ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE WEDDING
Hatty & Tim’s Elmley Nature Reserve wedding was certainly a day like no other. Being the only nature reserve in the UK that you can get married at, Elmley hosts only a small number of weddings each year.
Elmley is a 3,300 acre estate, a site of international wildlife significance and home to the family run Kingshill Farm. It was only right then that Hatty & Tim’s special day featured Colin & Connie the Caterpillar wedding cakes!
DESTINATION WEDDING AT ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE
Located on the Isle of Sheppey, North Kent, Elmley is only a 1 hour drive from London. They have various accommodation options, ranging from the Kingshill Farmhouse, Elmley Cottage, their famous shepherd’s huts and their very own Wedding Bell Tent Village which up to 90 people can stay in.
If you’re lucky enough to host your wedding at Elmley, you’ll have exclusive weekend access to the site along with your guests.
As they only host a few weddings a year, your special day will be totally personalised to your tastes. From their excellent catering team that use local, seasonal produce, or the option to use street food trucks for some late night bites, the possibilities are endless at Elmley!
BARN WEDDING VENUE IN KENT
The huge rustic barn doors open out onto a grass courtyard, encircled by wild flowers, and festoon lighting, for reception drinks, games and dancing under the stars. Elmley is the perfect venue for the ultimate festival themed wedding, or simply a gorgeous countryside celebration.
It truly is an extremely unique outdoor wedding venue, with incredible backdrops for your wedding photography. Your wedding photographer will be spoilt for choices and you’ll be left with gorgeous photos capturing memories to last a lifetime.
That being said, with so many areas for wedding photos in such a large space, make sure you plan your photography timeline well! Check out my blog post with all my advice on planning your wedding photography timeline for some tips.
ELMLEY WEDDING VENUE COSTS
If your wedding is taking place during the week, prices for inclusive hire is around £21000. Weekend pricing can go up to £25000.
This is only for the venue and accommodation hire. All other expenses will need to be paid by you.
IS ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE A LICENSED WEDDING VENUE?
Yes, it has a wedding licence for both outdoors and indoors. Your wedding ceremony can take place at either The Linhay or the Kingshill Barn.
Remember, you must still give notice of your intention to marry at your local registry office.
HOW TO GET TO ELMLEY
Elmley is on an island, but it is easily accessible by railway and major roads.
GETTING MARRIED AT ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE
Corkage fee? No, not for daytime drinks.
Bar? Yes, fully stocked and licensed for you to use.
Sustainable venue? Yes! As Elmley is a nature reserve, its integral nature & wildlife work makes it a sustainable wedding venue choice. It’s also an off-grid site, powered by solar electricity.
Wedding licence? Yes
Late licence? The beauty of Elmley is that your wedding can continue for as long as you like – you’ll have no neighbours to worry about, so you can stay up around the fire pit all night long!
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT ELMLEY NATURE RESERVE
Where do I even start? This is one of the few venues within driving distance that has miles and miles of nothing surrounding it.
It’s such a treat to be able to walk around the venue and just be confronted with wide reaching views of nature.
But outside of those views, there are little pockets perfect for photography. Some of my favourites include using the little pathways, the striking buildings and the gorgeous window light in the accommodations.
