in the UK for your wedding day. Under royal ownership for much of the 13th – 16th century, the castle’s roll call of royal owners include King Edward I, Queen Isabella, King Edward III, King Richard II and Queen Anne of Bohemia, and King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Today, brides and grooms can take over the entire castle island with exclusive use of the ceremony room and the banqueting hall, and luxuriate in the state bedrooms for an out of this world wedding day. Weddings can also be held in the Maiden’s Tower or, for larger parties, in the Fairfax Barn overlooking the castle. Surrounded by a shimmering moat, flanked by beautiful black swans, and enjoying incredible views in the heart of England, you’ll certainly be able to play king or queen of your realm here.
Royal Tunbridge Wells
In 1909 King Edward VII officially recognised the popularity of Tunbridge Wells with its many royal and aristocratic visitors - including his mother, Queen Victoria - and granted the town its "Royal" prefix. Today this effortlessly elegant Kent district is a great place for a wedding celebration, with a number of unique and gorgeous places to tie the knot. Head to Goudhurst for a quintessentially English wedding in a fairytale Tudor village, boasting stunning views from Goudhurst Church and top notch pampering at Kalmora Spa. Alternatively, head to the ethereal High Rocks for a big day in lush green woodland, or to Bewl Water where you can wed by the glorious lake and make use of the glamping tents for your guests. In Tunbridge Wells town itself, you’ll find a variety of fabulous clothes boutiques, gift shops, florists, tailors and musical talent to help you float through your wedding plans and special day on a cloud of serenity. We bet you can get it all done, in style, in Tunbridge Wells!
Dreamland
One for the wildchilds amongst you, Dreamland Margate is so crazy about the wedding of the year that they are offering free entry and an unlimited ride wristband on 19th May to anyone who has the name Harry or Meghan - or to anyone wearing a wedding dress! With a multitude of stylish spots, Dreamland is also the place for a bespoke wedding that will send Instagram into meltdown. The Grade II listed ballroom is licensed for ceremonies, and new areas for wedding receptions and breakfasts in 2018 include the retro-style Green Room with its banana-leaf design wallpaper and the Tree Top Bar which offers panoramic views of the amusement park and glimpses of those glorious Margate sunsets. Wedding breakfast menus include seaside classics such as oysters, fish and chips, fairground favourites including mini doughnuts, candyfloss and ice cream, as well as elegant three-course seated dinner options. One for couples looking for all fun of the fair - with a twist!
