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

REAL WEDDINGS 37  J ust picture the scene: Salzburg, Austria, 3 rd December 2017, it’s snowing and the view from the top of the Hohensalzburg Fortress is spectacular. What an incredibly romantic location for a proposal, and it so happens, the spot where Adam asked Melanie to be his wife. “It was a complete surprise to me; we’d booked the trip to visit the Christmas market, as it’s one of my favourite times of the year,” Melanie remembers. When the time came to look for wedding venues, the pair visited many, all over Kent. Melanie explains, “The place that had the most immediate impact on us was The Old Kent Barn. It definitely has the wow-factor and the staff were so friendly. Nothing was too much trouble.” We caught up with the bride to find out more about the couple’s springtime W-day, 26 th April 2019… SETTING THE SCENE The chosen theme was traditional, painted in a pastel palette of pink and white, with a touch of glam. The all-important floral arrangements were dominated by pale pink and white peonies, blush pink and white roses, and gypsophila. For the centrepieces stunning silk blooms were displayed on tall crystal pillars as pure white domes, with tea lights around the base. The three-tier blush-rose bake was also decorated in theme-fitting flowers. The elegant table plan boasted a white hydrangea surround with silver lanterns arranged around the base. The place and table names both reflected this glamour adorned with silver glitter and pink ribbon. The couple had selected a secondary Las Vegas-inspired theme, and named all of their tables after hotels on the strip. The favours were scratch cards in honour of the city. The beautiful Old Kent Barn was certainly dressed to impress in ivory ceiling drapes, blush sweet pink chair hood ruffles, and vase and pillar candles, all of which created a wistful, romantic atmosphere. FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD The newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a selection of canapés during the drinks reception, including sausage bites (as a side note, I’ve tried these, they’re amazing), thai prawns, devilled whitebait, parmesan arancini, mozzarella balls, and ham hock tartlets. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, the menu continues: starter was a tartlet of leek, cheddar and smoked pancetta with a soft herb salad, or carrot, smoky cumin and coriander soup. This was followed by a main course, which included the option of the delicious-sounding perfectly roasted rump of lamb accompanied by Mediterranean ratatouille and a basil, olive and rosemary tapenade. Dessert options included lemon posset with mixed berries, topped with Chantilly cream; or Kentish apple, blackberry and stem ginger crumble served with cream. In the evening everyone feasted on humble bacon rolls and chip butties. This sounds like the best day ever! LOOKING THE PART Melanie wore a beautiful Ronald Joyce gown – Norma . “I tried on a lot of dresses, but knew instantly when I’d found the one ,” she says, “plus the reaction from my nan and mum confirmed it, it was a very special moment.” She put the finishing touches to the look with a pearl tiara and veil.