Elmley Nature Reserve is one of the best wedding venues in Kent. It's the perfect wedding venue for adventurous couples who love the outdoors.
Within Elmley Nature Reserve is Kingshill Farm which is the wedding venue. With this exclusive use venue you will get 3 days private hire, incredible views of the 3,300 acre estate, a huge Victorian barn for your ceremony and reception, lots of outdoor space for your drinks reception and various options for accommodation including tents, Shepards huts and cottages. This unique venue only has a few weddings a year, they allow you to use the space to make it personal to you and their amazing team is on hand to help.
Accommodation / Getting Ready
You and your wedding guests have exclusive use of the accommodation on site for two nights. The Kingshill Farmhouse has 6 bedrooms and it's a great space to get ready in as all of the rooms are well decorated and have lots of natural light which is great for photos. Elmley Cottage has 4 bedrooms. They also have 8 charming Shepards huts available as well as bell tents if you want festival style accommodation. Some of the Shepards huts have outdoor baths or showers for the ultimate outdoor experience. In the photos below the bride got ready in the Elmley Room and the groom downstairs in one of the living rooms. They had their hair and make up done in the kitchen as it opens out onto the garden and has lots of light.
The Barn
The Kingshill Barn is a rustic wooden barn with fairy lights hanging from the high ceiling and a huge window at one end providing lots of natural light and a view of the fields. Inside there is space for up to 150 guests seated. Outside the barn, in the courtyard the Linhay (the open barn) is licensed for outdoor wedding ceremonies. If you're having a celebrant ceremony there are other places you could use. Below are some photos of a wedding ceremony inside the barn so you can see how beautiful it is.
Drinks Reception
The barn doors open out onto the grass courtyard where you can have your confetti tunnel and then your drinks reception. There is an outdoor bar which is undercover, hay bale seating and plenty of room for garden games. There are plenty of beautiful locations to choose from for your group and couple photos. I took the group shots over by the house where they got ready as there's a lovely view of the landscape.
Wedding Breakfast
The barn is where you wedding breakfast will be held. They partner with Urban Pantry caterers who can offer lots of different options for your wedding breakfast including feasting boards or plated courses. This service includes staffing and tableware. There is also no corkage so you can bring your own wine! The barn can seat 150 guests and you can have up to 200 standing in the evening. The venue provide tables and chairs, both rectangular and circular.
The Evening
In the evening the barn gets turned into the dance floor where your DJ or band can set up on the stage. The barn looks great in the evening as it's dark with fairy lights which creates a nice vibe for dancing. There are no sound limiters at this venue so your music is allowed in the courtyard as well. Outside in the courtyard you could have a bouncy castle, a photo booth, games or other entertainment for the evening. They also have a fire pit where you can roast marshmallows! They have a licensed bar inside the barn which is fully stocked and staffed.
Photo Locations
At Elmley Nature Reserve you are spoilt for choice with amazing locations for photos. They have the Kingshill Farmhouse which has amazing views of the reserve and you can walk down to the river, the fields, the path that leads to the beach and the beach it's self (yes they have a private beach!). The photos below were taken at the beach during blue hour.
Sustainability
Elmley is a family run sustainable venue, they source local and seasonal food, they use solar powered electricity and they focus their efforts on conservation. Elmley is home to lots of animals including lots of different birds, cows, hares, frogs, owls and more.
To find out more visit https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/weddings
If you're looking for a natural photographer for your wedding then give me a shout!