Editor loves and inspiration

Nestled in the heart of Kent, Leeds Castle has unveiled details of its new Knights’ Retreat family accommodation. Having opened in July, the accommodation has been designed to spark the imagination of guests both young and old. The eight whimsical lodges are stowed away within the castle’s idyllic 500-acre grounds and were inspired by Queen Eleanor of Castile’s vision for a ‘Castle of Delights’.

Named after mythical creatures such as the Basilisk, Minotaur, and Gryphon, these fairytale lodges provide the perfect base to explore the delights of the Leeds Castle estate. Guests staying in a Knights’ Retreat lodge benefit from complimentary access to the Castle and its magnificent grounds.

See more local news in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Chilston Park’s interior exudes timeless elegance, blending classic Georgian architecture with rich period furnishings.Grand chandeliers illuminate oak-panelled walls, while antique portraits and plush fabrics add historic charm. The drawing rooms and library offer cozy sophistication, and each individually styled bedroom reflects traditional opulence with modern comfort. It’s a refined, yet welcoming, atmosphere steeped in heritage. Chilston Park’s exterior is a striking example of Georgian country house architecture, set amidst 77 acres of lush Kent countryside. Its red-brick façade, tall sash windows, and symmetrical design exude stately charm. A serene lake, manicured gardens, and tree-lined drive enhance its picturesque appeal, offering a tranquil, regal setting that captures the essence of English heritage. Ceremonies can take place in various areas:

There are many stand out features at Chilston Park, but some that take your breath away are the historic lake, the elegant fountains, mature parkland, the grand staircase, the marble lounge, and Culpeper’s restaurant. Some places just need to be visited to truly appreciate the beauty they display! For Chilston Park, it’s not just about hosting weddings, they build a long-lasting relationship with their wedding couples and treat them to a menu and wine tasting — the ideal way to get to know the venue. They also offer romantic anniversary stays with complimentary upgrades to the bridal suite that you’ll stay in on your wedding night.

See more local venues in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

It would be very easy to sit here and say, ’a picture is a picture, why do I need to care about the different styles?’, but in this approach, we lose the magic of photography. If you and I took a picture of the same thing – yes, the subject would remain the same, but the style would differ completely! Mine might be more slapdash and yours may be artistic. The same applies to wedding photography – what one artist views as improper, the other will see as an opportunity and vice versa. There are countless different types of photography, but for the sake of this issue, we have broken them down into the current most popular types: traditional, dark and moody, documentary/photojournalistic, light and airy, vintage, and fine art.

Find out more about the different types of photography in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Maria and Ben met at work, and after six months of office flirting they went on their first date. Ben was about to move closer to London and wanted to get at least one date in before he left – choosing to take Maria for a romantic walk in Deal. Their long-distance relationship started and would consist of fleeting visits after work. Their love bloomed and they eventually moved in together. Ben popped the question after a day of mooching around Christmas markets.

When it came to choosing a venue, Maria and Ben wanted something that felt magical. “We had visited a handful of venues, but Bradbourne House was the one that gave us that feeling of being the one,” says Maria. “The house felt like a place we could return to repeatedly.”

See more from their wedding in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Outdoor weddings are forever on the rise, but with the temperament of British weather, you always need a backup plan. The Beaverwood is a venue that gives you the freedom of indoor and outdoor celebrations. The venue resembles a marquee, but the permanent building enables couples to book their wedding with peace of mind. You’ll get the joy of an outdoor wedding with a failsafe should the weather take a gloomy turn. The beautiful room has a starlit ceiling and is headlined by two well-stocked bars, highlighted by a dancefloor and disco lights – the perfect party starter kit.

The venue sits on immaculate grounds, making for the ideal backdrop for your portraits and garden games. The whole venue is picture perfect and has ample space for you and your photographer to get creative! If the party remains outside, they have plenty of tables and chairs available, so your guests can rest their party feet between the ceremony and reception. This is accompanied by a seating area on the terrace, overlooking the celebrations.

