Your Kent Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Enjoy Leeds Castle’s new luxury Lakeside Lodges

Enjoy an enchanting summer escape in the new luxury Lakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle, located near Maidstone, Kent. Situated within the picturesque grounds of historic Grade I-listed Leeds Castle, steeped in over 900 years of history, the lodges offer an exclusive break surrounded by vibrant nature and serene summer tranquillity.

Nestled amidst nature, guests can soak up the sun on their private deck while appreciating the melodious bird song, offering glimpses of blue tits, robins, and goldcrests darting among the trees and swans, ducks, and wildfowl gliding along the Great Water. A picturesque scene to enjoy while having a soak in the luxurious outdoor sleek black bathtub — making it a truly idyllic summer escape.

Alcohol-free options for weddings with Mocktails

For those looking for booze-free options this wedding season, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, is the non-alcoholic premium cocktail brand perfect for big-day guests! The alcohol-free, ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to offer a range of beverages at their wedding. Mocktails showcase a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mockarita - A zesty twist on the classic Margarita. Notes of lime, quinine and acacia flower with a refreshingly tart finish. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to choose our favourite... Mocksow Mule anyone?

The Alexander Centre is an attractive Victorian building in the heart of Faversham

The Alexander Centre is an attractive Victorian building in the heart of Faversham, a picturesque Medieval market town. The structure's impressive façade makes a real statement within the town's architecture and features a grand portico, perfect for taking gorgeous photographs. Its convenient location ensures it's easy to get to with numerous facilities nearby, including hotels and B&Bs, to accommodate your guests.

Tie the knot in the Jubilee Room, a light and airy heritage room with large windows, high ceilings, detailed cornicing and parquet flooring.

Autumnal fragrances from Woodwick and Yankee Candle

Connect to nature with scents and colours drawn from the breathtaking outdoors with the cosy new Autumn collection from Yankee Candle®, Cottage Getaway. Inspired by the nostalgic roots of outdoor adventures, and the natural beauty of our world, the collection seeks to spark creativity and inspiration, whilst bringing family and friends together. Launching in August 2024, the collection includes three warming fragrances, Woodland Weekend Memories, Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl, and Afternoon Scrapbooking. This comforting selection of candles is perfect for reliving cherished moments at home as the late summer falls away and the new season settles n. Relax into Autumn with fragrances that ignite the senses, whilst the bright greens fade from the leaves and dusk draws in earlier by the day.

CWM partnership with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway!

County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway for our reader and social media followers! If you like or follow all three brands on either Facebook or Instagram, you'll be in with a chance of winning a £350 Dower & Hall gift voucher which can be redeemed online, as well as a £250 gift voucher for Maya Deluxe – that's jewellery and bridesmaids sorted for your wedding day leaving you more time and more budget to crack on with the rest of the wedding planning. Read on to find out more details about the brands and how to enter!

The Night Yard will be hosting a Greek Summer’s Night this August

Nestled in woodland and surrounded by fruit orchards, The Night Yard is located in the heart of Kent, just 10 minutes from Canterbury. Originally built to house cattle, the historic Night Yard offers everything you need for a relaxed and rural Kentish wedding venue from day to night.

The team at The Night Yard is hosting a new event ideal for future couples to view the venue for themselves. The Greek Summer's Night with Abba Chique will take place on Saturday 31st August. Doors open at 6pm, when you'll be able to grab yourself some delicious Greek- inspired food and a cocktail at the in-house bar while soaking in the sun on the lawn before heading inside to dance the night away to ABBA Chique and Chris the DJ.

County Wedding Events coming to Cave Hotel, Kent!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at The Cave Hotel, Kent, for inspiration on Sunday 8th September 2024! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. A day to remember - a stylish sanctum that seamlessly blends a high-end contemporary look with a laid-back and welcoming approach, The Cave is not just a venue, getting married here is a truly holistic experience where you and your guests take center stage. You would be able to relax, eat, celebrate and sleep better than you ever have before; there really is nowhere quite like it.

Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and is full of history

Nestled in 125 acres of idyllic Kent countryside, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I, and is full of rich history.

