Your Kent Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 88)

REAL WEDDINGS 39  fell more in love with it,” Emma remembers. Matt’s auntie baked the wedding cake. Emma explains, “I didn’t want the traditional tiered cake so we opted for several separate bakes in different sizes and flavours, including red velvet, lemon drizzle, chocolate, carrot cake, and Victoria sponge.” Each was decorated with white buttercream and white roses. “It was really important to Matt and I that we could offer our guests a full three course meal with three options per course. It was well worth the extra expense as the food was incredible,” the bride recalls. The delicious menu featured dishes such as slow roasted tomato and onion tartin topped with glazed goats cheese, herb crusted rump of lamb with a red wine jus, and chocolate fondant with salted caramel ice cream. TIME TO CELEBRATE The Radnor Quartet provided beautiful ceremony music and ambience for the drinks reception. Emma says, “We made a playlist of music for the wedding breakfast, then for our evening entertainment we hired a selfie mirror and two casino tables with blackjack and roulette.” THE GETAWAY “We went on a mini-moon to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve for three nights, which was organised and paid for by Matt’s mum and stepdad. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Westenhanger Castle, so it was perfect to head there after celebrations had drawn to a close,” Emma says. The newlyweds spent their wedding night in the hotel before moving to the Lion Lodge for the remainder of their stay. The bride remembers, “It was the most incredible experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as our beautiful lodge looked out on to the lion enclosure.” WORDS OF WISDOM “Make a timeline for your suppliers. This helps to ensure your wedding planner, toastmaster and venue team know exactly what’s expected of them, and how you want your wedding to be. “Don’t worry about a thing on the day – that’s what your bridesmaids and ushers are there for! Take a moment to look around at your guests, see their faces and hear their laughter. They’re there to celebrate your love and show you theirs,” Emma shares.