Kingdom Penshurst Wedding - Steph + Josh

Kent Wedding Venue

13 Dec

Black and white portrait of Bride and Groom after they have walked through a confetti aisle

A magical clubhouse in the woods, Kingdom - Penshurst, Kent.

Steph and Josh got married at Kingdom, which is a venue in Penshurst, with vast and epic views. It was such a fun wedding, infused with their own sense of effortless style. This really was a Wedding with the family at the heart of it, full of emotional and memorable moments. The woodland backdrop of this venue is enchanting and I’d recommend it to anyone.

The couple got in touch with me last year, and their enquiry was so personal. They said they wanted a relaxed photographer, and I loved that they have the same values as me. It was important for them to get amazing photos, but they didn't want anything to feel forced. They wanted to be caught in the moment and for me to lean into my candid photographic approach, which is my favourite way of working.

First up… a quick look at Steph’s Bridal Preparations…

The Ceremony

The ceremony was a church service the hidden gem of st. Johns church, hidden away on the edge of Ashdown Forest between Withyham and Crowborough. It sits amongst tall trees and is the perfect link to their reception venue. The service was lead by a close family friend. It was incredibly meaningful and held so much of their family history, the love just emanated from the room.

They had some really great confetti outside the church, the one I always recommend to clients and here you can see why! The amazing circle paper confetti which is decomposable. It hangs in the air and looks so magical. We did some Family photos shortly after and from there they were keen to keep the photography really informal. They bundled into a gorgeous blue VW camper van and headed to Kingdom Penshurst for their celebrations.

Reception | Part One

The first part of the reception was on the Roof terrace at Kingdom, and the views are spellbinding. You feel like you’re amongst the trees, with the beautiful architectural details. On a clear day, you can see so far and it’s actually really entertaining for guests to just be in that space. Kingdom has a really laid-back vibe, and is one of the nicest places to get married in Kent if you love nature and the countryside. It would attract couples who like a barn- type venue, but want a more light and airy feel, as even when you’re inside, you feel so connect to the outside with the floor to ceiling windows. The venue offers seriously good food, – and there are so many incredible backdrops that are perfect for photos. While it’s quite rustic and bohemian, it has a keen sense of style and the devil is in the detail, which is a great base for however you want to make your own mark. I would always recommend an abundance of flowers and candles at this venue!

Reception | Part Two

Their speeches and dinner took place in the room in the middle of the building, which is so cosy. It’s a bit like being in a tree house. The tables were dressed with colourful wildflowers, ferns and gorgeous candles. Their signage and stationary was created by their close friend. It was nice to have a colour pop and was a great, but subtle statement. My favourite thing is to see all the guests at the table with the candles lit and and glasses half full. It’s great to see things looking immaculate, but it's so special when things unravel.

Couples Portraits… Just the two of them

Steph wore a stunning gown, from Isabella Grace Bridal which fit her to perfection. It had structure, but didn’t look restricting for her. It was a timeless and effortless look (one of my favourite dresses of the year actually). Josh wore a three-piece suit, made by his talented friend. The intention behind it being that he will re-wear each piece on it's own after the wedding, which I love for sustainability. I love couples that are forward thinking, but don’t compromise details.