The gardens at Hever Castle combine perfectly with its history to provide a wedding venue of distinction at any time of the year. One of the most magnificent areas of the gardens is the Italian Garden, which displays a splendid collection of Italian sculptures. There are breathtaking water features, including cascades, grottos, fountains, and ponds. The Rhododendron Walk, the Rose Garden, the Golden Stairs and the Blue Garden offer an unbeatable backdrop to capture those special moments.

Chapel House Estate has won an award

Chapel House Estate has won 'Best Event Venue' at the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2024. Recognised for its charm, impeccable service, and exquisite ambience, Chapel House Estate secured the top honour in its category.

Nestled amidst the Kentish landscapes and steeped in rich history, Chapel House Estate offers the perfect backdrop for weddings, corporate gatherings, and special celebrations. At the heart of the estate is the Chapel House, built in 1290, a large banqueting Thorne Barn, and a converted Old Malt Granary that sets the standard for luxury and sophistication.

Visit a Signature Wedding Show to win a mini-break with Classic Lodges

County Wedding Events, in association with Classic Lodges, is offering two overnight stays for two people to include a glass of Lanson Champagne on arrival, a three-course dinner and either a full English Breakfast or continental. What's more, the break can be taken at any Classic Lodges-owned property! Visitors must pre-register and attend a Signature Wedding Show to have the chance to win a mini-break courtesy of Classic Lodges. Terms and conditions apply.

Instant photos make for lasting memories!

poignant keepsake for guests or a photo album. Instant photos make for lasting memories! The INSTAX mini 12 (£79.99) is the perfect product for guest use. Place on tables or dot them around the venue to allow for guests to personalise their memories, and most importantly, take them home. The INSTAX mini Evo (£174.99) is another great option for capturing what's important. The retro-themed exterior is fitting for those vintage-themed weddings – place next to the guest book so photos can be added straight in. The INSTAX SQUARE (£129.99) is a modern option for those photographic keepsakes. Connect the devise to phones and print polaroid straight from the camera roll. Instant photos are irreplaceable.

The Weald of Kent is a 18-hole parkland golf course and hotel

The Weald of Kent is a beautifully maintained 18-hole parkland golf course and hotel. Set in rolling countryside with far-reaching views, it's just a short drive from Maidstone and Ashford and conveniently located near the surrounding villages of Sutton Valence, Headcorn, Staplehurst and Tenterden.

With a manicured golf course and lakes, the grounds offer a picture- perfect backdrop, allowing you and your loved ones to relax and capture those memorable moments.

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

WealdenWoods has created new plantable wedding favours

Wildflower specialist WealdenWoods in Kent has created new plantable wedding favours featuring hand-made wildflower seed-bombs that are affordable, beautiful and eco-friendly.

These heart-shaped seed-bombs come in kraft boxes and are a must-have for wedding favours or goody bags. Each seed is individually decorated with real flowers or petals and the box is topped with a pressed sprig of lavender, making a sustainable, eco-friendly gift for your wedding guests that also helps pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

Bradbourne House is a Queen Anne country house dating back to 1590

Surrounded by 20 acres of picturesque parkland, Bradbourne House is a magnificent Queen Anne country house dating back to 1590. Boasting a tranquil lake, waterfall and thriving grounds, the gardens offer far- reaching views, making them the perfect setting for photographs.

Full of history, this Grade I listed building has lots of original character with elegant interiors that create a blend of tranquillity and classic elegance, from the striking teal and gold walls in the Great Hall to the spectacular ornate ceiling in the Committee Room.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!

Win a jewellery set worth £95

Kent-based M. Elizabeth Jewellery is named after the owner's grandmother, a strong woman who likes the finer things in life. With these qualities in mind, the team creates beautiful, timeless jewellery pieces from high- quality metals. Each item is made from recycled sterling silver or stainless steel, which is 100 per cent recyclable. All of the gems used are sustainably sourced natural gemstones from certified mines.

Exclusively for Your Kent Wedding, M. Elizabeth Jewellery is offering one lucky reader a bridal necklace with a pearl charm worth £95. Choose from a silver or gold necklace with a sunbeam charm in the letter of your choosing. Maybe your new surname or a loved one's initial? The necklace is waterproof and hypoallergenic, meaning you can wear it every day as a reminder of your wedding.