Your Kent Wedding -November/December 2020 (Issue 93)

MOUNT EPHRAIM GARDENS 01227 751 496 | www.mountephraimgardens.co.uk Mount Ephraim is a privately owned family home set in 800 acres of woodland, pasture and fruit farm. The house is a late-Victorian mansion with the main hallway at its heart, which features a stunning staircase, marble flooring and pillars, benefiting from plenty of natural daylight flooding in from the skylight. The function rooms and wedding reception rooms all lead off the hall. The venue also offers ample accommodation with a five double-bedroom B&B, including the beautiful wedding suite, and the Garden Wing self- catering section, which sleeps 12. At the heart of the estate lies the main house and 10 acres of enchanting Edwardian gardens where terraces of fragrant roses lead to a small lake and woodland area overlooking orchards. The gardens also feature a Japanese-style rock garden with ornamental bridge, arboretum, grass maze and unusual topiary offering stunning photography opportunities. The Grand Hall has capacity for 110 for your ceremony. Its sweeping cantilevered staircase with its rich red carpet provides the most stunning entrance for brides with the vows taking place in the heart of the hallway. Also with space for 110 is the Garden Pavilion, complete with simplistic and rustic charm. Guests are seated on a large Indian sandstone patio area in the corner of the large lawn. The Billiard and Morning Rooms are decorated with antique furniture, ornaments and three large chandeliers. They’re linked with interconnecting doors and can host 150 for your “I dos,” 110 for the wedding breakfast and 175 for the evening do. MARLEYBROOK HOUSE 01227 668 661 | www.marleybrookhouse.co.uk Marleybrook House is a beautifully quirky wedding venue set in the quaint village of Preston, Canterbury. Centred around a stunning 17th-century thatched farmhouse, former home to the legendary singer Eartha Kitt, the venue offers a stunning backdrop for photographs – with nine acres of surrounding countryside the grounds will leave any photographer spoilt for choice. There are three stunning ceremony areas. The Walled Garden makes for fairytale “I dos,” where you’ll walk down the topiary aisle towards the stone pillared gazebo. It can host 150 guests. Situated on the wide lawn area is the gleaming white American Colonial-style raised gazebo, set against a stunning backdrop of sweeping Kent countryside. It can accommodate 150 loved ones. Finally, The Oak Barn with the same capacity is always fully dressed and adorned with Kentish hops, providing a rustic indoor option. Celebrations take place in the Event Suite, which can host 150 day guests and 300 for the evening. With three large crystal chandeliers and the draped garland entwined with ivy, Kentish hops and wild flowers, this is an ideal space for both large and intimate gatherings. There’s also a stage and dancefloor for your evening’s entertainment. The pièce de résistance is the Marleybrook Fairground, where 300 of your nearest and dearest can enjoy exhilarating rides such as the waltzer, family rollercoaster, sky dancer big wheel, dodgems and adult-sized Victorian swing boats together with traditional side stalls, bouncy castle and many props that lend an authentic air. www.dick spics.co.uk www.clar erandellphotography.co.uk UNUSUAL VENUES 31