5 things our Wedding Co-ordinators have seen and loved

1. Pet Memorabilia

Port Lympne is home to hundreds of rare and endangered species and whilst this is one of the main attractions about getting married here, it does unfortunately mean your furry friends can’t join you on the day. However, a solution our couples have found is by bringing in personalised pet memorabilia to incorporate them into the day. One way is by naming a cocktail after your pet which can be ordered by guests on the day. You can enhance that experience by providing personalised bar menus or napkins with their furry faces included. Some couples had their pets as part of their décor, their welcome sign, on the guest book table and often, on top of the cake! Others had their pets faces printed onto giant cardboard cutouts with sticks, which guests picked up throughout the evening and danced with until late. We loved this fun idea, and the guests loved it too.

2. Ring for Champagne

Every year we see new ideas; some ideas aren’t what we expect and ‘Ring for Champagne’ was definitely one of them! When a couple came to us to say they had hired in a ‘Ring for Champagne stand’, we were intrigued. This was set up on the Pergola lawn and available during the couple’s drinks reception. Guests would queue up, ring the bell and one of our lovely staff would put their hand through the curtain and hand guests a refreshing glass of champagne. To make sure the queue never got too long, we continued to tray serve drinks so no one was left dry and by doing so, the ‘Ring for Champagne’ remained a fun addition to the wedding.

3. Singing Waiters

Entertainment is a huge part of the day, and part of your wedding planning will be finding suppliers who you believe fit the style of your day. Whether you are looking for a string quartet, a saxophonist, a magician or DJ to encourage everyone to the dance floor, there are so many different types of entertainment to choose from. One style of entertainment we found to be popular in 2024 were singing waiters. These musicians would blend themselves seamlessly in with our wait staff, so guests believed they were part of the Port Lympne team. During dessert, one of the singers would drop something or fall over to create a scene making sure all eyes are on them, giving them the perfect chance to break into a song and entertain everyone. This was a great surprise for all guests and a lovely addition to the wedding breakfast.

4. Sweetheart Table

2024 saw a big change in the way couples organised their seating plans for the wedding day. Many couples are now choosing a sweetheart table over the traditional top table at their weddings. The reason for this shift is simple: they want a more intimate and personal experience. A sweetheart table allows the couple to sit alone, sharing a quiet moment together amid the celebration, while still being surrounded by their friends, family and wedding party. It gives them the space to connect with each other and enjoy the day without the formality of a large head table. This trend reflects a move towards personalisation, offering the couple more freedom to design a space that truly reflects their relationship and style.

5. Animal Feeds

Make your wedding day truly unforgettable by feeding an animal while dressed in your finest! While giraffes are still the most common animal our couples have chosen to feed on their day, this past year saw many other of our wild animals making an appearance in the wedding photos! This year we saw couples feed rhinos, red pandas and gorillas – making their wedding day even more magical with these unforgettable experiences. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your love and start your married lives together, with adventure and a bit of wild charm!