Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding 

Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding Venue is set in a 3300 acre nature reserve on the Isle of Sheppey in North Kent and may well be one of the most stunning wedding venues I’ve ever photographed. 

Blessed with stunning views and wildlife as one of the most important sites for bird conservation in the UK, members of the public are able to visit and walk Elmley Nature Reserve for a fee of £6. But luckily for us, and the focus of the article, it’s also possible to get married at the beautiful Kingshill Farm situated in the heart of Elmley Nature Reserve.

When you add to the beautiful setting, a great team and amazing accommodation for you and your wedding guests, then if you are getting married and are currently searching for your dream Kent Wedding Venue then Elmley Nature Reserve really has to be one you should seriously consider.

Elmley Nature Reserve - The Location

There’s really only one word to describe the location of Elmley Nature Reserve, and that is WOW! 

A wedding at Elmley Nature Reserve is based out of Kingshill Farm in the heart of the reserve and is surrounded by just glorious views across what feels like a wild landscape. For me, the landscape of the Isle of Sheppey always brings to mind a Wuthering Heights type of feel to it and as a wedding photographer I absolutely love that. Kingshill Farm has views across a nearby lake, some large oak trees (I think they are oak anyway!) and just has this really rustic, wilderness feel to it which is incredibly beautiful and presents so many opportunities for a photographer to capture some beautiful photos for any couple getting married at Elmley Nature Reserve

Elmley Nature Reserve Weddings - The Space

A wedding at Elmley Nature Reserve is located at Kingshill Farm and the focal point for the wedding is the gorgeous traditional Kentish Barn.

The Kingshill Barn

The barn at Elmley Nature Reserve is huge and absolutely beautiful. One of the things I liked about this barn was the huge window at the end overlooking the lake and offering gorgeous views across the reserve. Barn wedding venues do have the potential to be a bit dark indoors so this is pretty unique in my experience and allows natural light to stream into the barn. There are doors that open up onto the lawn which again makes the barn feel really open and light which is a real bonus for your wedding photographer.

Kingshill Barn has capacity for up to 150 seated guests with a maximum of 200 guests and is licensed for legal ceremonies.

Included in the booking is table and chairs, either rectangular or circular for up to 150 guests plus some vintage furniture pieces which all adds to the character of the venue. There’s also a PA system included should you need it for your wedding speeches

The Linhay

Louise and Sam chose to hold their ceremony in the open sided barn known as The Linhay. Again it holds all the rustic charm that characterises Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding Venue and provides a gorgeous backdrop for an outdoor ceremony. The Linhay is licensed and as such can hold a legal ceremony

The Courtyard Gardens

The courtyard is walled and surrounded by flowers and is licensed for an outdoor ceremony if you wish or makes a perfect spot for your drinks reception on a nice day.

The Reserve

The gorgeous countryside and woodland around Kingshill Farm can be used for a blessing which would be absolutely stunning.

Elmley Nature Reserve only takes on a small number of weddings each year and they pride themselves on being flexible and creating a unique, personal experience for every one of their couples. As they state on their website “

It is your wedding, your way – the place is yours for a wedding that will be unique to you. Our approach is relaxed and flexible. There are few restrictions and our dedicated team love new and unusual ideas.”

Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding Venue - The Accommodation

The accommodation options available for your wedding at Elmley Nature Reserve are absolutely stunning. 

When I arrived on the morning of Louise and Sam’s wedding I was gobsmacked by how gorgeous Kingshill Farmhouse was. The styling of the rooms and the light! Amazing! In addition there is accommodation on site for up to 62 guests from the Luxury Bell Tent Village to rustic shepherds huts which is such a huge advantage of Elmley Nature Reserve as a wedding venue.

When you book an Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding you get exclusive use of the site for 2 nights which is incredible for a real weekend experience for you and your guests.

Elmley Nature Reserve - Your Wedding Photos

Look, I’m going to say this now, Elmley Nature Reserve is a wedding photographer's absolute dream!!

If the weather is nice then well, the countryside, woodland, lake provide just the perfect location for a quick 20 minute walk to capture some relaxed photos of the two of you together. If it’s a bit wet, then the barn streams with natural light, the Linhay provides cover and open shade and the cottage has some absolutely beautiful rooms and light that I could shoot in for hours alone : ) 

Frankly, as long as you find yourself a decent photographer (cough, cough!) then you are sure to end up with an amazing selection of photos to look back on after your wedding day.

Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding - Your Evening Reception and Party

As the sun came down on Elmley Nature Reserve for Louise and Sam’s wedding, the walled courtyard area was a perfect backdrop for a chilled out evening of good food and drink. As things get a bit darker then the site comes alive with festoon lighting and the barn becomes a great place for you and your guests to really get down and party!

There is space for up to 200 people for your evening so for most people that’s going to be absolutely plenty. 

You are free to hire a band or DJ and one of the great things about Elmley Nature Reserve is that with it being exclusive use and with no neighbours, there’s no noise limiter so your band can really go for it! You will have access to The Kingshill Barn until midnight but there’s no curfew so as Elmley suggests, you should definitely have an after party around the fire pit!

Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding Pricing

You can find full details of the pricing for 2024 Elmley Nature Reserve Weddings by clicking here. There’s a lot included and a few options but to give you rough guide:

Weekends - for the full works including you paying for accommodation for two nights for 62 guests prices are from £31500. With your guests paying for their own accommodation the price is from £16500 including VAT. 

Mid week - From £26000 or £13900 if  your guests pay for their own accommodation.

In my experience that is actually incredibly good value for money for this quality of a wedding venue.

Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding - Useful Information 

Address

ELMLEY NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE, KINGSHILL FARM, ISLE OF SHEPPEY, KENT, ME12 3RW

Website 

https://www.elmleynaturereserve.co.uk/weddings

Email

WEDDINGS@ELMLEYNATURERESERVE.CO.UK

Phone Number

07494790291

Book a Call

You can book a call with Sophie at Elmley Nature Reserve to check 2024 availability and go over any questions you may have.

Elmley Nature Reserve Venue Capacity

Up to 150 seated guests , up to 200 total guests

Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding Brochure 2024

Click Here

Hotels Near to Elmley Nature Reserve 

As you will have seen, there is lots of accommodation available at Elmley Nature Reserve itself but if you need extra options here are some nearby hotels

The Shurland Hotel

Abbey Hotel and Conference Centre 

The Royal Hotel Sheerness

Queen Philippa

In addition to these hotels on The Isle of Sheppey, Sittingbourne is a 21 minutes drive away from Kingshill Farm with a range of hotels available.

A Real Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding - Louise and Sam

All in all, I'd have to say that Elmley Nature Reserve really is up there as one of the best wedding venues in Kent to get married in 2023 or 2024. For more of my favourite Kent Wedding Venues with loads of useful tips and real world examples based on my experience as a wedding photographer in Kent you can click here!