Your Kent Wedding - Page number 23 - September/August 2021 (Issue 98)

KENT LIFE 01634 716 709 | www.kentlife.org.uk/venue-hire/weddings Kent Life Heritage Farm Park is home to gardens, orchards and one- of-a-kind period buildings including a Victorian Farmhouse, WWII cottage, 1950s home, original village hall, chapel, oast houses and many more. Delightfully set in 28 acres of rural surroundings it’s now one of only a handful of places remaining in Britain where hops are grown. From the herb garden to the wedding orchard, the love seat to the hop garden, the varied historical buildings to the on-site farmyard complete with animals: you’ll be spoilt for choice for quirky photography locations. Wedding ceremonies for up to 100 guests are held in Ulcombe Village Hall, an authentic wartime building. The pink 19 th -century Old Wedding Chapel, originally built in Cuxton and relocated at Kent Life in 2000 has been deconsecrated and can host civil ceremonies with up to 70 guests on pew-style seating. During the evening you’ll have use of both function rooms – Ulcombe Village Hall and the Wagon Store, where there’s a maximum capacity across both of 200. The characterful Wagon Store boasts timber beams strung with fairylights and decorated yearly with traditional Kentish dried hops. It can accommodate 100 loved ones for your wedding breakfast. After which, you and your guests are free to party the night away in the Village Hall, while your evening buffet is laid out back in the Wagon Store. The latter also offers a quiet area for those who prefer to spend time away from the dancefloor. Kent Life’s tractor and trailer or Land Train are available to transport between the entrance to the wedding area. What’s more, younger guests are welcome to take a walk through Cuddle Corner to meet the smaller farmyard friends. There’s also an outdoor adventure play area and an indoor soft play barn. THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM 01634 823 846 | https://thedockyard.co.uk/hire/weddings Not many people can say they were married on a ship! So, if you’re looking for a venue with a difference check out the options at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. A stunning 80-acre historical maritime estate, set in a central town location, Chatham is the most complete dockyard from the age of sail in the world. From the period buildings including the Commissioner’s House and officers’ quarters, to the remarkable Victorian ropery, where the rigging for HMS Victory was made, and its collection of maritime archaeology, the Dockyard represents an indispensable part of Britain’s naval history and national heritage. The venue offers a choice of four ceremony spaces. The Sunne Room is a beautiful Georgian room with a capacity of 70 seated and boasts views over the landscaped Commissioner’s Garden from the balcony. The Ballroom, which can also seat 70 for the “I dos” is found on the ground floor of the Commissioner’s House. Wonderfully light and airy, the doors lead out onto a patio. Alternatively, if you’re after an idyllic summer setting the patio could be the ceremony space for you. It can seat 80 for the vows, soaks up the best of the sun and offers two options for your all- important aisle. Finally, for the ceremony is the HMS Gannet, a Victorian sloop. The Captain’s Cabin seats up to 40 guests for intimate “I dos,” or the main deck can hold 100. You can also host reception drinks here. Receptions take place in the Commissioner’s House and gardens. It can accommodate 120 for a sit-down meal and 200 for the evening bash. The venue offers a bridal suite for the day of the wedding and is available as early as required ensuring everyone has time for hair and make-up. www.davidfenwick.co.uk www.davidfenwick.co.uk www.kentdiscos.me.uk LOCAL VENUES 23