Humanist weddings at Penshurst Place

Credit: Image courtesy of Craig Prentis Photography

Couples seeking the perfect setting for their wedding day will have a wealth of new possibilities available to them from 2020, as Penshurst Place opens its magnificent gardens for humanist weddings.

The happy couple can choose to hold their humanist ceremony anywhere within the 11 acres of walled gardens at Penshurst Place, which includes 11 distinct garden areas or ‘rooms’, as well as the surrounding parkland and woodland. With an array of garden styles, sizes, colours and ambiences, including structured, romantic and relaxed outdoor spaces, it is the ideal location for couples looking for an alfresco celebration.

The ornate, Renaissance-inspired Italian Garden with its central oval lily pool is expected to be a popular setting, along with the romantic and sweetly-scented Rose Garden. Meanwhile, those looking for more of a countryside feel might opt to hold their ceremony under the trees in the Nut Garden orchard, surrounded by its colourful carpet of spring flowers and wild flowers.

The new humanist wedding ceremonies will be officially launched at the venue’s Wedding Showcase, which will be held on Saturday 8th February, 2020. Penshurst’s team of experienced wedding coordinators will be on hand throughout the day to show guests around the venue and talk about the many settings, styles and options available within the historic house and gardens.

Penshurst Place is also a perfect location for more traditional wedding ceremonies and receptions, with a choice of three banqueting rooms and a private open-air courtyard where couples can exchange their marriage vows. These will all be available to view at the Wedding Showcase.

Crowned Wedding Venue of the Year 2019 in the Kent Wedding Awards, Penshurst Place is celebrating its own special anniversary in 2020, being 25 years since it first became a licensed wedding venue. During that time it has provided a striking backdrop for hundreds of couples on their wedding day. To mark this milestone anniversary, Penshurst will be offering a 25% discount on its summer season venue hire fees for new wedding bookings made before the end of October 2020, valid for summer weddings hosted by October 2022 (the summer wedding season is from mid-May to mid-October).

The Penshurst Place Wedding Showcase, hosted in all of the beautiful banqueting rooms, will be held from 10am until 3pm. Guests will have an opportunity to look around the historic venue and gardens, which will be dressed for the occasion, as well as speaking to a range of wedding suppliers. The new wedding menu for 2020 will be unveiled by catering partner KUDOS, who use produce from local suppliers wherever possible.

Kent wedding photographer Penny Young will be offering each couple a free portrait on the day, plus there will be a selection of ‘street food’ and local craft beers to taste.
Each couple attending the Showcase will receive a goody bag full of useful information and tips to help them plan their special day. With contents worth over £30 these include two tickets enabling them to return to Penshurst Place for another look, along with wild flower seeds for wedding favour inspiration and homemade fudge.

Couples wishing to attend the Wedding Showcase should register in advance by contacting banqueting@penshurstplace.com or by registering on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.com/e/penshurst-place-february-wedding-fair-tickets-69023780987