Your Kent Wedding - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 89)

SPRIVERS MANSION 01892 723 722 | spriversmansion.co.uk This elegant Georgian country house, built in 1759 and now owned by the National Trust, is blessed with beautiful ornate period features and décor. Amongst its historical features are fine Georgian fireplaces, ornate plasterwork, a sweeping oak Chippendale staircase, stunning original chandeliers, and a gold family coat of arms. The generous three-room bridal suite is decorated in the same style, and the three-storey guest accommodation, which dates from the 15 th century, is situated in the original part of the house. Set at the end of a long driveway that sweeps through the 100- acre estate, it’s surrounded by formal gardens, which you can utilise for drinks, games and outdoor ceremonies. Sprivers Mansion hosts only 12 exclusive-use weekend weddings each year, with only a handful of weekday ceremonies. Each wedding is bespoke, and you’re welcome to set up the marquee in the preceding days. What’s more, wedding parties of up to 10 guests can be accommodated for the night of the wedding on site, and can even opt to stay for up to three nights. During your stay, dinners, barbecues, and drinks parties can be arranged, as well as brunch in the marquee the morning after the wedding. SPACE TO CELEBRATE ❤ The Yellow Room has French doors, which open out on to the lovely garden (60 ceremony guests). ❤ The formal lawns (180 ceremony guests). ❤ The Georgian reception rooms host the venue’s drinks receptions, which can spill out onto the formal gardens. ❤ The canvas pole marquee, supplied by LPM Bohemia, is situated on the rear lawn, surrounded by orchards and meadows (180 dining, 200 evening guests). ❤ The main house can host more intimate wedding breakfasts (36 dining guests). BILSINGTON PRIORY 01233 720 992 | bilsingtonpriory.co.uk chrislawsonphotography.co.uk chrislawsonphotography.co.uk Steeped in history, the priory was built in 1253 for the canons regular of St Augustine’s. This grand monastic building retains its Medieval structure, composed of Kentish ragstone, and alongside the marquee the remains of the old cloisters can be found. A Grade I listed heritage building, the Priory once provided hospitality for local travellers and pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury. Set in seven acres of mature landscaped gardens, surrounded by a moat and the abbot’s former fishponds, the Priory is a photographer’s paradise. Its secluded rural position offers an exclusive setting, that’s only 15 minutes from Ashford. The west wing of the beautiful Edwardian manor is available for wedding party preparations. It comes complete with four-poster bed and gorgeous views to enjoy while you’re sipping bubbly and having your make-up done. There are also four rooms available on a B&B basis for you and some guests to rest your weary heads at the end of the day. SPACE TO CELEBRATE ❤ The Grand Ceremony Room is a cavernous stone and oak-beamed hall, once the refectory for the black canons (100 ceremony guests). ❤ The conservatory is connected to the Edwardian manor house and accessed via a private garden. Surrounded by the moat it overlooks ancient woodlands with stunning views over Romney Marsh (50 ceremony guests). ❤ The garden’s open-air ceremony space is centred around a chess board gazebo, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs (120 ceremony guests). ❤ The marquee. The 12 x 12 lined marquee has an exposed wall displaying the historic stonework of the Priory, and boasts a stunning Louis XV-styled chandelier (150 dining guests). ❤ The Chapter Room is adjacent to the marquee and hosts evening entertainment complete with bar and dancefloor (150 guests). 30 lolarosephotography.com