Your Kent Wedding - Page number 29 - November/December 2021 (Issue 99)

BILSINGTON PRIORY 01233 720 992 | www.bilsingtonpriory.co.uk Steeped in history, the Priory was built in 1253 for the canons regular of St Augustine’s in a French style of the period and this grand monastic building retains its Medieval structure, created from Kentish ragstone. Now a Grade I listed heritage building, it once provided hospitality for travellers and pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury. Alongside, the marquee is situated over what remains of the old cloisters. Set amongst seven acres of mature landscaped gardens and surrounded by a moat, the Priory offers a paradise for your wedding photographer. Plus, its secluded rural position provides an exclusive setting that’s off the beaten track yet still just 15 minutes from the major travel hub of Ashford. The Grand Ceremony Room is an oak and stone hall, once the rectory for the black canons. It can seat 100 guests for the ceremony with space for a musical quartet. Meanwhile, The Conservatory is a bright space connected to the Edwardian manor house and accessed via the private garden. Surrounded by the moat it overlooks ancient woodlands with stunning views over Romney Marsh. It can play host to 50 for the “I dos.” Finally for the vows, is the garden’s ceremony area, which is focused on a chess-board gazebo and surrounded by mature trees and shrubs. It can seat up to 120. Receptions for 150 guests are hosted in the marquee, and evening entertainment takes place in the adjacent Chapter Room complete with bar and dancefloor. The west wing of the manor is offered to wedding parties wishing to prepare on site. The private bathroom still has its original Edwardian features and the four-poster bedroom is blessed with wonderful views. Post celebrations there are four rooms available on a bed and breakfast basis. WILDERNESS WEDDING VENUE 07810 358135 | www.wildernessweddings.co.uk Hidden away on an enchanting farm in Kent, this idyllic woodland wedding venue encompassing a 600-acre valley, is unspoilt and far from the crowd. Here, you can enjoy an unconventional day in complete privacy, surrounded by ancient woodland and water meadows, lakes and fragrant wild flowers, as you escape into the magical world of nature. You have the option to hold a celebrant-led service in the Wilderness Woodland, but there are two licensed ceremony locations as well. The architecturally designed Woodsman’s Cabin allows you to marry among rustic interiors or outside in the open air, as it can be fully enclosed to protect guests from the elements or opened up to take in the surroundings. You also have the option for al fresco “I dos” beneath the Boat-Zebo, a charming up-turned vintage wooden clinker boat with canopy, located on the banks of Deerson Lake. Receptions take place in no less than three interconnected Kata tipis, which are set up for the wedding breakfast and evening celebration in the woodland glade. Your 120 guests will be seated at hand crafted long wooden tables with benches, and can feast on all manner of locally- sourced and foraged feasting menus. In the evening, your reception tipi transforms into a party tent with disco. WE LOVE The marquee reception setting has an exposed wall showing off the historical stonework of the Priory and also boasts a stunning Louis XV-style chandelier. www.chr islawsonphotography.co.uk www.chr islawsonphotography.co.uk WE LOVE A purpose built, up-cycled wooden champagne shack bar serves woodland-inspired cocktails and locally grown Kentish wines from Chapel Down, Simpsons Wine Estate and Chartham Vineyard. https://pete rreynoldsphotography.com https://pete rreynoldsphotography.com UNUSUAL VENUES 29