See more local venues in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

With recent renovations enhancing the beauty of Chafford Park, Natalie from Majestic Styling saw the perfect opportunity to create a styled shoot – one that celebrated the venue’s updates and showcased its versatility. Her vision was to highlight how a rustic settings can still feel luxurious, elegant, and timeless. For this shoot, she chose a colour palette of greens, soft ivory, crisp white, and touches of gold; bringing depth and sophistication to the design. It was important to Natalie to show that rustic doesn’t have to mean casual; with the right styling and details, it can be elevated into something truly eye-catching. Paying special attention to the finer elements, especially the tablescape, ensuring every detail from linens to cutlery, contributed to a feeling of opulence.

The process for this shoot began with a carefully curated moodboard, and from there, the assembly of an incredible team – full of talented suppliers who helped bring the concept to life. Their creativity, passion, and dedication shone through in every element of the shoot. The final photos capture the beauty of the venue and styling, along with the collaborative spirit behind the scenes. Natalie comments, “I couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. A romantic, rustic-luxe wedding inspiration that reflects the best of what Chafford Park has to offer.”

See more from the styled shoot in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

The build up to your wedding day is a fabulous time to kick start a strong self-care routine. This doesn’t mean shredding it in the gym, or going on expensive spa days but instead, fortifying your skincare routine and getting to a good place mentally ready for a highly-emotional day. There are lots of things you can be doing to prepare for your wedding, and it often feels overwhelming thinking about the extensive lists. To help you break it down, we have separated it into four sections: mental health, skincare, body care, and haircare. These four pillars of the wedding world need some work before the big day, to ensure you feel as ready as possible. The most important of them all is your mental health; weddings can be stressful, keeping on top of your mental wellbeing will make the planning process so much better for you. Although, working on the other pillars will also contribute to a better mental wellbeing; as you will be looking after yourself more than ever.

See more tips in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Melissa and North’s wedding took place on the 12th December and had an elegant theme of Christmas, class, and disco. They met when they were 16 and have been in love ever since. This all came to a have been in love ever since. This all came to a romantic high in 2019, when North decided to pop the question to Melissa. This wasn’t your typical candle-lit proposal; North decided his firefighter graduation ceremony was just the place to ask Melissa to be his forever spark. He flew across the crowd in a cherry picker and got down on one knee in front of the entire fire crew and the couple’s families.

When it came to picking a venue, Melissa had been eyeing up Hayne House for a long time. “I’d seen it on social media and ogled over weddings there for years,” says Melissa. “I loved how it was a blank canvas and how bright it was in the orangery – essential as we were having a festive wedding and didn’t want it to be gloomy.”

See more from their wedding in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Award-winning luxury home fragrance brand Simon James Home is excited to introduce the Cocktail Scented Candle Collection. This playful, yet sophisticated, trio of scented candles is inspired by three classic cocktails: Espresso Martini, Gin & Tonic, and Peach Bellini – offering a sensory celebration. Expertly hand- poured in Kent, each candle is crafted with vegan-friendly soy wax, paraben-free fragrance oils, and sustainable, plastic-free packaging. Staying true to the brand’s ethos, a tree is planted for every order placed! The candles cost £22 each, or you can purchase the bundle for £50, including all three scents. Perfect as a wedding gift or to set the scene at your wedding celebrations.

See more local news in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Dover Marina Hotel & Spa is a beautifully restored seafront hotel, combining historic character with modern comfort. Original features complement contemporary décor, creating spaces that feel refined yet inviting. Celebrate in The Winston Hall, dine at two Marco Pierre White restaurants, unwind in The Churchill cocktail bar, and indulge in the Waterfront Spa or Vogue Hair & Beauty – all perfect for an unforgettable wedding- weekend escape by the sea.

Set on Dover’s iconic seafront, this Georgian terrace boasts sweeping coastal views and a stunning backdrop of Dover Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover. This sunlit terrace creates the perfect setting for romantic outdoor ceremonies. With the beach just steps away for unforgettable photos, it’s a dreamy coastal escape for a full wedding weekend of celebration.

The sea-facing terrace is perfect for al fresco drinks, sunset toasts, and relaxed post-ceremony gatherings. With the beach directly opposite and the castle towering in the distance, every photo feels cinematic. It’s the ultimate setting for an extended celebration, from pre-wedding spa days to post-wedding brunches and afternoon teas; giving couples and guests a true escape.

See more local venues in the latest issue of Your Kent Wedding. Download your free copy here.