Introducing
Aimée & Oliver
On the 20th October 2024 Aimee and Oliver were married at our award-winning venue Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, in the heart of Kent. Aimée and Oliver exchanged their vows surrounded by the beautifully-tiered terraces of the garden pergola and held their wedding reception in the elegant glass orangery.
We asked the happy couple some questions about their big day to help you plan your own wedding at one of the UK's most extraordinary and spectacular wedding venues.
The Venue
Q: Did you see many venues before deciding?
A: Port Lympne was the first and only venue we viewed! Working as a wedding planner myself I have seen and worked in a lot of different venues and just knew we wanted something different and Port Lympne ticked all of our boxes!
Q: Why was it the perfect venue for your Kentish ceremony?
A: It offered elements that not every wedding venue has and gave us the opportunity to really do something different for our wedding and give our guests a real experience.
The Outfits
Q: Tell us about your wedding dress/outfit - where did you buy it, and how did you know it was ‘the one’?
A: My dress was exactly what I didn’t want when I went into my appointment, I was so adamant I didn’t want strapless but as soon as I saw it on I just knew it was the one! I bought my dress from Perla Nova in Suffolk and had the most incredible experience with them, they looked after me so well and I just knew the second I tried on my dress (Made With Love – Winter) it was the one! I also bought my pearl veil from the same shop and just loved my entire look. Just so sad I won't get to wear it all again!
Q: Did you have any special accessories or shoes to complete your look?
A: I had 3 buttons on each sleeve of my dress which were taken from my mums wedding dress and acted as my something old and borrowed. My sister also bought us both special wedding presents that we wore on the day, mine was my earrings and Ollie had some socks that had been personalized with our wedding date and a picture of our dog.
Hair & Makeup
Q: Who did you use for your hair and/or makeup for your wedding?
A: Makeup by Taylor did my hair and makeup and was just the best person to have on the wedding morning, we were constantly laughing and just made me relax. I loved everything about my hair and makeup, she made me feel so confident and special! I just wish the weather had behaved so my curls stayed all day!
Q: How did you decide on the style and look you wanted for the big day?
A: I went back and forth on my hair style for the day multiple times, as I wanted to do something different but not out of the ordinary for me. Right up until a couple a couple of weeks before the day I was having a low bun for my hair but then heard a piece of advice which was ‘You still want to look like YOU on your wedding day just the best version, so if you don’t usually wear your hair up don’t wear it up on your wedding day, you want to look back on pictures and recognize yourself’ So I went back to hair down and am so glad I did!
The Ceremony
Q: What was your favourite moment of the ceremony?
A: My favourite moment was reading each other our personal vows, it was a really special touch that I’m so glad we did.
Q: Did you pick any special music to walk down the aisle to, or have any readings?
A: I walked down the aisle to an acoustic version of ‘Simply the best’ me and Ollie love the song so I wanted to include it for the ceremony but in a more laid back style and I think it worked really well!
The Reception
Q: What food did you have, and how was it?
A: Our starters were parsnip soup or lamb kofta, for main it was beef bourguignon or roast chicken and dessert was crumble or chocolate torte. We had been telling our friends and family how good the food was ever since our tasting and everyone raved about it and said it was so good and the best food they had had at a wedding!
Q: What were your speeches like? Any standout moments
A: I loved all of the speeches, my dads and sisters were super special to me as neither of them like to be the centre of attention and they both made me cry within seconds of talking!
The Décor
Q: What was your décor/colour scheme, and how did you decide on it?
A: I wanted to make sure the décor we went with complimented the surroundings and the Orangery so we went with a simple white and green floral theme but warmed it up and made it more autumnal with hints of gold and cream.
Q: Who did your wedding flowers?
A: Rosie Obeney Flowers, a florist I have worked with before and loved so had to have her as part of my supplier team!
Q: How did you add personal touches to the look and feel of your day?
A: We included personal menus for each guest along with a handwritten place card that was displayed in a little gold animal as a nod to Port Lympne. We also had bar napkins with a picture of our dog Peppa as a way to include her in the day. Our guestbook was also really personal as we decided to do something different by asking our guests to leave us a note or piece of advice for our 5th, 10th and 15th anniversaries in a wine box with a bottle of wine we will open on those anniversaries and read the messages.
Q: Did you use any local suppliers for things like lighting, accessories and props?
A: We used Blacksaucers for the candle holder and chimneys. Based in Maidstone.
The Entertainment
Q: Did you have a DJ or a band? How did you choose them?
A: We had a band called Uptown Showdown from Boujee Music. We picked them as they ticked all the boxes for what we were looking for in a wedding band.
Q: What was your first dance, and why was it special to you?
A: Our first dance song was ‘Baby I’m Yours’ by Artic Monkeys. This song was special as it’s a song we have loved for a long time and its what I walked down the aisle to in our legal wedding the year before so has kind of become ‘our wedding song’.
The Photography
Q: Who was your wedding photographer, and how did you choose them?
A: D&A Studio was our photographer, and we chose them because they are amazing! Dan absolutely nailed our photos, and I couldn’t be happier! I was worried what they would come out like due to the bad weather, but you wouldn’t even know it was raining. I have worked with Dan a couple of times before and knew he would do an incredible job but he also makes you feel so relaxed in front of the camera, he really captured the day so well. Highly recommend!
Q: Do you have a favourite photo from the day?
A: I have so many I cant just choose one!
Q: Did you have a videographer?
A: We did, we had Carl from Six Eight Video. Another supplier I have worked with before who creates amazing work. We haven’t got our full video yet but the trailer made me cry and I can't wait to sit down and rewatch the day and relive it all!
And Finally...
Q: What was your absolute highlight of the day?
A: My highlight of the day was having all of our friends and family in one room, we have family all over the world and some we haven’t seen for years and it was so special to have everyone there it meant the world to us.
Q: Do you have any tips or advice for other couples having a Kentish Ceremony?
A: BOOK IT! Can't recommend it enough, the planning team were amazing! Ceyda was a superstar, and I loved working with her. I can't wait to come back!
Suppliers
Coordinator: Louise Perry Weddings
Photographer: D&A Studio
Videographer: Six Eight Video
Flowers: Rosie Obeney Flowers
Dress and Veil: Made With Love / Perla Nova
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Suits: Dapper Chaps
Bridesmaid dresses: Pretty Lavish Bridal
Rings: COO Jewelers
Hair and Makeup: Makeup by Taylor
Stationery: Leigh Calligraphy
Band: Boujee Music
Live Singer: Dale Ali
Celebrant: Kim Talyforth
Décor Accessories: Blacksaucers
Linen and Napkins: Northfields Linen
Ready to start planning your big day?
Our dedicated wedding coordination team would be happy to help you with any questions you may have about our wedding venues and packages at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve. Simply fill out out an enquiry form and someone will be in touch shortly.
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